tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-76099228167747007502024-03-18T21:31:56.637-07:00Sole SistersCarissa @ Sole Sisters Runninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03809725240498822356noreply@blogger.comBlogger158125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7609922816774700750.post-16489374709490623292020-02-10T16:23:00.000-08:002020-02-10T16:23:48.872-08:00Success is Grown in The Little Things<br />
by Jodi<div>
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On February 1st, my husband Curt and I participated in the Roaring Run in Scio, Oregon. He ran the 10k. I gave full effort for the slowest half marathon I've run in over eight years. BLECH.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trying to pretend we were excited to go run in the rain and the wind.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Such a small event that my finish time got me second place age group and fourth overall woman. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dr. Stilp makes everything better. I love him.</td></tr>
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When I tore my meniscus in August of last year, I was over four years into my run streak. Each of those four years, I ran an average of 2,000 miles a year or about 5.5 miles a day. I had a broad base of mileage and speed to pull from, and I loved being strong and fast.</div>
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My exercise rhythm post-surgery has been challenging. I can't quite seem to find a healthy balance between running, rest, and implementing other forms of exercise like yoga and walking. </div>
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I tried an exercise streak, but only made it 73 days before I accidentally missed a day. I was irritated, so I took two more days off just because I could. You'd think I would come off those days feeling rested and relaxed, but I just felt bloated and grouchy. </div>
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I put the Roaring Run half marathon on my calendar hoping it would motivate me to get back in the swing of doing some hard workouts again. I put track, tempo, and long run workouts on my calendar. Each time they came up, I found a reason to cancel or modify the workout. I was woefully undertrained for this race and I knew it.</div>
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Race morning it was raining with 17 mph winds on an exposed course. Wind is my least favorite weather condition to race in. Curt doesn't even like running. He was just participating because it was something we could do together. We legitimately considered skipping the race and going back to bed. Even worse, I was the one who suggested this.</div>
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In the car on the way to the race, I committed to stop whining about the 13.1 miles ahead of me and choose joy, be thankful, and give my best effort. </div>
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The race was hard. I knew it would be.</div>
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<li>It was a super small crowd of runners this year. I chased a woman for the first six miles, but once I passed her, I was alone on the country roads. It was super lonely and difficult to maintain a race mentality.</li>
<li>This race was only my fifth double digit run in the last seven months. YIKES. My legs were tired at mile 9. </li>
<li>I had trained so little that I didn't have a realistic goal pace per mile. I really had no idea what my body could do. I thought a 7:45 pace was attainable, and I maintained it for the first 6.82 miles. Then I turned a corner and ran straight into that 17 mph headwind. It obliterated me. I kept the same effort and my pace dropped 20-30 seconds per mile. It shows in my splits.</li>
<li>The rain was persistent enough that I was soaked by the time I finished, but it could have been a lot worse. I was thankful that the showers were scattered and not consistent.</li>
<li>The water stations were limited and I was relying on them for water, so I was thirsty a lot. </li>
<li>Something in the air triggered my occasional shortness of breath so I worked hard for big chunks of the race to manage my breathing. </li>
<li>BLAH...BLAH...BLAH...</li>
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I was on the Struggle Bus.</div>
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Some days, running is just hard, even when you're well trained and prepared, which I was not. I reminded myself of the goal I set in the car, and am very proud to say I followed through on managing my attitude, giving my best effort, and being grateful even when it was tempting to sit down on the side of the road and cry or call for a ride to the finish. </div>
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I suspected that I had lost all my speed and a a large portion of my mileage base. The Roaring Run race gave me a concrete number to solidify this theory. I can work with that.</div>
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A few days after the race, I added a late spring half marathon to my calendar and downloaded a new training schedule. The first long run was 9 miles and I lined up two friends to run some of it with me. The morning of our run, one got sick and one got called into work. Immediately I texted, <i>"I'll probably just skip it and do yoga instead."</i> For real. This coming from the girl who didn't miss a day of running in four years.</div>
