Day 47- 12 people, 200 miles, 2 hours of sleep

I finished my first relay, and just like I was warned I would be, I'm hooked!! What an amazing experience. A team of 12 (unless you are running an ultra- in which case there would be 6 of you) starting at the Huntington beach pier and ending on Coronado island. The first 6 in one van and the second 6 in another; running continuously day and night.

Here is van #1, right before my first leg

We ran in over 80 degree temperatures, through the middle of the night with only the light of a head lamp, along beautiful scenery, and through not so beautiful scenery. We ran with groups of other runners, or in areas where we were the only ones for long stretches. It is amazing what your body is capable of doing; with only 2 hours of sleep and sitting in a cramped mini van with 5 other people, then getting up exhausted and beat and running another leg of the relay. What a mind game relays are. Holding yourself back to not exhaust yourself for your other legs, fighting the exhaustion, the heat, and the pain and putting in your all.

Van #1 after we each finished out first leg of the relay

Saturday afternoon, van #1 after we completed all 3 of our legs (man was it hot!)

Tara and I, first 2 done for our team.

We may not run for fun, but we sure will run for free beer! Wait, did we really just run 200 miles for 1 free beer?

The whole team at the end of the race!

I can't wait for my next relay! Dave, both Taras, Maria, Clif, Trent, Scott, Lacie, Brooke, Matt, and Beau thanks for an unforgettable experience. We rocked it!

Pura Vida!

Alica Ryan, NTP