A Daring Adventure

The BackBlast:

Two ACC rivals, two brothers, two pastors, two Rich’s, and two wrestlers set out on a daring adventure to achieve great heights from one Highlands to another.

The Thang:
* Some prep and so on, then drive to mountains.
* 0800 launch from VA state park as Titan goes AYG and passes baton to Green Label.
* Green Label does the same and gives to Sable.
* Sable runs and hands to Waffle House.
* Waffle House up next and off to Polygraph.
* Polygraph delivers to Agony.
* Agony —> Last Man Standing.
* Last Man Standing carries to Gravedancer.
* Gravedancer does the job and sets up KGB.
* Repeat x4, uphill and down, no moseying, adding Sloppy in the mix for two legs.
* 1148 finish next day at brewery.
* COT for name-o-rama. Welcome Green Label and Polygraph.
* Some celebrating and so on, then drive home.
* Last Man Standing with the takeout.

Moleskine:
* Timing and execution were exquisite. Metronomic quality. Even negotiated radio at EZ11, working seamlessly from start to finish.
* Helped at least four specific runners avoid wrong turns at various points and rescued who knows how many more from disastrous fate approaching final handoff.
* Speaking of wrong turns, our team made none.
* Relatively few wildlife encounters and zero known incidents. Unconfirmed rumors of a bear pacing runners near Newland.
* No injuries, just soreness.
* Conditions ranged from fair to very good—daytime temps in 70s, mostly sunny, occasional breeze, and a few hours of evening rain.
* Officially clocked in at 27:48:16, or 8:01 per mile. Good enough to finish 10th out of 146 teams 😉
* Many more legends and lore were made that will stay where they belong—in the mountains and memories of each man.

Acknowledgements:
* Thx to Agony for naming rights, carrying the load in miles and elevation, and whatever was in the pouch on Grandfather.
* Thx to Gravedancer for serving as war daddy, leading team in one liners, and enduring a brutal-and-somehow-underrated climb on 35.
* Thx to Green Label for bringing fresh legs, setting a strong pace, and zero Dougs.
* Thx to KGB for non-stop entertainment (plus swag), making sure all runners know the right way, and gloriously keeping wolves at bay.
* Thx to Last Man Standing for Last Minute Sub, relentless positivity, and the takeout.
* Thx to Polygraph for taking redeye, running up the kill count at 16-0, and coming out of retirement next year.
* Thx to Sable for designing all-star roster, putting each man in best position to perform, and turning Night Terrors into Sweet Dreams.
* Thx to Sloppy for caddying, recording/narrating, and the assists, literal and figurative.
* Thx to Titan for a flying start, veteran leadership, and continuing love-hate relationship for an 11th year.
* Thx to each man above for joining the team, playing your role to perfection, and many other things not mentioned already (planning, picking up vehicles, supplies, driving, coaching, etc.). #TrueTeamEffort #DoHardThings
* Thx to other teams for competing.
* Thx to Ms, 2.0s, race organizers, and volunteer staff that made it possible.
* Thx to all pax for the chatter, feedback, and push—it’s a gift.

YHC – Waffle House