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Reach the Beach Relay

Last Friday and Saturday I had the pleasure of running Reach the Beach, a 200-mile relay race, with New Balance’s media and PR team, Girls Run Beta.

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This was my second time running Reach the Beach with New Balance, the first being as part of Team Off Balance in May of 2012.  (Leg 1, Leg 2, Thank You, The Gear)  Going into this year’s Reach the Beach, I was worried that it wouldn’t compare to my previous experience.  For months after the race, Team Off Balance sent random emails and text messages to each other filled with inside jokes and memories. We comforted and supported each other through tough runs, danced to Call Me Maybe and ate more bananas than one can imagine.

Now having had more than 72 hours to reflect on this year’s experience, I can say, without a doubt, that it was an even better race weekend. Instead of doing a leg by leg recap, I am going to share a reflections recap.

Reach the Beach finish line

Before jumping into the reflections, here is a summary of Reach the Beach and Ragnar Relay races so you can understand what we experienced.

  • Reach the Beach is a 200-mile relay race that lasts anywhere from 24 to 35 hours depending on your team’s pace.
  • Most teams are made up of 12 runners, each of whom will run three legs. Legs can range in distance from 2.5 miles to 9 miles depending on the course.
  • Legs are categorized easy, medium and hard based on elevation and distance.
  • There are, however, a few ultra teams who have as few as four runners who each log 50 miles during the race!
  • The runners separate into two vans. When one van is “on” or running the other van is either eating, resting or relaxing.
  • There will be someone from your team running at all time, including during the night.
  • Runners finish their legs in assigned transition areas where they hand off the slap bracelet to the next runner.

Three years later, three years stronger: Three years ago, I was a nervous runner who was very unsure of my abilities and whether I would even cross the finish line. This time around, I was the experienced runner who was able to motivate and support each of my teammates. Only two of the twelve runners had previously run a relay race, and therefore, we leveraged our experience to help ease fears, answer questions and support the newbies. Over the past ten years, many people have mentored and coached me through my running journey, and it felt wonderful to start finally returning the favor. Hopefully, I can serve in a similar capacity for readers and friends who decide to conquer their first relay race!

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New Hampshire is beautiful.  While the race name was the same, this year’s race course was very different from the Reach the Beach 2012 course that ran through Massachusetts instead of New Hampshire. As our van drove from Boston towards the start line in Bretton Woods, our faces were glued to the windows. The lush landscape, rolling hills, and panoramic views were a refreshing change from the Boston and New York City paths where we each logged most of our training miles. During the 30 hours of running, the course took us through rolling countryside, along shimmering lakes, over babbling brooks, past 18th century New England towns, through farmlands and cow pastures, and finally to the coast. If you decide to do a Ragnar or any other relay race, take the time to review the course as the scenery helps take your mind off the pain during tough miles.


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Supporting others is the best way to pass the time!  Finishing a relay race of this magnitude isn’t easy. Every runner, regardless of their ability, will have a tough mile emotionally and mentally. Luckily, with over 500 teams on the course, there are constantly other vans and runners passing you or lining the roads. Unfortunately, they didn’t all get the memo that Reach the Beach and relay races in general are more fun when you support EVERY runner, not just your team.  When we weren’t running, we were cheering. In fact, most of us grew horse by the end of the weekend from cheering so much. Our van fully embraced the cowbell and airhorn provided to us by New Balance. Air horn novices quickly learned that it is best to blow the air horn once you pass a runner, so it doesn’t scare the shit out of them. Sometimes the runners would wave excitedly, thanking us for the support and other times they would just continue running. Regardless of their response to our cheers, we kept cheering and using mantras like “you can do this” or telling them how awesome they looked. Our radio was permanently turned to the highest volume so runners could enjoy our jams just as much as we were.  When runners within our van were running, the support rose to a level I’ve never seen before. We averaged two support stations per leg on the course, pulling to the side of the road to hand the runner their beverage of choice (NUUN, coconut water, Gatorade, or plain water) as well as checking in with them. No one on our team ever felt as if they were running alone, even during the night legs.

