Fast Running Blog

I am getting a 12-person team together for the Northwest Passage Relay (July 25-26, north of Seattle). I aim this to be a "moderately competitive" team, and am looking for runners that can hold sub-7 minute pace for the whole thing. So we will place quite high, but not quite the level and intensity of the Del Sol and Wasatch Back teams. I'm cool with a mixed team, so women don't be shy in requesting a spot. As far as timing, the race is the day after Deseret News Marathon/10K, so that will probably eliminate some people.

Oh, one other thing to mention: our registration is free, so the only expenses to worry about are transportation and food.

For more info on the relay, see:
http://www.ragnarrelay.com/northwestpassage/index.php

I'll update our runner list as I get replies. If you already talked to me about it, and aren't on the list, it just means that I forgot, so go ahead and post.

1. Me
2. David N.
3. Cody D.
4. Jon A. (tentative)
5. Dale M.
6. Ben D.
7. James B.
8. Craig G.
9. Andy B.
10. Aaron S.
11.
12.
Alt1.
Alt2.

I am out Paul.  Katey and I are heading to Lake Powell during that time.  Sorry. 

Paul- put me in as a tentative slot.  If you get lots of interest soon, I will have to decide for sure then.

Paul - I'd love to be considered.  Not sure about holding a sub-7 pace for the *entire* 189 miles, but I figure I probably can for three legs at least  :).

Heh. Yeah.

Love to have you aboard.

Throw me on the very likely to run list.  I am surprised you hadn't already put me on!

Paul- I'm in. I wanted to do this one ever since Dominique told me about it last year. Runners Corner sent a team out there last year and won it, so maybe we could challenge them for it this year?

Craig, James - sounds good!

We could potentially challenge for the win, depending on how many people run Des News the day before. Not sure if Runner's Corner is doing it again this year, but there is always a few teams there willing to go for it.

Based on last year's results looks like the winners had a 6:43/mi average pace.  Thoughts on what we would need to aim for to challenge for a win? 

I need to set that goal early and make sure I'm trained for it....I certainly don't want to be the one that holds us back and *some* unnamed members of the team evidently think us 35+ runners are OLD and prone to breakdowns.  I won't name names but you OTQ runners know who you are!

Dale - if you are referring to me, you wrong. I think any runner over 25 years old is prone to breakdowns. :-)

The results last year were skewed, because Runner's Corner took at least an hour worth of wrong turns. From reports I heard, they started by themselves, and got way off course at times. I think they even got lost driving to the start. In reality, they ran much faster than 6:43/mile pace. To be in contention for the win, I think a team would have to average about 6:00/mile. Fortunately, the course is mostly flat or rolling, and is at sea level, so it would be much easier to do this here than at Wasatch Back or even Del Sol.

But like I said earlier, I'm not bent on putting together what Sasha calls a "blood team". I think we can get together a good mix of people and be pretty competitive though. Top 5 for sure, maybe higher if things fall together.

Wow, that's quite a set of wrong turns.  6:00/mi is fast for me but hey, I've got 4 months to fix that, right?  I'll just need to get a tune-up for my walker....

The course elevation changes actually look about the same as for Del Sol according to their materials.  9516/9332 gain/loss for Northwest Passage and 8571/9736 for Del Sol if my failing eyes can read the fine print correctly.  Definitely some flat spots, but also definitely some hills to it.  That's okay....I like hills.  Especially down.

Just because we're not a "blood" team doesn't mean I didn't start salivating the minute you posted looking for team members...even more so with the "potentially challenge for the win" post.  It's nice to have an aggressive goal to shoot for.....if we don't win, so be it, but it won't be for lack of trying.

Runner's Corner had an incentive last year because their team was sponsored (as it was the first year of the race). I can find out if that is happening again this year.

Dale-

FYI: I will turn 35 on the 2nd day of this race ;)

Excellent!  A built in celebratory event!

I believe I'm still the "old man" so far at a decidedly over the hill 37, but my OEM legs still have < 2 consistent running years on them (not counting the running I did while in the Army), so I think I've still got some youth to burn!

Speaking of the relay...

A new article in the Washington Post about the Washington relay that Ragnar is starting up in Sept:

http://www.readexpress.com/read_freeride/2008/03/spend_a_thrilling_night_on_the_run_ragna.php
 (http://www.readexpress.com/read_freeride/2008/03/spend_a_thrilling_night_on_the_run_ragna.php)

For planning purposes, are most of the Utah folks planning on flying or driving to this race?  Also, are we renting 2 minivans (or other vehicle), or will we have some volunteered?  I'm trying to estimate the total cost and time commitment for this event.  The drive from Logan would be 900 miles each way.

I imagine I will fly out. I will be running the Des News 10K on the 24th, and will just get a flight that morning after the race. For me, time is money, and I don't want to spend the time driving when I can fly there in 2 hours. Regarding minivans, hopefully we can scare up something locally without having to pay for it.

I'd volunteer my vehicles but I have no vans....biggest is a pickup truck unless folks don't mind riding in a horse trailer (which would require a whole set of unlikely permissions from my boss...er, spouse).

I do have one free rental day with National that I'd be more than happy to contribute.

Dale - that would be awesome!

Dale- that would be awesome!

(actually, it's not allowed, but still)

Yep, the horse smell would mask my body odor nicely. Just throw a couple beds and couches in there and call it good.

My likelihood of getting approval from the trailer ownership group (in which I think I have a technical membership, much like an honorary degree for those that provide significant financial support to universities) is somewhere south of the "not a blazing chance in ...".

I will try to make myself useful due to my proximity (I live about 100 miles from the southern part of the course, 1.5-2 hours from the airport in the opposite direction from the course)....it's probably easier for me to bring things like sleeping bags, a cooler, etc. since I do live in the state.  I'm sure someone has some type of packing list that I'd be more than happy to try to fill using stuff stored in my garage instead of making folks lug that stuff through the airport.  Just let me know what to start taking inventory of.