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I put down my phone and was immediately convicted. I can't whine about being slow and out of shape if I'm not willing to put in the work to be fast and in shape. I can't make a commitment to myself and then break my word to myself just because it's hard. It's not right. </div>
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<b>It's not who I am.</b></div>
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I stopped what I was doing and headed out for ten lonely, but satisfying miles. </div>
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<b>Success is grown in the little things. </b></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View on my run. It had a lot of climbing.</td></tr>
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Those ten miles were the first of many little steps to a more successful half marathon later this spring.</div>
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What about you? Are you on the Struggle Bus, breaking promises to yourself or to others? Do you want to join me in committing to keeping your word and growing success through the little decisions? Let's go!</div>
Jodi Stilphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04329375455810397582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7609922816774700750.post-75778592909248281732019-09-16T14:17:00.000-07:002019-09-16T18:41:58.575-07:00All Good Things Must Come to an End: 1,521 Daysby Jodi<br />
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All good things must come to an end. I tore the meniscus on my right knee in early August. I knew immediately that something big was wrong. The pain was manageable, but the instability of my knee was nauseating. It shifted and popped internally as I walked, and frequently gave out or sent shooting pain through the side of my knee. Oddly, it felt better running than when I was walking.<br />
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I had to step off my anchor leg of the Portland Running Company Girlz Hood to Coast team. Curt and I were supposed to go on a three day backpacking trip through the Sisters Wilderness. That got modified to what we termed "<i>backcamping,</i>" camping in our tent on our comfy cots, but took day hikes into the Sisters Wilderness. The final big blow was bowing out of a South Sister summit with three of my running buddies. All three events had been on the calendar for months. They each felt like a loss.<br />
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The biggest loss was ending my run streak. I knew when I tore my meniscus that it was not going to get better without surgery and that the end of the streak was inevitable. I also knew that what's torn is torn. Running was not going to make my injury any worse, so I ran my streak out all the way to the day of surgery.<br />
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On Friday, September 6th, I met my friend Paula on Portland's south waterfront and we ran one, slow mile, trying not to sweat because I had to abstain from food or drink in anticipation of surgery. Paula inspired me to start a streak, so it seemed almost sacred that we would share the last mile of my streak together. Paula reminded me that it was okay to grieve the end of my streak. She also reminded me that 4+ years of running every day was something to celebrate. We reviewed all the big life changes that took place in the four years of my streak. <br />
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Here are some of the highlights:<br />
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<li>My husband got his doctorate while working full time.</li>
<li>My son started high school. Got his drivers permit. Got his driver's license. Won four state titles in water polo. Played three high school sports all four years of high school. Graduated from high school with honors. Got his first full time job. Started college.</li>
<li>My daughter Katie finished middle school. Started high school. Got her drivers permit. Got her license. Got her first job. Upgraded to a second job that she loves even more. Played two high school sports all four years of her high school career. Started her senior year and is applying to colleges. </li>
<li>My daughter Alli finished middle school. Started high school. Went from middle school athletics to playing four varsity sports her freshman year. Got her drivers permit. Landed her first job. And we can't wait for her to get her license in the spring because... ALL THE SPORTS!</li>
<li>My youngest daughter Paige finished elementary school. Started middle school. Added two more sports to her schedule. Got certified as a babysitter. Grew at least a foot.</li>
<li>My photography business went from very part-time to almost full time. I added real estate photography and corporate head shots to my menu, and deleted weddings.</li>
<li>I won a marathon with a new marathon PR that I'm pretty sure I will never get close to again. I still can't believe that a first place plaque is hanging on my garage wall. </li>
<li>I completed an ultra-relay, running more than 40 miles in 29 hours for my portion. This might be the pinnacle of my running career. </li>
<li>I got to wear the Portland Running Company uniform and represent them at Hood to Coast for three of the past four years.</li>
<li>Ran several marathons, half marathons, relays, and 10ks over the past four years, each with their own flavor, story, and piece of my heart.</li>
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It was good to pause and reflect on all the ways God has led me and my family in the past 4+ years. </div>
