RTO 2011-Part 2

**Picking up where I left on in my previous blog post**

So Van #2 was now beginning our second leg. We met up in the Raley's parking lot for the handoff with Jason. John, God love him, had to run hills AGAIN. His leg (19) took him from Tahoe Basin (elevation 6200') to the top of Daggett Summit (elevation 7334'). He was a champ! He finished his leg ahead of his estimated time and we were all so proud of him. Marlaina and I were getting ready to split up the run down Kinsgbury Grade.

She did great! She's excellent on the hills and we were all suitably impressed as we watched her pass other runners on the course. Keep in mind it's probably 1 am at this point and you can't see a thing. We recognized other runner's reflective vests and gave them loving nicknames, like Sparkle Vest and Angel Wings; there was definitely flappage on that one. I was nearly ready to run and we parked the van on a pullout to await Marlaina. It was so cold out there. I decided to keep warm by waiting in the van. I had just barely sat down on the seat when my teammates shouted that she was within eyesight and I needed to HURRY!!

Another super rushed exchange between Marlaina and me I was off and running. The experience of running in the inky blackness was well worth the price of admission. With nothing but a headlamp and the occasional van headlights to light my way I hauled ass down the last half of Kingsbury Grade. I had a nice chuckle to myself as I passed a couple of runners (roadkill) while "You Sexy Thing" pumped out of my iphone. As I made my way to the bottom I could see Steve ready with his night gear on and a smile on his face. We made the exchange and I was back in the van, surging with an amazing runner's high.

While Steve worked through his second leg we maintained our cheerleading duties, careful not to blow the vuvuzela too loudly in town lest we incur the wrath of the locals. His exchange with Nico took place at the Genoa Courthouse Museum. Bless those checkpoint volunteers! This was by far the funnest exchange point. Remember, it was the middle of the night, so it was pitch dark outside. This particular checkpoint had a killer runway for the runners. It was made up of assorted shoes wrapped in glow sticks. Most excellent.

In keeping with our theme of hasty exchanges Nico was "indisposed" while Steve ran his to the end of his leg. We tried to track down Nico for the exchange as quickly as we could. It didn't take long and Nico was running like the wind. His leg was pretty long (6.2 miles) the last half of it was uphill. Poor bastard. He ran like a champ! Our team was making great time as he ran up to where Don was waiting at the Jacks Valley Fire Station.

The handoff went great and Don, who would later be lovingly referred to as Night Ranger, began his leg looking dapper in his black running gear and fluorescent yellow vest. His run took him down into Carson City and into the Wal-Mart parking lot where Van #1 was waiting for us for the next big exchange. Don finished up his leg, once again making the Trots proud by coming in under his estimated time. We were starting to feel pretty good, if not a little exhausted.

Don and Jason made the handoff like old pros and we were off to find food and rest while we waited for the other half of the Trots to run their legs. We were two-thirds of the way through this thing and our spirits were high. Lucky for us, a Trot that had to bow out offered us up use of his property to rest our weary leg and eyes. We made our way to his house where he was waiting for us; by this point it was probably 4 am-ish. He cooked waffles that I heard were amazing. While Nico, John and Steve had a literal breakfast of champions Don, Marlaina and I opted to catch a few winks in the van. Thanks Nate! That was so so nice of you and was very much appreciated!

It seemed like my eyes had just shut when we got the call that we needed to get back on the road. Holy shit! Van #1 was making excellent time! We made our way to Virginia City, to the exchange at the Bucket of Blood Saloon. At this point in the race it was just past sunrise and the wind was picking up. It seemed even colder than when we ran at night. Joe ran up the last hill with amazing speed. Van #1 did an amazing job with their portion of the race. We clearly had our work cut out for us. We couldn't have them showing us up. :)

John took off on his final leg like a man on a mission. He had one last of hills to tackle and tackle them he did. His last 5K came in under time AGAIN! He made the exchange with Marlaina and she began her final leg, nearly 4 miles all uphill. At one point during the run those of us on cheering duty lined up to give Marlaina a series of well-deserved high gives. She killed those hills!

