Market to Market Relay

September 18, 2014

Inaugural Market to Market Relay Ohio

Historic Milford (Cincinati) Ohio

None of us really knew what to expect going in, but after the relay, we realized what we had accomplished: A renewed belief in God's hand, Angels, new friendships, personal achievements, and memories that will last a lifetime! Thank You for a blessed day ladies (and Mark)!

"Carbing-up" at Applebees.

Heather is not only crafty, but she took all of these amazing pictures (at least the ones that turned out decent). Thanks Heather, for capturing these precious moments!

Heather and Vicki ironing our "costumes" (entirely too late the night before our race). That's okay because Natalie and Randi didn't get in until 1:30 am. Not too bad unless you're waking up at 4:00 am!

Luckily, Mark was the first runner, we were hoping he could 'work-out the nerves' for all of us.

Team picture under the starting gate. Because of our pre-race beginning and intermediate running times, our team was given the 6:00 am start time, as apposed to other teams that had the 8:00 am start time. In fact, the race coordinators were a little concerned we might not finish at all, or at least before dark. So we made that our goal--to try and finish before dark, or hopefully sometime between 8:30 and 9:00 pm.

and Mark is ready, with his baton (in the form of a wrist-band), head lamp, reflector vest, and two tail lights (all mandatory for night running).

Mark ran a fast pace even in the pitch dark. He passed the baton to Karen Cooper (a last-minuet recruit from Frankfort--thanks Karen, you're the best!), who also had to run in the dark.

Vicki and I figuring out the running schedule, and if it was possible to run 76 miles during the day-light hours.

We were quickly approaching my first leg of the race. The clouds looked a little ominous, but at least it was now light outside (I'm practically blind in the dark).

Mark was filling us in on his run, and giving us a much needed pep-talk (like only Mark can do).

Right before it was my turn run, Mark showed me a nice little App called "Runkeeper". So he up-loaded it to my phone, and was getting it all set up for me so I would know my distance ran, as well as pace per mile.

That little App was a life-saver, thanks Mark! And the best part--it talked to me, which was perfect, especially since I run without my glasses on.

Karen checking her time, as I try and put on the wrist-band, while Mark presses the start button on my running App.

Still trying to put that darn wrist-band on. I guess I can't complain, at least we didn't have to hold a real baton in our hands.

This was a pained I'm-not-feeling-too-sure-about-this smile.

So I tried to paste on a real smile for Heather's camera, and to tell myself this was going to be fun! Obviously I'm still not convinced. That expression is just about as fake as it gets.

Now this was a real running expression, as I am coming down the home-stretch, 4.3 miles later.

As you can see, I finally decided to stop messing with the wrist-band, and just hold it.

Billie was waiting in the wings, just a little nervous.

Her fist leg was 4.8 miles--a distance she had never ran before.

Since every leg feels like a mini-race in itself, food and hydration between each run is of the utmost importance.

Billie had a cool experience where another runner, dressed in white (training for a different race) came and encouraged her, as they ran the last 3 miles together (after she had stopped after mile one due to stomach cramps). She wanted to introduce him to us, but he disappeared as quickly as he appeared. We'll never forget the story of Billie's running "Angel".

Billie handing off the baton to Randi.

Randi made awesome time as she passed the baton to her mother, Natalie.

Natalie and Randi were also good sports as they too were last minuet recruits, and had little, to no time, to train.

Add to that their late arrival time due to Randi cheering at the football game the night before (she is a cheer-leader, not an over zealous fan).

We had little down-time when not in a van, cheering a team-mate on, or getting ready for our own run.

Natalie on the home-stretch,

while Karen gives Natalie a little pep-talk (Natalie looks pretty much how we all fell after each of our legs).

I must say, for as little as Natalie and Randi trained, they kicked some serious trash!

Back in the van for another adventure of, "let's try and find the next exchange point on these rolling, winding hills, with really bad (and in some cases wrong) directions".