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It's been ten days since I had surgery. The first three days were miserable: non-weight bearing and couldn't get ahead of the pain. Day four was a step above miserable. Day five was the turning point. I ditched the crutches and started the painful process of bearing weight and trying to break up all that swelling in my knee. </div>
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Seven days after surgery, I walked one mile.</div>
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Today, I ran my first mile post surgery. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ran my first mile post-surgery</td></tr>
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I am in awe of the human body and it's ability to heal.</div>
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I would love to start another run streak, but this is my second meniscus surgery in ten years. My surgeon said this surgery should get me another ten years - give or take - out of my knee. The running is therapeutic for my soul, but not so great on my knee. I am taking my husband's advice and starting an exercise streak instead. I love the accountability of a streak to keep me moving each day, and am intrigued by the flexibility that an exercise streak will offer. I hope to bring back more consistent yoga, cycling, strength training and maybe even swimming (GAG), but we all know that the streak will be 90% running. I'm on day four of this new exercise streak and am excited to see where it takes me.</div>
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In the end, my run streak was 1,521 days. I'm grateful for every mile, every day, every friendship formed and forged on the run. All good things must come to an end, but each ending leaves room for a new beginning. Cheers to new beginnings. Run on friends.</div>
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Jodi Stilphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04329375455810397582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7609922816774700750.post-72296015524556130202019-07-06T13:47:00.000-07:002019-07-06T13:47:29.991-07:00Running with Love and Grace: Hood to Coast Pacific City<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">By Tanya</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Have you ever had one of those experiences where everything has so much MORE than you expected? More meaning, more challenge, more adventure, more accomplishment, more FUN? That is exactly what happened on May 4th at the Hood to Coast Pacific City Relay.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As you may remember, I was given the opportunity to run as a charity athlete for the American Cancer Society for the HTC Pacific City with my running team BRU4GRACIE in honor of my running mate Jamie's beautiful daughter Gracie who we lost to cancer just a few months before the race.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In the months leading up to the relay we were able to attend Gracie's "Biggest Pinkest Funeral" and see signs of her in our neighborhoods with the beautiful pink ribbons placed all around in her honor as well as the beautiful pink sunsets that reminded us of her brief but powerful time with us.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Because emotions were still raw it was with mixed emotions that we prepared our hearts and teams for the relay. Of course, first and foremost we wanted to honor Gracie and pour love and support on her family and those affected by cancer by raising money for ACS. Secondly, we wanted to make sure Jamie was okay to run especially since he had taken on the task of leg 11, the most difficult leg in Hood to Coast history! Jamie remarked that he hadn't been able to train as much as he would have hoped but always the overcomer, he stated "This is going to be hard, but I've been through many things harder than this!"</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDXCgeY_ufiJvrMPg2yitLCOOUhySHHQs8R2aaaP8a7Vqz06vFu-b1a61A5qXxqEutTqGy7N6nldbFMkLgnaza_RtrGY-Fv6mLukfkbyVun5V-X6KFsL6gT9tXvZl727W5nC0bVWx3buXS/s1600/IMG_2108.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDXCgeY_ufiJvrMPg2yitLCOOUhySHHQs8R2aaaP8a7Vqz06vFu-b1a61A5qXxqEutTqGy7N6nldbFMkLgnaza_RtrGY-Fv6mLukfkbyVun5V-X6KFsL6gT9tXvZl727W5nC0bVWx3buXS/s200/IMG_2108.JPG" width="200" /></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoTCV3JLfsh7YHkOiLx77iRGWAY2SnOsqZQuJ20KkvNhCj6klg3B-yMLnUaBm9wPSkEn4EyCk_ZkvbUe0c-8s5Cz3gsYsDMqoS8Kyk_FTBhQ7F958_weXQVD5UImhM-uYvAKvT2ZycH7yK/s1600/IMG_2107.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoTCV3JLfsh7YHkOiLx77iRGWAY2SnOsqZQuJ20KkvNhCj6klg3B-yMLnUaBm9wPSkEn4EyCk_ZkvbUe0c-8s5Cz3gsYsDMqoS8Kyk_FTBhQ7F958_weXQVD5UImhM-uYvAKvT2ZycH7yK/s200/IMG_2107.JPG" width="200" /></span></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When race day arrived two of our three teams were given the earliest 6am start time. We arrived in the dark morning with vans decked out in pink BRU4GRACIE signs and our hearts shining bright full of love. We took a few starting line photos and then the leg one runners were off!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho3ig64C_PQJ6NliLhyphenhyphen72kZBgggHfRqq_oCexju6VPrsSEIsMQtj3RB393_AV_N3N0RrLQLv-lS37hVAw-6LqgYAEhfrpn48LEX2DGbzlpp-4I7luyEtDoPInuh1563Z0IeqWfo6ZkTm1l/s1600/IMG_2127.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho3ig64C_PQJ6NliLhyphenhyphen72kZBgggHfRqq_oCexju6VPrsSEIsMQtj3RB393_AV_N3N0RrLQLv-lS37hVAw-6LqgYAEhfrpn48LEX2DGbzlpp-4I7luyEtDoPInuh1563Z0IeqWfo6ZkTm1l/s320/IMG_2127.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For those of you who have not run a relay race before, the runners take turns running one leg at a time while the other runners charge ahead in the vans to the exchange point to get the next runner ready to grab the bracelet and set off for the next leg. This is done for the entire length of the race.