2023—Ridiculous Stunt Tour
“Somersaulting Towards Hope”
Author:Armando Sanz (who pieced together Paige’s & Vince’s reports)
Team Members (left to right): Andrea Arteaga, Vince Yllanes, Paige Douglass, Armando Sanz, Jenny Sanz
June 15th - June 16th, 2023
$418,874 was the total raised including Sylvester’s .50 :1 match.
This year’s funds will be directed to further research by Sylvester in cancer epigenetics
Context:
Here’s the story of how a ridiculous idea became part of an already established ridiculous stunt. One of our protagonists, Vince Yllanes, had harbored the idea of adding a running leg to the Castaways tour since 2022. He had pitched the concept to our fearless leader and captain Eric Pino, but it remained no more than a fleeting thought. That is until 2023 and the Castaways Against Cancer’s Ridiculous Stunt Tour.
Vince was determined to make a difference and use his running abilities for a good cause. In early 2023, he reached out to Pino again, and together they solidified the ultra-component for the 2023 tour. Vince was both excited and nervous, grappling with the daunting prospect of running a staggering 170 miles from Miami to Key West. To tackle this mammoth challenge, he knew he needed a partner in crime. Enter Paige Douglass. Vince had met Paige a few months earlier and was amazed to discover that she wasn't just a ridiculously fast ultra-runner but also a cancer survivor. It was challenging to find a better relay partner than Paige, and she enthusiastically embraced the idea. In an instant, Vince found himself relieved, as he would only have to worry about running half the distance. And so, this ridiculous idea of running from Miami to Key West was born.
The plan was for Vince to run the first leg from Miami to Islamorada consisting of 85 miles, and Paige would take it from there 85 miles to Key West. Like all good plans, something was bound to go awry.
Thursday, June 15th, 2023
For those who are still reading, Vince successfully completed a grueling 75-mile journey from Miami to Key Largo. It was a remarkable feat, and he raised a toast to his legs, his borderline insane determination, and his equally mad crew. The tale he was about to tell was the product of 19 hours filled with sweat, laughter, and an ever-present existential crisis. Let's dive into it.
Initial attempts at any new endeavor are rarely perfect on the first go-around. Vince drew a parallel with the first manned flight, acknowledging that perfection takes time. This year marked the inaugural attempt at a running segment in the Castaways tour. As the mastermind behind this audacious plan, Vince had a bright idea: "Why not start at 2 AM?" (A note to self for next year: Sleep is golden; start earlier). Anticipating their twilight kick-off, Vince squeezed in a half-day of work, aiming for a 4-hour nap, a quick dinner, and another 3-hour nap. However, much to his surprise, he could only manage to secure 3-4 hours of quality sleep.
The stroke of midnight marked Vince's departure from his comfort zone as he made his way to Armando and Jenny’s home, both integral parts of his crew for this 3X marathon. The car was loaded with essentials as they headed to Castaway Beach. Strategy was paramount, especially considering the heat advisory in effect during the day. Vince had set his sights on banking miles throughout the night, hoping to cover at least 20 non-stop miles with potential intervals thereafter. At 1:55 AM, with a quick prayer and a deep breath, Vince hit the start button on his watch.
During the first 3-6 miles, the mugginess hinted at the challenges that lay ahead. Navigating through Coconut Grove and Old Cutler, the hydration handoffs with team Armando/Jenny were flawlessly executed. They were in perfect sync. Around mile 17 as he passed Deering Estates, Vince decided it was high time to incorporate some run/walk intervals. This strategy proved effective until around mile 39, as they cruised through the backroads of Cutler Bay and Homestead, weaving between agriculture fields and nurseries. Vince managed to avoid becoming roadkill. The 22-mile stretch provided a breather from Miami’s bustling city life, and Vince extended a heartfelt shoutout to team Armando/Jenny for their unwavering support, making him feel like a running VIP.
