Bourbon Chase, a second time around- recap

Bourbon Chase.

For the last several years I've always been drawn to this relay:

• 6 years ago the CEO and leadership team from my company ran it, loved it so much, they decided to see how they could bring a relay to Nashville. After reaching out to Ragnar Relay and helping form a sponsorship,  Ragnar TN came to  life!  
• 3 years ago one of my best friends joined a team and was trying to find a spot for me on his team, 1 month before the race there was finally an opening, but I had given up and scheduled another race that weekend. 
• 2 years ago I captained a team and a few days before race day 2 of our runners (they were married) had to bow out due to a family emergency. I agreed to pick up an entire runner and treat it as an ultra, but no one else was willing to run extra so we had to cancel- major bummer. 
• Last year I joined a team one week out and I can honestly say it was the worst relay experience I've ever had.

Needless to say when a mutual friend reached out to me in July to join her team, I was more than ready for a redemption. Considering the lack of mileage leading up to the race + tending a knee injury, I had mixed expectations of what my body and endurance could deliver.

Similar to last year the  weather was cloudy, rainy, and temps were continually dropping. The big difference this year, was instead of being in the 2nd van and runner 12 where I missed out on seeing the other van at major exchanges, I upgraded to van 1, runner 4.

Van 1 kicked things off at Jim Beam Distillery

For this relay we had 1 runner in our van and another runner in van 2 download this app, relay tracker to help keep tabs on when runners were anticipated to come in. 

It was pretty awesome because you put in everyone's name, each of their distances, and what they're average time was going to be (I said 8:15 for mine)  and then it did all the work. Below are just screen shots from google 

While a current runner is out on their leg it will tell you how many miles, what they're predicted pace is, how long they've currently been running, and when to anticipate them coming in. As you get 5 min in the window of when you're coming in, the "due in" time turns yellow. Once you pass your window it turns red. And as you can guess, when you pass off the baton you hit the exchange made button and it starts the countdown for next person. 

This was neat because our vans were synched on the app so it was easy to coordinate (despite them showing up late to one of the exchanges since it changed from last year). There were a few instances where it froze (bad cell connection), so make sure you're still looking at the time when your runner leaves. What made it slightly stressful was that your teammates knew if you were slower or faster than what you said, so it was more pressure to be accountable to hit your times (for me) 

Run 1: 5.2 miles / 8:25 pace 

By the time I was ready to run we were at our 2nd distillery stop, Heaven Hill Distilleries (not as grand as some of the others, and instead more of a distribution building) 

This was the run I was most nervous for due to the fact it was the hardest leg of all 36 legs. Bourbon Chase is unique in that each runner is rated from easy to difficult, along with each individual leg. The majority of the run looked manageable according to the elevation map, however it was the last 3/4 mile that was straight up hill that had me worried and told my team I'd for sure be walking. To take the edge off I took one of the volunteers up on their shots of bourbon they were giving out (and I do not like Bourbon) 

Going into the run I thought my mileage was 4.1 (it was originally when I first was assigned this leg), so I just went out a little quicker then what I normally run to make up for the time I planned on walking. 

Surprisingly my legs felt good and because it was so cold my breathing was in check. We weren't supposed to have headphones, but given this was my first 'race' since May I needed the extra motivation so I was going to chance it. The first several miles were spent constantly switching my 1 headphone into the ear not facing traffic (there were a lot of turns) as to not get caught #rebel. 

I was feeling great but was continually looking ahead for when this climb was supposed to start. I kept looking down at watch and even when it said 4 miles and no climb yet I started to get worried that I took a wrong turn since the run was just over 4 miles. I see a sign and start picking up the pace so I could read it--- immediate deflation when I see the "One mile left" sign. How was this run over 1 mile longer than I thought, and I still have the major hill to hit?

Since I was getting tired, I decided to just pick up the pace so I could take my time on the uphill--- so glad I did.  My calves were burning just walking up the darn thing. There was 1 runner ahead of me and I told myself that when he started running, I would start--- I did this off and on for a few minutes and decided to screw it and just walk until my watch read 5 miles.

