I volunteered to help our friends from church, who have organized a 206-mile relay race with over 120 teams, called the Texas Independence Relay. Since we see them every week in our church home group (currently just three couples, and lots of kids), we have seen what a gigantic undertaking this has been for them, and I hope and pray that things go smoothly. From speaking with them, I know that they are definitely committed to doing it again next year, and some of the equipment/supplies and logistics won't have to be redone, so that is certainly helpful.
My friend actually left Dell Computer last year in order to pursue his dream of race organizing (and self employment), since both he and his wife are avid runners, both having completed several marathons. In fact, he once ran 74 miles in one day in order to raise money for a cause. Needless to say, their children are also quite athletic, and they are expecting their fifth child in June.
The race runs from Gonzales all the way to Houston (see picture below). My first shift as a volunteer is from 9pm-1am tonight near a town called Altair, which I have honestly never even heard of before this week. My second shift is in the Katy area, which is just west of Houston. This shift is from 4am-8:15am, then I have to make a decision whether to drive the 2.5 hours home, or wait for a hotel to have a room (earliest I could find is around lunchtime) or sleep in my car.
I am a notorious nightowl, often staying up until 2am or even later, but I know that I will probably be pretty drained and sleepy by 8:15am tomorrow. I am about to take a nap to "prep" for this long night.
I think that the only times that I have stayed up overnight since college were for the births of each of my children, and once when my son required surgery as a baby. They wouldn't let us feed him beforehand for many hours, and he was too little for us to explain this to him, so we watched a LOT of Teletubbies that night.
I hope the race goes well for our friends, as this will surely set the tone for future races that they have. Wish us well tonight!
Thanks!
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