After our van completed our second legs, we headed to “the sleeping field” at the next van to van transition in the town of Mist. We were all exhausted and actually looking forward to sleeping on the ground, unfortunately the traffic was INSANE. It took us a couple of hours to get there. I rested my eyes in the back seat, thinking that may be the closest I got to sleep. Our driver Alex was AMAZING at keeping the van positive.
We pulled into the field at about 5:20 am. My next leg was projected to start at about 7:30am, but we figured the other van may be ahead of projected time. Some of the team caught an hour or so sleep outside in the field.
I curled up and slept from 5:45 to 6:45 in the back seat. Of course by “sleep” I mean: check my phone every 10 minutes, thinking I had missed my alarm. At 6:45am we got up and waited in an insane line at the Honey Buckets. I was FREEZING cold dressed in long sleeves, capri’s and a zip up hoodie. After taking care of business, I ate a couple of chocolate covered espresso beans, had a sip of nuun and tried not to panic.
At that point, I had ran 2 legs, one of which was screaming down a mountain. We had about 60-90 minutes of sleep and weren’t fueling properly. I mentioned to a team mate that I was afraid I’d tell my body to “go” and it would say “NO!”. In fact, I believe I told a few of them “I’ll try my hardest, but if you see me walking, just drive by. Don’t cheer me on, just act like you don’t see me,I’ll get there.”
I was tired, and it was so cold* (hello, I’m used to 108) that as much as I knew I’d try….it just didn’t seem physically possible.
Turns out it was a good thing I got ready early, our team captain from Van 2 came running up, letting know they would be in early. I needed to be in transition NOW. I tossed my jacket and made the decision to bring along my walkman mp3 player. Hood to Coast has strict rules about running with music,due to safety reasons. But, they DO allow you to run with music “below your head”. I looped my walkman around my neck and decided I’d just turn it up. It wouldn’t be loud enough to bother others, but I’d have it for a boost.
In no time at all, XLMIC was flying into transition. I snatched the slap bracelet and set off. I was cold and tight, but instead of being miserable….I realized I was LOVING it!
My last leg was short, 3.75 miles. The first mile was relatively flat,but the rest was “rolling hills”. Honestly, I’d take rolling hills over flat any day. It took me a bit to warm up,but soon I had a “power song” on and I was PASSING dudes. Yep, I had more road kills on this leg than the others combined. In fact, my pace on this 3rd leg (on hardly any sleep,with sore muscles) was almost the same as on the first DOWNHILL leg. Here is what was playing as I passed the first 3 guys:
Yep, as cheesy as it sounds I put it on repeat and felt like I WAS ruling the world. I would pick a target and catch up and pass. Prior to the leg, I just focused on doing my best, I didn’t feel especially competitive. I don’t know if it was the lack of sleep or food, or the cool weather,the music or what, but suddenly I WANTED to track people down and pass them.
I haven’t talked about our other nuun team so far. Unfortunately, Nuun Platuun and After-nuun Delight didn’t have much interaction along the way. We were at different paces (their team projected to finish MUCH faster than us) and we were all worried about simply making it to the next transition. However, we were aware of where each other was in the race. Somehow, we ended up leap frogging with them throughout the race.
We’d be ahead,then they’d blow past us and we would repeat. We knew going into it that their team was much faster, but the emphasis wasn’t on paces it was about having fun. I didn’t expect to see them on this leg, they started it waaaay before us, but suddenly I was crested a hill and saw a glimmer of a sparkle skirt their team was sporting.
And then, I WANTED our team to pull ahead of them…..even if we’d only be able to hold it for the next few legs. I’ll admit, knowing they were such a faster team made us feel like the underdogs. (sidenote: these were just our girly personal feelings,nothing to do with nuun. They ROCK!) In that moment, I didn’t want to be an “underdog”.
So I picked up the pace. I could tell the other runner was struggling poor thing, so I asked if she was ok. She said yes….and then I passed her. I flew up and down the next few hills on a high. It was a small thing, but I felt like I was FINALLY showing people what I had.
I came FLYING into transition, pumping my legs as fast as I could, feeding off the cheering of the crowd. I saw the president of Nuun, Mason on the sidelines yelling “Great job Tricia”.
In that moment, I felt like I belonged, like I deserved to be on the team.
I handed off to Captain Cupcake, and while I don’t remember it, apparently I very loudly said “GO! They’re right behind us!!!”
