What to expect when you're expecting... to run a lot.

Here are your legs

Just kidding...Kelly V will be creating "The Bibles", which are hardcopy notebooks that each Van Cap'n will receive.  These Bibles will contain your legs (assignments.. not actual body parts), tattoos with your directions*, and other good stuff.  In the meanwhile, for those of you can't wait that long, here's the lowdown on how things are gonna go down!

6:00am - Bright and Ugly!  Kelly V(aka "Trooper" or "The BookKeeper") will lead us off at the start line.  Our journey begins at Lake Benson Park in Garner.  Van 2, be there to cheer us off, then go carb up before your legs!

Van 1 is orange, Van 2 is yellow.  Also, times are approx, Van Cap'ns should keep their phones handy so that they can text one another as we approach one of the spots where we meet.  The idea was that we could overlap slightly so that we didn't feel like two separate teams running the same race.

Leg	From	To	Distance	Runner
EVERYONE at the start line! (no start line, no cowbell)
Leg #1	Lake Benson Park	Juniper Level Baptist Church	5.53	Runner 4 Kelly
Leg #2	Juniper Level Baptist Church	Mt. Pleasant Presbyterian Church	5.69	Runner 2 Melissa
Leg #3	Mt. Pleasant Presbyterian Church	White Memorial Presbyterian Church	3.45	Runner 6 Terry
Leg #4	White Memorial Presbyterian Church	Piney Grove Chapel Baptist Church	5.61	Runner 5 Shawn
Leg #5	Piney Grove Chapel Baptist Church	Elevation United Methodist Church	9.08	Runner 1 Sara
Van 2 joins the party - holla! (approx 10:50am)
Leg #6	Elevation United Methodist Church	Four Oaks Civitan	6.88	Runner 3 Caryn
Leg #7	Four Oaks Civitan	Unity Advent Christian Church	8.07	Runner 7 Bradley
Van 1 departs in search of carbs...(approx 1:15pm)
Leg #8	Unity Advent Christian Church	Stone's Creek Advent Christian	4.82	Runner 11 Mara
Leg #9	Stone's Creek Advent Christian	New Zealand PFWB Church	5.4	Runner 8 Colleen
Leg #10	New Zealand PFWB Church	Bentonville Battlefield Historical Association	4.3	Runner 12 Judy
Leg #11	Bentonville Battlefield Historical Association	Selah Christian Church	6.61	Runner 9 Maureen
Van 1 rejoins, fully re-carbed! (approx 4:45pm)
Leg #12	Selah Christian Church	Eureka Christian Church	3.69	Runner 10 Lisa
Leg #13	Eureka Christian Church	Smith Chapel United Methodist Church	7.42	Runner 1 Sara
Van 2 bugs out - time to refuel! (approx. 6:45pm)
Leg #14	Smith Chapel United Methodist Church	Daughtrey Field	4.71	Runner 2 Melissa
Leg #15	Daughtrey Field	St. Luke Missionary Baptist Church/Union Church	6.06	Runner 4 Kelly
Leg #16	St. Luke Missionary Baptist Church/Union Church	Snow Hill Original Free Will Baptist Church	9.32	Runner 3 Caryn
Leg #17	Snow Hill Original Free Will Baptist Church	BF Grady Elementary School	4.1	Runner 5 Shawn
Van 2 is back, baby! (approx 10:45pm)
Leg #18	BF Grady Elementary School	Pink Hill Elementary School	6.33	Runner 6 Terry
Leg #19	Pink Hill Elementary School	Bethel Baptist Church	7.46	Runner 10 Lisa
Van 1 jets - off to Trent River to camp, and get some pie! (approx. 12:45 in the dogggone morning)
Leg #20	Bethel Baptist Church	Pleasant Hill Christian Church	4.18	Runner 8 Colleen
Leg #21	Pleasant Hill Christian Church	Tuckahoe Christian Church	5.61	Runner 9 Maureen
Leg #22	Tuckahoe Christian Church	Comfort Elementary School	3.64	Runner 7 Bradley
Leg #23	Comfort Elementary School	Trent River Campground	4.34	Runner 12 Judy
Van 1 rejoins Van 2 to cheer them on! (approx. 3:40 in the doggone morning!)
Leg #24	Trent River Campground	Jones County Government Complex	6.42	Runner 11 Mara
Leg #25	Jones County Government Complex	Jones Senior High School	3.33	Runner 3 Caryn
Van 2 returns to Trent River to hit the sack! (or to Midway to wait out the hotcakes) approx 5:20am
Leg #26	Jones Senior High School	Free Will Chapel Church	3.63	Runner 2 Melissa
Leg #27	Free Will Chapel Church	First Baptist Church of Maysville	8.68	Runner 6 Terry
Leg #28	First Baptist Church of Maysville	Onslow County Soccer Association	5.36	Runner 4 Kelly
Leg #29	Onslow County Soccer Association	Silverdale Elementary School	6.51	Runner 5 Shawn
Van 2 jumps back into the game, to cheer on Van 1's final leg before they start theirs! (approx. 9:12am)
Leg #30	Silverdale Elementary School	Midway United Methodist Church	2.6	Runner 1 Sara
Leg #31	Midway United Methodist Church	Crystal Coast Assembly of God	8.41	Runner 10 Lisa
Van 1 returns to Midway UMC for the best damned hotcakes and sausages.. evah! (approx. 10:50am)
Leg #32	Crystal Coast Assembly of God	Western Regional Beach Access	4.94	Runner 8 Colleen
Leg #33	Western Regional Beach Access	Emerald Isle Boat Landing	3.11	Runner 11 Mara
Leg #34	Emerald Isle Boat Landing	Salter Path Regional Beach Access	7.28	Runner 12 Judy
Leg #35	Salter Path Regional Beach Access	Iron Steamer Beach Access	3	Runner 9 Maureen
Leg #36	Iron Steamer Beach Access	The Circle Beach Access	5.3	Runner 7 Bradley
Everyone meets at the end of the boardwalk (wear your Cheap Bait shirt!), and we run across the finish line together! Should be around 2:30 - 2:45pm

