Cassie Bustamante

living an ordinary life extraordinarily

Navigation
  • home
  • about me
  • home tour
  • project gallery
  • shop my home
  • Let’s Collaborate

My American Odyssey Relay Experience

April 30, 2014 by Cassie 47 Comments

Pin
Share
Tweet
0 Shares

Happy happy Wednesday!  Today’s post will be a departure from the furniture or DIY you usually find over here.  I am hoping to inspire some of you as I share my experience running in the American Odyssey Relay this past weekend, which spans 200 miles from Gettysburg to DC, and calls itself a “race through history!”

I was honored and proud to be a member of the Lunachicks!  Before I continue I should tell you that I am not a model runner, but I am going to play one in this post.  See?

Last August my neighbor approached me and asked me to be a part of her American Odyssey Relay Team.  I have never been athletic in my life.  I enjoy exercise, but not in a competitive manner, and have never been particularly agile and am definitely NOT speedy.  Yes, I like cycling, used to teach spin and weight classes and boot camp; but that doesn’t make me an athlete!  My neighbor assured me that I didn’t have to be- she just wanted a team full of fun women.  Fun- that I can do!  Something in me moved me to answer with a yes!  And what was even better?  One of my very best friends, friends since the 6th grade, Sandie wanted to join me on this adventure.  (She doesn’t live here but came in for the event).

I spent the Fall running a couple times a week to start to prepare, only a few miles each time.  I planned to really start training in January.  Of course we had the longest and snowiest winter in a long time, so although I trained, much of it was on a treadmill- I was nervous!

The way this relay works is that you have two vans, each carrying 6 runners.  The first 6 runners run, then van 2 picks up and its runners run; you cycle through his 3 times so that each runner runs 3 legs.  I was runner 10, so I was assigned legs 10, 22, and 34.  Sandie and I didn’t know the girls that were in our van, but they were AMAZING- funny, supportive, positive- pretty much everything you could want in a team mate.

These are the van 2 ladies, about to head off to Gettysburg for our first legs of the race Friday.  (I am in the middle with the light blue jacket, and Sandie is next to me sporting sunglasses and neon).

When we arrived in Gettysburg, we were due to meet up with Van 1 at the transition.  On our way there, we saw their last runner, who happened to be my neighbor, about to make her way up one of the hardest hills in the race.  She KILLED it, and ran the entire thing!  I am so proud of her.

When we met up with Van 1, we were able to get our van decorated like theirs with our team name, and our own names.

We each wrote our own inspiring words by our names.  I wrote “My kids think I can.”  I know my kids believe I can do anything, so for me, imagining their sweet faces and their faith in me motivates me.

I should also mention food… the time that was spent in the van not running was spent bonding, laughing, chatting, and snacking.  I packed granola, gummy bears, almonds, and cashews.  Sandie brought turkey jerky with her, and we decided to give it a try.  A picture speaks a thousand words….

Through all of the snacking, talking, and van time, I learned that van 2 was made up of some of the most determined and incredible women I have ever met.  We made each other laugh, and we encouraged one another.  Our first runner to go had never even done a 5k, and she smiled every time she ran….

My first leg was in the pouring rain and mostly on a muddy trail.  It was 5.7 miles, and I can honestly say I have NO idea what happened, but I made a personal record!  When I arrived at the transition my team told me “You kicked butt!”  I looked at the time and then looked at my map, certain I must have missed part of it…. but I hadn’t!  I ran it in an 8:35 minute mile pace, and I don’t know if I will ever do that again!  After I finished that first leg, I was pumped!  Here I am, soaking wet, but smiling from ear to ear…

I got to pass the slap bracelet (it’s what you pass from runner to runner in this relay) to Sandie, so she took over in the rain and the wind picked up as well!  She had a tough 7.4 miles, but was able to cross the Mason Dixon line which was a highlight!  She appears to be saluting me, but she was really just holding her hat in place as it tried to blow away!

After we finished our first round of legs, we headed out to grab some dinner and a little quiet time before our second round.

Our second set of legs were the shortest ones, all around 4 miles.  My own was 4.7 and through Antietam, which is the site of America’s bloodiest battle!  These were the shortest legs because they were in the middle of the night…. I ran through that battlefield at 2 am!!!!  I was so blessed to have a very good friend meet me there to run it with me (you are allowed to have bike escorts or running escorts).  Once we completed round 2 we headed to one of the girls’ houses and crashed!  We were able to sleep from 4:30 am until 7:30 am and then it was time to get moving again so we could be at our transition, where van 1 would finish their legs completely, and we would head into our last round.