Once it beeped 5 miles I started a shuffle until I could see the peak, then picked it up for a "strong finish" into the exchange (and my team was none the wiser!) 

Night Run - 5.5 miles; 8:04 avg pace 

Due to the continuous rain all day, the field that was supposed to be for vans parking was blocked off, thus the exchange officials were making vans drive through in a single file line which caused a huge standstill of vans 1/2 mile from the exchange point. One of my teammates agreed to hop out with me and we jogged to the exchange to make sure we would be there in time (good thing we did bc my van still hadn't made it to exchange for when I took off) 

As with all night runs, I felt GREAT. I opted to put my phone on speaker and hold in my bra - stillness of the night made it easy to hear, and probably  even more entertaining for people as I approached them (lot of kills on this run) I did manage to accidentally step in cow / horse poo (hard to tell), so I pulled to the side and used corn stalk leaves to wipe everything off.  One of the perks of night running is it makes hills more bearable to run since you can't see them ahead of time. As long as I don't psych myself out, I'm decent at hills since they are everywhere in Nashville--- this run didn't disappoint and its where I passed most of my kills. 

I knew I would be coming in sooner than 8:15 pace, so I texted my team just in case they were relying on the app. Thankfully I did because they were barely ready in time before I handed off. So happy and grateful the run went well and was painfree--- starting to feel like my mojo is coming back!!!

Last run 3.8 miles; 8:07 avg pace 

I couldn't have asked for a better lineup this race--- hardest first, longest at night, shortest for last--- the ultimate strategy for being pain free at end of relay!! I always like to save a "fun" outfit for my last run to keep me energized. Since I've only worn my stars skirt once, 50th state 1/2, I figured it was time to break it out again. 

My TN tank + pro compression USA socks completed my 'Merica outfit and definitely got a lot of cheers from other runners, spectators, and vans driving by. 

I'm not sure what happened on this run, but I had a hard time catching my breath. I did have to stop quite a bit, however I only allowed myself 10 sec walk breaks at a time. My legs were heavy, but still turning over and pain free, so it was just a matter of stopping occasionally, regulating breathing, then carrying on. 

As we approach the small town where my exchange will be made, this guy caught up to me, smacked me on my butt, and told me "nice work wonderwoman!" Unless you know me, don't smack my butt. That gave me all the motivation I needed and I pushed through and passed him in the final stretch. After I handed off the baton I turned around and told him I wasn't wonder woman and walked back with my team. Is it me or is just satisfying to "chick" douchey guys???

After we all finished our van 1 legs we made a beeline for the hotel where a hot shower never felt so good. We ate, drank, then made our way to the finish line to cheer on our team to the finish line. 

Ladies and men of team "Ball so Hard we ran our Hasselhoff" 

Group Photo 

Thankfully we finished early enough, 330, to go back to hotel while van 2 showered that I could catch a quick nap before we made our way back to the bourbon tent at finish line and then on to dinner. Every runner gets a wrist band with 4 tear offs for free bourbon tasting. I had 1 honey wild turkey with several ice cubes that I managed to choke down and 1 Woodford Reserve that made me almost vomit. I don't think I'll ever be a Bourbon gal, but it doesn't mean you still can't have fun at the race. 

This year was SUCH a different experience than last year--- no getting lost, chased by stray dogs, being in last place, having to skip exchanges, or finishing 1.5 hours before they close everything down. I knew 2 people on this team prior to race, and both were in van 2. Although relays are always fun with some of your best friends, I think they're pretty fabulous with strangers as well!!!

Thanks for redeeming yourself Bourbon Chase--- maybe we'll meet again next year!

Weekly Recap 2/3-2-9

It seems like the weeks are just flying by since New Year's.  This week was pretty jammed packed and as you can deduce from below recaps, I ran once. My focus while its unbearable to run outside has shifted more toward 'sculpting' vs. solely on running.

