26 March 2011

Marathon relay? Tomorrow? Me?!!

Ummmmm......

Okay!  :)

A friend called me this morning.  One of my pack of running friends... we are a pack, like wolves... a pack of ... I don't know how many 'cuz I think I am the Lone Wolf.

I know some of my friends run, but I don't always know which ones run. We don't talk about running... ever. I know they run because I will occasionally see a Facebook update about how one of them just finished an awesome 8-miler (the same route I had done the day before... alone) or how one of them has been training for a half-marathon and is getting on a plane in the morning to go to the race.

I always leave a comment. Something like, "Hey! I ran that this weekend, too! Want to buddy up next weekend?" or "Awesome! Hope it goes well! Let me know if you ever want to go running together when you get back in town :)" They always reply along the lines of, "Yeeaaaahhhhh..... okay....." And I continue my loopy-doo figure-eightyeights inside The Gate... in the dark... alone.

Until someone drops out of a relay team.

And I get the call.

They all know I am running now because since last October I have been ramming down their throats posting links to my blog on Facebook. I am not sure if they think I am laughable or intimidating :P But maybe my beginning cross-training has signaled a certain je ne sais quoi ... indicating a level of seriousness heretofore unmentioned or alluded to leads to these kinds of calls.

"Hey, XL... what're you doing tomorrow?'
"Hi, Y! I don't have any plans... what's up?"
"Want to run in the Oakland Marathon Relay tomorrow? Our second leg just dropped out on us."
"OOOoooooo (squeal of delight)! Sure! How far?"
"Between 5 and 6 miles... we have everything... the hand-off is at Temescal... you know where that is?"

I know where it is and am remembering checking out this race about 2 weeks ago as a possible "training run" as there is also a 10K and a half as part of this Oakland Running Festival. And I am realizing that the leg they want me to take is ... ummmm... well, killer.  And not in a "ooooo, killer dress, doll!" sort of way.
Check out this hump... That'll be me.
No wonder their second leg dropped out :P


Would you jump into a race like this... even if were against the rules?

12 comments:

  1. Ooh! Exciting! Good Luck! I think impromptu things are twice as fun sometimes. Some of the pressure lifted! I would totally do it!! Can't wait to hear about it!

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  2. 225 feet elevation gain over 4 miles...do a little math...200 over 20,000, drop two zeros...that's actually about a 1% grade on average. Its an incline but should be (somewhat) gentle.

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  3. I didn't know that you were in the Bay Area. I grew up in Marin. Please post more No Cal pics :-) Maybe you should go take a pic of the house I grew up in in San Rafael.

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  4. How exciting! It sounds like it will be a blast. I've always wanted to do a relay, but enver have anyone to do it with me.

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  5. I think this sounds fabulous! I'd love to be part of a relay team someday- sounds like super fun...
    Can't wait to hear how it goes.

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  6. Thanks for stopping by my blog! Are you in SF?! I miss the Bay area--went to school at Stanford, but now in eastern WA. :P

    You are a mama to 10?!?! Holy mother!

    Good luck today on your relay--love the team environment-feel that comes with relays!!

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  7. soooo fun!!! Can't wait to hear the details!! :)

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  8. Good for you!! Exciting! I'm blog hopping and found yours. I'm now following. Would love for you to check out my blog and follow back!

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  9. Thanks for stepping in and an awesome second leg!!! Our team rock! Next year, again, right?

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  10. Good for you! I don't think I would ever want to run with you.... I am sure I would be too slow. I usually run alone for that very reason. I think others will be annoyed with me, or try and talk to me while I can hardly breath!

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  11. I hope you made it over that massive hump!

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