In a stunning display of self-propelled motivation, Alan, Brandon, the Texan, Stam, Brody, and me ran the Wild West Relay. A 198-mile run across high plains and mountain passes, from Fort Collins to Steamboat Springs, via Wyoming. It was the first relay for any of us.
Our team, the Thundering Herd of Testicles, was but a drop in the bucket of sexually charged names. The roster read like the mutterings of a 15-year old boy: Tits in the Wind, Whiskey Dicks, and Rammin’ it up the Pass, being amongst those lacking in subtlety.
The Texan and I thought it prudent to carb-load the night before, which was achieved with the assistance of Tecate. So with 1/3 of the team suffering a lack of sleep, dehydration, and a touch of nausea, sometimes referred to as a hangover, Stam toed the start line at 6 AM and we were off.
![IMG_1483 IMG_1483](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOIKBRWgt3DovyCuUtJi1DubKdXjfTU4hs1gsy4tJoVkLofNK4LAnNdT1KXrni9o6X89Hd8CXVV-wgk1ggDJGlzKqWE9Qux78P65KoLGdlVxu86dNA4XIM7lbBuX8lhYXVZasfbZeRfoC_/?imgmax=800)
We were an “ultra” team, meaning no more than six runners, with each of us running legs ranging from 29-37 miles. A typical leg looks like this:
- Runner departs
- Drive past in the van 20 minutes later playing this
- Wait at exchange area for runner
- Runner arrives
- Baton exchanged
- Runner departs, and repeat until Steamboat Springs
An inordinate amount of time is spent in the vehicle, a 12-passenger van, rented, with maximum insurance coverage given what we knew would be a tired state. Within minutes it was awash in water bottles, running shoes, snacks, and odor, as though a river of locker room detritus had been deposited amidst the bench seats.
![IMG_1546 IMG_1546](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMbqoX1NDn6g_cOaO-mbLPhxT0w0sCGUOyxiJt9orDUUgYfWI5mHKztojBlNUss3Hwuhv__9RtQk2_Q4cHQW6wj1sASywe1QMtHzTa70wwrU38XbJa_Y3BUKMo5Pw2AYwhP9lA9HPO7pVg/?imgmax=800)
Energy was high in the morning amongst all teams. Lots of music, people throwing footballs at the exchanges, and a casual camaraderie at the exchanges. Like the arc of daylight, this intensity peaked mid-afternoon and then slowly receded.
Running through the night, over mountains (thanks to Stam and Alan) and across high plains beneath a full moon, was a surreal experience. The slow pace and lack of distraction quieted the mind, especially when coupled with fatigue. Sleeping in the van was a challenge, in fact, I am not sure Alan even slept. Mid-night exchanges were hushed affairs and the sun an eventual welcome sight with which to sync our body clocks.
The finish seemed inconsequential compared to what we did. Over 30 hours of running that ceased with the crossing of the line. The team crossed together, laughing and cheering as we once again, in a stadium announcer voice, we heard our team name called: and coming in now is the “Thuuuunderingggg Herd of Testicles”.
![IMG_1553 IMG_1553](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7r-_lgcU6CW5Q_Mu2_q32NxaFL7sSliAys7hxZvMYsBixHmjDrxZn5BUPLHi2je-x6SBCluUomjDKrsResYN5mmWDkLbsUVQZcX-bR24e0S8I8szgtyQs3DPPNT0DRhDT99Aer1rjBDau/?imgmax=800)
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Brody reacts to a botched exchange. On a 30 hour run this 4 second delay proves inconsequential.
![IMG_1527 IMG_1527](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKCRKf6Wh0rm1CrUhALBXl9S5ZwrIBZQLcDsN_y_6tpygyQ5xG57YsJKYHe9fspqysxDW-BAMgOdY7TGpw5SPRgQKZGH1mEVxaK9FHGRbbwoPiGnaIRL5e4alaznSfKb3EqG1e5_MqHu7T/?imgmax=800)
Alan fading from view on a leg that featured 1,800 feet of climbing.
![IMG_2274 IMG_2274](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_yhiYWmMwKI1wM5dW1K9qPN_vv-b873G1Rq7BdMSTl1OcjImWToh43Gi8-GPx9N0NYwKttye33f-sDFF1U0xCl5eMrON_HfCuKXbB5lnTx3t0R_v1Z6lUk9_T5wNCbJLelXvdATqzFSDY/?imgmax=800)
Brandon running a downhill at such speed that we almost did not catch him before the exchange. Look close, he does not touch the ground when he runs.
