Last week I was fortunate enough to take part once again in the epic One Run For Boston coast-to-coast relay. In a previous post I wrote about my first experience participating in this event last year and was hoping this year would match the incredible experience of last. Not only did it match it but exceeded it!
Last year’s ORFB went right through my home town of Lake Havasu City. Although I did not get to run those stages as they were filled before I signed up, I did get to run part of a stage in Parker just a little under an hour away before the other runners got to Lake Havasu. Once here, several of us from the Havasu Hustlers Run Club headed out to cheer on the runners (whom we did not know) as they ran through town. It was such an awesome, incredible experience knowing we were part of something so meaningful.
This year the route took a turn and bypassed Lake Havasu City heading east toward Phoenix from Parker. I was concerned this would discourage members of the run club from signing up but quite the contrary. We had more than double participate this year! As an added bonus for me, we had back-to-back stages (stage 32 and 33) and I needed a 17 mile long run for marathon training that week so I was able to run both stages and had several different running partners along the way. Talk about the best way to get a long run in! The time went by so fast even though I was running slowly!
Shaun & I ready to go at 3am!
My close friend and former training partner, Shaun and I were running stage 32 together, which started at 5am in the middle of nowhere. We were super excited when a few days before our friend Mel offered to be our support vehicle! He ran stage 12 with his daughter and grandson just a couple days earlier in California and wanted to continue being part of it.
Williams hand-off to Shaun
Heading out at 3:15am (ugh) we drove past stage 31 runner, William, an hour later. He was 10 miles into his 13 mile stage. We pulled over to introduce ourselves and see if there was anything he needed. He was doing good, happy to see friendly faces out there all alone, and we told him we’d see him in three miles.
The start of stage 32 was very dark and cold along a long lonely highway. When we got to our spot, another vehicle was there and it was another friend, George, who had come up from Surprise, AZ to run our stage with us! Even more fun, George and I helped start the Y Run Club back in 2002 in Puyallup, WA! Once we got started on the run, Mel, being the awesome guy that he is, gave William a ride back to his vehicle. We runners sure stick together!
Shaun’s goal was to run 6 of the 9.5 mile stage. Not only did she make the full 9.5 mile stage, we even ran an extra half mile further, missing the transition area for stage 33 since our team wasn’t there yet! That was her longest run in almost five years!
George, Shaun and I at end of stage 32
Next was stage 33 shared by Patty, Teri, and Eileen. I handed the baton off to Patty and still kept on running with her. After two and half miles (her leg was cut a half mile short by us running farther than supposed to) she then handed the baton to Teri and I kept on running with her. Last was the fast one of the group, Eileen for my final 1.65 miles of my 17 miler – oh great! I was very nervous about trying to keep up with Eileen 16 miles into my run. Let’s just say it’s a pretty good feeling when your last mile is your fastest mile of a 17 mile run!
The hand-off to Patty and start of stage 33
Running with Teri
Coming in strong behind Eileen
Support from Mel at end of 17 miler!
Stage 34 was ORFB administrator, Mary and her husband Patrick’s stage. We had fun meeting them and after seeing them off, our group had time to go grab breakfast at a local café before our final run club member, Jim, took off on stage 35. After breakfast we all hung out at the transition area for Mary and Patrick to come in and that’s when ORFB organizers, Danny and Kate, showed up. Any of you that have had the opportunity to meet them know what a treat that is – always so lively and bubbly, full of energy and positivity. We got to sign the Toyota ORFB car, get our Pay it Forward Rubber Duckies and ORFB t-shirts.
Patrick & Mary
Stage 34
Back of Jim’s car
Danny Boy and Mel
Shaun signing the ORFB car
Boston Strong Rubber Duckie
Havasu Hustlers Represent
Patrick came in and made the hand-off to Jim and he was off and running. We all said our good-byes and then we leaped-frogged Jim every two miles to cheer him on his 10 mile stage. We ended in the little town of Salome, AZ where Jim handed the baton off to Amy and now it was time to make the two hour drive home.
Patrick & Mary handing the baton off to Jim
Jim off and running
The hand-off to Amy and stage 36 begins
What and incredible experience!!! Sharing this with run club members, to meet other runners along the route and instantly feel like old friends, to know you’re part of something traveling across the country, making memories that will last a lifetime; once again it’s one of the most rewarding and awesome experiences of any race or event I’ve taken part in.
As of this writing the baton has just made its way to Oklahoma. The goal is to cross the Boston Marathon finish line on April 13th. There is still time to participate by signing up for a group stage, run with someone else or simply by donating to the cause which benefits the victims of the Boston Marathon bombings.
If you have participated in the One Run For Boston relay share your experience with us in the comments section below!
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