Task 18: 100 on 100 Heart of Vermont

Because of the email frenzy created by my running friends on race day last year, I developed a strong desire to run 100 on 100 Heart of Vermont Relay this year. What is 100 on 100 you might ask. It is a 100 mile relay divided amongst 6 people each of whom run 3 legs during the course of the day.  The shortest total distance run is a little over 12 miles and the longest (my leg) ended up being a little over 19 (it was advertised as 18.9---that was not the case). Each team starts at different times, based on their projected pace and the ideal is that everyone ends around the same time (you track your friends on other teams by their Facebook posts).  When you get to the last legs of the race, the ultras (those who habitually run ultra-marathons) come screaming past you like this is just a training run for them.  It is not a perfect science as there could be a million reasons your time was not as planned or a group of friends you expect to catch you never do.  Our group was in the second wave to exit the starting line at 5:45am as the sun was just coming up.  We have all determined to get faster for next year so we can start a little later in the day (the fastest group left at 10:00).   

Once the groups were off and running, decorated vans full of runners took off after their runners leap frogging through the transition zones. Some of the vans have done this before and are completely decked out for the day.  My favorites was the "Kingpins", with LED lights and the group with the drum on top that they pounded as they came upon runners.  Every pull off along Route 100 in Vermont was crowded with runners who were there to cheer each other on, and pass water off to their runner.  It is pretty much an all day running party.  You could gauge the difficulty level of the leg based on distance.  Your long legs (for me 8.8) tended to be easier in regards to terrain.  The shorter legs consisted of major climbs or screaming(terrifyingly so) down hills.  My hardest was a 4 mile costume leg up the side of a mountain.  I passed a whole group of people who had stopped to walk and a few others who were struggling with their costumes of choice.  Amazingly enough the lobster ahead of me cruised up the hill with ease.  

It was getting dark as our last two runners completed their legs.  The team finishes together by running as a group through a tunnel of tiki torches.  It is an awesome day, and worth every mile logged. Our team already has the day planned out right down to who is going to run which leg next year and what we are going to pack for food.