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We had heard that this HTC was especially challenging with almost all of the legs being rated as "difficult" based on the length and/or elevation gain. With HTC Pacific City being a one day relay we knew we would all be running two legs, one in the 1-6 leg first half and then one in the 7-12 second half; but we also knew they all would be challenging. In our van, we felt confident that we were all strong runners and were up for the task. After we assigned each runner their legs we calculated what pace we though we could sustain and our anticipated finish time for each leg.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As our runners set out for their first leg, we were full of adrenaline and were happy to find we were very close to our anticipated finish times.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeYt4V0JX7vGHNJD9Qn_PrBqFkTpMng-pbiU3gBBPs0i_SkSjvOoQYPY-xIq1Yx3VgOJmrLQkzRx5fWRtNTv6pRRlyKUyqn2kFeZ_nuVBehZfO-Aj6PUKL4N7f5ig1FfU0lF8BYY7M-hMt/s1600/IMG_2126.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeYt4V0JX7vGHNJD9Qn_PrBqFkTpMng-pbiU3gBBPs0i_SkSjvOoQYPY-xIq1Yx3VgOJmrLQkzRx5fWRtNTv6pRRlyKUyqn2kFeZ_nuVBehZfO-Aj6PUKL4N7f5ig1FfU0lF8BYY7M-hMt/s320/IMG_2126.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Lynnette had the first leg. All downhill, all in the dark and completely unsupported (meaning the vans took a different route so the runners were out there all on their own)! She was a trooper! Brave and fast as ever Lynnette bolted down that hill leaving many runners in her dust, where she met up with Paul for leg two.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8WzXxrV7loj86MwMPFf9FjNJUHBn6bm7rTxHHbUZ2eNueNiWy0dzgP0PDOY4MSUDtU18Kt2-svnhfTBbWLeKRBUj1qd6d-s3MI21XXzrjLrVL-86e3_Ipp5A9qQabSVp8N-InxkSHD6Nr/s1600/IMG_2167.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="902" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8WzXxrV7loj86MwMPFf9FjNJUHBn6bm7rTxHHbUZ2eNueNiWy0dzgP0PDOY4MSUDtU18Kt2-svnhfTBbWLeKRBUj1qd6d-s3MI21XXzrjLrVL-86e3_Ipp5A9qQabSVp8N-InxkSHD6Nr/s320/IMG_2167.JPG" width="180" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Paul, the unassuming speedster, got to run with the rising sun and overtake quite a few runners to set us up nicely for Dan's first leg.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Dan's leg was the shortest of the bunch, but Dan set out determined to get as many "roadkills" as possible (roadkills is the name given for runners you pass on your run). As we headed down to get ready for the exchange, we noticed in the distance the first runner of the leg already coming in. To our excitement it was Dan! He had run faster than his anticipated running time, got five roadkills and set us in the lead for Nancy's first leg which was a MAJOR hill climb!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT8UgmlSI5cNZeeWB5ndjrlMdddx975hainOiNFffYvO2tPSS_EQzsy348H1gJAsbuH1TozV06D6hE86LIOzICtJEQH5O1aggilz_PRiA_i_HX-d5YGYTXQ43q95WECsOuiexZBwk1wuAs/s1600/IMG_2173.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="902" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT8UgmlSI5cNZeeWB5ndjrlMdddx975hainOiNFffYvO2tPSS_EQzsy348H1gJAsbuH1TozV06D6hE86LIOzICtJEQH5O1aggilz_PRiA_i_HX-d5YGYTXQ43q95WECsOuiexZBwk1wuAs/s320/IMG_2173.JPG" width="180" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Nancy, tiny but mighty, set out ready to eat that hill for breakfast! As we drove along her leg on the way to the exchange, even in the car we felt like it was a never ending mountain of a climbing!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When we got to the top, we met up with the other BRU4GRACIE team and the two runners from each van who had the two hardest legs of the course Alex from our van and Jamie from the other, prepared for the first of their two very challenging runs. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRbCG4Ls-jSaHprZJBKpLDwOqHBvIqEUrEwfDHQBPWMytyknZ71E4y8FKqImbPI_rIgP1ACZMaHXJWSLewxlR1aNWd99NkGIdMKdCUlFJ98FWEjzpETgejIuG6P4EgNMQcvngfi_QRDueX/s1600/IMG_1358.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRbCG4Ls-jSaHprZJBKpLDwOqHBvIqEUrEwfDHQBPWMytyknZ71E4y8FKqImbPI_rIgP1ACZMaHXJWSLewxlR1aNWd99NkGIdMKdCUlFJ98FWEjzpETgejIuG6P4EgNMQcvngfi_QRDueX/s320/IMG_1358.HEIC" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As Nancy crested the hill she ran in fast to the exchange and passed the bracelet to our "secret weapon" Alex. Alex was the youngest on our team by a decade, and he was FAST! Alex was new to running but obviously had a natural ability and gift.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Alex's first leg also had a major hill but it seemed to make no difference to Alex! He tore through his leg and in no time it was time for my first run, leg 6.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg3-wbvN0TRv1yhr0GhOHtKD3MMBcReBTFU5wiYGzGsb2koQ1XjlulLLH20s2l-54d9O59NCN5CimKG_-h11Ghe2M-UKJyo950iURGK9YxZhs13KLbMAHfC12UuWH4ux94-S377yfVxSIm/s1600/IMG_2177.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="902" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg3-wbvN0TRv1yhr0GhOHtKD3MMBcReBTFU5wiYGzGsb2koQ1XjlulLLH20s2l-54d9O59NCN5CimKG_-h11Ghe2M-UKJyo950iURGK9YxZhs13KLbMAHfC12UuWH4ux94-S377yfVxSIm/s320/IMG_2177.JPG" width="180" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">By this time we had a substantial lead on the runners on the course and I had the surreal experience of running all alone through a beautiful forest! As I followed a soft rolling stream, turning past mossy rock walls and beautiful trees, I had a whole six miles of reflecting on what a blessing it was to have known Gracie. Even though I had only known her for a short time, she had taught me so much about the importance of life. I was so blessed to have a strong healthy body and most importantly wonderful friends and family, who supported each other and did their part to be a blessing to others and make the world a better place for everyone.