The 10 AM pit stop at the RaceTrac in Florida City, around mile 39, was a critical juncture. Vince faced a choice between braving Card Sound Road, known for reckless drivers attempting land speed records, or continuing down US-1 for 18 miles, a section referred to by locals as “The Stretch.” Prioritizing safety, Vince opted for US-1, which at least had a shoulder. Aware that he would be flying solo without the constant support of team Armando/Jenny, Vince strapped on his Salomon hydration vest and embarked on this solo leg of the journey.
Early on, Vince was fortunate to find some shade thanks to a single tree and one passing cloud. Apart from these brief reprieves, the Florida sun bore down relentlessly, and shade became a precious commodity. The initial miles were enjoyable, and Vince even engaged in a game of honking with truckers, earning bewildered looks from drivers who spotted the "Florida Man" on a mission. However, these endurance runs aren’t a walk in the park, and eventually, Vince began to encounter physical challenges. Mirages played tricks on his mind, and as feels like temperatures soared to 108 degrees, his stomach rebelled, causing everything he consumed to find its way back up. In this dire situation, Vince's dependable crew, Armando and Jenny, proved their worth. Despite this being their first time participating in such an endeavor, they ensured Vince took in ginger ale to soothe his upset stomach, replenished his electrolytes, and doused him with ice-cold water. Armando's commitment was unwavering as he made multiple questionably legal U-turns and managed to locate Vince at unexpected spots along the route. Vince distinctly recalled stopping on the shoulder of the road either before or after Sea Hunter marina, where ice was stuffed into his arm sleeves to regulate his body temperature. In a particularly memorable moment, Vince vividly remembered projectile vomiting just inches away from Armando's feet, but Armando didn't flinch.
From 10 AM to 3 PM, "The Stretch" proved to be the most challenging part of the run, testing Vince's mental resilience to its limits. Faced with what felt like an endless road and the scorching sun, every step seemed heavier than the last. This segment was replete with pit stops, moments of severe nausea, and a rejuvenating 60-minute power nap in Armando’s car. It all felt like a blur, but Vince felt blessed to be on this journey. He even made new friends along the way with an FDOT crew performing road work. They provided Vince with water, and he extended his gratitude to them. Approximately halfway through “The Stretch”, Paige caught up with Vince at the Sea Hunter marina and provided a much-needed motivational boost.
During her visit with Vince at the Sea Hunter Marina, Paige took note of how the relentless sun had taken its toll on Vince, showing signs of heat exhaustion. Witnessing Vince in this fatigued state evoked mixed emotions in her, a combination of anxiety for her upcoming journey and gratitude for the chance to participate in this unique, yet ridiculous challenge. Armando was assisting Vince during this part of the run, and after a brief conversation and an attempt to rejuvenate Vince, she proceeded to the hotel in Islamorada to get some rest. She was planning to start her run between 10 pm and 1 am, so she quickly had a light meal and settled into bed in the hope of catching some sleep. Andrea, her dedicated crew member, joined her in the room, and they finalized their preparations, sharing laughter and strategizing for the upcoming night and day. Although she couldn't manage to sleep, she did rest her eyes for about 2 hours.
Throughout this challenging section, Vince consistently held one thing in mind: he ran for those who couldn't.
Vince finally passed Gilbert's Resort and reached the more urbanized surroundings of Key Largo. By this point, he was walking as if he were late for a meeting. About 15 miles from the finish, his wife showed up to make sure he was still alive. Knowing how determined and stubborn Vince could be, she wanted to make sure he was fit to continue on his mission. She accompanied him for 8 of those final miles. As it turns out, she provided some additional motivation for Vince to push through.
