Sunday, May 4, 2014

Seneca 77.7 Relay Recap

I have to review this race before I move onto today's Race!

Last week I joined 6 other amazing females for the Seneca 77.7 Relay Race. I think the name says it all.
It is a 77.7 mile race along Seneca Lake, Starting in Geneva, NY and ending there as well. This race was in its 3rd year running and sold out fairly quickly!

Its a relay, hence the name. 21 legs, each of us doing 3 each of various distances around the lake.
There was staggering start times starting at 7 and working until 9:30 am. This was great to have the faster runners go last and slower go first, making everyone come in around the same time to the finish.

Our team name was "Heart and Sole". Our team was put together at work. All Physicians, Midlevels and nurses! What a way to get some comeraderie! We all knew each other pretty well and all knew each others paces, which was great when it came to the navigation and logistics of the race itself.

Our goal time was 9 min/mile and our start time was 8am

The weather was overcast in the 40's to low 50's with some wind. When you weren't running, you definitely needed to stay warm with some sweats! So glad I packed them and extra shirts to change into between.

Our team:

Legs 1, 8, 15- was run by one of our speediest runners, Karen. Karen was the life of the team! Ringing cowbells, congratulating everyone and just keeping an upbeat attitude

Leg 2, 9, 16- Ran by Tracy- A little on the quiet side. cute as a button!

Legs 3, 10, 17- Ran by ME!! - A crazy runner, Triathlete, Cycler, trying to get her next PR!!

Legs 4, 11, 18- Crazy Kristen!- Her speed is unbelievable she can talk in full sentences at a 7 min mile while I'm dying to breathe!

Legs 5, 12, 19- Ran by Liz- A spry, witty little thing! With her and Karen together it was like Frick and Frack!! Loved it!! They are the cutest!

Legs 6, 13, 20- Ran by Cheryl- My colleague and friend! She is an amazing, funny person! Glad she joined our team at the last minute!

Legs 7, 14, 21- Ran by Miranda- Has the greatest running form!! I have a few pictures of her and they are amazing!

It was a long day of heckling, cheering and laughs. I didn't know how I would stay awake and survive a whole day of running and cheering. But, then, I thought of my days of Ironman, Getting up at 4 am, not getting home until late in the day.

My first leg came on very fast. Leg 3. 4.95 miles. Moderate climb. I was in the Porta loos, I needed to hurry. Karen started taking my clothes off telling me Tracy was coming. I started off pretty fast but was able to maintain a good pace. I tried to keep a rhythm. It was nice to know my teammates would be driving by soon with their cowbells in hand. There is something about people waiting for you to continue the race that makes you move a little bit faster. The leg had approx 200 feet of climbing all going up from the start. 7:43, 8:13, 8:28, 8:41, 8.20. I was a little disappointed I couldn't keep them all under 8:30 But with the wind. I was OK with the total time. We were exchanging well and knew all our partners speeds which were nice!
For this leg I wore gloves, a hat, 2 shirts and pants. Felt a little warm and had to take the hat and gloves off.

The next couple hours flew by and I was ready to tackle the second Leg. It does get a little cold sitting in the car trying to warm up. I kept putting my sweats on in between legs, taking layers off so they could dry in the car.

Leg #10- 4.7 miles. A BIG descent. 450 feet down in 36 min was taxing on the legs. I tried to keep the feet light and quick. The miles ticked off. I was picking people out of the crowd to pass. This Leg, I chose to have a long sleeve and light jacket on. Pants, gloves and hat. Again, I took the hat off. Could've done without the jacket, But in between I was so cold I didn't know how I would get by on the run. I would rather be able to take layers off than to be cold the whole time! 7:45, 7:54, 7:33, 7:52, 7:46. I was hauling and felt pretty comfortable at this pace

Leg #17- 2.74 miles. Varied Terrain. Pretty made in the park that the volunteer directing us had no clue where we were supposed to go. another team that we knew running told us it wasn't the right mileage, it was only 2 miles. As I waited for Tracy to come through, I took off some layers and decided to run as fast as I could. After all, it was only 2 miles or so!! I ran with a short sleeve and tights only. The wind was picking up and I was afraid the rain was going to start any minute. If I didn't have to stop and talk with the guy who had no clue where to turn people, I would've had some even pacing. 7:32, 7:44, 8:11.

We were an hour ahead of our schedule. Waiting for Miranda to bring us home, we met her at the reunion line and ran the last quarter mile in together!

11:08- 8th fastest female team!!!

We had so much fun, we already said we would all do this again next year!!

Some not so fun times- Some of the stops were horrible in regards to stops and availability of the bathrooms. At one stop we all waited 30 min to use the bathroom!! We weren't there to cheer on our team mate and I think that there should've been more than just one or 2 bathrooms. The staggered start times were a great Idea, but the parking was terrible! Especially at the end when we were all catching up to each other. One stop, the volunteer was directing me to turn. Good thing I looked in my mirror because there were two runners coming in to the exchange point!!! That could've been ugly. I had terrible nerves in the state park with our team trying to park. We were so close to other cars and people. WAY out of my comfort zone.

Otherwise, Great swag, Great Post race party, Great Scenery, Awesome time with 6 of your friends!!!

Cant wait to sign up again!!!


















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