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What a beautiful example it was to carry and pass along the bracelet also worn by my teammates through their unique experience on this same journey towards our shared goal of finishing the race well for the purpose of raising money for those affected by cancer.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqsyL-gXuxV24YUbPl4ov8pmfPtapOH2vZ1-lQgyoIsmjchda811vTNsTaOUAK984Z8MGItIIgcbqZrlWL-ayrW3C4LPV3kP4pVH2ASx3gKyTf1gTUmPhFLX2dBchkr7P_pD8a9vJupQPh/s1600/IMG_2201.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqsyL-gXuxV24YUbPl4ov8pmfPtapOH2vZ1-lQgyoIsmjchda811vTNsTaOUAK984Z8MGItIIgcbqZrlWL-ayrW3C4LPV3kP4pVH2ASx3gKyTf1gTUmPhFLX2dBchkr7P_pD8a9vJupQPh/s320/IMG_2201.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As I handed off the bracelet to Lynnette, this set us on the course for the second half of our journey. During Lynnette's second leg she met up with some of the walkers on the course who had just started their journey. As we continued on through our various legs we were all inspired by little signs that reminded us of Gracie, such as the pink chalk heart on the road and the pink ribbons that adorned tree branches and markers along the course. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirQOB3155MI7mX4VitspZoiXfLhZ5FO9VrUOZFcUen7V1f9dhI7BC5o2GEUnaNaaSCWYzbBr0206CnTWrxJoEzs0osVpZB2Y7qy7rZUhpYj-oK3UcNo-Q7uhXsV33OzKAzfgN9s47aAj7s/s1600/IMG_2180.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirQOB3155MI7mX4VitspZoiXfLhZ5FO9VrUOZFcUen7V1f9dhI7BC5o2GEUnaNaaSCWYzbBr0206CnTWrxJoEzs0osVpZB2Y7qy7rZUhpYj-oK3UcNo-Q7uhXsV33OzKAzfgN9s47aAj7s/s320/IMG_2180.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDg_bXE_U3nr0VaeSwdQNoZeawFUW0BXiOIqtYNZpIKHIf504FS-lwRcIIkomH8sB6hEfiuAZb_-09j3K9AQYv0hTNqmQYEWiGBYGNjeQ61c-E5rnsirOkTbv903AlP4f73D3DBCb3LZwb/s1600/IMG_1362.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDg_bXE_U3nr0VaeSwdQNoZeawFUW0BXiOIqtYNZpIKHIf504FS-lwRcIIkomH8sB6hEfiuAZb_-09j3K9AQYv0hTNqmQYEWiGBYGNjeQ61c-E5rnsirOkTbv903AlP4f73D3DBCb3LZwb/s320/IMG_1362.HEIC" width="240" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We seemed to be carried along until it came to the dreaded leg 11. As aforementioned, Leg 11 is toted as the "most difficult leg in HTC history". It was at this exact leg that we were caught up by the "Elite" running teams, who had started two hours after us! Two teams in fact that were both vying for first place of the entire relay. When Alex took off for this leg of all legs, he was closely followed by these two competing runners. We wondered if Alex would be able to keep the lead against these two.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This leg is not only the most difficult because of the terrain and elevation gain, but it is also unsupported. The vans cannot go along this part of the course so Alex was on his own. Not to mention the sun was in full effect and the temperature was rising!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As we got into position for our last and final leg exchange we were once again excited to see our hero Alex running in first and faster than we expected!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCof4T3wyM8x1qIfVaGhqYn01uXNd_9Z9ICrDzghL0vEFHDU0uCwZrVf7tdyqzRw1G7muB9TdZ2gySiMt4lrygguB6xQQyy9ihz4BH-ELiyhfaEc95qncx619XoDJuad_p8HTkf0TQu-1c/s1600/IMG_1379.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCof4T3wyM8x1qIfVaGhqYn01uXNd_9Z9ICrDzghL0vEFHDU0uCwZrVf7tdyqzRw1G7muB9TdZ2gySiMt4lrygguB6xQQyy9ihz4BH-ELiyhfaEc95qncx619XoDJuad_p8HTkf0TQu-1c/s320/IMG_1379.HEIC" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I took the bracelet from Alex and headed off! I knew this would be my most challenging leg. This leg was eight miles of hot asphalt and hills! As anticipated, one of the first elite runners passed me within the first mile. I was no match for their 6 minute per mile pace! I wanted to keep strong though so I forged ahead and it wasn't until halfway through that the second elite runner caught up.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After that it was just me and my team for the last four miles. It was tough but my team was so great! It was hot, so they made a few extra stops to offer me water and cheer me on from the top of the biggest hill I had to tackle just before heading down into Pacific City and the finish.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As I rounded the corner into the beach finish my teammates handed me my bright pink BRU4GRACIE shirt and we all ran into the finish together radiating love and Grace. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We got to spend the next couple hours cheering in the other two BRU4GRACIE teams into the finish and taking tons of pictures! The ACS hooked us up with an overnight stay at an awesome condo where we got to celebrate Gracie, each other, and all of the work we and ACS have done to support those battling cancer.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In loving memory of Gracie Williams</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">July 16, 2012- February 18, 2019</span></div>
