USVI-On-Line

8 Tuff is on my radar for next year. (Yes, planning ahead.)

Since the race is on a Saturday, when do you arrive/leave STJ? I'll only have 1 week (leaving the family at home), and I'd like to have a few days prior to the race on island (maybe run up Ram Head to get used to the heat) and a few days after the race to relax (drink.)

Is it tough to find a place to stay with arrival and departure mid week? I'm hoping some friends will be with me; we'd probably want a 2B or 3B villa.

I'd love to know how you do the logistics. And please... do you actually run the whole way? Right now I'm running on the treadmill set on an incline but I'm sure it's not near what the steepest part of the race route gets! I just hope I'm not the only one walking part way.

Thanks for any helpful scoops you might have!

Hi Chicagoans!
This will be my first time for 8 Tuff Miles. We just decided when we were there in November to do it, so we had to quickly make our plans. Your thoughts on timing sound similar to ours (we are going midweek, leaving Wednesday), and we were able to find a villa in December. We weren't able to get the first villa we looked into, but I am very happy with the one found. It's a 2 bedroom, and I can let you know more about it after we get back.
As far as the race itself goes, my understanding is there are quite a few walkers. We talked to alot of people while we were on island that had walked it last year. I'm planning to run/walk (no way I could run the whole way !!)
I should be able to let you know more in a couple of weeks!

Oh, and make sure you sign up as early as you can. I think there were quite a few people that were upset they didn't get to sign up! I think they only took 300 outside of the VI's. Check out the 8 tuff miles website and their facebook page.

hey chicagoans! Welcome to the 8 Tuff club! I highly recommend it. To those of us that love this island, there is no better feeling as you come to the finish knowing that you went step by step across (almost) the whole island. It is AWESOME!

We have done it twice now, and both trips arrived mid week (Wed) and never had problems finding a house- we are very early planers though and booked the houses by August. Also go the car rental early!

We like having a day or two before, then having a few days after to relax (drink)

YES to walking! I walk almost the whole way up, then run the "small" ups and downs in the middle and run down. There's just no way I can run those switchbacks. There are a lot of runners and walkers alike, so it's widely spread out. Do not worry- you will be with a TON of walkers.

Ditto what kygirl said about signing up. I believe this last year they opened sign ups for off-islanders in early Oct and I signed up the very first day. Lots of people did not sign up early and they closed to off-islanders. Friend them on facebook and I would even shoot an email to Peter Alter, the race organizer, and ask him to put you on hi email distro list so that you know exactly when sign ups will start. His email is: alter@attglobal.net

Definitely do it- it is AWESOME!

Thank you kygirl and SOonthebeach!

I will definitely sign up as soon as I can and get my friends to do the same. I figure I'll start getting commitments soon so we can book a villa and get into the other planning.

Have a great time doing 8 Tuff 2011!

katie are you serious??? This has been on my goals list for two years -- i wanted to run it this year for my 50th, but my back got crazy and i got derailed--I will probably need a knee replaced but i have been runnign at a 6 % incline (no where NEAR what i need o build up to......) so if i get my act together can i be on team katie? (i would get my own place--i didn't mean to invite myself! )

Wow- we could have a good crowd for next year! May need to create some VIOL t-shirts

loria wrote:katie are you serious??? This has been on my goals list for two years -- i wanted to run it this year for my 50th, but my back got crazy and i got derailed--I will probably need a knee replaced but i have been runnign at a 6 % incline (no where NEAR what i need o build up to......) so if i get my act together can i be on team katie? (i would get my own place--i didn't mean to invite myself! )

I am SO serious! And this is my 50th b-day present to myself so we're thinking along the same lines. You are SO ON THE TEAM! (Just push me up a coupla hills, OK?)

PS - sorry about the knee. ugg. mine aren't so great either. I'm thinking of trying those 5 finger shoes because my feet need strengthening.

Gunner has a titanium hip... that was his 40th b-day present.

I'd like to join the group next year...it could be the start of a VIOL running/walking team!

Alright - sounds like a plan for a VIOL team for 8 Tuff! Now you've all inspired me to get off my rear and go for run...