Rank Stranger Update #2 (and recycled training tip)

Hi team,

The calendar says just 61 days to go until the Madison-Chicago race and this week's Spring weather makes me think race day will actually come!

An immediate count down is to the April 20 Boston Marathon, where we have four teammates in the field.  I note Monique (#20260) and Denise (#20205) will be together in Corral #5 with the gun sounds for Wave #3 @ 10:50AM.  How do I know this and what's with the bib numbers?   I was snooping for numbers so I could follow our teammates with the AT&T tracker service. Randy (#13723) will start with Wave #2 10:25AM and Dave (#6797)  with Wave #1 at 10AM.)

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Featured runner: Art Saffran will be running for the 10th time, having missed only 2010. He is one of 16 Rank Strangers to top 20 miles in a single relay, having done it twice (6 of those 20 mile runners are on this year's team).  Art has the 5th longest single leg, 9.9 miles.



Training Tip:


May 1, 2011

Night running and elusive sleep

Fear the dark?  Don't worry, with the exception of some of the park trails run by Van #1, the dark is overrated.  There are street lights, house lights, and your van's headlights and taillights -- we'll keep you in sight whenever possible.

Your headlamp may give the illusion of lighting your way but this, along with the blinky vest, is most useful in alerting cars, pedestrians and animals of your presence.  And to allow your van to keep track of you.

Course markings are of course harder to see at night.  Your teammates will shepherd you as best they can from the van, but memorizing the turns and following other runners are proven techniques (the first will get you where you should be going, the latter will ensure you have company when you are lost).

You are likely NOT going to get a completely refreshing snooze on this journey, unless you habitually sleep in a van and have mastered the art.

Still, try to catch a cat-nap as soon as you're done with your first leg. It's easy to want to stay up all night cheering people on, but if you finish your first leg and lay down in the back of the van for an hour or so, you'll feel much better later.

There is "down" time for each van. To make the most of the opportunities, bring a bag you can stuff with clothes to make a pillow, a light blanket or lightweight sleeping bag.  A space blanket can be used as ground cover.

The Rank Stranger record for hours sleeping, established by Rachel in 2005, is untouchable.   She slept in the noon sun at Lake Mills, WI, in the noisy van as it bounced from stop to stop, and even through breakfast in Zion, IL.  The conservative estimate is 8 hours of sleep.