A Night at the VTA

Our sand bagging teammates are back out on the road.  We are at the next VTA getting ready to go to sleep for the "night"  that is if by night you mean 3 hours max.

Orange Line Lunch Stop

This is the first year I have ever been on the Orange Line (van 2 on most teams). The Green Line is on the course and we have a few hours to get something to eat. We have stopped at the Cabin Fever Restaurant. Boy do I wish they had WiFi! But I really hope that the food is good.

Crashing for the Night

We are all here at the mountain. Or at least were. We checked in. Then went to dinner at The Common Man restaurant in Lincoln New Hampshire. It was pretty good. Nothing fancy. But good.  Then it was a short, as in walking distance short, drive to the Nordic Inn where we are spending the night.

I brought the muffins and breads Nancy and I made yesterday in from the car.   Then Nancy confiscated it all! Yes all!! Women! Harrumph!

A Rough Ride for Rosie But All is Well Now

This has been a hectic few days for the Rosie Ruiz Relay team.  On Monday morning Amandeep withdrew after coming down ill leaving our noble crew with 11 runners.  Plans B and C swung into play.  Plan B was to find a new twelfth runner.  Plan C was to figure out a rotation using just 11 people.  With only three days to find a new teammate, it seemed like it was going to be Plan C for sure.  But, just this afternoon, with less than 24 hours to our first van's departure for Cannon Mountain our hero arrived!  Dora is once again on the team!  Three cheers for our teammate coming to bat for us.  Appropriately, she is currently scheduled to be runner 12 in the rotation and will bring the team into the finish!  

T-Shirt Sneak Peek!

Want to know what this year's team t-shirt looks like!  I bet you would!  So without further ado, here is a sneak peek for you to savor.

Darn box got in the way!  Well they are safely inside it.  Really!  Sorry this is the closest you get to the shirt prior to the team's arrival at Cannon Mountain!

Then There Were 11 and Then 12 and Then 11 and Then . . .

Well, getting this team together has not been easy!  For the fourth, yes fourth, time we have a full compliment of 12 runners!  Earlier iterations have been hidden from those reading this blog as they occurred prior to my posting with the whose on the team list.  That list seems to have been quite ephemeral.  I am sorry to report that we lost Chris to his new employer.  But, in his place I am happy to welcome Kevin!  A big hand for Kevin for coming to our rescue at the last minute!

To keep the current roster intact, Robin suggested that until the race we wrap ourselves in bubble wrap and not pick up any calls from work.  I tried running in bubble wrap this morning and all I can say is it is really hot!  Taking a shower also proved difficult as the water just rolled right off of the plastic.  I think this idea may need some refinement.  Jay apparently lives with his boss and we have suggested he get a divorce and move out.  For some reason was not too keen on that idea.  Some people!  All right, none of this is true.  Well, none other than Robin's suggestion. :)

I would like to introduce the Official 2014 Rosie Ruiz Fan Club Reach the Beach Relay team!  Yes, yes, I know you have waited up late at nights in hope the news would break.  Well now it has!  (Just nobody, and I mean nobody get hurt between now and when we leave for Cannon mountain!)

In no particular order: me - (1) a.k.a. Matt, (2) Paula, (3) Chris, (4) Andrew, (5) Nancy, (6) Matt (yes, we know this will be confusing), (7) Jennifer (the better half of the confusingly named other Matt), (8) Robin, (9) Denise, (10) Nicholas (son of Denise), (11) Jay and (12) Amandeep.  (Applause, applause!)

Our team is set.  Our hotel for the night before the race is booked.  The vans are booked.  The decorations are all ready to roll.  Last but not least this year's team t-shirts look like they will show up tomorrow!