Wasatch Back roll call

[ERCougar]

Anyone running this year? Apparently there are even more teams, but they're spreading out the start times more. We're starting at 5:15 am, which is awesome on one hand, but I'm seriously worried we're going to get penalized. Our captain's really slow and I'm afraid she turned in her pace as our team's overall pace. My wife's running leg 1 and while she's not super-fast, she's not slow either. In years past, these early starts were for 12 minute miler teams (maybe they're starting at 3 am?). Oh well, I guess we'll get a lot of kills.

I'm running leg 3. Anyone else?

[BigPiney]

I am jealous. I would love to do one of these sometime.

[Hot Lunch]

Anyone running this year? Apparently there are even more teams, but they're spreading out the start times more. We're starting at 5:15 am, which is awesome on one hand, but I'm seriously worried we're going to get penalized. Our captain's really slow and I'm afraid she turned in her pace as our team's overall pace. My wife's running leg 1 and while she's not super-fast, she's not slow either. In years past, these early starts were for 12 minute miler teams (maybe they're starting at 3 am?). Oh well, I guess we'll get a lot of kills.

I'm running leg 3. Anyone else?

My wife is running it this year with an "all girls" team. I believe she is running leg 12. Not sure when what time they are starting.

I am very jealous of those that are running it. I wish that I was.

[SteelBlue]

Having never done one of these I am still trying to figure out why they are so popular. It just doesn't sound fun to me.

[ERCougar]

Having never done one of these I am still trying to figure out why they are so popular. It just doesn't sound fun to me.

They're not for everyone. If you like getting a PR every time you race, you might not like it much. I know some good fast runners who don't like the idea of finishing anywhere not close to the front and get annoyed when teammates slow their team down. If running brings out your competitive side, you might not like it either.

However, there are plenty of fast runners who love relays and I don't know any slow ones who don't love them. It's a great way to get into running (obviously not for you, but if you have friends who haven't caught the bug, this is a great way to catch it). I think it's fun for a slower runner to be able to latch onto a fast runner's ability, and for the fast runners, I think it's fun feeling like the hero of the team. It turns an individual sport into a sort of team sport and people seem to like that. It's fun hanging out with each other for that long. It's fun having a cheer section for you when you're running your leg. It's fun getting passed by the BYU cross-country team, the kind of runners I never see in a race because they blow me away from the start. It's great scenery (this might be the best part of Wasatch Back--seriously an amazing course). It's fun seeing the party atmosphere and messing around with the other teams. It's fun seeing some of the costumes and decorated cars. It's just a fun overall experience.

EDIT: I will admit that I can only do one or two of these big relays (180 miles) a year because it wipes me out a little and is kind of a pain to get work off for. The sweet spot for relays for me is the 50 mile distance. They're cheaper, they only take a day, and you still get some of the relay feel. We do two of these in St George every year and there's a new 31 mile one in Cedar City this year that we'll try. I bet there's one around you because these have really exploded in popularity. You should give one a shot.

[Babs]

It's great scenery.

Wait. Isn't this "scenery" featured at the left of your post?

[hostile]

This year will be my third time running. I'm woefully unprepared due to work and back issues. My wife wanted to put together a team so we have a van with friends that she runs with. Now she has a stress fracture in her foot. We may be the walking wounded - should be fun.

[scottie]

Have you noticed the safety changes they're implementing this year? Obviously due to the deaths in Nevada and Arizona:

- 15 minute safety meeting required by each van before being allowed to start
- No headphones/iPods allowed
- Reflective vests required for all runners, even during daylight (that wasn't part of the email that Ragnar blasted out yesterday, but according to someone I know who attended a safety/captains meeting, that's a requirement)
- Support and non-support legs: Vans are not allowed the stop and support a runner who is running in a non-support leg. Non-support legs > 4 miles will have one water stop and legs > 8 miles will have two.

[Pheidippides]

I am jealous. I would love to do one of these sometime.

We should seriously put together a CUF team one of these years. We have the running chops to do it.

[Borg]

We should seriously put together a CUF team one of these years. We have the running chops to do it.

Was thinking the same thing. We've already succeeded in the CUF cycling get together. I bet we could come up with a couple teams for Ragnar or the RRR.

[BigPiney]

There is a relay in Reno that I have been looking at. Starts in Reno , runs up around tahoe and then back through Carson City. Looks like fun.

[Borg]

There is a relay in Reno that I have been looking at. Starts in Reno , runs up around tahoe and then back through Carson City. Looks like fun.

Hmmmm.....sounds fun!

[bluegoose]

There is a relay in Reno that I have been looking at. Starts in Reno , runs up around tahoe and then back through Carson City. Looks like fun.

Is this the one you are talking about?

I was planning to do the Wasatch Back this year until some unexpected plans came up earlier in the year. The Reno/Tahoe area would be a great place for a relay.

[hostile]

Just getting ready to head to the start. Here's to no sleep over the next 24 hours - just like being on call.

[bluegoose]

Come on fellas - where are the race reports? Surely at least one of you can take a few minutes to give us an update along the way.