Today: Let’s reach the beach.
[tweetmeme source=”elizabethev” only_single=false]Here’s the story, of a team named… well, we don’t know yet… but we do have a team. I am really excited to be running the New Balance Reach the Beach (Massachusetts) relay with eleven lovely ladies.
And now you know what I was doing (stealing people’s identities) when the stress of last night’s giant loss (get it…) got to be too much.
Our team includes:
- Anne of Fannetastic Food
- Sarah of SarahFit.com
- Patricia of Run Foodie Run
- Tina of Carrots ‘N Cake
- Ashley of A Healthy, Happier Bear
- Bridget of Yogurt and Berries
- Me (obvi)
- Theodora of Losing Weight in the City, whose shirt is proof that Patriots and Giants fans can peacefully coexist… in a photo collage, at least.
- Gretchen of Honey, I Shrunk the Gretchen!
- Monica of Run Eat Repeat
- Ali of Food Fitness Fashion
- Melissa of Fitness NYC
The relay will cover 200 miles over the course of 24 hours, beginning at Wachusett (were I learned to ski way back when) and ending in Westport. We’ll pass right by my hometown. And a bunch of other cute places, too.
I have wanted to run Reach the Beach since I learned it existed, so needless to say… I am excited. Excited and nervous. To be specific…
I am excited about:
- Having a “motivation race” on the calendar. When I swore off marathons for 2012, I initially thought the longest distance I’d be covering would be the walk down the aisle in November. Depending on which shoes I end up in, it may be a speed walk (truthfully, I will likely have to talk myself out of sprinting directly to Nick… I just can’t wait… in a balanced, non-crazy way). But just two months into the year, I’m finding myself itching to get a few longer races on my calendar. I miss training. I never thought I’d say that. But I just did. On the internet.
- The adventure. I love navigating (when my blood sugar is regulated, and there’s no traffic). With the exception of a small stint in New York, I have lived in Massachusetts my entire life. Yet there are stops along the Reach the Beach course that I have never visited, and some that I’ve never heard of. I am looking forward to a little exploring.
- A little friendly competition. I have heard such great things about the race course, staff, organization and atmosphere.
- “Living” in a van for 24 hours. It could be awesome. I’m envisioning mix tapes and hilarious stories and hair braiding.
- Nighttime. I haven’t run at night in ages, mostly because it’s either been unsafe, or I’ve been asleep. I am looking forward to our nighttime legs. I think reflective gear is a good look on me.
I am nervous about:
- “Living” in a van for 24 hours. It could be terrifying. I’ve recently realized (at one of Clark’s vet appointments, where I nearly hyperventilated into a poster about deer ticks) that I am claustrophobic. And I think any of my siblings will tell you that I am cranky when underfed or overtired. Plus, where will I plug in my hair straightener?
- Nighttime. I have read ever murder mystery available to me and watched every crime show (both true and ripped-from-the-headlines) that ever aired. My imagination works on overdrive, especially when the sun sets. While I know quite a bit about sociopaths (thanks to the serial killer marathon Meg and I watched after graduation), I know very little about nature. What I do know, though, is that racoons, bears, mountain lions and the occasional escaped domestic boa constrictor can and very much do exist in Massachusetts. The two times I’ve been camping, I stayed awake all night to keep watch. For what, I don’t know. Regardless, I am not sure a headlamp and a year’s worth of training at Peter Welch’s will cut it.
Clearly, I have a lot to learn over the next few months. If you’re a relay veteran, your advice would be most welcomed and appreciated. If you’d like to pass me on the course, or jump out of a bush and terrify me, registration is still open for both Reach the Beach relays.
Also On Tap for Today:
- Heartbroken Patriots fan? Here’s what to do.
- Catching up on some reading
- Holding on for dear life 🙂
What would you name your relay team?
Comments (21)
Sandra Laflamme
February 6, 2012 at 11:22 pm
You will have a blast. I have run Reach the Beach NH 4 times now and each time was an awesome adventure. I will also be running Reach the Beach, MA this spring for the first time. My team is the Pete & Gerry’s Organic Chicks from Northern, NH. We look forward to seeing you on the way to the beach!
Martin
February 7, 2012 at 9:36 am
Great post, Elizabeth, what a great team you have there and I look forward to following your journey to the beach!
liverunloveyoga
February 7, 2012 at 10:36 am
I did that last year!! I LOVED it! It is a super fun one! That was my second relay and the nighttime running was a little scary because you are in very rural parts of MA at that point but there were tons of other runners and your van won’t ever be that far from you. It is very hilly in the beginning so definitely do some hill workouts! I can tell you more about it when I meet you!
Michelle
February 7, 2012 at 3:00 pm
What a GREAT group of ladies! I’m so excited to read all about it… I’d love to do that sometime, too!
Molly Galler
February 7, 2012 at 5:12 pm
How exciting! I have many friends who have run this race and they’ve all had great (and crazy) stories. Can’t wait to hear yours! I also love the photo montage of all the ladies on the team. It looks like the web page that shows off all the Bachelor contestants! Good luck, ladies!
Sarah @ SarahFit
February 7, 2012 at 5:15 pm
Woooo! I love the graphic 🙂 Very excited and nervous about the van too! lol I’m totally that person that has to pee every 5 minutes and am probably going to be running into the woods often :/ or stopping at lots of gas stations, either one…
Mattie @ Comfy and Confident
February 7, 2012 at 5:45 pm
That is going to be so fun! You have a great team! I have done a 100 mile relay but never 200. 24 hours straight of running is a challenge, but I definitely want to do it one day. Good Luck
Di
February 8, 2012 at 10:42 am
Good luck! I’ve heard great things about this race. I’m sure you girls will have a blast. 🙂
Bridget
February 9, 2012 at 10:35 am
So excited for our giant runnning/slumber-party-in-a-van!! Wooot woot! Probably should start running again I suppoes 😉 Wish it would warm up!
liverunloveyoga
February 10, 2012 at 10:09 am
Hey Elizabeth! I tagged you in the 11 Things Blog Tag! I can’t wait to see your responses! http://liverunloveyoga.com/2012/02/10/a-day-of-elevens-2/
patriciadizon
February 12, 2012 at 4:59 pm
Great post, Elizabeth! Can’t wait to meet you and our team…I love that collage you made of our team! 🙂 Happy running/training!
Theodora
February 13, 2012 at 3:50 pm
Not sure if Giants and Patriots fans can exist together…
Elizabeth
February 13, 2012 at 10:41 pm
Fine. You get van 1, I get van 2.
Stellina
February 13, 2012 at 5:13 pm
Good luck! That’s awesome 🙂 You girls will do great, I’m sure!
Anne P
February 14, 2012 at 3:21 pm
Ha – I love that collage! Can’t wait to hang out in a van with you for 24 hours 😉
Gretchen @ Honey, I Shrunk the Gretchen!
February 17, 2012 at 5:58 pm
I can’t believe I missed this graphic from before. I love it! SO excited about this, even if I do end up being the one slowing the rest of you down 😉
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