RUTE 2012 Summary

Quick like a bunny version

Leg 1 (Jenny)

• I remember Brian's advice and start going fast on the downhill.
• I'm surprised that Leg 1 is already done and SO happy!  I sprint past Dave, through the water, give Dan's hand a slap and tell him to Go!
• 6.3 miles average pace 7:51 min/mile

Leg 2 (Dan)

•  The flat was good, hit my sub 7:00, pushing the downs and passing a few folks.
• A woman I passed on the flats passed me climbing hard, as she passed I just stuck with her close, following her fast pace up the mountain.
• 7.15 miles, average pace 8:09 min/mile (2010: 8:52 min/mile)

Leg 3 (David)

• Things are okay for the first two miles up Gibraltar because I'm able to find a decent grove and have passed a couple more runners.
• All and all not the run I wish I could have done, but I passed a total of 9 runners in the race to the top. Gibraltar I'll be back again, and next time I will kick your ass.
• 5.4 miles, average pace 9:48 min/mile
  

Leg 4 (Brian)

• After counting 17 runners, Dave hands off to me. I climb the short hill and then speed down to the firing range at 6:23 pace for the first 3 miles.
•  After averaging 9:30 on the 500' climb (brain demanding full stop), paced at 6:44 for the last four miles to 154. Beat 2010 time by 2 minutes.

Leg 5 (Jenny)

• I manage 7:10 on the downhill...will definitely shave off some time next year!
• Suddenly, though, after a nice water break from Brian, I find myself at the handoff to Jim, who is so ready to run, after waiting all morning for us! 
• Distance:  4.5 (I think?) Pace:  9:54 - saved by the downhill in the beginning!

Leg 6 (Jim)

• I take the hand-off from Jenny near the gun club and sprint up the last bit of paved road.
• Once we hit the flat part at the top I start sprinting and miss catching her by about 10 feet as I hand-off to Dan.

Leg 7 (Dan)

• We saw Jim's blue shirt, I got ready and he came blazing into the handoff, sending me on my merry way down, down, down.
• I hit it hard w/ some sub 6:00 and then almost 7:00 when it flattened out then back towards 6:00 again as the hill started rolling down again.
• 6 miles, average pace 6:09 min/mile (2010: 6:34 min/mile) 
  

Leg 8 (Brian)

• I was heading off down Refugio. I had watched two runners leave about five minutes ahead and hoped to catch one or both.
• As I rounded the final bend and could see the hand off, I gave one last push to the finish. Dave was off and I was F-I-N-I-S-H-E-D!
• Pace for both legs averaged 7:09 over 15 miles. One minute faster than 2010.

Leg 9 (David)

• By the time I turn onto the last 2.5 mile section of the leg I was completely wasted
• My leg ends with a runner I caught just finishing several yards ahead of me. That's okay, because I'm done. Yessss, done.
• 6.5 miles, average pace 7:30 min/mile.

Leg 10 (Jim)

• I’m off and chasing two teams (Free to play and Play for free).
•  Loved being able to run in the last leg.  I grabbed a beer and a slice of pizza and decided then and there I would never speak to Brian again.
• 3.65 miles, average pace 8:30 min/mile 

Results

• 8:54:00 finish! (previous team PR: 9:06:00)