It was getting time for me to begin my last leg and I was getting really sick to my stomach. My legs were a little sore from running down Kingsbury Grade and now I was getting ready to face my longest leg-6.5 miles down Geiger Grade. The elevation for that leg drops from 6'500 to 4'500 feet. With Marlaina fast approaching I got myself psyched up for the last stretch. I wasn't used to having to wait around at an exchange; the other ones had been so chaotic. She ran in with a giant smile on her face and I started my run.

Something wonky happened with my RunKeeper and while it played music during my run it didn't offer any coaching, which meant that I had no idea how fast I was running or how far I had run. By this point in the race there was a fairly good distance between me and any other runners, though I had my eyes set on a Thong Distance Runner. I made roadkill of that chick and enjoyed the view as I ran down the windy mountain road. My feet slapped on the pavement as I passed another runner, not sure which team he was on. The grade of the hill was really taking a toll on my feet and the hotspot on my right foot started to burn. I ran through it, eager to hand off to Steve and finally be done with the race.

I came to the bottom of Geiger Grade and past the church where Steve was waiting with his ever-present smile. I think I may have slurred the word "Go!" as I handed him the bracelet, but I may have just been making guttural noises at that point. We hopped in the van, ready to cheer! As soon as I sat down, my calves started shaking. 6.5 miles downhill will have that effect on them. I took my shoes off because I wanted to check on my foot. As soon as I took the sock off I saw a HUGE blood blister. Seriously, it was bigger than any one I've ever seen before. As Steve ran my cheering was done mostly from the van windows, screaming and blowing the vuvuzela as we would drive by. We had to get to Double Diamond Athletic Club for the exchange with Nico. And a weird thing was happening. Calculations were being done and it was starting to look like we might actually be able to finish the race in under 24 hours. What?!?

Steve and Nico made their exchange and we grabbed some pulled pork sandwiches before we got back on the road. Nico's final leg took him down Double R Blvd. and onto Longley Lane. We tried to hit the light at South Virginia to make it easier for him to cross the street. Alas, Reno traffic can be a bitch and we weren't so lucky. Nico made the charge up *and* down Windy Hill where he met up with Don who would run it in to the finish for team Tater Trots. Not to add to any pressure he might have felt, it was figured that if he could run his last leg (5.4 miles) in under an hour then we would finish in under 24 hours. To most people, this would seem fairly manageable, but then again most people haven't already run two other legs on no more than 4 hours of sleep. We were confident that he would be able to kill it!

As Don ran, we drove and cheered like maniacs, whipping out the vuvuleza and the air horns for this final leg of the RTO. Each time we pulled up to a stop we would check out watches to what kind of pace he was running. It was looking good for the Trots. As he ran into Wingfield Park towards Idelwild we realized that we needed to find a parking spot FAST in order to cheer him in on the last stretch near the finish. We hurried to Idelwild Park and while Nico parked the van, Steve and John grabbed the tots bag off the antennae and whipped up a makeshift flag. Marlaina and I ran to the end as Don was rounding the turn to head into the park. We found hte folks from Van #1 who were there to root for Don. He was handed the flag and in true Tater Trots form gave it everything he could to finish strong, tongue hanging out and all.

He crossed the line and team Tater Trots finished the 2011 Reno Tahoe Odyssey with a time of 23:48:52. Yes, that's right. We finished in under 24 hours. When the final results came in we learned that we had placed 23rd.....out of 204 teams. How amazing is that?!!? I couldn't be more proud of our team if I tried. It was truly and honor, a pleasure and a thrill to be allowed to compete amongst such a fine group of people. I have made friends for life and have shared in an experience that I will remember forever. Despite being exhausted, sore, and hungry as we all grouped together for the ceremonial picture of us crossing the finish as a team we couldn't help but talk about getting a team together for next year. It's been two weeks since the race and I still haven't come down from my runner's high. Awesome.