(still catching my breath, but BEYOND stoked with how much I enjoyed that run)
Umm yeah…I’m not a trash talker. I had no clue that was coming out of my mouth, I guess I got caught up in the moment. Luckily, the other team (After-nuun Delight) seemed to take it well. They said “We heard what Tricia said, it’s on!”
It was now a light hearted competition to the finish. And I had just done my part, and done it well.
*outfit by RunningSkirts.com I ended up being super thankful I ran in the long sleeve, it kept me warm without over heating me. The skirt was comfy and the compression capri’s kept my IT bands happy
My 3 legs were done, but the race wasn’t over yet. Did we hold on to our lead? Check back for more soon!
Oh man – you made me all teary! I can't imagine what it feels like to run three times in a day under those conditions – and what an amazing last leg! You rock!
Way to get after it! Love these recaps!
Awesome kick to the end!!! I love that song by Beyonce…it's on my running mix! Sometimes we all get caught up in the moment!!! Way to go!
Good girl!
Way to go!! I love the recaps and the honesty. Love that song, thank you for sharing it. Just added it to my running track on iTunes!!
I love that you said they're right behind us!! That is too awesome. Man, you came in like a caged lioness that just got out of her cage! Great job!
LOL…I think that one comment started something. Our entire team pushed really hard on that third leg, not necessarily to beat the other team, but for the other team not to beat us. A tie would have been GREAT. I know your “trash talking” and speedy performance helped to inspire me to put in that extra effort on my last leg. You seriously killed it!
I don't understand how what you said is 'trash talk'? And being the underdog is the BEST! I'd take triumphant underdog over bummed favorite any day
Oooops…i think that's 'trash talk'…
And you forgot the part about how at every hand-off I looked as freaked and dazed as if I had narrowly avoided being abducted by Sasquatch and didn't even see you right in front of my face!
You are amazing, Tricia! Super gutsy, speedy and just about the sweetest person on the planet
I love hearing the tale of HTC from your perspective…and I am so glad I am not the only one who turned it into a miniseries!
Love you.
I love this recap! What an amazing way to finish your last leg. I love some friendly competition in a race and I do the same thing – find someone ahead of me and put a little target on their back. It's pretty incredible how it pushes you on!
I love reading everyone's experience at the HTC. What an awesome opportunity!
If it weren't for you “trash talking” (which it totally wasn't, by the way), I don't think I would have been as amped to run my last leg as quickly as I did either! Sounds like we were feeling similar things in regards to being tired & sore, and yet going out there & giving it our all. You did SO great — thank for you the optimism & drive you handed off with the baton at every exchange.
xoxo,
A
Your feelings are totally just like mine while on a relay! Exhausted, not fueled, yet pumped up at the same time and totally competitive without even realizing it. I do tend to run faster during the relay…something about seeing another runner up ahead that just spurs you on. So glad you had a great time!
Glad you had a great last leg after a long day!!! Way to go!!Sounds like the whole race was the experience of a lifetime!:)
Great job and i loved this recap! Way to pull through despite being tired and not well nourished! So happy you did so great!
YAHOO! You seriously rocked this race. You are awesome!
That is so cool! I'm always more competitive than I would like to admit. You really rocked it though. And there's no better feeling in this world than knowing you fit in somewhere when you weren't sure you belonged at first. It's a real “you've made it baby” kind of moment. I love it.
You were awesome! I'm loving reading these HTC recaps – y'all are hardcore!!
great job!!! way to dig deep and turn it on! The last legs were so much fun..and VAN 2 knew that VAN 1had worked so hard and we wanted to KEEP IT UP!!! So much fun!!
Underdog status…that's the way to be! I love stealth attacks. Maybe that's why you gals were wearing camo. :^)
ahhhhh!!! love it! and love how you totally rocked your last leg! that one is always my hardest in a relay!
Of course you DESERVED to be on this TEAM from the start! proud of you my friend!!!
Of course you belonged and of course you kicked butt! Great job on your last leg – such an awesome story!
I can't stand it I am so proud of you!!! LOVED the part about your power song -passing dudes and running the world! YOU ROCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hugs and have a pretty day!
Kristin
I am lovin the suspense!
Love it! A little friendly competition never hurt anyone… and you did ask the other runner if she was ok.
Way to go!
Great job! I just happened by your postand thought it was pretty motivating.Never thought about calling those peple i breeze by ” roadkill” but im gonna borrow that saying from you. I'm at best weight around 220 to 23o when i do my races and marathons and i am portly. Nothing gives me greater pleasure than passing the thin folks and never letting them catch up.LOL. Fastest mile 7:03 Fastest 26.2 -4:19. Keep getting that raodkill!