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<br />Tanya Corkumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05127178808503246347noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7609922816774700750.post-13157529943890681822019-04-15T19:33:00.003-07:002019-04-15T19:33:49.480-07:00One Mile at a Time - Vernonia Half Marathon 2019by Jodi<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmGPZXgb10ktbesBnsx7zxJOt4nEvgbGpZ9a-HmsBIUC6vsaOC4hQBqvZX06luUNl3RRwpGJpuCeyi3pS1xBDV0Kjtr27xPIx13ZeO3rUi-ThWJ8nno5skH1NJoZz39eOiWYhnmMQwkV4/s1600/IMG_2185.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmGPZXgb10ktbesBnsx7zxJOt4nEvgbGpZ9a-HmsBIUC6vsaOC4hQBqvZX06luUNl3RRwpGJpuCeyi3pS1xBDV0Kjtr27xPIx13ZeO3rUi-ThWJ8nno5skH1NJoZz39eOiWYhnmMQwkV4/s320/IMG_2185.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seriously hate this photo of myself, but I love that I got a shiny new PR and so I am setting aside my pride and posting it anyway. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Yesterday I ran the Vernonia half marathon. Point to point, this FAST beautiful course features one mile of climbing, six miles of downhill, and six flat miles to the finish. The entire course (minus the last mile through town) is run on a rails-to-trails trail system through a beautiful forest, including a suspension bridge over a canyon. It is SO PRETTY!<br />
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This course plays to my running strengths. I'm a decent, but slow climber. In every race, I get passed on the uphill, but the downhill? I can run downhill like nobody's business. Six miles of a gradual descent sounded like a perfect set up for a new half marathon PR. I tentatively put the race on my calendar. <br />
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And then I got sick. Three+ weeks of recovering from what probably was the flu, forced me to bail on an early winter half marathon and shelve Vernonia for a different year. But I couldn't quite let it go. My heart was pulling me toward this course and I needed to find my running mojo again.<br />
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Once I had full energy back, I started training for Vernonia but I was rusty. It has been so long since I've followed a training plan for a solo race. It's much easier to talk myself out of a hard track workout than it is to lace up the shoes and try to hit paces I wasn't in shape to hit, especially in the cold, wet winter months. Adding an intense training schedule to our already chaotic family schedule felt overwhelming. I had a choice. Quit on the training or break it up into small, manageable chunks.<br />
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"<i>Just do one week of training and see how it goes,</i>" I told myself. So I did. The long run felt LONG, the track workout asthma-inducing, and the tempo run was way off the prescribed pace, but I did it. I finished week one... One mile at a time. Before I knew it, I had five solid weeks of training under my belt. I still wasn't anywhere close to race pace, but I was getting faster and the long runs felt less painful. I knew I could cover the distance capably, but could I race it? More importantly, was this the right time to try? <br />
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My son is a senior in high school. The week before the race, he:<br />
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<ol>
<li>Chose a university to attend. </li>
<li>Said "<i>No thank you</i>" to the other universities that were waiting for an answer.</li>
<li>Finished and presented his senior project, a requirement for high school graduation. </li>
<li>Played three varsity lacrosse games. </li>
<li>Took his girlfriend to their senior prom. </li>
</ol>
And that's just his schedule. All three of our girls also play spring sports and we are gone every single night of the week, chasing them around and cheering them on. Why would I add to the chaos of the weekend by throwing in a race?<br />
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I vacillated back and forth between "<i>I HAVE to run. I'm ready,</i>" to "<i>No way. I need to be there for my family.</i>" Just ask my friends who had to listen to me verbally process. The indecision was annoying. Four days before the race, when I was on an "<i>I have to run this"</i> upswing, I registered for the race.<br />
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On Saturday, in between my daughter taking her ACT college entrance exam and my oldest two kids getting ready for prom, I made <a href="http://solesistersrunning.blogspot.com/2015/06/monster-cookie-marathoning-three-weeks.html">monster cookies</a>. Ya'll know that's a requirement for a good race. My husband made me a loaded bowl for dinner, another pre-race tradition. We were up after midnight waiting for our Lovelies to get home from prom, but this is my life. Chaotically unpredictable.<br />
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The morning of the race my friend Paula texted me. She's been one of my running mentors for years and her words centered me. <br />
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<i>"<b>One mile at a time.</b></i></div>
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<i>You are putting a race in your log book, whatever it is. </i></div>
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<i>You go from here.</i></div>
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<i>It takes courage.</i></div>
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<i><b>You have lots of courage.</b></i></div>
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<i>No matter your time, you are stepping to the line and you will finish and be proud. </i></div>