While we waited for their last runner to appear, we deliriously played in the sunshine…

My neighbor who was their last runner had some of the hardest work…. here she is finishing her last leg, 8 miles with several hard hills in the blaring sun.  And she rocked it!

My last leg was my longest at 6.8 miles.  It was all along the C&O canal, so in my mind it was going to be flat and lovely.  Here I am with Sandie waiting to start by the canal.

Let me tell you, that was the hardest leg for me!  I was sooooo tired, and my legs didn’t want to move fast.  The canal, in theory, is very pretty, but almost 7 miles of the same scenery is pretty exhausting!  I walked a good bit of this one, alternating running with walking.  But somehow, I managed to finish it in just under a 10 minute mile, so I must have run fast when I did!  When I approached the transition, which was near a bridge, I was greeted by several cheering Lunachicks.  I have never smiled so big in my life as when I saw them and knew that I was DONE running as soon as I got there!  I whooped and hollered all my way to the transition from there!

These are some of the girls in van 1, on that bridge greeting me!  (And yes, you can run it pregnant!)

And here I am after that run, done, and feeling very hot and very proud!  That face is saying “Well, I did it.  I actually did it.”

Finally, we headed into DC where we would cross the finish line with our last runner…


As you can see…. PURE JOY.
There I am, ecstatic to have accomplished this task with such an awesome group of women.

We may have finished 126th out of 128, and 4th out of 5 in our division, but I am so proud!  We did it!  And I should mention there are TONS of military teams… we are domestic women not quite military trained. :)And I received my first ever medal!

What did I take away from this experience?
Confidence.  I feel better about myself than I ever have in my life.  I can do hard things, and I can do them while exceeding my own pre-determined expectations.
Friendship.  I met so many women I would not have met otherwise.  And once you live through something like this together, you are forever bonded.
Health.  I am in the best shape I have been in a long time…. I feel energetic, and my attitude is happy, healthy, and positive.  I will continue to run because I love how I feel right now, even though I will admit I still don’t love the actual running.
Challenge. I have learned to challenge myself, push my boundaries.  Otherwise I may never know what I am really capable of.

Would I do it again?
In a heartbeat.  It was one of the best and most satisfying experiences of my life.  Actually, I AM planning to do it again next year, and am in the process of creating a team (or more if we have enough interest!) of DIY bloggers!  Imagine how many people could be inspired along the way?  Who’s in?  Email me at [email protected] if you are interested!

What would I do differently?
I would train outside on hills more.  I did a lot of hill training, but the winter was hard and I also did a lot on the treadmill.  I would run in all weather conditions- I had not run in the pouring rain before, and yet I had to for this race.  And I would not bring turkey jerky.
Photobucket

Related

Pin
Share
Tweet
0 Shares

Filed Under: Me

Subscribe for Email Updates!

« 10 Stunning Sideboard Makeovers
April Book Review and May Book Selection »

Comments

  1. Lisa @ Shine Your Light says

    April 30, 2014 at 10:11 am

    That sounds amazing Cassie! What an experience!! So let me get this straight, you ran 3 legs totaling 17.2 miles? Did I do the math right?? Wow – whatever it was – it was a lot – you could run a marathon!!!!! What a fun way to run a long distance, to be surrounded with a bunch of inspiring and great women!! I’m so impressed by you right now, makes me want to go for a run! 🙂 Congrats on your accomplishment!

    Reply
  2. Julia Konya says

    April 30, 2014 at 10:53 am

    Yes, it totally sounds amazing. I still can’t believe you ran THAT much! I really don’t think I could do it.
    Finding somewhere to train would be so challenging too.

    Reply
  3. Andrea says

    April 30, 2014 at 10:59 am

    Cassie, I am so proud of you! I was smiling ear to ear while reading this whole post. You rock girl!!

    Reply
  4. Catherine says

    April 30, 2014 at 11:43 am

    Looks like fun! Glad you had a great time, and congratulations 🙂

    Reply
  5. Cathy Wall says

    April 30, 2014 at 1:07 pm

    Congrats Cassie! That sounds like and incredible experience and honestly, anytime you can have fun while getting fit, it has to be good. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  6. Karah @ thespacebetweenblog says

    April 30, 2014 at 1:14 pm

    You go girl! Those are some killer run times!! They have something similar down here that runs down the Keys … might have to consider it!

