2008 Blue Ridge Relay

The Blue Ridge Relay 2008 is officially over, but who can argue that this year's team was truly the best "Changes in Altitude, Changes in Attitude" team ever fielded?



I couldn't begin to put into words what an incredible experience this has been. I'll leave that to Catherine, Kristi, and Wendy who have already said it so well in their emails. Pictures do a better job than I ever could. I've provided a link on the left hand side of the page to all of the Web Albums that have been posted. Thanks everyone for providing your pictures online!

A special thanks to Frame Masters of Cary, North Carolina; our unofficial Race Sponsors, for providing the Race Medals. (Thanks, Trish & Dwayne; they are awesome!!)

I did want to take a minute to recap the Official 2008 "Changes in Altitude, Changes in Attitude" Annual Awards presentation from the 2008 Blue Ridge Relay, for those of you who may have missed it:

This years competition was the most fierce ever, and will surely go down in the Blue Ridge Relay annals as one of the most competitive ever. But without delay, here are the 2008 Award Winners:

The highly coveted "I Ain't Skeerd" Award... for boldly tackling relay legs that Lee Whitaker wouldn't even drive: Kristi Whitaker!


For the Stunning, Record Shattering "Fastest 2 Mile Relay Leg in Team History": Catherine O'Grady!
(Chinese translation provided below:)
(为惊人，打破纪录， “最快的2英里中继站，在球队历史” ：凯瑟琳奥格雷迪！)


"Most Improved Runner", and odds on favorite as the first repeat winner of this award: Randall Gressett! (Remember: Knees up!!)


The chants were heard resonating in the restaurant before this award could even be announced "MVP; MVP; MVP!":
Lee Whitaker! (No; he's not falling down.... That's how steep the hill was!)


"Most Valuable Runner".... Was there ever any doubt? Our very own B. A. Barakus... ("I pity the fool who gets in my way!")
Dwayne Hellard!



Was there a stranger on the Course? Certainly not by the end! "Team Ambassador":
Kate Kohler!



In a landslide vote, in an incredible tie: "Best BRR Volunteers":
Trish Hellard & Mary Wooten!


"I've run one 5k. 208 Miles? 12 Weeks to train? Sign me up!" "Most Couragous":
Leighann Babel!



They say that faith can move mountains. Who else was the logical choice for the distinguished "Mountain Goat" award?
David Brown!


On the clock. Sub 30 Hour finish in jeopardy. Who are you going to call? How about the Anchor, and our "Finish Strong 2008" Award Winner:
Wendy Gressett!


"Best BRR Story from 2008" Award Winner (It had to be heard to be believed. Lee, do you have a split times on the DD?"):
Kate Kohler!



And so the race is over. Lots of stories, lots of memories we'll never forget!!! Congratulations to each of the award winners.




Thanks to each and every one of you... See you all next year!!!

PS... Kate, I promise I'll learn how to use PayPal before next years race

Please welcome David Brown to the team! David is a friend of Lee & Kristi's, and we are looking forward to meeting David. David has a strong 1/2 and Full Marathon background.

David, we'll be looking for an introduction email from you! (See http://mmwtooten.blogspot.com/ on the left hand side for team intros).

There is still an opportunity for a Female runner, so please ask your friends, relatives, neighbors!

Welcome, David!

(Cheating... Actually email sent Friday, August 1 2008

Long time no update! Sorry for the "Quite Period". I was out on vacation last week, and catching up at work this week! (I'm at lunch now, Randall. ;-) ).
We're only about 5 weeks away, and we have a lot of work to do to get ready!

Summary
I. Need 2 runners
II. Hotel Information
III. Race Logistics!
IV. Training (For Randall & I)

I. Need 2 runners
First some bad news to share:

We've lost two members to injury: Gray Clark and Rebecca Deviney. They both pass on their regrets, but need to heal and get better! Good luck, and get well fast!
But the race must go on, so we are back on the recruiting trail for a Male & Female runner. Lee Whitaker has a potential Male Candidate? But nothing confirmed yet.
Please contact anyone you know who may be interested! Additions/Substitutions are free until August 5th, and $10/per afterwards.