MONDAY
Kettlebell Class followed by 4 miles @ our weekly Tin Roof Run

TUESDAY
My gf Sarah finally joined me for RIPPED class - although we use small weights, its definitely a workout.

After class on my way to trivia Elizabeth reached out to see if I would want to be on a NUUN  all girl's team for Ragnar Trail Atlanta. Ever since my first experience with Ragnar Trail Vail Lake, (ridiculously long recap of everything you would want to know about a trail relay HERE )I vowed that I had to do another one in the near future- happily obliged and so excited to to have a gals weekend to look forward to in April! 

Finished the night by losing trivia badly with the absence of two of our team members- championship is this upcoming Sunday!  

WEDNESDAY

Yoga at lunch

Bootcamp (first time in 3+ months since I've done this)

Today was the kickoff of our favorite bar's "social club" First Wed of every month there is a featured alcohol tasting with reps to drop some knowledge on us + unlimited food. I'm not a fan of bourbon, but since the roommate and I are friends with the owner, we wanted to be supportive and help make the first one a success. Upside, we were the ONLY girls there and we may have had some interested suitors approach us (we declined politely) 

THURSDAY

RIPPED Class

I did nothing exciting. It was nice to just come home after work and veg out on couch and enjoyed an episode of "The Taste" while trying to create my own culinary creations... stuffed bell peppers. First time trying these out and they were delicious (I mixed 98% lean beef with quinoa, onions, and canned tomatoes) 

FRIDAY

Remember that beer fest I went to where everything went terribly wrong and was one of the worst experiences of my life? It didn't go over so well with the roommate either (she also got sick even though she was just a volunteer pourer and didn't drink much) Although this transpired in December,  Friday was the scheduled "thank you party" the organizers were throwing for all the volunteers. I was Leah's   +1 so we could make better memories and maybe, just maybe want to go next year. 

She also invited someone I've been wanting to meet for quite some time, Jeanette Faber. She's a sponsored Brooks runner and ran in the USATF World Championships in Russia this summer for the marathon distance. Although she ran a 2:44:03 in Russia, her PR is 2:32:37 - damn. 

It just so happens she transplanted to Nashville a year ago so we know a lot of the same people.  I was picking her brain for advice when I decide to get disciplined and gun for a PR while getting speedy. Although I'm not ready yet, I'm excited to get back on the horse soon and put her knowledge to use.

SATURDAY

P90x Core Synergistics 

One of my high school friends and teammates asked if he could come up to visit and check out a hockey game and local breweries. He lives in Alabama and their alcohol rules are still limited on what they can carry and such. I showed him all the goods he hasn't yet experienced on his previous visits. 

We pretty much ate and drank till our hearts content 

Tennessee Brew works Brewery

Fat Bottom Brewery

Pharamacy Burger (where I got bratwurst since I knew we were going to Burger Republic for dinner) 

Burger Republic - seriously best burger I've had in awhile- taco seasoned beef, jalapeno guac, pepper jack cheese- YUM. My favorite part was their naughty milk shakes- this was the Evil Smores - chocolate ice cream, chocolate graham crackers, marshmallow vodka, hershey chocolate bar + whipped cream on top! 

I got tickets to the hockey game via our suite and although the Preds lost miserably 5-1, still had a great time. 

Since none of us were ready to call it a night we walked to one of my favorite bar / restaurants downtown, Flying Saucer for some beer- a beer snob's heaven

Everytime I go there, I feel the need to get a photo with whomever on these balls - I know there are more than these 3, but all I could manage to find

Leah and I circa this weekend- holding eachother up 

Circa Fall 2011- chillin / Stephen flick us off 

My 26th birthday circa 2010- model posing 

If you come visit me in Nashville, I promise we can get a ball picture too ;) 

Sunday

30 min of my own moves with weights while watching the most adorable movie ever Snowbuddies (I have dog fever lately - similar to baby fever, yet I don't need a man to complete this cure) 

