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Home / Active Travel / Colorado

Wild West Relay Recap

Last Updated on May 9, 2023 by Amanda Brooks
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30 Comments

Getting my ass over the pass has resulted in a….sore ass. I believe this is actually due to getting in an out of the mini van 682 times rather than the running. I was very happy to complete 17.7 miles in 24 hours considering my last long run was only 11 miles…average pace was 9:30…also great since it was at altitude and previously I was doing 10 minute miles!

There is so much to tell you about this race that I really don’t even know where to start or stop.
The 12 of us seemed like old friends almost instantly, which I entirely attribute to runners being the most awesome people on Earth. :)

Step 1 Decorate Van…we just used some fun paint to put on our states…8 of them I believe…but others had some very amausing vans…
Step 2 Run in amazing places. Blue sky…moutains all around…llamas…horses…dirt roads…I was in love with every step of my run. I felt very fortunate that the altitude wasn’t bothering me and that I didn’t have any super horrible uphill runs. Just one steep downhill to shred the quads.Step 3 Cheer on teammates…water stops…dancing on the side of the road…music blaring…ahh good times.Step 4 Mark van with roadkill…number of people you passedStep 5 Pass off to next runner!Step 6 Gear up for night runs…chilly while waiting. Vest, headlamp…blinking red light…lookout world here I come!! Running in the middle of nowhere colorado at night was such a cool experience. I only had one freak out when I could hear an animal…then saw a big black shape…EIIIKKKK it’s a bear! No it was a horse.Step 7 Sleep in a crazy school cafeteria with tons of other people on the floor. I didn’t actually sleep…but I was happy to not be in the van for 4 hours.Step 9…FINISH..SHOWER after 33 hours…EAT a real meal… SLEEEEEEEEEPPPPPP.

The ONLY bad thing to happen was I lost one of my diamond stud earrings…BOOOO. I didn’t let it spoil the trip, but it sure was frustrating to do something like that!

Unfortunately I have some crazy work today and tomorrow so not as much sleep as I was hoping for…but hey Thursday is my birthday so whatever it’s still a great week!!!!

Category: Colorado

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Amanda Brooks Avatar

Author

Amanda Brooks
I am a running coach with over a decade of experience helping thousands of runners to achieve their goals from running injury free to crossing that marathon finish line with a PR. I’ve run over 28,000 miles in my own running journey since 2002. Run To The Finish is my place to share that love and my deep dive in to researching all things running. I hold multiple run coaching certifications, as well as a personal training certification. But it’s my ongoing desire to learn and progress as a coach that has allowed me to help runners from their 20’s through their 70’s! More ways to connect with me:
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. just me

    August 11, 2009 at 12:17 am

    Damn, that was fun. We need to do them more often. :D

    Reply
  2. Lisa

    August 11, 2009 at 12:59 am

    That sounds like so much fun! I am running in a relay in February and can't wait.Thanks for the race report!

    Reply
  3. Natalie D

    August 11, 2009 at 5:06 am

    that looks fantastic! so much fun! and gorgeous! sorry about your earring thats a bummer!

    Reply
  4. Eve

    August 11, 2009 at 8:26 am

    Wow – that sounds like an incredible race! Amazing that it went through the night, quite an experience!

    Reply
  5. Marlene

    August 11, 2009 at 8:50 am

    What a crazy fun adventure! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  6. Meghann

    August 11, 2009 at 9:02 am

    Looks like you ladies had so much fun. Are you up for the Miami to Key West Ragner Relay in February?!?! Let me know ;)

    Reply
  7. Jules

    August 11, 2009 at 9:02 am

    Great recap! I'm glad someone got a picture of us crammed into the school cafeteria, that was an experience. Sorry again about your earring, that really stinks!

    Reply
  8. chandra

    August 11, 2009 at 9:14 am

    Great work!! Ahh, so fun!! You're bringing back great ragnar memories for me. :) We're putting a team together for 2010 if you're interested!

    Reply
  9. gwenniepie

    August 11, 2009 at 10:30 am

    Congrats! That sounds like so much fun! I've been looking at doing a relay in Vermont and this is total motivation!

