Two ACC rivals, two brothers, two pastors, two Rich’s, and two wrestlers set out on a daring adventure to achieve great heights from one Highlands to another.
The Thang: * Some prep and so on, then drive to mountains. * 0800 launch from VA state park as Titan goes AYG and passes baton to Green Label. * Green Label does the same and gives to Sable. * Sable runs and hands to Waffle House. * Waffle House up next and off to Polygraph. * Polygraph delivers to Agony. * Agony —> Last Man Standing. * Last Man Standing carries to Gravedancer. * Gravedancer does the job and sets up KGB. * Repeat x4, uphill and down, no moseying, adding Sloppy in the mix for two legs. * 1148 finish next day at brewery. * COT for name-o-rama. Welcome Green Label and Polygraph. * Some celebrating and so on, then drive home. * Last Man Standing with the takeout.
Moleskine: * Timing and execution were exquisite. Metronomic quality. Even negotiated radio at EZ11, working seamlessly from start to finish. * Helped at least four specific runners avoid wrong turns at various points and rescued who knows how many more from disastrous fate approaching final handoff. * Speaking of wrong turns, our team made none. * Relatively few wildlife encounters and zero known incidents. Unconfirmed rumors of a bear pacing runners near Newland. * No injuries, just soreness. * Conditions ranged from fair to very good—daytime temps in 70s, mostly sunny, occasional breeze, and a few hours of evening rain. * Officially clocked in at 27:48:16, or 8:01 per mile. Good enough to finish 10th out of 146 teams ;) * Many more legends and lore were made that will stay where they belong—in the mountains and memories of each man.
Acknowledgements: * Thx to Agony for naming rights, carrying the load in miles and elevation, and whatever was in the pouch on Grandfather. * Thx to Gravedancer for serving as war daddy, leading team in one liners, and enduring a brutal-and-somehow-underrated climb on 35. * Thx to Green Label for bringing fresh legs, setting a strong pace, and zero Dougs. * Thx to KGB for non-stop entertainment (plus swag), making sure all runners know the right way, and gloriously keeping wolves at bay. * Thx to Last Man Standing for Last Minute Sub, relentless positivity, and the takeout. * Thx to Polygraph for taking redeye, running up the kill count at 16-0, and coming out of retirement next year. * Thx to Sable for designing all-star roster, putting each man in best position to perform, and turning Night Terrors into Sweet Dreams. * Thx to Sloppy for caddying, recording/narrating, and the assists, literal and figurative. * Thx to Titan for a flying start, veteran leadership, and continuing love-hate relationship for an 11th year. * Thx to each man above for joining the team, playing your role to perfection, and many other things not mentioned already (planning, picking up vehicles, supplies, driving, coaching, etc.). #TrueTeamEffort #DoHardThings * Thx to other teams for competing. * Thx to Ms, 2.0s, race organizers, and volunteer staff that made it possible. * Thx to all pax for the chatter, feedback, and push—it’s a gift.