Took Tom to my favorite brunch in town (all you can eat buffet) at Puckett's. Did some shopping at Kohls to use up coupons, then cooked and watched they Olympics while doing my taxes- lazy yet productive at the same time

It's imperative to be snuggled up with hot cocoa (bonus points if in an Elvis mug) while watching the winter olympics. Did anyone else notice how gorgeous / perfect hair / perfect smile the female snow boarders were??? They were all also all blonde and tiny, with a median height of 5'3. Guess my dreams of a snowboard

Overall, a pretty good week. As planned, running took a backseat to other workouts, and I'm okay with that. It also helps that it is frigid cold here and i have no desire to run in these temps!

Anything noteworthy in your week??

Bourbon Chase Relay- perspective from a team in last place

  The Bourbon Chase  is s a relay I've wanted to run for awhile now because fun fact, years ago our CEO and several colleagues ran it, had so much fun that they decided to bring a relay to Nashville- we partnered with Ragnar and Ragnar TN was born. Lots of the people in my department were part of that original team, so I've always heard great stories and seen the most picturesque photos.

Last year I captained a team to run BC, KY and the Jellies,  however due to some unfortunate circumstances, we had to pull out the day before the race. This year, my co-worker, Kelly, asked me on a whim 1 week before BC if I would be interested in taking the place of an injured runner, naturally I  happily  obliged at the opportunity to FINALLY get this race under my belt and tagged along for the ride.

I've waited awhile to write this recap, not because I'm lazy or busy, although both are contributors, but more so because unlike Sarah Oual's recap, I did not have that #epicrelay experience. BC dropped the ball HARD when it came to time assignments, thus we spent a large % of our time battling back and forth for the last runner position through the exchange- many times coming through after all the festivities had ended....

To be fair, there was some great organization / concepts that BC got right, so in the most objective / try not bitch my pants off fashion, here are the goods and bads from team "Bulleit Train"

Good

• Every year they have a theme, this year was some type of hippe theme- It was tied in with the awesome bib, long sleeve shirt, and medal--- HUGE wins in my book 

Long sleeve Brooks tech tee, tie dye peace medal 

• Date of BC changes every year- reason for this is it has to be held during a full moon. Lots of the roads are off the beaten path with no lights, so the full moon helps light up the sky. In both of my night runs I felt that I didn't need my head lamp because I could see clearly- unfortunately, this collage is the only photo I have to show the night sky- this is at 10pm - ish?

• Bourbon! I personally don't like bourbon, but it was neat to see the distilleries. Van 2 stopped at Maker's Mark, Four Roses, and Woodford Reserve (there might have been another distillery van 2 was supposed to stop at, however we were running an extra leg in our van so not all of our exchanges with the van were at the major points) 

Getting to sample 120 proof Maker's straight from the barrels- I almost gagged. 

There was free shots at Woodford, however, I had to pass them up as I might have gagged. 

• Finish line had a bourbon tent where you were given a wrist band with 4 tear offs- from there you could have a shot of 4 different bourbons from the choices they had. I was runner 12, so the idea of drinking bourbon immediately after running was unappealing, I gave my tickets away. **If anyone knows of a beer chase relay, count me in**
• Aside from the crummy weather (cold and raining on saturday) we ran through some gorgeous towns, fields, nature- everything. The only photo I managed to take was on our way to Maker's for our first leg

• I was able to see Elizabeth in her first #runnercomeback at Maker's. She was in Van 1 of the Nuun team and since this was the first major exchange,  she was waiting to pass off to van 2. Loved hearing about how her first leg went and am so excited for her to re-enter the world of running now that she's healed! 