![IMG_2275 IMG_2275](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsrNhzXgvTJ-T_zcZ5BPEh6CdHGeeGBLRS0bj7-5bXROV_TmRfPEOyBJNBfpXzddH5pctQ35iu7QHlHL3OOIg293BczonBePLxb4mt1jMcz1_OJ7EQhAxwfqLXea3MNx7kvwPBFQoGosd6/?imgmax=800)
That is me tying my shoe. I suffered a foot injury weeks before and was nervous about how I would hold up. Swapping out insoles made a huge difference.
![IMG_2278 IMG_2278](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ2KrS3RQd__ZpU2gJH6pu4TD7JXtwv7NuSkpMoXbXQK8hTml1lRaWK9caImqLoLUZ5QrXrd3CCyUSWBhckAqFqhCufsNGNFmwUsTfnPaM7Nui1qet-6f1BEzHPxQcuvavZ8E_vZwG3oGV/?imgmax=800)
Brody heading out on his 3rd leg. With the sunset to his left and an empty road he cruised the centerline amidst the towering silence of southern of Wyoming.
![IMG_2281 IMG_2281](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFxhH128fpMF9Vv3CuD6mN8VehiHzkiMjfT51CNiWyyLQAxg5qbMzS5D_KRCWL6ZffxUn4L5_QCXoxyy_xVfnUyOAAxVVUYX-xO1CKnYbNshY0ESMV6dEWu35jYEMTjclWAdX79DYC9Bnu/?imgmax=800)
The Texan and I handing off. This was my 5th leg and I was dragging through the first half. On the second half the sunrise was accompanied by a song that I listened to a lot while running off the misery of divorce and it struck a chord. The realization of all that I have, including the health to spend 2 days with friends in pursuit of the asinine, replete with laughter and support, had me in tears. Rather than being heavy, I was lightened, and although I cannot claim to have suddenly been running 7 minute miles, I could not stop smiling as I loped through the high plains.
![IMG_1490 IMG_1490](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-f4y12e8H-0IGGock2Zb0l5HqxIE8eaqjVEIqUO-upBrLiV7xT4ZgHiw6Z7SHt_RQ8jFgDbDJXh6BYFle1q8zjqpxepY7yfjGmgQceU-StsRVYYRtfZq72NCzPZOHZBRjyUGr1lkP3k_r/?imgmax=800)
Stam and Brody reading up on the next leg
![IMG_1496 IMG_1496](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwkIh1touN-md2CZVMt7LKqQyIc3Ckf33Ph3IoihygTfJgtJbOKuiqueDxNeZu0GX1b6Et5ylNJxmKXvPveVTPps6bEpzjfkwpQJX_5M7sq8MtF3vNUAWMGsFdt9lEQ23Zrxt0ctRCIDjL/?imgmax=800)
Stam cheering on a fellow runner
![IMG_1502 IMG_1502](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh04Fk55f6Qdnc2UarHfCSocuqi9wurE000-cj5z8FY6TohFTlUqZQI-eOx73gh5Ol6jDFK6I23dIq6Il83RG6XNF2Wvh1rvMyTO9vpxIiOU1juKsHuyVaLkPEjswonN-k6kZ7hKjbcjjp0/?imgmax=800)
Alan, the team captain, running the numbers.
![IMG_1505 IMG_1505](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXZfTRMFVEUygIYCNeSTsz01H-N_KVlZW0eSqAWZ2nuli3ogankLpZXIVSCORLnB2hHdFmTxT5RMcPkdtr9tEeuDfrh-530aej5Ph1dMbu1Rnd4LGces_fhBUg42jLSpWBUcScPieUWlf-/?imgmax=800)
Things get intimate
![IMG_1508 IMG_1508](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOd4eZ_HqAlBZwImtOntCLgCRJOqBWOjfJGBgcDJde8NATWFFbBJmg3mGEFhn6sJwURfqXKylq0t8gr8mYBJxYw-1W4C66VLC8yMYetnYACex8WYhSOaTV_2zeLkXUIbijzfOyxm59dVWQ/?imgmax=800)
Alan and Brandon exchanging atop a brutal climb. We watched a rubber-legged runner suffering from heat exhaustion nearly collapse into her teammates’ arms here.
![IMG_1513 IMG_1513](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI2cfEOumh9iZrrz-2OuY6vWxmCjA9OR_n5gO3Pd61OrbP7-jdZ1nU0zTzdp_hpqqHBziHpTceCErvS_K2R0SGD-f3yKuU2OfqMUv1gb_cDXzE-l9jKRIJlBDD7R2lvXu6pzYX-kYKlLQr/?imgmax=800)
A hummingbird at the Red Feather Lakes Village General Store.
