The Race Across Alabama (RAAL) is but a small segment of the Race Across the USA, a cross country stage race that started in California in January and ends in Washington D.C. in June. The race is a fundraiser for Run for Kids, an organization founded to fight childhood obesity.
The RAAL is an 8 day stage race that started near Ethelsville on April 18 and ended at the AL/GA border on April 25. The RAAL consists of 7 certified marathon stages ranging from 26.5 to 26.85 miles each day plus an ending 23.73 mile stage (of course, being a runner and sometimes compulsive I did tack on the extra 2.5 miles the final day). The official distance was 210.3 miles. Links below have details of both races with runner profiles for the main race and maps for both.
I have run multi-day races before, but this was different in that it was a stage race, and you had to complete each stage within 8 hours. My previous multi-days were of the "fire the gun and run ‘til you are done" variety. I think this format was more stressful even though there was one grace day so that if you did not complete a stage in the allotted time you could restart the next day where you finished. You then had to make up the entire distance in the allotted 8 hours. We started each day at 8:00 am and finished at 4:00 pm. Another unique feature of this race was that along the way they would suspend the race and go to a school to deliver a talk to the kids. You would mark your spot, go to the school, then come back and restart. This happened twice in the RAAL -- once for Valley Elementary and another time for a school in Mt. Laurel.
The runners consisted of 2 groups: the 7 core team members who have been running from CA and the 4 state runners. Biographies of the core runners are on the Race website. The state runners were Steven Eder from Colorado, William Meyer from the UK, my daughter Rebecca and myself. It is hard to imagine what the core runners have accomplished -- they have run over 85 marathons in all kinds of conditions while for the most part sleeping on the ground in their tents each night. They must pack their tents, eat breakfast, and be at the starting line by 8 am each morning no matter the conditions. It was an honor to run with them.
Support stations were set at 6 mile intervals each day. The core runners were restricted to receiving support only at the official aid stations. The aid consisted of ambient temperature water and Gatorade and what other food they had placed in their drop bags for the station. The state runners had no restrictions -- we could use the official aid stations or have our own support. Rebecca and I were fortunate to have my wife, Deborah, with us throughout the entire 8 days. She did a super job of crewing for both of us. Her job was made difficult since Rebecca was much faster; therefore, Deborah usually drove 90-100 miles each day. She lost more weight than both of us combined. I suggested we could go on to Washington D.C. if she wanted to lose more but her response is unprintable.
Rebecca and I were lucky in that we had no major injuries. I got one blister on top of a toe and lost a couple of toenails that were already coming off. My knee would stiffen up at about mile 20 each day. Rebecca got bitten by a dog, but just a small nip. She developed tendonitis or a strain in her ankle one day but used a compression brace and it got her through.
I jogged a little the first day and finished in 6:58. Since my goal was just to survive. After that I just walked and did between 7:20 and 7:34 each day. I tried to average 16 minute miles for the first half which meant I had 20 minutes for each mile the second half. I did have stomach issues on the morning we went through Pell City. Thank goodness for a port-a-john and the Lincoln Library on 78. My total time was 58:26. Rebecca's times ranged from 4:45 the last day to 7:14 on a day she walked with me. She had one 5:01 and a couple of 5:11. Her total time was 44:51.
We traveled on all kinds of roads ranging from two lane country roads with no shoulders, 4 lane roads with wide shoulders, city sidewalks, and finally the beautiful Chief Ladiga trail. Some sections were much like technical trail running only you not only had to look down to miss the roadside debris and fire ant beds, but you also had to look up for the traffic. The route was not marked so you had to carry your own maps or download the daily route to your phone. Thanks to Deborah, I only got off course one time.
All in all, it was a fantastic experience. I am in awe of the core runners and what they have done and are continuing to do.
What a great sport we are a part of in that we can meet and compete with some of the best in the world.
by Jimmy Barnes