My idea of vacation typically involves a relaxing tropical locale, complete with an umbrella-adorned cocktail. But my most recent “vacation” was really a whirlwind weekend that involved running 20 miles in 24 hours; eating a sophisticated diet of peanut butter, bananas, and Powerbar gels; sleeping in a less-than-spacious 15-passenger van; and rising to a ripe body odor wake-up call.
No, I’m not crazy. I’m just a runner.
And last weekend I competed in the relay race through New Hampshire known as Reach the Beach, a 200-plus-mile road race starting in the New Hampshire mountains, spreading out through the beautiful countryside, and eventually finishing at Hampton Beach. Approximately 300 teams of 12 arguably insane/masochistic runners compete, with each team dividing into two vans to complete 36 separate legs, or three per runner.
Team Big Booty Ho greeted me (the newest member) with open arms and a contagious can-do spirit. The team was a group of mid-20 and 30-year old professionals—a mix of former athletes, road runners, and even those who preferred not to run and trained only two months of the year for that particular race.
While there were times during my three legs that I wanted to stop, lie down in the middle of the road, and scream “mercy” with my last panting breaths, I came away from this “vacation” relaxed, rejuvenated, and wanting more. But even if you don’t have the time or endurance to trek through New Hampshire, there are a few quick ways you can take a vacation from your dull workout routine and embrace a new challenge.
Never underestimate the value of a team. I haven’t been part of a team since I played high school basketball, and I forgot how much easier it is to push your body to the limit when you know you have people counting on you. If I even thought about walking, I’d have to answer to 11 teammates, screaming out the window of our van. On the flip side, my team would also schedule stops during my long runs to pull off on the side of the road, play music, cheer me on, and encourage me to chase a group of particularly obnoxious caped runners. I couldn’t help but lift my legs and push through whatever pain I was feeling. When one of our teammates was injured and couldn’t compete his last leg, there were a number of runners who didn’t hesitate to volunteer to add an extra run, sacrificing heavy legs for the satisfaction of completing what we started.
Next page: Mind over matter
Comments (3)
I wish I could say that I wanted to run, I just dont enjoy it. But I totally respect people who can do long distance running.
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A better idea is to incorporate fitness into any vacation you have or other activities in your life. Don’t compartmentalize fitness, involve it in your daily activities and lifestyle. If you are looking for ways to enhance the amount of fitness in your lives, check out Holosfitness.com. The site has hundreds of exercises listed with step-by-step instruction, all of which are posted for free.
As another RTB newcomer this year, I can totally agree with the mental aspect being huge. My longest leg was my third and final run (9 miles). It took a lot of will power to make it up the hill halfway through but then I knew that it was smooth sailing (and some long awaited breakfast) ahead. I promised a woman that I saw running the same section that I’d be waiting for her at the finish with cider donuts, if she remembered to stop for the beer. There’s a certain camaraderie that develops after you’veall overcome a challenge like this.
And I recommend ditching the iPod altogether when running. I stopped using it this spring and I’ve never been faster.