Friends generate enthusiasm and energy for special events. This was particularly true this weekend as we journeyed to Door County to participate in a relay race: The Fall 50.
My husband has great friends--they are kindred spirits having attended school together, participated in weddings, shared in the joy of families, and faithful Badger/Packer sport fanatics. In addition they are novice runners who have developed their skills over the past five years. In the process they have grown to enjoy training for races and created memories traveling around the state to visit new terrain and events. This summer Ron's awesome friend Mo, a running newbie, accepted the Fall 50 relay challenge. Together they pooled their mature mental resources to create a meaningful name for their team, one they all embraced fondly, "Five Guys With The Runs." These are guys who can laugh at nearly anything...at least in HINDsight.
While the men left Sturgeon Bay (The Bridgeport Resort is amazing) at 6am to drive 50 miles to Gill's Rock for the start, the support team began the leisurely tour to eventually meet the guys around Fish Creek. Door County has unique shops which showcase their local produce, particularly cherries, apples and wineries. They also have shops specializing in olive oils, fresh brewed teas, wood crafts, and novelty gifts. We realized quite quickly however shopping would not take precedence over cheering on our men. Amy drove us through the narrow congested streets to find 7 of the 10 relay exchange points. She did an awesome job navigating us on a rather rainy, chilly day.
I was proud of Ron who ran the longest leg of the race, a 7.4 mile stint through Peninsula State Park. He was happy to announce he passed 18 people during his portion and averaged under 8 minute miles. Certainly he was motivated by the thought of claiming his "major award" which he could later fill with his beverage of choice! Wives, Mandy and Carrie found these hilarious drinking bowls and ordered them as a special momento for "The Five Guys With The Runs."
Each team had a large snap bracelet/watch that fit around a runner's wrist or ankle. The passing of this time piece was essentially the passing of the baton. All 10 portions of the race ranged in mileage from 3.0-7.4 miles. Each participant ran 2 portions of the race according to their experience and field preference. Here Kraig passes the baton to Mo after a 5 mile segment in which the weather deteriorated from a light rain to a heavy downpour. Nonetheless they persevered and as one would finish and another begin they would hike back to their vehicle to travel to the next exchange site.
Most of the teams and their vehicles had funny slogans and t-shirts to add personal flavor to their team.
Most of the teams and their vehicles had funny slogans and t-shirts to add personal flavor to their team.
By the time Scott (AKA "Spider") crossed the finish line, they had been running as a team for 8 hours and 15 minutes. The race was arranged that solo runners began at 7am (yes, a hearty group actually ran 50 miles independently), the slowest predicted teams started at 8am ("Five Guys" included), the more experienced teams began at 9 and 10am. One of our local favorite running couples, Lisa and Rob Johnsons' team started two hours after "Five Guys" and finished a half hour before Scott lumbered across the line! So, if you like to know placement, Five Guys finished 24/24 in their age group division. Ron informed me they did beat a few other teams in another age group named Oma and Opa. This translates to Grandma and Grandpa in German!
Winning isn't everything...in fact it was not a consideration in this weekend's event. People run for different reasons...maybe weight control, muscle tone, cardiovascular health or perhaps just to connect with others as a social event. For Five Guys, it was a celebration of friendships, personal accomplishment, and for 5 Wives standing in pouring rain for many hours it was a profession of love. And I think for "Five Guys with the Runs" it was all about love as well---the bromance type!
A relay race has the advantage of group effort, of being able to toss the baton to your fresh team-mate. For one team-player's wife Carrie, she runs independently as a triumphant participant in life, running an event that far exceeds 50 miles. We cheer her on from the side-lines, we pray for her wellness and we wish we could take the baton from her, but she holds it mightily and steadily as she endures treatment to cure cancer. We salute her strength, we recognize our own weakness and resolve to live better as she fashions an example of what true courage looks like. A smiling mom who embraces her husband and expresses optimism for the days ahead. Thank you Carrie...it was a pleasure spending time with you, Mandy, Jo, Amy and the whole running team. God Bless!
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