50 mile Relay CSAUP

Of all the CSAUPs I have participated in this was perhaps the toughest mentally to get up for.  All week I had texts from Pax about the weather predictions.  But as we all know the point of a Completely Stupid and Utterly Pointless event is to push oneself outside of your comfort zone.  I’m not saying posting at a bootcamp workout is not difficult but if you do this and nothing else you do not really grow.  As I arrived at 3:30 at Ingles I noted that I was not the first one there.  Gavel was already waiting for the suck to start.  Too excited to sleep he was there 30 minutes early.  Over the next 30 minutes all Pax who signed up showed up despite a sure forecast of steady rain but at this point all was dry on the homefront.

After a quick update on the purpose of the relay and a prayer for safety the first runners were off.  Round-up, Golddigger, Quiche, and Balljoint set the tone early on (or perhaps they know if they ran fast they could avoid the rain which had not yet started.  Either way they smoked the first leg in a sub 8 fashion.  Next Seuss, Def Leppard, Broke, Gavel took off accompanied by Buckeye and Golddigger (YES he just kept going) to race to Sims field.  YHC promised sidewalks most of the way but this leg was not one of them  In addition it was time to start getting wet.  These runners were not so lucky to avoid the rain. For the pax waiting at Sims Sargento had the answer with a pop up tent that kept us dry!  But the wait for the runners was not nearly as long as you might expect with Seuss smoking it running sub 7!  Wow wonder what he could do if he was healthy.

From Sims,  Hacksaw, Pockets, Roscoe, and Boudin (along with Golddigger who yes just kept on going) ran through the hood (good thing there was a cop on the route to keep us safe – thanks Roscoe) to Gashouse where JJ was waiting  (having run from the pub!) to support us for a couple of consecutive legs.  We were also greeted by Flintstone and Virus at Gashouse.  At this point the rain was light and almost pleasant so off with the next group which included Freight, Sargento, JJ, Radiohead and YHC.  This completed everyone’s first leg and surprise no one melted in the rain.

With all the pax settled in it was time to grind -and time for the skies to open up.  Doodles met up with us around 5:30 and rode his bike in the rain to support us most of the morning!  There’s a true HIM!  Flintstone and Virus showed up again as well on leg 5.  Buckeye joined the regulars to run legs 5 and 6 consecutively and of course Golddigger was still going for his 5th consecutive leg!  What a beast!

Leg 6 took us through downtown Crammerton to Goat island.  The pax were not showing any signs of fatigue with Seuss and Buckeye leading the way.  Of course by this time (6:30/7) several pax noted their GI tracts waking up – thank goodness there were public bathrooms at the Goat – or if you were lucky enough to drive past your house you could enjoy your own throne (Sargento).  Leg 7 took the pax up and around Stuart Crammer and up and down the hills behind the school and to the yank, but watching the pax come in you thought they had a walk in the park.  Shoutout to Hacksaw and Pockets who pushed the rock hard.

Leg 8 was the leg that mother nature took her revenge.  Freight, Sargento, Radiohead and YHC swam up 273 to Mt Hollywood.  Mother nature would not let up for the rest of the relay but there was no stopping the pax now that we were 2/3 done by 9:00.  Leg 9 saw Golddigger return to action to get miles 20-25 in –   Chugging down Catawba to McAdenville at a pace that no one could keep up with – although Quiche, Balljoint and Roundup gave him a push.  Lucky for these runners – they were done and could enjoy the rest of the race in relative dryness.

Leg 10 took the runners to Midoryama.  For those unfamiliar with this route – it is not flat.  The climb up to Poston park nearly took out Def Leppard but that man does not say quit – I sure hope I’m still doing CSAUPs at 56.  Leg 11 was perhaps the hardest leg for these runners – 5 miles with two significant hills in pouring rain – If this does not challenge you nothing will.  But Hacksaw, Pockets, Roscoe and Boudin cmade that route their Byotch.

With just one leg to go Freight, Radiohead, Sargento and YHC took off down New Hope back to Dallas/ Ingles.  By this time nothing could stop us.  Sweet victory was in our sites and could not be denied.

There were no losers in this group. Everyone pushed themselves to or beyond their perceived limits.  You really do not know what you can do until you try.  After a quick recap and a prayer of thanksgiving in the car wash several pax met up at Pita Wheel in Dallas for fellowship and a meal.  In addition to pushing ourselves it is important to remember that we do these things not really for ourselves but to be a leader for those around us.

The pax also came through with donations for Least of These Carolina totaling $404!  Thank you men for your push, comradery, fellowship and generosity! I know I am better because of you and I can not image a better group of men to spend a rainy Saturday morning with!

Until next time Defib out