II. Hotel Information
Dwayne & Lee are working on Lodging for the race and have come up with the following alternatives.

We need from you by (Monday August 4rth)
- Preference for Thursday night?
- # of people for reservation
- Interest in staying in Asheville Saturday night
- (After race Beer is not optional)


1) Cabins for Thursday Night:
Here's another option for Thur 9/4. I've found two cabins in Jefferson
(~30 minutes from the race start). One of the cabins can accommodate
8-10 people (4 bedrooms + sleeper sofa), and the other cabin can
accommodate 6 people (3 bedrooms). I have spoken with the landlords of
each cabin. Nothing against the Nations Inn, but I think this would be a
great option for us. We could all arrive on Thurs afternoon, socialize
together and have a homemade pasta dinner at the cabin.

Check it out and let me know what you think. I need to call the
landlords on Mon-Tues to let them know if we are interested.


Overlook Retreat cabin - Total costs = $175 per night (not per person) +
$80 cleaning fee + $200 refundable deposit

http://www.overlookretreat.com.

2) Nations Inn Hotel in Jefferson, NC Thursday (~30 Miles from Start)

$65/Night (Not a luxury hotel)
www.nationsinn.com/

3) Asheville Hotel Friday Night
http://www.marriott.com/springhill-suites/travel.mi
Springhill Suites in Downtown Asheville for 134 per night with 10 rooms


III. Race Logistics!


Lots of opportunities to put your talents to work! Examples are:
- List of Supplies needed for Race Day (Nutrition, hydration, first Aid, Gear)
- Transportation
- Morale (Music, T-Shirts)
- Sleeping arrangements?

I'm meeting with Kate Kohler who has experience with Race Relays early next week. Look for an email next week on how to put your talents to work! If you already have some ideas on where/how you can help, please send me an email.

IV. Training (For Randall & I)

We're only 5 weeks away. I hope your training is going well! But if you are still a little unsure:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080801/ap_on_he_me/sci_exercise_pill_4

A couple of quick Notes....

- Catherine O'Grady sent her 'Introduction email' to the team (See below). Welcome Catherine!

- I got communication back from the BRR Staff that we should be getting the '08 Handbook early August. I'll send that out as soon as I get it. When I registered, there was no mention of how many teams are registered to date.

- Dwayne Hellard is competing in the Switzerland Ironman on Sunday. Good luck Dwayne!!

- Look for an update next week on Logistics and Volunteers.

I hope everyone's training is going great!

From: Catherine O'Grady [mailto:catherinehogrady@gmail.com]

Hello Team!

I am so excited about this race… in a terrified, stomach flipping over kinda way!

I am a neighbor and friend of the Whitaker's. We live in Fort Mill, SC

I also have three wonderful boys, ages 2, 4 and almost 7. Life at my house is fun, busy and loud. I love to run and have done so for the better part of 20 years. In terms of racing, most of my experience has been in triathlons. I have done about 30.. and all but 4 of those were done before the kids came along.

I have done about a half dozen Half Marathons. Again, lots of the racing was done before kids!

This year I have done a sprint and an Olympic distance triathlon and really enjoyed them. I am super excited about doing this race as it will be different training and focus than the tri's… and the idea of a team/relay sounds like a lot of fun.

Welcome Catherine O'Grady!

Just a quick note to let everyone know that Catherine O'Grady has joined our team as a replacement for Casey Saussy. I received her check and Waiver form in the mail this weekend… Welcome to the Team! We're very excited that you could join us!

Catherine O'Grady is from Fort Mill, SC; another member from the Charlotte Area contingent. We're looking forward to your "Introduction" email! (And yours too, Gray Clark!)

BTW, our registration material has been received by the BRR Staff (Certitified Mail). I haven't received "Official" confirmation yet, but should be coming soon.

Welcome Aboard, Catherine!

Sunday, June 22 2008 Update

Casey Saussy is going to have to drop out due to an injury that will keep her from training.

Kim Sheridan has expressed interest in joining and I’m contacting her to see if she is still interested. In the event that Kim's no longer interested if you have anyone that you think may be please let me know ASAP.

I'm going to the bank tomorrow to deposit the checks and send in our registration. I can register us with the 11 we have, and send in the waiver form for 12th. That will go ahead and lock down our slot, and also give us access to last years Handbook. The '09 Handbook will not be available until August.

Naming: Final vote tally and we have a winner: "Changes in Altitude, Changes in Attitude!"

Since voting has already started, I can't add "GReaT KWiK DaRC MaLL" as a team name. Please vote "Other" if this is your choice.