This run was along a city street but it was pretty torn up in spots so some was paved, some was dirt, and some was really messed up pavement. I wish I'd brought another pair of trail shoes!

I first started out up a slight hill. A man from another team started slightly behind me and tried to catch me on the hill but apparently I do more hill work than he :)

The support car pulled up just as I was getting going and K, an agent from Phoenix was in the passenger seat and said hi. They dropped back and I continued on. I knew this was under 6 miles and wanted to push it without blowing up. I focused on catching the runner(s) ahead of me without going too hard.

At about a mile in K pulled up again and asked how I was doing. I told them I was fine and didn't need water. (In past years my work partner has been the support car and knows I'll let her know if I need water). I just kept pushing and usually caught people on hills.

At about 2.5 support pulled up and I slowed for a few steps to take a couple drinks from the water bottle and gave it back. Back to running. It was a great exercise in taking inventory of my body, controlling my breathing and pushing myself to just shy of too much.

They pulled up again at 4 and I took one last drink then set my sights on several teams that I knew were within striking distance. (that was a great mental picture because the mascot for this race is a rattler). One by one I picked them off, I knew it would make it more challenging for my support car but I knew they wouldn't mind. I saw the "one to go" person and gave it all I had for the last mile.

I got to the exchange, handed off the baton and was greeted by my "catcher" and an exchange station guy. He asked me my name (you'd have to be really really out of it to not know your own name), asked me where I was (um, vegas? if you need more specific than that I need a map), and what day it was (um, sunday? if you need more specific then that I need a minute). Dude, it was <6 miles, I'M OKAY!

I walked for a bit then we got in the car and headed to the next exchange.

Nothing, this was a great way to push myself

We had one more exchange then to the finish line where I was the catcher for "J". We stood around and chatted for a bit but it was 0500 so everyone was ready for a nap.


Long distance training


This race is a great morale booster for law enforcement, at the team level and as a whole. There are teams from all over the country and around the world and it's awesome to see everyone there for this race. There are some super competitive teams like FBI, LAPD and LASO but for many of the teams its a way to come together and enjoy the weekend.