Other stuff - in your Bible, there will be little temporary tattoos for each leg.  It includes the name of the leg, the points, and each turn along with the distance to each turn (or they did last year).  There will also be Tuna Run signs along the route, but some jerk might yank one out, and you'd better know where the heck you're going, so wear the tattoo.  FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS.. we messed a few up last year (duh!).

Countdown - 2 Weeks to Tuna!

Are you ready to run?  By now we've picked vans, assigned legs, and are in the final push to get ready.  Here's what you need to think about in the next 2 weeks

At least the week of, start to taper back your workouts so that you're fresh for the run.  That first leg will feel fine, it will be fun!  The second leg... eh.  Not too bad, but you'll feel it.  That third leg is gonna suck out loud.  So be ready and rested!

Order your food!  This year you can order dinner (!), a campsite and showed (for realz!) and you cannot miss the hotcakes and sausage breakfast on Saturday.  Order and pay in advance!

Van Cap'ns, make sure you have the following figured out with your van-mates:

• Two reflective vests for the night runs - this is mandatory
• Headlamps (everyone may want their own, but if you're gonna share, you'd better have 2 or more)
• Blinky lights - match 'em up with the vests
• Race belts (if you have 'em).. we get bibs, but if you have a race belt, it's easier to pass off rather than pinning on (totally optional, pin them on if you want).
• Food and water - figure out who's bringing what.  See the "what to pack" post if you need help.

Make sure that you spoke to Sara if you want a hotel room.. if not, you'll be spending a 2nd night in the van (which might feel like home by then!).

These 2 weeks are gonna go fast!

Meet Cheap Bait - Caryn W

Name: Caryn W

Age: Masters Age Group :-)

Relay Name: Hot Rod Red or Krav Mama

Hometown: All over - I grew up military, but consider myself a naturalized North Carolinian - this is where I put down my roots!

Current: Raleigh, NC 

Have you ever done this before? Yes, I did the Tuna Run last year for the first time

What are you looking forward to the most? Hotcakes and Sausage. Ooo.. and that tuna!  Ooo.. and the beers at the finish line (summary: food and finish)

What are you looking forward to the least? The long run at night

What should your van mates know about you before hand?  Hmmm...  don't like peanut butter?

How long have you been a runner?  20+ years.  I started when I was in the Air Force - my running buddy and I ran all over DC on our lunch breaks!  Running the MCM a few years back was like being home again!  I recently made the leap into triathlon, too!

Favorite gear: I do love my pretty running clothes!  SkirtSports, Oiselle, and Sugoi are my favorites!  I've recently realized that I also need Injinji socks for my long runs.. my toenails disagree vehemently with the marathon!

What is your favorite color? ORANGE (and also pink, grass green, and turquoise)

Do you have any children/pets? 1 husband, who is responsible for 1 child (10 year old boy, James), 2 beagles (Blue and Merle) and one useless cat (Newkie)

Hollah! 

 
What's your favorite food?  I could live on Tropical Smoothie Cafe.. sadly there will be no Island Green smoothies on this trip.

Hobbies: Krav Maga (above.. looks like fun, right?!), gardening, and all kinds of crafts!