They walked, talked, and crunched the numbers, realizing that continuing to hit the 85-mile mark would delay the exchange with Paige. There was communication between Vince and Paige's crews, and there was a possibility that she might take Vince's spot at the 75-mile marker rather than the initially planned 85 miles. This arrangement suited her better since she preferred to start earlier rather than run in the scorching heat. The question shifted to whether she would be running 95 miles instead, but she decided not to dwell on that and focused on taking it one mile at a time. In a game-time decision, they determined Vince’s journey would need to conclude at a respectable 75 miles in order to allow Paige the time she needed for her leg of the run. Vince jokingly remarked that his out-of-shape uncle would say he couldn't even drive that distance.
At a Circle K gas station in Tavernier, across the street from a business aptly named Pino Windows (no relation to our Pino), Vince met Paige, who was preparing to embark on her nighttime run. He handed her the symbolic candle, the Castaways equivalent of a relay baton, and off she went. Vince took some time to recover that evening before meeting up with Paige the next day.
At around 10:30 pm, Paige set off on her run, taking over from Vince, who had covered approximately 75 miles. The night surrounded her as she relied on her flashlight to light the way, starting her journey along the highway's shoulder. The passing trucks startled her as they zoomed by, creating a mix of fear and exhilaration. However, she quickly found her rhythm and began to enjoy the solitude and the enchantment of the night.
Friday, June 16th, 2023
The first 50 miles of her run provided a unique blend of challenge and amusement. Running in the dark, she relied on her senses to navigate the route, occasionally glancing warily at the passing trucks. It was a surreal experience, and to maintain her spirits, she would look up at the sky, say a little prayer, and appreciate the stars overhead. Amid the darkness, her thoughts wandered, and she found herself daydreaming beneath the starlit sky. The night served as her personal therapy session, a time to reflect, embrace solitude, and share the road with her thoughts.
In terms of hydration, Andrea made stops every 4-5 miles while she was running in the dark, becoming a crucial lifeline. These stops involved cooling her down with ice, and she noticed that she could comfortably cover 4 miles without requiring more ice or water. However, this changed when the sun came up. She used these stops with Andrea as an excuse to walk and looked forward to their conversations, as the isolation on the road could be daunting. She encountered few people during her night run, including a gentleman walking his dog at midnight and some homeless individuals on a bridge. Apart from that, there were a few construction workers laboring at 2 am who cautioned her to be careful as the trucks sped past.
Despite the occasional surprises from passing trucks, she found solace in the bridges and inclines along the way, turning them into opportunities for short walking breaks.
One of her goals was to reach the 7-mile bridge, located around 50 miles into her run, by sunrise. This was to avoid being exposed to the sun's intense heat for an hour without access to ice, cold water, or her crew's support. She arrived at the bridge about 30 minutes behind schedule but was satisfied with the timing of the first 50 miles. She was excited for the sun to come up, as it meant civilization was near. However, she knew she would regret that thought as the sun intensified and became unbearable.
The 7-mile bridge marked the beginning of her first struggle. She crossed the bridge in high spirits, even FaceTiming the paddlers before they started their day. She used this time on the bridge to reconnect with her supporters and listen to some music. After crossing the bridge, she met Andrea, who was ready with iced water, ice, food, and a new pair of shoes. Sitting down in the car's trunk, she felt shaky, realizing that her blood sugar was dropping, and she was slightly overheated. After consuming some calories and being iced down by Andrea, she regained her composure and recorded videos for her residents at work and the Castaways.
At this point, it was decided that they needed to meet every 2 miles due to the oppressive sun. The following 2 miles were mostly walked because she wasn't feeling her best, and it was an opportunity to call her mother, who supported her despite thinking she was crazy. She finally found a rhythm with her run/walk strategy and maintained it throughout the rest of her miles. Although she wasn't accustomed to walking during runs, she had to exercise extra patience, as each mile required more time than she was used to.
As the hours passed, calculations were made, and they realized that if she continued to complete her planned miles, she wouldn't finish until after the closing ceremony. They made a last-minute decision to finish her part of the run, matching Vince's 75 miles. She was eager to continue but chose to conclude her run for the sake of time.
