Good morning! Happy Monday!
I have some exciting news to share with you guys. In May, I’ll be participating in Reach the Beach, an overnight 24-hour running relay! Woohoo!
Remember when I did the Cape Relay last spring? Well, from what I’ve heard, Reach the Beach is bigger and better!
The best part about this relay, however, is that I’m doing it with a fabulous lady blogger team! Check out this all-star cast:
- Anne of Fannetastic Food
- Sarah of SarahFit
- Patricia of Run Foodie Run
- Elizabeth of On Tap for Today
- Ashley of A Healthy, Happier Bear
- Bridget of Yogurt and Berries
- Theodora of Losing Weight in the City
- Gretchen of Honey, I Shrunk the Gretchen!
- Monica of Run Eat Repeat
- Ali of Food Fitness Fashion
- Melissa of Fitness NYC
- And me!
I’m sure you recognize some of those names and blogs. All of them are great, FUN women,Ā so I’m psyched to be on a relayĀ team with them. Our team is named āOff BalanceāĀ in honor of our wonderful sponsor, New Balance.
Reach the Beach has two relay options: one in Massachusetts and one in New Hampshire. Our team will be participating in the Massachusetts relay, which begins at Mount Wachusett Ski Area and ends at Horseneck Beach in Westport. The relay will cover 200 miles over the course of 24 hours, which means each of us will run 3 legs of the race, ranging from as short as 2.8 miles to as long as 8.3 miles. I can’t wait!Ā
If you’re curious what a running relay is all about, check out my posts from the Cape Relay:
Breakfast
I made granola yesterday afternoon, so as soon as I woke up this morning, I knew exactly what I wanted for breakfast: plain Greek yogurt with granola and blackberries. Mmm⦠so good!
I woke up feeling pretty dehydrated this morning, so I drank water with breakfast and then poured myself a glass of iced coffee with soy milk a little while later.
Homemade Granola
Ingredients:
- 3 cups rolled oats
- 1 cup cashews
- 1 cup sunflower seeds
- 1/2 cup raisins
- 1/2 cup dried cherries
- 1/3 cup flaxseeds
- 1/3 cup canola oil
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/3 cup honey
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 300*F
- Combine all ingredients in a large bowl and mix well.
- Spray two baking sheets with nonstick cooking spray and spread granola mixture evenly on them.
- Bake for 40-45 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Allow to cool before serving.
Makes 4-5 cups
Questions of the Day
Have you ever done a running relay? If so, what’d you think of it? What tips or adviceĀ would you give someone who has never done one? If you’ve never done a relay, would you want to do one?
P.S. Love nut butter? Ever wonder which kind is the most nutritious?
72 Comments
Oh my gosh, that is SO SO cool! I already can’t wait to see/read all the recaps.
That sounds awesome! I have never done a relay race but would love to. We do not have too many that are close so maybe my next trip should be to do one.
I did the 1st annual Colonial 200 Relay in Virginia this past Fall and although only 5 teams for its first year, it was pretty fun. I was on the only, all-girls team and it was awesome. At night, we had another team member ride next to the runner on a bicycle which as super helpful and kept us motivated. If there’s a bathroom…GO!! haha, use the bathroom any and every chance you get. Try to pack everything your need into one backpack, other than a pillow/blanket and foam roller, because depending upon your vehicle arrangements, there will be limited room.
HAVE FUN!!
Y’all are going to have so much fun!! I’m excited to see a DC Blogger on y’alls team! Go Gretchen!
@Ashley @ Coffee Cake and Cardio: <3 <3
the relay sounds like SO much fun! especially when you get to do it with a bunch of awesome ladies!
that granola recipe you have here looks wonderful! i love all the nuts in it… i’m especially a huge fan of cashews!
I love making my own granola, but I can’t stop eating it!
I need to make granola! It’s been too long š
I’ve done RTB in New Hampshire 3 times. Once as a 12 person team and twice as a 6 person team. The ultra distance is SO much more fun, and you’re so much more involved.
Our team is doing the MA RTB this year. I’ll look out for you!
How cool about the race!!
That’ll be SO fun! I’ve never done a relay but they definitely sound like a great (and challenging depending on your leg) time.
I have been dying to do a running relay ever since I first heard about them! (okay, that was like a month or two ago…) But they sound like such a blast!
That is awesome! Can’t wait to cheer your team on in spirit!
Off to read about nut butters! š
I have never done a relay but know folks who have done Ragner and loved it. Sure sounds like a lot of fun!
