Christina M. Romney
I found myself agreeing to something that I did not necessarily want to do. I am a treadmill runner. Running outside for me is not entertaining. I do not feel the exhilaration that most runners feel from running outside in the fresh air. So in April when Vince, my husband, asked if I would run a 10K with a group from work, I cautiously said okay. I had never run more that three miles on my treadmill, and thought it would not hurt to try a 10K. But running this 10K, gave me a spot on the Mona Vie Relay team. When I realized this, I was mad at Vince and unsure as to whether or not I wanted to run as a part of a team for the Wasatch Back Relay. Several people on the team, mostly Vince, were excited and promised me I would have fun. I gave in
The trepidation I felt was immense. So, I increased my running time and distance on the treadmill. I was focused on not looking stupid or failing. Two things I hate. I set myself personal goals to complete the race, run as much of it as I could and relax enough to have fun. Because everyone was telling me this would be fun
I was runner seven which is the first runner in the second van. I was also given the shortest legs in my van, each of my running legs were under 5 miles. The first leg was right in the middle of the hot afternoon sun. I was not very concerned about the heat, but I was worried about running on the road with its uneven surfaces and hills. I am a treadmill runner, not a lot of hills if I don’t want them and absolutely no cars or uneven roads to contend with. So new experience here I go.
Steve handed off to me and all I kept thinking was run and don’t walk. Everyone whether from my team or another team were cheering the runners on. I spent the first mile getting used to the traffic. Cars are everywhere in this race. After awhile, I did not need to look at the road anymore and I actually started to enjoy seeing the decorated cars go by. I had asked my van to stop and cheer me on every mile. I felt that first mile would never finish. I started to think I would never see my van or my husband at all. I almost convinced myself that they had driven to the end point. Then they were right there what a relief. It gave me a little encouragement. I did hit a stumbling block along this run and walked for about a half mile. I felt stupid but my chest hurt so bad that I needed to not push it. I did pick up my running again and finished the 3 mile run in about 40 minutes. That is 10 minutes faster than on my treadmill at the time. I was elated to reach the finish of the leg and hand off to Tara. I hurt: I was terribly out of breath; and when I was told the time I finished in I was elated that I had out paced my treadmill pace.
My second leg was 10 ½ hours later in the dead of night. New nerves had settled in. I was not worried about being tired. There was no question that my nerves would not let me sleep until I had run. New challenges arose. I had to run in the dark, and I had never seen or been on the terrain before. Vince gave me a pep talk and away I went. It was cooler now and I remember thinking how nice it was to run in the cool of the night. I also had a better pace and did not feel like walking. The van still stopped every mile. This helps immensely to tic off how far you have come and how far there is left to go. Three quarters into the leg I began to slow down, and my frustration at having to walk was huge. Then, I realized I was walking uphill and it was not a little hill. I did not train to run on hills so I put the advice of keep your head down and keep going as quick as you can. This hill took forever. In the end the hill was probably ¼ to 1/3 of a mile. I was excited to get to the top, once there I jogged for 300 ft. and then had another hill to climb. All I could think was that I am losing time. I needed to speed up this is a race after all. I was able to pick up my pace and get to the top. About 500 ft later, my leg ended. Ironically, I felt that I was really slow, but my time was quick again. I beat my estimated time for the race and I out paced my treadmill pace again. Elation!!!!!!
After some sleep and a shower, everything felt good. I had a new goal, to not stop running this next leg. It was also my longest leg. I think it was 4.6 miles. I missed Steve coming in. So he had to wait at the hand off point. Gratefully we noticed him there and did the hand off. Later I found out he had only been there a few minutes. I set off with my mind firmly on the goal. It felt like I had run forever, the best part for this leg was that all the teams cheered louder for all of us as they drove by. One team could tell I was struggling a bit and stopped every mile to cheer me on. This teams van seemed to be about ½ mile behind my van. So my van stopped at my mile mark and this other teams van stopped at my 1 ½ mile mark and then the vans flip flopped. I always had somebody cheering me on. This leg I was also able to pass a few runners. The knowledge that I was improving every leg made me feel fantastic. I made it to the end of my leg without walking, and my time was really good. I was so happy to be done.
Cheering the rest of the team to the finish was fun. The rain did dampen things quite a bit, but the fun was still there. And yes I was the lucky one not to run in the rain. The teamwork and cheerleading and running made the Wasatch Back Relay an experience I will never forget. I loved all of it. I went from not sure it was something I could do to knowing that I absolutely loving it. The experience has helped me become a better runner. My goals expanded and I signed up for the Las Vegas Relay. I also started running 10Ks. I still love my treadmill, but racing is fantastic too.
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