The Bad

• Regardless of which relay you do, they all ask the same thing- what is your 10k pace? Based on your team average, they then assign you a start time. When Kelly originally asked me to join her team I said I couldn't because I had my go to market workshop till 1pm that Friday- day the race started. Her response was it wouldn't be a problem because our start time was 4pm and since we were in van 2 we were going to leave Nashville at 4. First thought, naturally, is that I joined a FREAKIN FAST team- she seemed confused and assured me they were just average pace---- umm we might have a problem?
• Get the email from team captain on all the pace times- 11 people total, 2 had paces of 9:30s, 1 a pace well over 10. The rest were 8s and 7s, not bad, BUT NOT fast enough to signify starting at 4. For those that haven't had your relay cherry popped yet (what are you waiting for), your team pace signifies what time of day you'll start. If it will take you a longer time to cover the distance you start early (their earliest start time was 8am), if you'll finish quicker, you get a later start time (latest start was 7pm). 
• Our 2nd runner in our van (leg 8) was the slowest on our team- no biggie we knew to wait longer. Her run was 4 miles and at 54 minutes with her no crossing through we start to get nervous. We chit chat with one of the teams at the exchanges, they started at 5:30 and had already caught up to us- gah! Worry starts to set in that we are going to get passed by everyone. Finally we get a call from our runner who got lost as one of the signs was removed from course. She ran an extra 2 miles and a van picked her up. One of the vanmates told her she ran last year and got lost on that very same leg. This happened again on runner 6's 2nd leg- got lost and ran an extra 1.5 miles.
• I'm runner 12- awesome. I get to run my FIRST leg at 1am... yup, 1am. I don't mind running at night, but this is ridiculously late to only have 1 leg down. I manage to pull off 5.1 miles in 7:30 pace. Both myself and Kelly had 8:30 paces projected, but we were trying to make up time and both managed to run 7:30s or faster to make up for legs that took longer than anticipated. During my run, I managed to  get HAWKED by not 1, but 2 people... this was in my first mile where I was a little ambitious and my pace was 7:02... needless to say, the faster teams were all pretty much caught up to us at his point. To make matters worse, my  team wasn't expecting me to be that fast so when I got to the exchange I had to wait over 3 min for them to get there- how annoying. 