    Reply
  7. Shelley | Crazy Wonderful says

    April 30, 2014 at 1:35 pm

    That is amazing! YOU are amazing! What an unforgettable experience 🙂

    Reply
  8. sarah m. dorsey says

    April 30, 2014 at 1:37 pm

    Sounds amazing Cassie!! I better start training 🙂 also, I went to high school right next to antietam, but definitely not creepy as running though at 2am yikes!

    Reply
  9. Jo Scarpino says

    April 30, 2014 at 1:49 pm

    That is an amazing accomplishment and you will be reaping the rewards for months and years to come!

    Fantastic!

    Reply
  10. Jo Scarpino says

    April 30, 2014 at 1:50 pm

    That is an amazing accomplishment and you will be reaping the rewards for months and years to come!

    Fantastic!

    Reply
  11. Jennifer @ Dimples and Tangles says

    April 30, 2014 at 2:34 pm

    That’s so impressive, Cassie! I love the concept of this race and am so proud of you for going for it!

    Reply
  12. Elizabeth @ The Little Black Door says

    April 30, 2014 at 2:58 pm

    What an amazing experience. Cheers to you for taking part in such a great race!!

    Reply
  13. Lisa @ Turning Tables says

    April 30, 2014 at 4:30 pm

    Way to go friend!!! You are such an inspiration, especially to the “energy challenged” like myself. I am so proud of your determination and fight. Awesome job xoxox

    Reply
  14. [email protected] Chronicles of Home says

    April 30, 2014 at 5:28 pm

    This looks amazing, Cassie! What an accomplishment. Makes me miss my racing days 🙂

    Reply
  15. Jane Craske says

    April 30, 2014 at 5:39 pm

    Loved following your progress on instagram. Looked like a ball.

    Reply
  16. Gail Wilson says

    April 30, 2014 at 5:48 pm

    congrats to you all! This coming from a woman who has never ran! 🙂

    So I can’t really say I know what y’all went through, but I can surely appreciate it.

    gail

    Reply
  17. Lindsay says

    April 30, 2014 at 7:23 pm

    This sounds so amazing. So proud of you for doing and finishing this! Hope I can do it with you!

    Reply
  18. Anne says

    April 30, 2014 at 7:51 pm

    Good for you Cassie! You should be proud!

    Reply
  19. Keya @ Vintage Prairie Style says

    April 30, 2014 at 9:26 pm

    so proud of you cassie! good for you!

    Reply
  20. Gretchen says

    April 30, 2014 at 11:25 pm

    Go you! Fabulous job! And it looks like so much fun….you know, except for the running parts ;).

    Reply
  21. Allison says

    April 30, 2014 at 11:38 pm

    Good for you Cassie! Such an accomplishment! What an inspiration you are to push ourselves, take on challenges and never give up. I admire you.

    Reply
  22. [email protected] says

    May 1, 2014 at 12:10 am

    This comment has been removed by the author.

    Reply
  23. Dear Emmeline says

    May 1, 2014 at 12:20 am

    Looks like fun! Even though I AM NOT a runner.

    Reply
  24. pam {simple details} says

    May 1, 2014 at 1:05 am

    You are such an inspiration!! Love that you just said YES without thinking about it! BIG Congrats!!!

    Reply
  25. Sharon @ Elizabeth & Co. says

    May 1, 2014 at 1:16 am

    That is just so totally awesome! Way to go girl!

    Reply
  26. Kelly says

    May 1, 2014 at 2:44 am

    I don’t know how you managed to make that sound fun! I’m so impressed with you! You can never again say you’re not an athlete!

    Reply
  27. PB says

    May 1, 2014 at 11:17 am

    Best. Blog. Post. EVER!!!!!!! Loved hearing about your run. What a fabulous experience and a beautifully written account. So proud of you!!!!!

    Reply
  28. Dana Frieling says

    May 1, 2014 at 12:14 pm

    I’m so proud of you! It was fun reading your experience. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  29. [email protected] says

    May 1, 2014 at 1:06 pm

    You’re the coolest! I’m super impressed with those times…especially with such little sleep!

    Reply
  30. Gabbi @ Retro Ranch Reno says

    May 1, 2014 at 4:45 pm

    You are my hero!!!

    Reply
  31. anu says

    May 1, 2014 at 5:42 pm

    What an amazing experience. I’m so impressed!

    Reply
  32. Katja @ Shift Ctrl ART says

    May 1, 2014 at 6:36 pm

    Oh my goodness Cassie, that sounds like such a fabulous time. And you beat your personal best. Run like the wiiiiind. I can totally see it. What a great accomplishment. I would be proud and pumped too 🙂 And very tired 🙂

    Reply
  33. Ashley Mayes says

    May 1, 2014 at 7:50 pm

    Love this post! So inspiring! I would so be in if you were in Chicago or somewhere close to me!