Embrace the night. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I’d enjoy my 6.4-mile night leg. In 2012, even the experienced runners in my van feared the night leg and finished saying that they couldn’t stand the quiet darkness. I finished my leg wishing I could double the distance, having thoroughly enjoyed the crescent moon, bright stars and peaceful roads. I listened to Whitney Houston’s greatest hits and logged sub 9-minute miles through the rolling hills and darkness. Instead of fearing the dark, I embraced it. I took the time to enjoy the bright stars and crescent moon, I used my headlamp to illuminate not only the road but also my surroundings, and I enjoyed the surprise of the path. I had no idea when a hill would begin since I couldn’t see more than ten feet in front of me. As a runner who is still working to improve my mental game, not knowing what came next helped me have a better mindset and not waste time fearing the hills in advance.

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Push yourself: Other then the New York marathon, this race had more crowd and team support than any other race I’ve run. But beyond the typical crowd support, this race also provides team support 24 x 7 from the other people in your van. This camaraderie and atmosphere helped many of our runners complete distances they previously thought impossible. Even though three legs can seem grueling, and the distance adds up due to the lack of recovery, the support of your teammates will help you push past walls and tough miles.

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Eat wisely: This year, I avoided mindless snacking and scary diner meals instead choosing to eat only when hungry and only foods that I knew wouldn’t upset my stomach. I finished the weekend without any stomach issues and felt like I fueled perfectly for my 20.4 miles. Our van ate two meals, Friday breakfast and Friday dinner, in restaurants. Friday morning I had one egg and one blueberry pancake while Friday night I had a grilled chicken burger with a baked potato for dinner. I avoided coffee, fried foods, spicy food and candy both in the restaurants and our van. My van meals included two mini cinnamon raisin bagels, an apple, some pretzels, almond butter, and two bananas. Trust me, during relay races, the last thing you want is to sprint to the port-a-potty due to a mystery diner meal or one too many handfuls of candy. Pack your regular pre-run food if possible and take a few extra minutes during restaurant stops to evaluate the menu and feel free to ask for menu substitutions. A 200-mile relay race gives you some room to be a “difficult customer.”

“We start as a group of strangers, we finish as a group of friends. Running will do that to you.”  Sashea included this quote in her recap, and it summarizes the weekend and experience perfectly.  This year, I climbed into the van barely knowing any of my teammates. I’d met Evann briefly during two separate workout classes but otherwise did not know anyone else. By the end of the weekend, I walked away with eleven new friends who supported me through sweaty sports bra changes, 90-degree runs and side of the road bathroom stops. I actually enjoyed sharing this experience with strangers more than with good friends as we had plenty to talk about the entire weekend.  If I did this race with family or close friends, I think we may kill each other.

Come back this Friday for a Reach the Beach themed Friday Favorites post that will include my suggested Ragnar or relay race packing list, a review of my favorite gear from the weekend and a fun giveaway. 

Thank you again to New Balance for sponsoring an incredible weekend and providing me with this opportunity.

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Inside New Balance: Five Things I Learned Behind the Scenes

Greetings from New Hampshire!

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We are currently enjoying the gorgeous views and relaxing before the fun and chaos of Reach the Beach, a 200-mile Ragnar relay race begins tomorrow morning. Before driving from Boston to New Hampshire, Team Girls Run Beta (#nbgirlsrunbeta) had the opportunity to tour both the New Balance Global Headquarters and the New Balance Factory located in Lawrence, Massachusetts.

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Our group was constantly in awe, learning new things about a brand we each know and love. I started the day a fan of New Balance as their shoes have carried me through countless races over the past few years. But after interacting with a number of their staff today at both locations, I ended the day a passionate consumer. I love that every person we spoke with lit up when talking about their product. I also have a far deeper appreciation for my favorite New Balance shoes since I now realize what goes into making each pair.

Here are five things that I took away from our group visit with New Balance today.

1. New Balance makes 25% of their shoes in the United States! In order for a shoe to be considered “MADE IN THE USA” 70% of the shoe must be made in the United States.

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2. The chicken is an important part of New Balance’s history! The first New Balance product was arch support, inspired by the chickens in his yard. He realized that their three clawed foot allowed them to have the perfect balance.

New Balance chicken

3. Walking the halls of both locations, it is clear that athletes, both professional and everyday, are at the root of everything they do. Whether it is product testing or hosting events, their goal is to help each athlete train and perform better while striving to deliver the highest level of customer satisfaction.

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4. At least 28 people touch each shoe and each team manufacturers over 600 shoes per day! The manufacturers at New Balance are truly artists, having an average of 13 years experience building the shoes.