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<i>Stay in your zone. </i></div>
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<i>Finish strong. </i></div>
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<i><b>One mile at a time." </b></i></div>
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(I have the best friends).</div>
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Paula's words came with me on that run. I celebrated every mile. Kept my head up to soak in the beautiful view. Picked faster runners ahead of me to focus on and chase down. Prayed. Worshipped. Thanked God for a strong body to see His incredible creation on the run. I ran for the joy of running. It was freeing and it was a beautiful.</div>
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I didn't tell anyone until after the race, but weeks ago I analyzed the course and put together a race plan to achieve a PR. I knew exactly what I needed to run for EACH ONE of those thirteen MILES to cross the finish line faster than 1:35:01. I just didn't believe I could actually run those paces. But you guys...</div>
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Sometimes things just come together and an unexpectedly perfect race falls into your lap. Mile 9 was the catalyst. I walked through the aid station to wash down my gel and when I picked back up at the same effort I had been going before, I was 25 seconds slower for that mile. I had to decide if I would keep that same effort or kick it up a notch to stay at the pace I knew I needed to run to earn a PR. The Lord just sustained me and I was able to increase my pace and effort. <b><i>One mile at a time.</i></b></div>
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Mile ten was right on target. <b><i>One mile at a time.</i></b> It gave me the adrenaline boost to make sure miles eleven and twelve were in the zone too. <b><i>One mile at a time.</i></b> When I came off the trail into town I knew I had a PR locked down. I crossed the finish in 1:32:47 (7:04 average pace), with a shiny new PR by more than two minutes. First place age division, fifth woman overall. What just happened? <b><i>One mile at a time.</i></b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNlDnYKVIZHdjIhO95VOkZjv_T8vgWJ9dAzrpNQ9sARg7fL8L7GscPDBURVnCmO3gJlztuvWxibWdi6DJf9hrHIWgN1QSlgAl_rKrqctok7OtFJ31mpBX2HymuM0zRkVGelNdR0yDtlOQ/s1600/Vernonia+Half+Splits.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNlDnYKVIZHdjIhO95VOkZjv_T8vgWJ9dAzrpNQ9sARg7fL8L7GscPDBURVnCmO3gJlztuvWxibWdi6DJf9hrHIWgN1QSlgAl_rKrqctok7OtFJ31mpBX2HymuM0zRkVGelNdR0yDtlOQ/s320/Vernonia+Half+Splits.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My race by the splits</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCP6JDPM518gumBDgD24xRts5u0cNzYaSDqZwdQCFmXnJo1ynk_Hc2Xill0kaAbD7nz4NzKyvBddh6ePDbodtA9_gFKs8NoqBq_eGDE_yp6tSXcVRtMejm5d0EVJ6Aca1Ulv-0hwHb_zA/s1600/IMG_2188.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCP6JDPM518gumBDgD24xRts5u0cNzYaSDqZwdQCFmXnJo1ynk_Hc2Xill0kaAbD7nz4NzKyvBddh6ePDbodtA9_gFKs8NoqBq_eGDE_yp6tSXcVRtMejm5d0EVJ6Aca1Ulv-0hwHb_zA/s320/IMG_2188.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">who knew I'd be so happy with a ribbon? LOL.</td></tr>
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I've run long enough to know that the perfect races are few and far between. Most races don't go as planned. Runners have to learn to appreciate what goes well, grieve what goes wrong, and look to the next race to improve. To have a perfect race fall in my lap, when I was relatively unprepared, was such an unexpected gift from God. </div>
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Today, as I hobble around my house on The Sorest Legs Imaginable, I am grateful. For my friends and Hood to Coast teammates who texted and called all afternoon to say "<i>Congratulations. I was cheering for you."</i> They know my running well enough to know that this finish time was outside of my norm and they celebrated with me. I'm a thankful for my husband who supports my run streak and managed the home front so I could chase down a dream. And I am grateful to my Jesus, who knows my name and loves me so intimately and personally. To Him be the glory. </div>
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<b><i>One mile at a time. </i></b></div>
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This statement is profound. It's not just for running either. This year? It's been rough. So much death, sickness, and loss, not to mention the emotional roller coaster of my firstborn getting ready to launch and move a thousand miles away to college. Life can be overwhelming. </div>
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But friends, let me remind you of something. </div>
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<i><b>Life takes courage. </b></i></div>
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<i><b><br /></b></i></div>
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<i><b>You have lots of courage. </b></i></div>
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Every day you get up and toe the line of a new day? That takes courage. <b><i>One mile at a time.</i></b></div>
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Facing another wave of grief? That takes courage. <b><i>One mile at a time.</i></b></div>
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Learning a new skill? That takes courage. <b><i>One mile at a time.</i></b></div>
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We don't walk through the valley of the shadow of death in one fell swoop. We do it with courage, <b><i>one mile at a time, </i></b>one day at a time. And we do it TOGETHER.</div>