    Reply
  34. Ali Richardson says

    May 1, 2014 at 9:22 pm

    YAY!!! You are soooo awesome! I’m so proud of you friend, seriously so cool. And I also love that you will love me even when I don’t sign up for the next race. lol. Love you!! You inspire me daily and I think you RULE! XOXO

    Reply
  35. 17 Perth says

    May 2, 2014 at 1:58 am

    Woo woo cassie!! Way to go!! This sounds so awesome! And there is definitely something to be said accomplishing hard runs…afterwards I always feel confident and excited about the next one!
    Can’t believe your first run was in the rain—AND that you had a PR! Congrats!!

    Reply
  36. Laurie from Laurie Jones Home says

    May 2, 2014 at 4:27 pm

    How awesome!! What a great experience and I love the idea of doing it as a group. I think that would for sure be motivator to keep going! Woman rock!!!!

    Reply
  37. Bethany DeVore says

    May 2, 2014 at 6:49 pm

    What an amazing experience Cassie! I think you are definitely speedy!

    Reply
  38. [email protected] says

    May 6, 2014 at 12:19 am

    Cassie! This is so awesome! What an amazing experience! That sounds so cool!

    Reply
  39. Mekenzie @ interiorsbykenz.com says

    May 11, 2014 at 2:53 pm

    Wow this is so rad! You go girl! You’re definitely inspiring 🙂

    Reply
  40. Kim @ NewlyWoodwards says

    May 11, 2014 at 9:10 pm

    I’m so sorry it took this long to reply to this. I read this post on my phone and forgot to come over and comment to tell you that YOU ARE AMAZING.

    Seriously- what a cool experience and you are just too cool. So inspiring.

    Reply
  41. Amber Wills says

    May 14, 2014 at 5:16 am

    So incredible! Cassie, you are so inspiring. I loved following along via IG, but it’s so great to read the whole story.

    Reply
  42. Charming Zebra says

    August 24, 2014 at 10:01 pm

    You’re amazing, Cassie! It sounds as though it was a great experience. You’ve motivated me to get out there and run. (Even though I don’t particularly care for it!) Good luck with your 2014 team!

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      August 25, 2014 at 1:16 pm

      it totally was! want to be on the team? we have two spots….. it’s fun!

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Click It 10 - Primitive and Proper says:
    August 22, 2014 at 6:01 am

    […] First of all, I want you to click here to read my relay story, and then consider joining our team of DIY Bloggers for the American Odyssey Relay 2015!!!!!  We […]

    Reply
  2. Sometimes You Just Have to Go with the Flow! - Whats Ur Home Story says:
    August 25, 2014 at 12:17 am

    […] things are different ‘coz after reading our team leader, Cassie’s post about her race last year I was so inspired to give it a shot and committed without even asking B (I rarely do anything […]

    Reply
  3. Happy 2015 & 3rd Birthday to WUHS! - Whats Ur Home Story says:
    January 5, 2015 at 12:06 am

    […] from Gettysburg, PA to DC, with 12 other bloggers after I read my friend and blogger Cassie’s post about it. A big big step considering that I have never run in my life nor have been much of an exercise […]

    Reply
  4. Team Bloggin' & Joggin' says:
    April 29, 2015 at 9:22 pm

    […] 17 miles as part of a team running a 200 mile relay spanning from Gettysburg to DC.  I wrote about my experience here, but in a nutshell it left me feeling on top of the world and ready to take on […]

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Hi, I’m Cassie!

I believe that you don't have to spend a lot of money to live a beautiful life and be your best self.  Here you will find budget friendly ideas to live happily, healthily, sustainably, and most importantly authentically.  We all get one chance at this life, and this ordinary girl plans to make hers extraordinary. How about you? Read more...
Instagram Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email Rss Bloglovin

Categories

Disclaimer

This blog does not share personal information with third parties nor do we store any information about your visit to this blog other than to analyze and optimize your content and reading experience through the use of cookies. You can turn off the use of cookies at anytime by changing your specific browser settings. We are not responsible for republished content from this blog on other blogs or websites without our permission. This blog uses affiliate links.

Connect

Hi! I'm Cassie.

Mother, wife, shop owner, blogger, writer, incurable diy-er, furniture painter, coffee and wine drinker, friend. Seeking happiness and passing it on. Read More…

Recent Posts

Privacy

© 2022 · Foodie Theme Customized by This Bold Girl · Built on the Genesis Framework