The Ugly

• When we arrive at the next major exchange to sleep then gear up for our 2nd legs, the town was packed! Turns out they had two different exchanges around Centre campus (one between van 1 and the other was exchange 19 where we switched vans). After our failed attempt to sleep we emerge a few hours later to get the baton and it is a GHOST town. There are no teams around, just the volunteers. This is when our runner 6 got lost and ran an extra 1.5 miles on top of his existing miles. He handed off in 2nd to last place. We stuck around for the last place team who was only 1 or 2 min behind us and cheered for them... IMMEDIATELY they shut down the exchange once he went through. 
• Our runner (#7) got injured during his 6 miles and slowed down massively- we got passed by last place and were now the under dogs- womp womp. I offered to take his place and his finish his leg, but being proud he wanted to push through. We managed to get further behind and then the sweeper vehicle started following us. What is annoying about all of this, is we weren't running slow. We were on pace for 27 - 28 hour finish which although won't win awards, is less than a 9 min avg. 
• Lots of back and forths leading up to me, but on my 2nd run we were now 5th to last- woo! For my shortest run I planned on going all out to make up some time. 1 mile in I got chased by two rottweilers that caught up to me and starting nipping at my legs- just like in the movies, this Alaskan Huskie came out of nowhere and saved me, warding off the dogs. Traumatized, came to a fork in the road, no signs so I just kept left and hoped for the best. Shortly after I called my van to get clarification on directions- when they called me they said I took a wrong turn immediately after exchange (and how did no one notice and waited till I ran 2 miles to tell me???) I get deflated and say I'll run toward them but they need to pick me up and drop me off because its f**ing ridiculous that I'm the 3rd to get lost and we haven't been busting our butt to fall behind again. Run a total of 3 miles before my van gets there and another movie moment- dogs start chasing me again and I hop in the van just in time... not sure where the huskie was in that one. Basically the team agreed that since I already ran 3 miles that they would go 3 miles from the exchange and drop me off since we're not winning any awards here. Got dropped off right before the 1 mile to go sign (my leg was 4.3 miles) and then hauled ass- 2nd time in a row I get there and my team is no where to be found??
• This is probably the most ridiculous of them all: In our last round, runner 7 didn't know if he could run again (this would have been his 4th run bc he was making up for a missing runner) Since I'm 12, I volunteer to run the first part of his leg, get picked up, and he could finish it- again, not going for any awards. I walk to the exchange at Woodford Reserve waiting for van 1 runner and after a few minutes they start tearing down the exchange!!! I'm so annoyed at this point from the constant battle of not being last that I immediately go in to bitch mode asking why they are tearing it down as my runner has not come through yet. Turns out the way BC was doing it is they are just writing down teams as they come through instead of having a list and crossing them off. They ask my #, radio the previous exchange, then confirm that we are in last place. I tell them that is impossible because there is a team that we managed to get over 45 min ahead of and unless they cheated there is no way we fell behind.  They tell me that they started pulling teams and having them skip exchanges to 'catch up' and that our team should have been pulled an hour ago- instead they instructed me to just go ahead and start and to let my van communicate to the other van I left- they gave me an extra bracelet (baton) so I could use it at next exchange. 
• I leave (7 min before my runner arrives), tell my van what happened, then head off in hopes of maybe catching one runner--- seriously this isnt fun to constantly be 'behind' and made to feel slow, when reality is, BC just started us too late. I get maybe 3 min into my run and I'm just about to leave Woodford's campus when I get pulled over by a golf cart- they told me we were "so far behind" to just go ahead and skip this exchange altogether so we can catch up. WTF?!?! I wait till I get a full mile under my belt and call my van to tell them the ridiculous news. When they pick me up they inform me that although our runner 6 left the previous exchange in last, he caught 4 runners along the way, so those poor 4 runners were behind us and would have arrived at woodford to an exchange that didn't exist anymore. In the heat of our angst, we told one of the vans we had been back an forth with "i've got worms", what happened and they should just pull their runner and skip ahead too. (they got screwed and had a 3:30 start time)- They ended up following our lead as well. 
• Get to the next exchange, explain to the volunteers what happened and that were are just starting here- instead of him looking confused he just replied "oh ya, they've been doing that all afternoon!!"  RIDICULOUS. At the next exchange we caught up to a fellow Nashville team of familiar runners and they shared that teams have been told to leap frog all day (aka start running before your runner comes through) That was the last straw, we finally didn't care anymore and had discussed skipping some runs just so we could get to the finish line faster- we didn't but it was heavily talked about. 
• My last leg was 6.2 miles- uneventful, passed about 10 people (the only run I passed people on by the way) and we crossed the finish line at 7:27pm, pitch dark. The finish line festivities end at 8:30 pm (or at least that is when the bourbon tent closes), and there were still TONS of people behind us who we passed both in running and when we got to skip the exchange. I felt bad for those runners as I'm sure the after activities were shut down. 

I never thought I'd see what its like to be 'behind' in a relay, but it was terrible. I wouldn't mind if we were last because we were slow, but in the end we finished:

27 hrs 27 min and 2 sec. 
62 / 315 teams
28/190 in our division

I realize we got to skip a run, but it was only 5 miles- I ran 1 mile of it, plus we had 3.5 extra miles ran earlier in the relay, so in the end, we only really skipped out on .5 mile- thus I'm keeping our time. It should be noted that Elizabeth and Sarah's team Nuun team that started 30 min after us also finished 3 hours ahead of us... that is an example of appropriately assigning times. One of my best buds finished in 28 hours, his start time was 11:00 am.

Overall I do think Bourbon Chase puts on a great event, however something as small as the wrong start time can really impact the entire experience. The entire relay was a constant stress fest of hitting times, how can we make up times, worrying if we're in last etc, that it wasn't as fun as it should have been. In the end I would like to do this relay once more to get the negative taste out of my mouth, but please don't let my experience deter you from signing up!