    Reply
  10. X-Country2

    August 11, 2009 at 10:36 am

    Looks like a pretty amazing experience. Congrats on getting yo ass ova that pass!

    Reply
  11. Anne

    August 11, 2009 at 10:42 am

    That race looks so cool! Congrats :)

    Reply
  12. Kristin

    August 11, 2009 at 11:28 am

    Yay! It was so fun meeting you…I have a busy week as well, boo!Happy early birthday though :)

    Reply
  13. The Washingtons

    August 11, 2009 at 11:46 am

    It was great meeting ya. Sorry to hear about your earring. (guess that's a new pair would be a good bday gift?!) Happy early bday! -cw

    Reply
  14. Denise

    August 11, 2009 at 11:56 am

    I'm so glad you had fun, they are great experiences!! Congrats on the road kill!

    Reply
  15. Mel-2nd Chances

    August 11, 2009 at 11:57 am

    Sounds like such a fun event! Sorry about the earring though, that sucks :(

    Reply
  16. Jamie

    August 11, 2009 at 12:01 pm

    Sounds like so much fun! Great job on the mileage and pass on nearly no sleep, at altitude, and after coming back from an injury!

    Reply
  17. Missy

    August 11, 2009 at 12:20 pm

    That looks so fun! And so pretty!! How cool to run in the middle of the mountains!

    Reply
  18. Chic Runner

    August 11, 2009 at 3:17 pm

    That looks simply gorgeous! I'm jealous of the nice scenery. It looks so fun to be with all those fun girls. I creeped your photos on the FB as well :)

    Reply
  19. Marci

    August 11, 2009 at 8:06 pm

    Sounds like a fun time. I have never done a relay before, but would jump at the chance to do one! I voted for you, good luck with the contest!

    Reply
  20. J

    August 11, 2009 at 8:20 pm

    What a great way to start your birthday week! I have always wanted to go to Colorado and that race sounds like so much fun! Running at night must have been amazing too – i get freaked out sometimes too by weird shapes! Where did you get your headlamp from – I am looking into buying one.

    Reply
  21. aron

    August 11, 2009 at 10:36 pm

    looks like soooooooo much fun!!!! i SO want to do a relay!!

    Reply
  22. ShutUpandRun

    August 11, 2009 at 11:08 pm

    Yay so excited to hear about your relay experience as I gear up for my first. Great job and don't you just live CO? not a better place to live anywhere…

    Reply
  23. Jeri

    August 12, 2009 at 10:34 am

    Ahhh so fun. :) There is a muscle in my butt that keeps twitching uncontrollably. Not fun when you're trying to fall asleep. Haha. And randomly my core is KILLING me today. And I haven't done any core work, so I don't know if it's just soreness that took 3 days to come out….random.

    Reply
  24. fitforfree

    August 12, 2009 at 1:39 pm

    This is so inspiring!!! I've loved reading your and Bobbi's recaps :-)

    Reply
  25. Laura

    August 12, 2009 at 3:04 pm

    Those relays sound like so much fun, and your group sounds especially fun :) Thanks for a great report, and congrats!

    Reply
  26. allijag

    August 12, 2009 at 3:20 pm

    HOW FUN! I'm so jealous I couldn't do it with you guys!Sorry about your earring :(

    Reply
  27. Nitmos

    August 12, 2009 at 4:02 pm

    Congratulations! That looks like a helluva fun time.

    Reply
  28. Amanda

    August 13, 2009 at 9:54 am

    I have GOT to do a relay after hearing how much fun you and Kristen and Shannon and the rest of the crew had on this one!

    Reply
  29. jim

    August 13, 2009 at 1:55 pm

    Good Job to you and your Team! I was on Team Taking it to Steamboat and was always entertained by seeing the giant monkey on the back of the van.

    Reply
  30. joyRuN

    August 15, 2009 at 10:03 am

    Looks like SUCH a blast!!

    Reply

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Hello runners! I’m Amanda Brooks, a certified running coach and personal trainer since 2012. But my running love started long before that in 2002. My philosophy is that running isn’t about your pace or the distance or your body. It’s about showing up for yourself, loving the process and doing it injury free!

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