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5. The team at New Balance is constantly studying, researching, interviewing and innovating to ensure they are delivering the best product possible to athletes.  In New Balance’s Smash Lab they have the ability to put wear and tear on shoes within minutes and days that would often take months of use. They have multiple surfaces including Fenway Stadium dirt, so they can see how shoes respond to impact, use and pressure. We were able to watch foam respond to constant impact and the amount of traction needed for an athlete to perform on surfaces like the courts of Wimbeldon.

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Thank you again to the team at New Balance for sponsoring this day and weekend. I know that each of us will appreciate the shoes we lace up tomorrow morning far more now that we’ve seen behind the scenes and understand the love, passion, research and precision that goes into making each one.

Your Turn: We learned today that people can customize their shoes online all the way down to the message embroidered on the tongue! If you were to order a pair, what would your tongue say?  Mine would say you’re stronger than you think!

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2015 Geneva Half Marathon Race Recap

As you know, yesterday Bo and I ran the Geneva Half Marathon. While the weather was completely miserable, the race itself was pretty wonderful. I learned a great deal and I was able to run the race faster than last year.

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Going into yesterday’s half marathon, neither Bo nor I had a time goal. Instead, the race was all about being smart and following the plan Jess prescribed. Having a coach is cost I choose to incur each month because I know that she is an expert who can help me become a smarter, stronger runner. However, the partnership isn’t worth it if I choose not to listen to the coach.

Old habits do not die easily.

If you’ve been a reader for more than a hot second, you know that my race day mantra has been “run hard and hold on for dear life” for years. Even when coaches and friends would suggest starting slow, I’d laugh and secure a new PR by running as fast as possible before completely tanking. Sometimes that resulted in dehydration, completely bonking or just being sore and miserable for the last few miles.

Yesterday’s race was the first race where I finished the race smiling because I followed the plan written on my wrist perfect for as long as possible. Sticking to the plan, though it wasn’t easy to start out conservative, allowed me to run my second fastest half marathon.

On paper, yesterday’s race plan was pretty simple:

  • Miles 1-5: 8:50 – 9:10
  • Miles 6-10: 8:40 – 9:00 (not too fast on the downhill portion)
  • Miles 11-13: 8:45 – 8:55

While the route seemed a bit different than last year, it was overall a very similar course. The first six miles are rolling hills, then around mile 6.75 a steep decline begins as we head down towards the lake. Jess warned me not to burn out my legs by running too fast on the downhill. Once we reach the lake, it’s a final five miles of relatively flat running along the lake and through Geneva’s city center.

We left our house around 7:15 in order to meet Mary, one of our friends who was also running the half. As it was already pouring, we took shelter in the corporate sponsor area where we were able to stay dry while stretching and waiting for the start. Each of us was nervous about the conditions, but instead of stressing out we reminded each other that there was nothing we could do to control the weather. The only thing we could do was trust the training, watch out for big puddles and smile!

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Due to the rain, I went with trusted gear that I knew would be comfortable even in the rain. My outfit was perfect as I didn’t chafe or over heat. I sported New Balance Fresh Foam Boracay shoes, Balega socks, Lululemon Run Inspire Mesh crops, New Balance Shapely Shaper Bra,  and Athleta Running Hat (similar). I tied my hair back in a braid to reduce knots, and skipped makeup and lotion.  The last thing I wanted was to be annoyed with running makeup or lotion during the race due to the rain.

At 8:20 we braved the weather and exited the warmth in order to take our place in the corrals before the 8:30 start. It was clear that we would be running 13.1 miles in torrential rains instead of the predicted drizzle. Even the local jazz band, which frequents the start of many Geneva races, was hiding from the elements at a nearby gas station.

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Even though it was pouring, the starting line energy was wonderful. They released us in waves, starting exactly at 8:30. Within five minutes, our wave was crossing the starting line.

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Since Bo knew that I have failed at all prior attempts to stick with a race plan, he used the Garmin and kept track of our pace. My only job was to run next to him and take in the scenery. I don’t have many pictures due to the pouring rain, so instead I’ll give you a rundown of each chunk of the race, comparing my paces with the prescribed pace.

