If you have been following us for awhile you know that we love a good challenge. Okay, actually G loves challenges. I mostly get roped into them, but I will admit I have brought my fair share to the table.

Back at the end of April, G sent me an email with a registration link to the Great Virtual Race Across Tennessee (GVRAT). This is a virtual race from the southwestern most point of Tennessee to the northeastern most point. It is 642.9 miles from start to finish. The race was set to begin on May 1st which was the very next day (clearly she didn’t want to give me any time to think about this) until August 31st. This meant that we had roughly 16 weeks to complete the mileage and if you are doing your math that is 5.7 miles per day.

Due to my lack of participation in G’s previous challenge, the David Goggins 4x4x48 which was to run 4 miles, every 4 hours for 48 hours and the fact that she had recently agreed to a 7 month challenge that I had roped her into, the pressure was on. In fact, when she had agreed to the Simple and Free Challenge she actually said, “you must agree to whatever challenge I come up with next.” While I had flatly declined to abide by her rules, I did feel like I should at least consider this. So, on April 30th I agreed to partake in the GVRAT and I officially registered and paid my money. 
I’m not going to lie, I knew the moment I pushed submit, that it would be difficult to keep up with the mileage. I even wondered if I could petition to run north to south rather than west to east. But rules are rules and we don’t always get to choose our starting points or our finish lines. 

The first couple of weeks I ran, walked and hiked in order to keep pace, but as often happens in life, once you begin to fall behind it’s difficult to catch up. Not a day has passed that I haven’t been able to get in at least 2 miles, but life doesn’t always allow for over 5.7. 

Okay, okay, it wasn’t a priority, I said it.

Meanwhile, G was racking up her miles during the week, doing long runs on the weekends and even scheduled two ultras within the race time period. It’s like she was participating in a marathon and thought, oh this 5k would be fun. I’ll just go run it real quick and then get back to my marathon. I’m not saying that G has a problem, but seriously? Who does that? G basically ran her a** off for 13 weeks and competed the race in 99 days. Showoff! 

It is now mid-September and folks, I am at 570.93 miles which means I am roughly 72 miles from the finish line. Race officials project that I will complete my journey on October 1st which is an entire month behind schedule and TWO MONTHS after G. I know, it’s an embarrassment, but I will finish and now that I have seen that they have no faith that I can even finish in September, I am more motivated than ever.

I am a little worried about G though because she said she would drink beer and wait for me at the finish line…She must be pretty drunk by now. Virtually speaking, I am in New Tazewell, TN. I had never heard of it before either so I looked it up. Apparently it’s a dry town, so even more reason to get my butt in gear and make it to G and her cooler full of refreshments.

Truth is, I have a big wedding coming up in early October and I need to knock this GVRAT out. So, these next few weeks I will be pulling double duty trying to trim the waistline and finish these miles. 

I’m coming for you, G. 

Sunshine & Sarcasm,
Lowi & G