(wilder ranch state park, santa cruz, california)
Distance running is not as simple as 'throw on your shoes and go'. In fact, a considerable amount of planning is involved. Have I eaten well enough today, and yesterday, to support the distance I want to go? Is the route I'm taking exposed or shaded, and will I need a hat and/or sunglasses and sunscreen? How about bathrooms?? bathrooms are a serious consideration.
What do I need to carry for hydration, are there fountains along the way to refill? Will I need shot blocks, gels or a granola bar for refueling? Needless to say, a whole bunch to think about.
The best thing about running an organized race is, that for the first time, after months of training, all you actually have to think about is running. Aid Stations are spread out in perfect increments along the course and stacked with everything a runner could need. Any runner, no matter what distance the race is, fully appreciates the Aid Stations.
(my aid station, wilder ranch state park)
The Relay, however, has required months of planning. Our team will need to be almost entirely self sufficient for 199 miles. Feeding and hydrating twelve women for two days is hard enough to plan for, excluding any running!
We have been very, very fortunate to have some amazing sponsors to ease this burden. Specifically, Penni Bengston of Finish Line Productions has offered to supply us with all of our nutritional needs for the entire 199 miles!!!
This is an amazingly generous offer and we are so very grateful. We can't thank Penni and Finish Line Productions enough for being our Aid Station!!
