Just over a year ago I stumbled upon a Facebook page that
caught my attention and held it – for a year!
As I pondered the promised adventures of the Grand Teton Relay I was
increasingly intrigued and my desire to participate grew with each Facebook
post. I visited the website and imagined
what fun it would be to take on this challenge in the land of my roots. The Tetons loomed in my mind as I began
recruiting friends to participate. I
needed twelve runners for a team – twelve runners willing to spend nearly 30
hours cramped in two vehicles while forgoing sleep, hygiene, and
nourishment. These twelve runners would
be asked to cover about 180 miles of some of the most majestic country in the
world. I began recruiting. I didn’t miss
an opportunity to talk to runners at sporting events, church functions, and
social gatherings. I found it difficult
to find twelve willing parties. In the
end I found I had assembled a team of some of the best people in the world! My
team consisted of six men and six women. Four of the runners had completed a
marathon. Three more had completed half
marathons. Three were in their twenties. Three more were not-so-young. Four were family. Two team members kind of
hate to run. One only recently took up running and loves it. None of the team had ever competed in a
distance relay. We didn’t really know
what we were getting into. Our team name?
No Common Sense - Cons on the Run!
I have done some very cool things in my day, but this one
ranks right up there with the best. The
Grand Teton Relay, or GTR as I will henceforth refer, was everything I had anticipated
and more. I knew the scenery would be spectacular, for I had witnessed it
before. What I didn’t expect was the
added bonus of a short summer storm that granted a variety of lighting (and
lightening) to enhance the views. As I
stood in Ashton surveying the view of the Tetons in front of me and the
evergreen covered hills of Island Park to my left, I formed a mental picture of
the challenge we were about to undertake.
Our journey would take us to the east side of those majestic peaks! It still boggles my mind. Several of our team
had never witnessed this beautiful area.
I was so excited for them, but mostly for myself!
There is something special about shared discomfort, shared
trials, shared pain. Those shared
experiences bond people together. The
GTR did that for No Common Sense and it happened in 30 short hours!
As No Common Sense began the relay, thunder and lightening
and a down pour also commenced! Our
first participant, a not so eager runner, sprinted for a free sweatshirt. He came up empty handed, arriving third, but he
delighted his teammates and got us off to a great beginning. The rain subsided after his four mile run and
the day grew warmer.
Fun Fact: Some people smile always. So it was with our navigator, water boy, and
runner, Andy.
The first twelve legs of the relay were challenging for most
of the team. We are lowlanders, residing
at 2200’ above sea level, and we climbed into Island Park from 5300’ to as high
as 7600’! Our youngest and strongest runner was battling bronchitis. We were
adjusting to the elevation and anticipating the challenges of sleep deprivation
and multiple runs in a few short hours. A stop for sightseeing at Mesa Falls
and an attempt at a nap in some tall grass along Marysville Road helped Van 1
rejuvenate and prepare for our night run.
Fun Fact: My father
was born in Marysville. Marysville isn’t really there anymore – just the road. I
didn’t know where we were napping until I returned home and reviewed the course
map.
Another Fun Fact:
Night running is not as scary as I had expected. In fact, it was my favorite leg of the
course.
My second leg went something like this. Having discovered that there is no way to recognize
a night runner coming into the transition with only a headlamp and reflective
vest in view, we determined to yell something creative. “Prison Break” sounded like a fun
option. I also decided I would text Van
2 when I saw the “One Mile To Go” marker to let them know I would be arriving
in a few minutes. Well … this leg was
back to 6000’ in elevation, it was cooler, there was no lightening of which I
had been most concerned, and Steve Miller Band kept me company, especially this
song! Take the Money and Run!
Nor was there any “One Mile To Go” marker! I was running well, for me because I had adjusted
to the elevation, etc. I came upon the
transition unexpectedly and began yelling, “Prison Break! PRISON BREAK! Where’s
my runner!” He soon emerged from the restroom and was off and running! Poor guy!
I cooled down with a cup of hot chocolate at the Tetonia City Park.
Another Fun Fact: Night runners can and may undress a little
bit on a run and nobody will be the wiser.
This we learned from one of the nicest girls on the planet! Go figure.
And this one: It is
possible for volunteer drivers to sleep on top of their Suburban and inside of
their Thule cargo carrier.
While Van 2 completed their night legs from Tetonia to
Driggs and finished at the base of Targhee Ski Resort, we enjoyed a quick
shower and another attempt at a few winks at Teton High School. It is difficult to sleep when your babies are
running relay races. My two boys were in
Van 2. After about an hour and a half of unsuccessful shut eye, we headed up Ski
Hill Road to meet Van 2 and begin the last legs of our relay.
As each runner completed his/her last run and returned to
the vehicle, the mood inside the Suburban became lighter. We had been enjoying
the experience throughout, but the relief and satisfaction that came with each
participant’s completion of the goal was contagious. Poor Van 2.
Fun Fact: Keep this one for future reference if you plan to
participate in the GTR next year. Van 1
has a much easier task than Van 2. The terrain is easier. Van 1 gets right to the running while Van 2 waits
several hours in anticipation. Van 1 finishes first – before TETON PASS!
I finished my last leg in Victor and handed off to the “Middle-aged
Dentist Looking Fellow” who began the ascent of Teton Pass. I could feel a sense of dread from my Van 2 teammates. Van 1, on the other hand, was ready to party!
Teton Pass – 6200’ to 8438’ - four men! The first climbed 561’ in 5.7 miles. The second climbed 550 feet in 3.8
miles. The third climbed 1192’ in 2.6
miles! The last descended 2300’ in 5.8 miles!
Fun Fact: The big brother is the little brother.
Two final runners took us from Wilson into Teton Village
where we joined the party at the finish line! We soaked our feet in the cold
water running through the resort. I can’t
remember what there was to eat, but I do remember the angel that massaged my
feet and ankles! I didn’t get her name,
but I wanted to bring her home with me!
In the end, we finished in just under 29 hours. I was hoping for thirty! We were faster than
more than half of the teams! The weather was beautiful and there were no injuries
or vehicle breakdowns. We survived
elevation, sleep deprivation, hunger, sweat, discomfort, and Sasquatch! I lost two toe nails. Most importantly, we
gained family members through our shared experience. When we returned home we couldn’t stop
talking about it. Our friends who did
not participate surely grew weary of our continued accounts. They may think we have no common sense. They may be correct.
Until next year … Go Team No Common Sense!
Feel free to comment on this post with your favorite
memories of Grand Teton Relay 2014
Happy Running!