![IMG_1522 IMG_1522](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRMt5Ym_hm45h29XCwXuDAnN9dLQ4KEWVvlNRYmwAJE7tpoz-3nd5AWTj3pUKSZwLkRib9SMjSWS55jrLoZ1WGztJYHtUTTDK1PZlfW5e6VBIVS_S4C32PxKs13Oo0Al8tW-BsWHI0lp4m/?imgmax=800)
Stam, a hill climbing machine, cruising Forest Service land
![IMG_1524 IMG_1524](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixJbR2UTIVpcXynlno5gmWAzaK2bu_gO0ysx8oYUpwWptwl5sv0JziYq-p232Sd1U81QAUEhFujZ5QYsQ2vt9HHsyCFdDAfoXNq1VhKb6zYbfN7E06fg_2N7ops45nSVE7InDYA4rxnhPE/?imgmax=800)
Foot numbing mountain stream soak
![IMG_1529 IMG_1529](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisLyuXS9Zi1BxuCv6nSyxvOa_KCpgHFe9_dvIRZhKL0KVYpbMoY8oOOVfo4bRptNV3_-QiQ75SxuZEFyLf47TMbIoyBAXfIkKMaYZfaHLmAqbpLKCe8WmId3zuwBlRvALWtZcfWYClhnrp/?imgmax=800)
Stam grabbing a rest in the long shadows of the afternoon
![IMG_1532 IMG_1532](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Qh9_aFdUlhdx7Jc_GgILAfJX-3aMFXSabQeKy8glESLUKp5bkXvWb_LnZ4eoPAhybUOXLvUkGiodyYh1LimoJolSRiQE367DASzR_uSyWvT4noiQQv21WEyse9FqyK8v1tM2DCKth1eS/?imgmax=800)
The Texan tiptoes across a cattle guard at the Colorado and Wyoming border.
![IMG_1533 IMG_1533](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMvNdmZ1NgNH_a99EXUhQ3OBmxdXpI7pCEDMMIcO43H_NznFhy7mShrq1ZCUNNT2Cpg_seof0cNuO-M5-xCQ-vqp-rt9mro6bcREisU2fUBmLg5zo8eQNasvhUh8B9gisfaRGTGCH0IUHj/?imgmax=800)
The “Turtles” and their irreverent hood ornament
![IMG_1535 IMG_1535](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg55j9kEwwKhnx9D-VgstVFf7fq7kc2FTZIMLz67DO26s6YdawyRXYn-5eJADOLBQ82S3svsniEr9EYi_RaXFz-Pna-rPm6QMry5lwusP-HnAMmT9MErxRMZE6e0FCZl2J2lL-oo9gpituK/?imgmax=800)
It looks like a pending proposal as the Texan and Brody exchange.
![IMG_1537 IMG_1537](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwKDX0u8WPWLQsrfye-LIbbIyBSet_o24IJ9bJCgqmk6pZs44paYnTP8Zy_NFup88IPpyCQ3z7GgfDZN9qsVwqn9CkZxCtZy_0tazQmF4V97G6s7qpEX68Kjur71DHWIWdnLqClle7-uYd/?imgmax=800)
The Texan and I grabbed showers and soup at a local high school. Runners were sleeping in the halls and the gym, it looked like an athletic refugee camp.
![IMG_1547 IMG_1547](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi86W-Mlh3LSPr-oN0ji5mXNEoirEZ_GUq1iz7XRsM_2FS1ExJJDRtDHdxpPtyI60mqEekgV-c2Ngk9ucGU5DIsF7jScqdkITPOdrplC2VHbTzptfJbjbP5cOAIwWzXmKf-XRx_1cRT_u1s/?imgmax=800)
The final exchange, Brody is 5 miles of circuitous and sun soaked glory from the finish line.
![IMG_1554 IMG_1554](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4pBY_z8yoyXP7FOowJpQVllI9xfbdFfwYt8tPTvTstrGce5lP7vBR3eoa1e3iaMTCJfgFYkGPFccpOLprqC3GVWJ-1mhDHvR7jyLswPG05XSyqLPyOVQsGKHGn_h5opMA54-LG-N9k4z9/?imgmax=800)
Foot maintenance.
![IMG_1555 IMG_1555](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQD5KlHXQen7dV54LMSDUzReH9vWnsPmm599DqXQcPoZuLvR6tWpJ-q6Xl3e0B1sY8H9PtJADjJLduNLCQ6Y4UUsMaYyUXE-smJoBp9RpSWEJQ7V8tI_BGE6BNgJil-EOilXyQzio2yrvH/?imgmax=800)
The Texan and Alan doing some post-race wallerin’ in the Yampa River.