Running with the Wrong Crowd: My Relay Race Adventures

home insemination Kit

So, I made a bit of a wild decision and joined a team for a quirky new running event in Portland, Oregon, called the 8 Track Relay. Picture a 24-hour relay race mixed with a music festival, all set to a groovy ’70s vibe. My friend, Sarah, was the only familiar face on the team. She had put out a call on social media looking for an extra runner, just for one four-mile leg. “How hard can that be?” I thought to myself.

When I showed up for our first team meeting, I was surrounded by a group of seven incredibly fit women in their forties, casually chatting about their latest marathons. I almost bailed, but everyone kept insisting they weren’t in it for the glory. “We just want to have fun!” they said with enthusiasm. Our team captain quickly asked how many four-mile legs everyone could commit to; I was the only one who opted for just one. Most of the other runners were signing up for four legs, racking up a whopping 16 miles!

I took a moment to pull the captain aside and mentioned that I have diabetes—nothing too serious, but something she should know. She looked a bit alarmed, unsure of how to react. With Type I diabetes, managing insulin is crucial; too much or too little can lead to serious issues. I constantly monitor my blood sugar and wear an insulin pump, which makes running a bit tricky.

As the clock ticked closer to 4 p.m., I started to panic about not having enough time to apply the chafing cream I would need in the sweltering 90-degree heat. And let’s not forget that extreme heat can drop blood sugar levels! I checked my glucose, and it was lower than I’d like. A few jelly beans later, I headed for the handoff area.

I spotted my teammate in her eye-catching hot pink shirt approaching. She handed me the timing chip, cleverly disguised as an 8-track tape of “The Hustle,” and off I went, feeling strong… at least at first. Halfway through, though, I started to wobble. A familiar shakiness crept in, and I quickly grabbed a GU pack, cursing myself for not testing it out beforehand. It tasted awful, and I was now worried about throwing up!

Desperately, I managed to text my teammates: MILE 3, WALKING. But honestly, I was barely walking. A fellow runner checked in, asking if I was alright. “Absolutely!” I fibbed, though my legs felt like spaghetti. If I sat down, I knew I wouldn’t get back up. So I kept moving, determined to cross the finish line on my feet.

Finally, I felt the GU kicking in, and I mustered a slow jog for the last quarter mile. I was the only one who knew that my less-than-stellar time was a personal victory. I was still standing and devouring jelly beans like they were going out of style!

Not wanting to be seen as the weak link, I volunteered for another leg, this time starting around 1:30 a.m. I laid in my tent, checking my blood sugar every half hour and munching on jelly beans to keep things steady. When I checked the leaderboard around 1 a.m., I was shocked to see that our team, the Flying Pink Tacos, was in second place overall!

When Sarah came sprinting in, I couldn’t help but shout, “Why are you running so fast?” as she slapped the 8-track tape into my hand. My blood sugar was stable, and I charged through the cool night air under a full moon, listening to Radiohead’s In Rainbows. It felt magical. By mile three, I texted the next runner to get ready. I finished with a personal record, the best runner’s high I’d ever experienced, and the not-so-glamorous title of slowest runner on the fastest women’s team at the inaugural 8 Track Relay.

In conclusion, I learned that sometimes stepping out of your comfort zone with the wrong crowd can lead to unexpected triumphs. Whether it’s running or exploring home insemination options, every experience can be a treasure trove of lessons.

If you’re interested in learning more about home insemination, check out this great resource on what to expect with your first IUI for some valuable insights. For those looking for a reliable at-home insemination kit, you can also find great information here.