Thank You Very Much to Team #223 “Running with High Fives” for Competing in the Reno-Tahoe Odyssey Relay in Support of the High Fives Foundation!
Team member, Fairlane Vicente offers some insight as to her team’s efforts in this amazing adventure race (which took place May 30-31, 2014 from Reno, NV to Lake Tahoe and back)!
High Fives (H5): What drew you to become involved in the Reno-Tahoe Odyssey event?
Farilane Vicente (FV): This was my first year doing RTO and one of the main reasons why I said yes this year is because I knew most of the people in the team that Jesse has put together.
H5: What was your team name and why did you choose it?
FV: Running with High Fives — because we wanted to represent this awesome organization.
H5: How many members were on your team and what were their names?
FV: Van 1 – Phil Buckheart, Fairlane Vicente, Duncan Lee, Mel Lee, Luis Godoy and Jeana Rademacher | Van 2 – Jesse Hon, Kristin Stith, Jeremy Finn, Thais Mollet, Troy Texeira and Alan Clark
H5: Did running in support of the High Fives Foundation inspire your team during the event?
FV: Yes, it sure did. Knowing that we are running for a great cause while accomplishing a goal was very inspiring.
H5: What was the lowest and highest point of the race?
FV: Lowest I would say is the lack of sleep, 27 hours with just an hour of sleep can really get to you. Highest was the camaraderie we had within our team, cheering for each other and also cheering for other runners. The support that you get from other runners and vans gave us a burst of energy when it was needed the most.
H5: What does this experience mean to you moving forward?
FV: This experience was not just a team accomplishment but also an accomplishment for each individual. It is amazing what your body is capable of doing when you set your mind to it. It was hard enough running some of these legs, but it was another challenge when you have to run with no prior rest.
H5: What would you say to anyone interested in competing in the RTO?
FV: Gather a group of people that you know and love and share this experience with them. I think this alone makes it a very satisfying journey when you are around people you care about.
H5: Will you all plan on competing again next year?
FV: I am saying no right now, but ask me again next month, I’m sure I will say “Yes, sign me up!”
Team #223 “Running with High Fives Results”
- 70th Place overall
- 13th Place in the Men’s Open Division
- 22nd Place in the Donner Downfall Leg 4
About the Reno-Tahoe Odyssey (renotahoeodyssey.com):
It is a long wandering. A relay run ideally suited for teams of 12 runners on a 178 mile course. Starting in Downtown Reno along the Truckee River. Traveling through the Sierra Nevada mountains and along the shores of Lake Tahoe. Circling back through the Northern Nevada high desert to where you began in Reno.
The race begins Friday. It is a staggered start, with waves of teams starting every 15 to 30 minutes. The slower seeded teams will begin around 9 a.m. and the faster seeded teams will begin in the afternoon. Exact start times will be announced in the month before the event. Plan to get to Reno by Thursday night.
The only changes of fortune you will experience will be for the better. You will have a great time. And when you finish, you will enjoy an overwhelming feeling of accomplishment and teamwork. And be the special guests at a party to celebrate your achievement.
