The Relay 2009, or, The Time I Beat Dean! By Larissa Polischuk
With some of the relay team after finishing my second leg, 5:21am
The Relay. 199 Miles Calistoga to Santa Cruz. I have to say to anyone who has not done this race before that it might have been one of the most fun things I’ve ever experienced! Here is the story of the time that I beat Dean.
I realize this is not a true trail race, however, my first section of The Relay (my longest leg at a paltry 8.9 miles) was the only leg with a ‘trail’. Actually, it was more like a 1.5 mile mudslide through a cattle ranch…complete with cattle. (note: apparently cattle don’t see so well until you are RIGHT IN FRONT OF THEM).
My second leg might as well have been on the trails. At 3:45am after roughly 2 hours of sleep in whipping wind and rain, you can make up anything you want to keep you going.
The pinnacle of the event however was on my third leg. Over 180 miles in to the full distance who do I see in front of me on the last 2 mile climb? None other than Mr. Ultramarathon Man himself, Dean Karnazas. I wasn’t sure it was him at first. My first clue was the van that was cheering him on. It was a mini-van, complete with kids and sans any signs talking about how drunk everyone was getting afterward or how ‘chafed their junk’ was going to be (I’m not making that one up).
As I caught up to Dean I also noticed that this guy was ridiculously fit. If this was only his third leg he should have been charging up this hill but instead I was gaining on him. At this point curiosity was getting the better of me and I surged, shamelessly passing Dean right before the exchange. By shamelessly, I mean screaming “I’M BEATING DEAN!” and pointing at him to all the onlookers who were taking pictures. As my friends handed me a celebratory beer, Dean stopped and said “for the record, she beat me” and shook my hand with a grin. I got into the van to drive on, Dean kept on running…..
-Larissa
Larissa Polischuk runs trail in the San Francisco Bay Area and is a member of The Endurables endurance running club. Her relay team “Tevas Were a Bad Choice” finished the 2009 The Relay in 27:29.43.
Muddy shoes after the cattle fields
Finishing my second leg, 5:20am
Team "Tevas Were A Bad Choice" celebrating at the finish
Great race report Larissa! Especially that part where you surged pass Dean. Let me know if you want together with some other folks in the trail running group and do a practice run for the Double Dipsea before June.
Hilarious report
I totally agree; the relay is an awesome race! (Kevin I want to a practice
double dipsea run if you organize one)
I want to see the pictures of you pointing and screaming as you surged past Dean. That is seriously funny.
Great job Larissa! are you sure that is mud though on your shoes in the photo after the cattle fields? Looking forward to running the trails with you soon.
Very well written post however, I would recommend that you turn the No Follow off in your comment section.
Keep up the good work.
Wish I got to beat Dean during the Relay, I don’t think we crossed paths though. Bummer. Congrats are way overdue Larissa, my bad for just seeing this article today!