American Odyssey Relay

Recently, I had the opportunity to run another 200ish mile relay. This time we ran from Gettysburg, PA to Washington, DC. It was pretty spectacular! I have to say that this relay was much less difficult as far as elevation and steep hills than the Blue Ridge Relay, but whenever you're running, then riding in a van, then running again, (for approximately 33 hours) it's a little tough on the body! I was runner #12, which means I got to be the official finisher! I ran my last leg into DC, and it was pretty cool to see the monuments and have the experience to be the one cross the finish line.

My first leg was 5.4 miles, and I felt great. There were a few steep climbs, but they were short, and then I picked up speed running down hill, or when the road flattened out. This was a pretty run, through the country, with lots of cows checking me out as I was running by. My second leg started about 4:30 am and began in the Antietam Battlefield, which was very neat. This one was 5.7 miles, and to be honest, it was rough! It was very cold when I started, and it took me a long time to get comfortable and find my groove....like 5 miles, how's that for a long time to get comfortable?! Anyway, I finished in Sheperdstown, WV and was glad to be able to catch a few hours of sleep.

Most of the runners in my van ran their last legs on the C&O Canal, and that's where I started my last leg. I started in DC, but then crossed back into Virginia before re-entering DC via the 14th Street Bridge. I finished just past the Jefferson Memorial, and when I saw my teammates waiting for me, and cheering my name I had a sudden burst of energy and crossed the finish with a little hop in my step.

I feel quite blessed to be able to compete in these events. It's a great mental challenge, and a whole lot of fun! Here are a few pictures that I got.

Mike just finished a very tough 6.7 miles up a mountain...Eric is running #7, which means he is the first runner for our van.

Eric finishing his 5 miler...in 37 minutes! Phew! He was flying! Brantley is taking the wrist band.
Steve passing off to Josh
Josh passing off to Tim
Here I come! I love the finish to any race!

Jordan even got talked into running this relay. She was runner #1, so we were in separate vans, but I handed off to her, and she did AWESOME!!
We're all pretty awesome!