As luck, and a little last-minute planning would have it, the cycling team was set to take their last planned break at Mangrove Mama’s in Summerland Key before their final push to Key West. Paige had already passed it but turned around and logged her last half mile by running north to meet up with the cyclists. It was a bittersweet moment as it signaled the end of the running component, just 20 miles shy of their goal. It was an incredible feat, nonetheless, and Paige was finally able to enjoy a piece of the Reese’s Crunchy Peanut Butter Cup she had been longing.
After a 30-minute break at Mangrove Mama’s it was time for the cyclists to continue their mission, and for Vince and Paige to finish the last 20 miles of their trek in the comforts of a car.
A couple of blocks from the landing area, Vince and Paige stepped out of the car and completed a ceremonial final run to Simonton Beach, where the CAC team and their supporters eagerly cheered them on. Crossing the "finish line," a wave of emotions overcame them. The journey had tested their physical endurance, mental strength, and the resilience of the human spirit.
At the end of what many would consider a ridiculous journey, Vince and Paige overcame numerous obstacles and logged a combined 150 miles over a 37-hour period. To put that into perspective, that is the equivalent of 5.73 full marathons and approximately 480,000 steps.
Reflecting on this incredible journey, Vince found it challenging to sum up the highs and lows he had experienced. His passion for running had found a deeper purpose, helping to spread the message of a larger cause.
As for Paige, cancer had touched her life, as it had touched many others. With each mile, she was reminded of her own battle with cancer and her mother's battle, understanding that no mile was as difficult as cancer treatment. She made sure to maintain a smile on her face and savor every moment.
Being a part of the Castaways Against Cancer team provided her with a sense of purpose and a community of like-minded individuals who were determined to make a difference.
Despite the uncertainty of the road ahead, Vince, Paige and the entire Castaways team carry the hope that one day cancer will be defeated. Until then, they will continue to run, kayak, and bike, as well as fight, honor and celebrate those that have fought the fight, all while raising awareness, raising funds, and reminding themselves that even in the darkest of nights, a flicker of light will guide their way.
After a warm Castaway welcome, cheers, and some words by the runners, the pool was the place to be for a brief moment. So many stories were being exchanged from paddlers, runners, and cyclists. Crazy stories converged in that wonderful pool. Loud laughs and a lot of “no ways” were heard by all who were trying to relax.
With Patrick Linfors absent, Paul Kumer stepped up to MC the Flower Ceremony on the dock at the Hyatt Centric. Cup in hand….at least for 2 minutes, before he dropped it during his opening monologue. He navigated 30+ Castaways giving testimony to why they paddle, run, cycle, and landlub. Emotions were high and sharing was insightful. The ceremony started later than last year which allowed for the sunset to naturally provide a gorgeous backdrop to the flowers reath, In Honor Banner, and the candles that were placed before it by the Castaways and those supporters in attendance.
After a few moments of silence and somberness, all that were gathered wiped their tears, hugged, and made their way to Papa’s Pilar to do what Castaways do best, celebrate life with their loved ones front of mind. Papa’s Pilar was a blast. The food was on point, the drinks hit the spot, and the Castaway family was celebrating their collective success. Kids ran around and runners, cyclists, and paddlers held court in small circles telling tales of their journies down. The night ended for most people here but the usual (and not so usual) partygoers made their way to Irish Kevin’s and beyond. For those stories, you’ll have to catch one of those CACs off the record.
Saturday morning in Key West is always a great time for a stroll. The town is quiet and restaurants have seating. As you walk the streets it feels like you run into a Castaways every other block or so. Brunches were had and once again the pool because the popular meeting ground for Castaways to piece together the last week and last night. Sloppy Joes for lunch has become a tradition where Castaways unofficially gather for good family fun. Another year in the books. 24 years of paddling, 3 of cycling, and 1 of running. Who knows what the 25th tour will bring but it’s sure to be notable.