This is the most recent picture I have of myself running. This was taken during the Southern Odyssey Relay which the Old Guns Young Ones WON!
When I consider the last eight years, 2004 to 2012, running is one of the few constants I maintained. During those years, I moved over 700 miles to go to school, I earned two degrees, I had several jobs, and I traveled extensively. Throughout running kept me grounded. It’s what I do when I am happy, upset, frustrated, confused, thoughtful; when I want to celebrate and when I want to escape; rarely is there a time I don’t want to go running.
Just the other day, it amused me to realize that I do not watch where I put every footfall (to be fair, I was not running trails). By rough estimate, I have run over 13,000 miles – enough miles for my brain to understand my stride and to know how to place my feet without being told. By contrast, when I was hiking to Tamassee Knob, I was often looking down, very conscious of the trail ahead, perhaps even more so than I would have been if running. I had to remind myself to look up and observe the beauty around me. By generous estimate, I have hiked about 300 miles. Perhaps if I hiked the AT or Pacific Crest Trail, I would have the same confidence in my hiking stride as I do my running stride.
Mid-fall is the season I love to run in most. Winter and spring running can be hit or miss when layering. Summer running can feel more like swimming in the humid southeast. Fall running takes a comfortable lead: with crisp mornings and warm afternoons; sunsets of yellow, orange, pink, and purple; and wisps of clouds brushed into the sky, there is so much to enjoy. In the fall, I wish I was running now and later and again. I cannot get enough.
There is so much more I have to say about running, but finding the right words is more challenging than a ten miler. I know running will continue to influence the person I become, so do not be surprised if we occasionally run laps around this topic.
Taking it back to High School with my Bff and Spudd Zebbie!
When it comes to cold weather running gear, you are my number one. I would save you before I would save my running tights because Ear Warmer, you make me brave.
When the wind is blowing and I think “maybe I’ll run tomorrow,” you remind me that the chill is no match for your tender warmth. You rest so lightly over my ears, yet manage to fend off the nipping cold. You do not complain when I wear you upside down nor when salt lines form upon you from my sweat. Further, if I was mistaken and in fact it is warm enough to go without you, you rest patiently on my wrist for the run to finish. Cold weather running would be simply unbearable without you.
For a time, I thought you had been left with my parents, or worse: lost, but you were tucked away with Hat and Scarf (neither of which are a match for your running prowess). On Tuesday, we were reunited for our first fall run of the year, and it was a wonderful thing.
So this post is for you, Ear Warmer, and I hope Tuesday was only the rekindling of our cherished friendship.
Old Guns & Young Ones — Southern Odyssey Relay 2012 Champions!!!
I have had plenty of time to think, but I still draw a blank on how to best summarize the Southern Odyssey 2012. It was a 24-hour adventure that was equal parts endurance challenge and road trip. The combo is certain to generate memories from even mundane events – a gas station stop, a u-turn on the highway, or an interaction with another team. Our team was a delightful mix of wild exuberance and steadfast determination. I can easily say that I would run a relay with that team any day – Old Guns & Young Ones for Life!
I would like to highlight one particular memory: One of my favorite quotes from the race came around 6:30 AM at exchange point 30. Our van had been sleeping there for about an hour, and I had just received a text from Paige saying Kevin was running leg 30. I roused Phil, the next runner on our team, and explained that Kevin was running and that he, Phil, might want to prep for his third and final leg. As he was waking up, I asked him if there was anything he needed/ how he was feeling, and he responded:
“I don’t know… We’re in uncharted territory.”
His statement perfectly summarizes, what it is like to compete in one of these races. You don’t train to run at 2 or 3 or 4 in the morning, you do it when the time comes. You don’t practice running three times in 24 hours, you rise to the challenge with a delirious smile. That is how you survive the Southern Odyssey (or any relay) and become a Champion.
In addition to the above picture gallery, I thought you might enjoy a selection of tweets from the #southernOD12:
What my teammates are saying in the days after the race (in a way, this is much better than anything I could have written):
Ali: “Ok, Julia was right… after a day at home I do think I want to do this again. But, I’m on Team Roadkill next time–in it to win it is intense. It was so much fun.”
Andy: “Mark your calendars. You have to defend your title.” Also, “It’s not a weekend, its a lifestyle.” (see picture below)
Julia T: “Still enjoying my runner’s high—goofy grin on my face all day today!! What a great team!!”
Suzy: “I had A LOT of fun getting to know all of you and competing! I’m down for defending the title next year!”
Kevin: “I can’t wait to do it again. OLD GUNS! YOUNG ONES!” & “Just saw two old guns run by my house – livin’ the lifestyle!”
Julia F: “I am SO honored to have been a part of Old Guns and Young Ones. I had absolutely no idea what I was getting myself into and I have never done anything like that before. It was awesome and exhausting and SO MUCH FUN! Thank you all for making it an awesome experience!”
Paige: “No rest for the weary. There’s time for sleeping in the grave.”
“It’s not a weekend, it’s a lifestyle.”
Are you interested in doing a relay?
One of the beauties of relay running is that you compete with a team of mixed abilities where each individual is vital. I cannot stress enough that you do not need to be an ultra runner to compete – if you can run five miles at a stretch and maintain a positive attitude on little to no sleep, you’re good as gold! If I had a chance to survey our team, I bet average weekly mileage would be between 20-30 miles and average long distance runs 5-6 miles. Maybe half of our team members have run a half-marathon or marathon, and only two had competed in a similar relay race before. So what are you waiting for?
