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How to prepare for a 550K relay race through the desert

How to prepare for one of the most intense relay races in the world

The Speed Project is one of the wildest races in North America. The race is a 340 mile (550K) relay from the Santa Monica Pier in Los Angeles to Las Vegas. It was first run in 2014 when six runners decided to see how quickly they could cover the distance. On March 20 at 5 a.m., a group of six Canadian runners and three crew members will set out to complete the relay that runs through Death Valley.

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This is not a marathon: you don’t sign up and show up. You have to be self-sufficient. Runners need to plan their transportation, food and supplies. Here’s some advice from a two-time participant who’s going back for his third time in a couple weeks.

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Planning your route

The fastest-ever finishing time was run in 2019, when a group of Nike runners completed the trip in only 32 hours. There’s been a route that runners have historically followed, but Toronto-based runner (and two-time Speed Project finisher) Andrew Thuss explains that there are no real rules, so runners can follow whatever route they choose. Thuss shares the only rules of the race, “You can’t break the law. There’s a recommended route, that most teams follow, but last year the Nike team shaved about 40 miles off with their new route.”

The Nike route was much faster and more dangerous that the original route, which is provided to competing teams. The original route has seen teams finish as fast as 38 hours, but some take as long as 60.

 

Choosing your vehicle

Thuss says that their team has rented the largest RV they could find, but Nike’s team (for their alternative route) required a vehicle with 4×4 drive. Thuss says that his team will run the original route, because it includes Death Valley–a quintessential Speed Project leg. “The runner’s experience there, in the heat and on the long stretches of road, is what the speed project is about. When I talked to the team I highly suggested original route, so they can experience this part. They’re all doing this race for the first time.”

Staying loose between legs

The race is broken into six mile legs, with every runner completing just shy of 100K total. Thuss says that their RV has ample room for runners to stretch, roll, nap and eat in between legs. “The key to this race is recovery. You have to warm up before you run and get your legs going again before you start your next leg. Day two really kicks in if you’ve gone too hard, or you haven’t recovered properly. It feels like you’re running on day-after marathon legs, but runners still have to run about 40K to go, on dead flat roads–mentally it’s much harder.”

 

Nutrition

Heat can suppress a runner’s appetite but Thuss says that getting down solid food is so important through this race. He’s found that peanut butter and jelly sandwiches go down easily, “The other thing we stock up on are Cup of Noodles. We buy flats of them. The salt content is awesome. We’re looking to take in stuff that easy to eat.”

Thuss explains that hydration is the most important, “You’re running through the desert. It’s hot. Hydration is the key to success.”

The team’s goals for 2020

When asked about the team’s goals for 2020, Thuss says they (being the Death Valley Tanning Company) haven’t come up with a number quite yet. “Some people work well with goals, but for others, it’s stressful. I think around the 42 hour mark is manageable for us but we’ve been hesitant to put a goal out there knowing the kind of pressure that that puts on. What’s most important is each runner’s individual goals. Wherever that gets us is good.”

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