The Relay.

The Relay.

You’ve heard of Relay for Life, and I bet you’ve heard of Race for the Cure, but have you heard of THE Relay? Ya, I hadn’t either. But now, I’m a part of it. And I’m asking that you think about being a part of it as well.

A couple weeks ago Megan’s roommate, Korin, emailed a bunch of folks solicited a response about participation in this “Relay” – all capitalized and stuff. It was described as a 12-person relay race through some awesome areas around the bay area. I have been looking for a good excuse to get in shape—some motivation. I have temporarily given up ultimate frisbee because it exacerbates my hip injury that started nearly three years ago. (Turns out one-sided sports make injuries really tough). Anyway. A conversation with me with The Relay would have gone something like this:

ME: Wow, this “Relay” thing sounds like a great way for me to get back into running. What is it like?
THE RELAY: Well, I have the largest number of tourist destinations of any run. It goes like this, teams of 12 travel 199 miles through 36 cities including Calistoga, Napa, Sonoma, Marin, Sausalito, San Francisco, Palo Alto, Silicon Valley and across the Golden Gate Bridge under a full moon to the beach in Santa Cruz.
ME: Whoa, my California geography isn’t exactly stellar, but I’d say that’s a pretty good distance. But I guess there will be 12 of us…(my math failed me here, it turns out that 199 miles for 12 peeps means 16.58 miles per person.) And, wait just a second, the moonlight? Are we running through the night??
THE RELAY: Indeed! You start Saturday morning and each person runs his/her legs of The Relay until you finish sometime on Sunday (before 6pm).
ME: Intense! I love it. This must cost something, and is it like a fundraiser or something?
THE RELAY: Yes! It’s about $80/person to run, and then each team must collectively raise $600 to benefit organ donation.
ME: COOL! I just read Stiff, which talks a little bit about organ donation, and I have always been a believer in donating body parts…(Does that sound creepy? It wasn’t meant to, I assure you.) Sweet! I’m in!!!

So, ya, it went something like that. And now I’m racing (pun intended) to get in shape. I think this is good for me, and I’m already enjoying the challenge. The thing is, this Relay is coming up pretty soon! Like, it’s May 2-3. So far, I can run about 4 miles on hilly terrain without stopping. Each runner runs 3 legs and mine are legs 12, which is 4.8 miles and labeled “hard,” leg 24, which is 5.9 miles “moderate” and leg 36, which (if you do the math here: 12 runners, 3 legs each…) finishes the race with 4.7 miles “easy.” So, I guess I am doing ok, I mean, I only have to run 15.4 miles total, which is less than the average.

Please, think about donating to my team—we are called “Cage Free Dozen” and we have a pretty sweet t-shirt design (pictures will follow once the shirts are made). If you wish to donate, and, believe me, I know these are hard times, but even $5 or $10 will make a difference. Visit our fundraising website (specifically for the Cage Free Dozen). And if you are interested in more about The Relay, please visit their site.
Thank you in advance!!!!