Racing to "Race"

I normally am not racing to "race" if you know what I mean. Speed wise, I just kind of fall right in the middle. But something came over me at my last race. It was a relay race called the Rainier to Ruston. As in Mr. Rainier to Ruston Way in Tacoma if any of you are familiar with Washington. The race was 52 miles long and we had a team of 6. We each ran two legs. I happen to be legs 6 and 12. This is my third year in a row doing this race- the first year I ran it without having done even one training run, I vowed the next year I would be ready and that's kind of how I got started running- and this year we had a family team.

I'm in the pink skirt.


So my 20 year old brother come sprinting into exchange 10 really battling it out with another young male runner. It was quite exciting-he finished first!



He then informed me I better do the same at the finish. I really didn't think the situation would present itself. This is a small race of 200 runners total. So teams come in finishing every few minutes. Well, with about a 1/2 mile to go, I got passed. I tried to keep up with her for a little bit, but I was so tired! When I got around the last corner and saw the finishing bell, I knew I had to go for it, or else I would never hear the end of it from my brothers! The girl was probably 20 yards ahead of me with about 150 yards to go. I sprinted like I was running to save my own child. I knew my face was showing it too and I couldn't help it. I really didn't think I could catch her, but sure enough I passed her with about 10/15 yards to go. It was too close to the finish for her to try to pass me back. She was surprised too. he he. People were screaming like crazy and it was a rush! I couldn't even speak afterward for a couple of minutes I was so out of breath. Needless to say the team was proud of me and thought it was a great way to finish the race! And we were 53 minutes faster than last year!!






After rewatching this video, it just doesn't really do justice to the excitement of it all. I wish it was longer and you could see me from 150 yards out to when I pass her. :) Also, that is my little guy in the gray hood sweatshirt, I love how he jumps up at the end.


That's what sprinting will do to your backside.

I do have to mention that really we weren't even competing against each other as I found out she was on a team of 4 and we were a team of 6, but it's principle, right?!