I’ve done 2 relays now. The original Ragnar New England and last year the first ever New England Relay. My running team Team Vansome (name inspired by our team Captain’s brother Vance who passed away suddenly in Jan. 2011) will be running RTB in May as well!! Here is a link to our video from last year’s relay: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2g7yDWJjhSA
I highly recommend packing for any kind of weather. Last year was predicted to be a beautiful weekend in June and it poured on us the entire time! And for the love of God, don’t forget deodorant and baby wipes and leave your expectations at the door… you never know what can happen in a 200 mile overnight relay. Last year one of our cars fell into a ditch on the side of the road during the night legs… we ended up shutting down the relay for a couple hours (sorry!) but the tow truck got us out and we won “Most likely to fall in a ditch and still finish a relay” …Relays are my absolute favorite races and sounds like your team is going to be awesome, hope to bump into you guys, you’re like mini celebrities to me š
Running a relay is on my bucket list. I don’t really know many people who would do one with me though, so it becomes a challenge. I know I’ll get it done some day though!
I love granola but I can’t usually eat store made ones due to food allergies.
My roommate is a great cook so I’m going to get her to make me some!
Hi Tina! Yep, I’ve done Reach the Beach in NH 6 times, and have just signed up for RTB #7!! This will be the fourth year that I’ve captained a team (I seem to be the one least bugged by paperwork and sending emails, lol!)
We’re never a fast team, but we certainly have a lot of fun and love the adventure of it. It is a memorable, fun experience–this year our team will range in age from 18-56 š
Hope you have a great time, I know for sure that we will have a great time. I hope that you enjoy all the twists and turns that being in the van and on the road can present. Wild weather, temperatures, sleep deprivation, choices in music, comaraderie…it’s all great!!
Cheers, Jeanne
I remember reading Meghann from Meals and Miles recap- relays sound so fun!
That sounds so fun! I’ve always wanted to do a running relay, I think it’s such a cool way to cover more distance and do it as part of a team.
I think relays sound like so much fun until the part when you have to sleep in the van and not shower for 24+ hours. I’ve become such an old lady about stuff like that! haha
So jealous! That race sounds like so much fun š
I can’t wait to hear your reviews on RTB. A few of my coworkers wanted to try putting together a team, but I’m getting married on May 19th! That probably wouldn’t work out so well. Maybe next year…
i have always wanted to do some sort of relay! i’ve read multiple ragnar recaps and would love to do something similar. sounds like you have a great team!!
Every time I make granola, I end up running around eating handfuls at a time. no bueno. However, I am excited to read about your relay!!
I am so excited for our team! And so proud of my team name suggestion. š This is going to be an amazing time… though it is rapidly reminding me how much I need to ACTUALLY train in order to hold my own with you rockstars! š
Westport MA?!? That’s where I used to hang w college friends in the summer. So beautiful!!!
Ahh I want to do a relay so bad! I’ve seen race recaps and they look like a blast
that granola recipe sounds delicious!!
I’ll be doing this relay and it’s my first relay and totally excited. Our team is “got lost”!! Happy running!!
Hi Tina, I am coming to Boston in June with my husband and brother and sister in law. We are planning to rent a condo because its way cheaper than a hotel, what area would you suggest? I am looking at Beacon Hill and South End?
What about checking out Craigslist for rentals? You can search them by neighborhood.
Running a relay is on my “bucket list” – I think it sounds like so much fun! One in MA would be perfect too – no travel needed!
So excited for RTB!!! I think we need a team “social” or something before the big event?? š
I agree! š
@Tina: Yes! Most definitely!
I have never done one but it sounds so fun! I think the fact the it’s a relay makes it more fun and easier to get through since you will have the support of teammates!
That relay sounds amazing. I can’t wait to hear about all of the fun you guys have. Off Balance…Love it!
I’ve never done a race at all yet but I think relays sound like a blast and not as intimidating.
That race sounds like a blast. What a fun event for you!
Awesome! I’m doing this race with a Girls on the Run team and am so so so excited that you and some of my other favorite bloggers are going to be there. Made my day!
Oooh that sounds awesome. A bunch of friends and I want to do Hood to Coast. I’ve never done a relay but I bet it would be awesome.
That’s super cool! š I think that it would be really cool to run a relay, especially with some great friends. š
Congrats! I would love to do a relay but don’t know how to get selected for a team. Any pointers?
Can’t WAIT for May!!! xo
Congrats on the relay! I read all of those blogs, you girls are going to have so much fun, I’m jealous! I’ve done one relay but it was on 20miles overall, and I had a team of 3 other girls. I loved doing that relay because it was so motivating and comforting to know that one of my friends was waiting for me at the end of my turn! š
If any of you ladies are interested in doing the NH one, I’m fielding teams sponsored by the Alzheimer’s Association! It’s in September, let me know!
oh my gosh! my husband and I and some of our friends are doing rtb massachusetts, too! we’ll have to meet up!
The granola looks fabulous!!!
This sounds like such an amazing experience!! I need to get myself on a team sometime. š
I have never done a relay before but it sounds like fun š I think I will have to look for one in the bay area.
I’ve read that you should drink a glass of water first thing every morning to help digestion. It always makes me feel great!
A relay sounds like SO much fun! And you have such a great team going. What a fun event. š
And your granola? Amazing. š
woot woot! Can’t wait!