Meet Cheap Bait - Sara S

Name: Sara S

Age: 29 bahahaha no really it’s 38

Relay Name: Mountain Goat or Goat 

Hometown: Wilmington, NC

Current: Raleigh, NC 

Have you ever done this before? Yes, I did the Tuna Run last year for the first time

What are you looking forward to the most? The silly antics and camaraderie of our team and a good Bloody Mary at the end

What are you looking forward to the least? The lack of sleep

What should your van mates know about you before hand?  I have a pretty sick sense of humor and may not always be politically correct. I also hate rude people so don’t piss me off or your toothbrush may get swirled in a toilet (just kidding I wouldn’t do that to my friends). I like a good challenge, which is why I like to run hills.

Scrappy, like a goat!  Or maybe scrape-ey

How long have you been a runner?  Maybe 12 years. I started to run to get into shape and then did a 5k and it’s been uphill (and yes I love a good hill) ever since. Last year I started doing triathlons and really like the challenge of 3 sports.

Favorite gear: Balega socks-I have way too many. Headsweats visor-I always wear one as I hate sweat in my eyes. Running Shoes because who wants to run barefoot. Right now my favorite shoes are my Brooks Glycerin and my Hoka One One.

What is your favorite color? Pink but I love all colors except maybe dookie brown

Do you have any children/pets? Yes, 21 month old named Sophie (she’s a human although sometimes she acts like a crazed animal). 2 Corgis, Pippa and Murphy. 2 chickens, Henrietta and Edith.  If I could con my husband into it I would have a bunny, goat, and bees in my backyard and a horse.

Making a friend during last year's Tuna Run

 
What's your favorite food? Indian-Chicken Tikka. It’s my favorite food before a long run and yes I have a stomach of steel.

Hobbies: Knitting (no I am not 80), running-duh!

Meet Cheap Bait - Mara B

Name: Mara B. (she's the one on the right... hey.. Cheap Bait was there, too!)

Age: 31

Relay Name: TBD

Hometown: Sligo,PA

Current: Raleigh, NC 

Have you ever done this before? Nope! 

What are you looking forward to the most? A new challenge and meeting a new group of runners 

What are you looking forward to the least? The next day soreness

What should your van mates know about you beforehand? I am very Easy going, I do tend to require more bathroom breaks than the average joe and I am a constant grazer so I will come well stocked in snacks

How long have you been a runner? I’ve run off and on since high school but have definitely picked up a bit in the last couple years.

Favorite gear: I have zero preference as long as it’s comfy. I have a little of everything.

What is your favorite color? Blue (like a lightsaber)

Do you have any pets? Yes, Toogie who is a sweet dachshund and Walter who’s my running buddy.

What's your favorite food? That’s a hard one! Tossup between ice cream, turkey sandwiches, and crab legs (let's hope not all at once)

Meet Cheap Bait - Kelly V

Name: Kelly V
Age: 31

Relay Name: TBD  Oh, c'mon, we can do better than this, Cheap Baiters... let's give our girl a nickname!

Hometown: Pinehurst, NC

Current: Raleigh, NC 

Have you ever done this before? Nope! 

What are you looking forward to the most? The experience and challenge of trying something new 

What are you looking forward to the least? The stench (stink, stank, stunk)

What should your van mates know aabout you beforehand? I'm pretty easy going. I’ve been told I’m a fun person although I can be shy at first. Lucky for you I’m more apt to be silly in the wee hours of the morning with little to no sleep.  There will be plenty of that (little sleep, that is.. which I guess is little of that?!)

How long have you been a runner? I started running in October of 2010, ran my first race ever (a 5k) February of 2011 and my first half-marathon November of 2011

In case we haven’t met that is me on the far left.

Favorite gear: Athleta Fast Track Tank, Honey Stinger Organic Energy Chews (thank you Caryn for the intro), my Garmin  You're welcome!

What is your favorite color? Blue excluding Carolina Blue 

Do you have any pets? Yes, Olivia the sweetest 5lb chihuahua you’ll ever meet and Kelso a 10+lb longhaired cat

What's your favorite food? Ice Cream

Favorite movie: Steel Magnolias  

Most memorable vacation: My trip to China in 2009  

Most desired place to visit: Greece or somewhere tropical is what I’m feeling right now 

Hobby(ies): Running, reading, crochet/knitting 

Spouse/kids? Husband Charles, together 7 years/married 3 years, and a 19 month old son, Noah  

Yes I am that cheesy girl who has a dog, at a wedding, in a dress. (I didn't notice that the dog was wearing a dress.. did anyone else?)

Occupation: officially a Stay At Home Mom as of October 2013, formerly the Project Information Coordinator for an architecture firm in Raleigh  

Favorite TV show: The Office or Law & Order SVU 

Favorite book and/or author: Hmmm recently I guess I’d say The Violets of March by Sarah Jio