I will also be flying. It sounds like we'll need to rent some vans there.

I think someone wants you guys to throw him a big birthday party.

Josse is watching this thread because she wants to do the race --- wait, why am i watching this thread?

lurker :-0

Seriously, if anyone wants to do this race and thinks they can average 7:00/mile or faster, speak up! Don't be shy.

I would love to do this but have to figure out if I can work it out logistically.

Cool. I'll add you as "maybe". Keep me posted.

Yes Paul I would love to go and do this but I don't think my husband would be to excited about me going and spending a weekend with a bunch of guys.  Maybe if you don't get enough people you can ask him.  Doesn't hurt to watch does it.

HMMM maybe cause you want to do it.

Maybe you could recruit him to drive one of the vans!

Or thinking more clearly now, entice him with a short follow on vacation to the San Juan islands to do some whale watching.  The islands are beautiful...

Maybe, but he doesn't so much like the running scene.  He is very supportive of me but thinks runners are weirdos.  
But that is a great idea about the island thing. 

Yes, I resemble that remark.
http://www.guidetosanjuans.com/ (http://www.guidetosanjuans.com/)
http://www.sanjuanweb.com/ (http://www.sanjuanweb.com/)
They're gorgeous getaways.  The bad news is that July/August is the prime season there.  But there's plenty of other attractions in the area from the Olympic Mountains on the pennisula to Mount Rainier to Leavenworth, a Bavarian style town in the Cascade mountains, to the Emerald City (Seattle) itself.  Surely there is some carrot you could dangle....it's all in the sales pitch!

...so you're saying you can do it if MichelleL does it? Then it's not just a bunch of guys...

Maybe.  I really would have to talk to my husband and see.  And if you are desperate for someone to fill the spot I will ask.  But most likely you will fill it.

If we can get enough people we could always go Ultra like, old times! 
I would be more concerned about my wife going to Washington for a weekend with Michelle than a bunch of guys! :)

I am so glad you are putting together a team. You won't find a more beautiful place to run than Seattle. Just in case it's not obvious, that is our hottest and dryest time of year. Expect temperature away from the water to be mid-80s during the day. It's more humid than SLC here for sure, but don't be concerned. It's NOTHING compared to the midwest or east coast.

I *may* be able to help out with driving and I may even be able to provide shelter for a few folks but I need to check with the wife first. Also, my house is a good three hours from the starting line so it may not be worth saving a night of hotel fees.

Last year was the races first year so I would expect a more competitive field this time around.

I was out there during the race last year, and it was absolutely beautiful. Sunny and in the 70s. Even if it is in the 80s, that is better than 100 degrees in Salt Lake!

Thanks for the offer to help, Sean. We'll be in touch for sure.

Sean,
Would you be able to run with us if it isn't considered our "racing team", just some friends having a good time?

Ya Sean, what's up? It's your home turf. You have to race it with us.

Josse/Michelle- I have done WBR 3 times on mixed teams. There have never been issues with the guy/girl thing, but we always make sure to have the girls stick together in a van just to keep everyone comfortable. And, if we truly have a mixed team (at least 6 girls), then we just mix it up. In this case, we would be sensitive to the issue and make sure you weren't "in a van with a bunch of guys" :)

The only thing I am worried about is the stench!

I think Josse and Michelle are worried that we will figure out that girls don't smell like flowers after running 3 times in 24 hours.  Either that, or they know how bad guys stink...

I am worried about sticky seats.  Girls don't ever stink.  We don't sweat.  We never pass gas.  We never have to go to the bathroom.  And after three times running in one day, our curls will be in place and our make up will not have smudged.  ;)

After a closer look at the dates, I won't be able to race or drive. Unfortunately, that Saturday is the Torchlight Run which is the biggest 8k race in the state. I have to avenge my 4th place finish from last year. Sorry.

We'll forgive you if you win it! :)

If there's still room, and you need someone at my level, I'd love to do it. Fortunately Delta Airlines won't be involved...

Hey- I think that makes 10. Good to have you on board, Aaron.

Still need more people! Don't be shy!!

Ok- we've got 10 people signed up for the Northwest Passage relay. We have 3 days to get two more people. Mike Vick thinks he might have a runner, so if you want to run this thing, speak up now or lose your chance!

-C

Also, for what it's worth, start times and "seeds" have been posted, and we have a very very good part of winning. Come be part of something special!

So am I reading the team list wrong or is it true that the blog team is the only one slated to start as late as 4pm?

No, there is one other 4PM team. But there are no 3PM teams, so the first 12 legs will be pretty lonely.

bumping this up again...

After lots of twists and turns, our team has 10 people, so there is room for two more runners. Again, our criteria is being to run 7-minute miles or faster. We are in the Open division, and both men and women are welcome. We will contend for the win, out of 150 teams.

If you join our team, you will have a comped entry, logistics taken of, rides to/from the airport, and a place to stay Thurs and/or Sat night. Your expenses will be relatively low, just around $70 for van rental, gas, your own food, and a few other "shared" items. And of course you will have to get there one way or another. Right now I am seeing round-trip airfare on Southwest out of SLC for $245, which is a good deal these days.

Contact me directly or reply to this thread if you are interested.

Hey Paul-

On the Ragnar board, I see that you bumped the message and stated that we need several more runners. We had 10 committed at the end of last week. Do we still have 10 committed?

Again- all you bloggers.... if you want share in a win, this is your chance.

Craig - see my team email from this morning. We lost our top runner, and are down to 9 runners.

Got it. That's too bad. This may be more competitive than we wanted :)