PLAN: Miles 1-5: 8:50 – 9:10

Actual

  • Mile 1 9:09
  • Mile 2 9:09
  • Mile 3 9:03
  • Mile 4 9:04
  • Mile 5 9:06

     

    Due to the puddle jumping, crowded course and narrow first two miles the first few miles felt far tougher than the pace reflects. We know that weaving wastes energy but there were people in front and around us who were walking and jogging at slow paces. We took the risk and weaved for the first mile before settling in, on the left side of the course. Every few minutes I’d ask Bo about our pace, to which he’d respond that we were on pace. As the pace felt tough, I kept secretly hoping he’d tell me that we were going faster than plan.  I focused on finding a groove, and once I did, the miles clicked by pretty quickly as we ran through the area where we completed each of our three long runs. The route was a bit different than our weekend route, but overall the scenery was similar. We each took three Margarita Shot Blocks at mile 5, in addition to the swig of water we took each mile.

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    PLAN: Miles 6-10: 8:40 – 9:00

    Actual

    • Mile 6: 9:07
    • Mile 7: 9:11
    • Mile 8: 8:43
    • Mile 9: 9:16
    • Mile 10: 9:43

    Mile six,was our most difficult mile as it was on a dirt path that, due to the weather and number of runners, was now nothing but mud and deep puddles. The mud was so deep that people were slipping and falling as well as running into each other to avoid the deep spots. It felt like running through a mix of rocks and quicksand. Even though we ran a 9:07 this mile felt more like an 8:06 from an exertion standpoint.  Miles seven and eight were a welcome relief, back on asphalt. I was hoping that we could make up time on the downhill portion to offset our two miles which were above 9:00. However, as we started striding, Bo and I both decided to be smart and not burn our quads out on the downhill, following Jess’ instructions. As we hit the lakefront at mile nine, I started to lose energy, just like last year. My legs were tired, and my breathing was completely erratic. Bo kept telling me to just focus on long, deep breaths. I refilled my water bottle and ate three more Shot Blocks at the mile nine water station, hoping the extra hydration and fuel would help.  Unlike many races, I didn’t let myself walk. Instead, I told Bo that while my pace may slow, I would keep moving forward. I wanted to do my best to hit Jess’ prescribed paces, but it was frustrating to know I was slower than the recommended pace. He kept reminding me to breathe through any negative thoughts and push forward. Right about this same time we saw our friend Amy cheering loudly for us from under her umbrella! This gave me a short burst of energy. A few minutes later, right around mile 9.75 Bo’s left quad completely seized up. He told me to continue along, and he’d try to catch up after stretching.

    Plan: Mile 11-13 8:45 – 8:55

    • Mile 11: 9:48
    • Mile 12: 9:28
    • Mile 13: 9:35

    These final miles were a mix of success and defeat. In prior races, I would have used Bo’s quad as an excuse to walk and take a break. Instead, I pushed on, slowly but surely. I couldn’t see or hear my Nike + as it tracked the miles.  I just focused on moving forward as fast as possible. Filled with water and covered in mud, my shoes felt like lead weights at the end of my legs.  To make matters worse, these miles weave through the Geneva city center, around multiple turns and corners, across cobblestones, and right past the finish line. The course cruelly looped us down the lake for another mile, before we headed back towards the finish. It’s pure evil to see the finish line so close yet so far away. I wanted to headphones, but I was worried that my wet hands and the heavy rain would mess up my iPhone if I tried to open the Ziplock bag. Instead, I did my best to remember lyrics and sing random songs to myself such as Sweet Home Alabama, Ironic, My Girl, and Call Me Maybe. (In case you didn’t know, I barely know the lyrics to songs.) This tactic didn’t exactly work in boosting my paces, as you can see from the above.  As we turned towards the finish line, my legs were so tired that I didn’t even have energy for a final sprint. As I heard our friend Lauren screaming, I mustered a wave and ran by, ready to be finished.

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    We did it! Finishing just a minute apart, we finished the Geneva Half Marathon! It was Bo’s first half marathon in 2.5 years, after multiple knee injuries! While the final three miles didn’t go as I hoped, it was a great experience! I followed the plan for as long as possible, and ran my 2nd fastest half. I have a lot of room for improvement, but yesterday helped me understand the value of sticking with a plan.

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    The key things I want to build into future training are longer training runs. Our longest training run was ten miles, and this coincides with where the pace started to fall apart yesterday. I think as my legs get accustomed to longer distances, it will help on race day. Otherwise, the only other things that would have helped yesterday are better weather and a waterproof iPhone case. But, since we can’t manage the weather, I’ll start doing research on the former! 

     

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