Smoky Mountain Relay

For the past several months, I have been training for the Smoky Mountain Relay. It's a 212-mile relay ran by 6 or 12 team members. I was on a team of 12, and we definitely were the best team there, at least in team spirit. Our official team name was Hiker Trash on the Run (HTOTR) because most of the runners are long-distance hikers who have some pretty awesome hiking accomplishments under their belts. Our unofficial team name/mascot was Zebrasaurus. This comes from the combination of several team members living in the Zebra Hill house in Asheville and from team captain Dinosaur/Kathryn/K$. Izaac, our team costume designer, created the mythical Zebrasaurus and put it into costume form. You can see what Zebrasaurus looks like from this group shot from the start of the race.

HTOTR met early Friday morning at Dino's house to get the party started. A few of us had met the night before for a pre-race dinner, but the Raleigh & DC contingents didn't get in until late. After a round of sleepy introductions, we loaded into our two rented 15-passenger vans and headed for the start of the race near Brevard, NC. The forecast for the day was 80% chance of rain and t-storms. For once, the weather folks were spot on. Pockets of downpour made for an interesting day of running and relay exchanges. We made the best of the weather by drinking lots of hot green tea mate and by Zebrasaurus making an appearance at every exchange.

After my van passed off the relay wristband to the second van, we had a several hour break to rest up for the night section of the race. We hit the grocery store and then napped away the afternoon. Luckily, the weather started clearing up as it got closer to our next section of race. While we were waiting for our other team van, we met another really funny team called the Pusseyfooters. Their van had a life-size cheetah hanging out on top and cheetah print covering their rental van. Very classy. Around dinner time, we heard from our other team van that they were really close. We got ready for the next exchange, and we were off!

The next few legs were some of the longest for my team's runners, but also some of the fastest. Kerby had to do a 9.8 mile leg, but averaged something around 7 minute miles. Between his run and Izaac's crazy fast 5-mile leg, we had passed quite a few teams. By the time my turn came around, I didn't really have to worry much about getting passed. So I took off just after dark and enjoyed my 5.4 mile leg through the rolling hills not too far from the big town of Otto, NC. Two more runners later, we had an 11 pm exchange with van 2. All of us were pretty pooped and ready for some much needed shut-eye.

After figuring out how to get to the next exchange, via some really long forest service roads, we set-up camp around 1 in the morning in just above freezing temps. 4 am came WAY too early. Van 2 had made up even more time overnight and we were one of the first three teams on the course. We begrudgingly got out of our warm sleeping bags and took down our tents. Kayah was up first and she ran like a champ despite not having any green tea mate power in her veins. Kerby and Izaac ran so fast they beat the sun, so I was the lucky runner who got to see the sun come up on my leg. It was especially great because I saw the sun just as I was cresting Tellico Gap and the Appalachian Trail crossing. The climb up to Tellico was a bitch, but I was able to make up some time by running downhill for the next 4.5 miles. My quads were burning, but I had the best time singing my heart out to some country music as the sun was rising. It certainly was a great morning to be alive and to be healthy enough to be running this crazy race.
Check out this video of my finishing up my final leg. Notice the snazzy vest. Several of us tried to look our best for various legs of the race.
Tori and Mark brought it home for Van 1. We made our final exchange with Van 2 and headed out for some much needed breakfast. Luckily, one of the local fire departments offered an all you can eat breakfast for $5. After chowing down and catching up with one of the teams we were neck and neck with (Dead Goats Society), we headed for the NOC. We hooped and hollered for the teams we passed en route and then collapsed in the ice cold water of the Nantahala River upon arrival. Rather, Kerby, Izaac, and Tori collapsed in the water while the smarter team members (Kayah and myself) collapsed on the picnic table.

We had a decent wait for our team, since they still had some 50 miles still to run. We spent the afternoon napping, snacking, and playing games. Finally, the other van arrived. So far, no other teams had crossed the finish line. We all headed to the end of the course and waited patiently for our last teammate and captain - K$/Dinosaur/Kathryn to come flying down the trail. And fly down the trail she did! She didn't bother to stop and wait for us. Which way to the finish? We all took off behind her and crossed the finish line. Since the race officials wanted us all to finish together, we did a slow motion crossing of the finish line. Pretty hilarious.

We were the first team to cross the finish line - hooray! That meant we were the winner, right? Not exactly, but we milked it for all it was worth. We had the satisfaction of watching all the other teams finish, while we chowed down on BBQ and beer. It was nice to chat with some of the folks in van 2 since I didn't know them well. They had some pretty elite runners also. They had Moe, who ran the "Tough Mother" section and sailed past the team that was beating us. They also had Mark, who had ran the Boston marathon just last week. I feel fortunate to have been on such a kick ass team.

As most of my teammates headed back to where they came from, a few of us stayed around to watch the other teams finish and enjoy the beautiful spring day. A spontaneous dance party erupted, and several race officials joined in. The moment we had all been waiting for was seeing Seth Avett (one of the famous Avett Brothers - a favorite music group of mine) cross the finish line. I was off playing soccer with a few teammates and thankfully Dino came and pulled me over. That's the closest I have ever come to meeting him. He looked just like the rest of us, tired and satisfied after two days of running. Super stoked to see him either way.

I'll leave you with this funny shot of the best dressed group of runners at the race - Izaac, Tori, and myself. What a great experience. Can't wait to do something this crazy again. Oh yeah, and did I mention we actually came in 3rd out of 23 teams? Not too bad for this hodge podge group of runners who weren't even sure we would finish.