Reach the Beach: New Jersey – Recap 4

So I know you guys are just loving my recaps but unfortunately this will be the last.  Which is more sad for me than you probably – because it means that my RTB experience is really over.  I’ve managed to drag it out for a few weeks but all good things must come to an end, i guess.  I’m hoping my team can all get together some time in the future because I really had a great time getting to know them!  So…after a little bit of cheesiness – get ready for my last RTB recap!

If you want to read my first few recaps, please do!  (Recap 1 & Recap 2 & Recap 3)

I left off right before Van 1 started out on our last legs!  We were all pretty tired but really excited to be done & on our way to the beach.

By the time Dave started his run, the sun had come out and it was no longer dark outside.  Dave’s leg was short so we had to head out immediately to make sure we were at the TA for him.

While we waited for Dave, the RTB photographer caught Megan and I hanging out by the van (I may or may not have a toothbrush in my hand…).

Dave ended up getting a little bit lost so it took him longer to get to the TA than planned but luckily he called me & I got him going in the right direction.

Loretta quickly finished her leg and we sent Mecca off on her last 7-8 mile leg (she ran the most out of all of our teammates).

Mecca started out in this outfit (the RTB photographer apparently jumped out to capture this awesome picture) and ended up in this after she threw us all of her clothes…

Another awesome collage by Loretta.

Mecca handing off for the last time to BLC!  & BLC had his longest leg yet!

Brutal 7 miler that was mostly uphill.  But he was a trooper!  We met him at the half way point so we could give him some water and then we drove up to the 5 mile point.  While we were waiting, some of our van mates got some pizza at this little local pizzeria.  I waited for BLC to come up the hill.  When I saw him, he was still trucking along so I decided I would run for a couple minutes with him and give him some more water.  We chatted and he was really optimistic so all the anxiety I had about him being able to run without hurting himself was eased.  At that point I turned around and ran back to the van so that we could head to the TA.

When we got to the transition area, we decided to use the time to stretch and use the stick (another great thing to have on a relay!)

Loretta demonstrating proper stick technique.

At that point I was ready and raring to go for my last RTB leg!

It was hot and sunny (about 11:30a) when I started my leg.  I was so happy that it was my last leg that I couldn’t have cared less!  By the end of my run my legs were super tired though.  They felt like lead but I knew I just had to finish, if for nothing else – my team was counting on me!

At about 3.5 miles, I saw my team van on the side of the road and Megan getting out and into a car behind the van.  I was so confused about what was going on and since I was sleep deprived and my body was super tired, my mind immediately thought that I was going so slow that we were behind the time limit and RTB crew was taking Megan to the next TA.

At that point, I started sprinting ( or at least it felt like sprinting to me) so that I could make up the time I thought I had lost.  The whole time I’m thinking I let down my team – that definitely pushed me to run a lot faster.

This whole time I am running against traffic on this super busy road and no less than 7 Mack trucks drove by me and each of them caused a gust of dust to blow into my eyes.  So that was awesome.  Nonetheless, I ran that mile in about 8:30 min (when the rest of my miles were an average of 11 min/mile).  Way to finish, right?!

When I saw Megan at the TA, I was so happy that she was there.  Santa was also there cheering me on so that was nice.  I gave him a high five, slapped the bracelet on Megan and keeled over.

When I saw BLC and Dave, they explained to me that another team’s van had broken down so they had to wait for the other team’s runner which is why Megan was driven to the next TA.  So I wasn’t a failure!

At that point, I got into the van, chugged a Cheribundi & some Nuun flavored water.  Then I laid in the back seat with my compression socks on.

My body was hurting but the Pro Compression socks really helped.  In total, I had run almost 19 miles in 24 hours.  After not running at all for a month.  My body was very confused.  Thank you, body.

We went to the next VTA after passing Megan & cheering to meet up with Van 2.

Don’t mind my boots.  They were comfortable.  #sweatpink

BLC and I after running our first relay!  (BLC ran about 16 miles total.  He is awesome.)

Megan coming in to hand off to Isaac!

Megan done her last run with the marker I immediately thrust upon her.

Our check boxes on our van slowly being marked off…

Megan marking off our last box!

VAN 1 DONE!!!  <3

Van 2 before their last legs!!

After we wished Van 2 luck, Van 1 headed to the beach!

Arriving in Seaside Heights!
Once we arrived, every one used our cleaning products and changed.

BTW, these little wipes were super helpful throughout the relay.  While they were no shower, they really made me feel clean and a bit more hygienic   I recommend them for any relay or time you need to freshen yourself after a run and don’t have access or time for a shower!  Thanks for helping us stay clean, ShowerPill!

After we were changed and clean, we headed to the free (with registration) buffet provided by RTB.

Every thing was actually super tasty.  They also offered chocolate coconut water which is my absolute favorite.

After that we treated ourselves to a beer on the boardwalk.

Truly deserved.  Yum.
By the time we were done with our beers, Van 2 was arriving and we decided to wait on the Beach for our last runner to arrive!

Finish line on the beach!

When we saw Sarah, we ran behind her to the finish.  She did great finishing on the beach!

We received our medals and could say we officially Reached the Beach!

We officially finished in 31:42:18.  & we weren’t last!!  Woop Woop!!

This experience was like nothing I have ever done in my life.  I met and became close with some amazing people in a short period of time and I had an absolute great time.   There was never a moment when I wished I was some where else.  If you ever have the opportunity to run a relay, PLEASE DO IT!  I’m already looking for my next one

A big thank you to my team members for being  so great!  I really truly miss all of you already!