Tis the Season

for Reach the Beach recruitment. Ah yes, it's that time of year when people start their persuading, convincing, and coaxing. I have some thoughts on Reach the Beach, but first, in case you don't know (from the Reach the Beach website):

The Reach The Beach (RTB) Relay is the longest distance running relay race in the United States. The RTB Relay will take place in picturesque New Hampshire during the start of the New England foliage season. The relay will consist of (a maximum of) 12 person teams that will rotate through 36 transition areas as they cover the approximate 200 mile distance of the race.

I managed to stave off the requests to join teams last year, but this year a certain someone, let's call him...um...Rain, is making the hard sell. So I've made the following pros/cons list to send to Rayne, oops, I mean Rain, so he'll know exactly where I stand:

Pros: hardcore running (hilly course, "we ran 200 miles!" "we ran across NH!"), team bonding

Cons: 12 sweaty runners living in a van together for at least 24 hours, chances are there will at least one person I really don't like, chances are someone will be a snorer, the stink, the crowdedness, no running water, no electricity, no bed, no room to lay down, no bathrooms

So far the pros are obviously way outnumbered. Feel free to make contributions to the list, and let's see if you can convince me otherwise.