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<i>No matter how long it takes, you are stepping to the line of life. </i></div>
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<i>You will finish and be proud. </i></div>
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<i>Stay in your zone. </i></div>
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<i>Finish strong. </i></div>
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<i><b>One mile at a time."</b></i></div>
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All my love,</div>
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Jodi</div>
Jodi Stilphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04329375455810397582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7609922816774700750.post-64578556252691797762019-03-13T20:03:00.001-07:002019-03-17T20:45:20.812-07:00RUNNING FOR ROBYN: NEW YORK CITY MARATHON 2019<b></b><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">By Tanya<b></b><b></b><b></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">When thinking about planning my running this year, I felt
God’s voice telling me this is a year to run for others. I have run in the past
to prove to myself that I could do it. That I had what it took to preserve and
push through the hard training and tackle the incredible 26.2 mile distance of
the marathon. And I did. I am truly blessed to have been given the opportunity
to set big goals and work to achieve them with the support of my friends and
family. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheTZ3ym-scdZwyyIQhcN4O7E_kBu7sRDxxQhpAC4LcHy8ETMU2CPouLLhLUEhn9wLl3iz5mgywa-4P5su-A2ndGtTQ1AfMkIoy18cDf5Jg0GJLqKQonzAvugG8oJ8EMi7HKdFmLwPU9kqb/s1600/image1+%25282%2529.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="371" data-original-width="371" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheTZ3ym-scdZwyyIQhcN4O7E_kBu7sRDxxQhpAC4LcHy8ETMU2CPouLLhLUEhn9wLl3iz5mgywa-4P5su-A2ndGtTQ1AfMkIoy18cDf5Jg0GJLqKQonzAvugG8oJ8EMi7HKdFmLwPU9kqb/s320/image1+%25282%2529.jpeg" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-size: large;">But this year is different. As one of my favorite sayings
goes “We are blessed to be a blessing”. The past few years I have seen so many
of my friends having to run a race they did not sign up for. A race that began when
they heard the word cancer, and their lives changed in an instant. <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">I cannot even begin to know what that must feel like and the
ensuing all-consuming battle it takes to deal with all that goes into fighting
cancer, emotionally, physically and spiritually. It really is the fight of their
lives. But what I do know for sure, is that all of my friends who have fought
this battle, have done so with the most open and honest hearts. I am truly in
awe of their beauty, strength and courage.</span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">They have opened themselves up to love and be loved in ways
that makes everyone around them more aware of how precious life is and that we
all need each other. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">I have seen firsthand how when love is poured out it moves people.
This year I have been blessed to partner with the American Cancer Society to do
what I can to support and fight this battle alongside my friends for a special
little girl named <a href="https://solesistersrunning.blogspot.com/2019/03/running-for-gracie.html?m=1&fbclid=IwAR3dVUNoz2sbneDJq_Y39pocsXDjtOHVLzqbefBy6hvIMsIv53QxIQQq4XM" target="_blank">Gracie</a>. I have been in parades, photos shoots, community
groups, meals and all sort of gatherings where people have come together to do their
part to support those affected by cancer. Their love and care for each other has
truly inspired me. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Initially, I thought I was done running marathons for a while.
But when yet another friend of mine, Robyn, heard that awful diagnosis, I knew I
had to do more. I was given the opportunity to run in the New York City Marathon
this year as a fundraising athlete for the American Cancer Society, and once
again I was moved. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDN91IfQ63UAZFuEINPKoWBHuPv59VT-CNXovU0-79Pq8ux_5VY9L8Bjbh1Byj5oFtwyBiWWmNigJaPeF9QfDIKm0nuY22VlmoswCC9x7oNQXU8KVPd8-H29XGWgIXIzo-ZdyWxizcgStc/s1600/image2+%25281%2529.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="569" data-original-width="470" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDN91IfQ63UAZFuEINPKoWBHuPv59VT-CNXovU0-79Pq8ux_5VY9L8Bjbh1Byj5oFtwyBiWWmNigJaPeF9QfDIKm0nuY22VlmoswCC9x7oNQXU8KVPd8-H29XGWgIXIzo-ZdyWxizcgStc/s320/image2+%25281%2529.jpeg" width="264" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Robyn is one of the most strong, generous, beautiful women I
know. She has inspired me through her faithfulness to listen to the Lord and
follow His leading. Robyn lives life to the fullest by giving and receiving love well.
Robyn is just at the beginning of her race with cancer but I know this for sure,
she has a purpose, and is already using this challenge to trust more, grow more,
love more, and inspire others even more! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">I am honored to run 26.2 miles through the 5 boroughs of New York for Robyn and raise $3200 for cancer research and support. It's a big goal but together we can do it! And as Robyn says, <b>LET’S KICK CANCER’S ARSE!</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFR06b-DWHHx5RG_s4gaMkgd1Ml_v4d4XmOw0hNdVb7JaKqzDJLjzO__WtOLaBz-naqeUqjGif29lstuWtcecSqhdhPmk5ZyWTK8_ImZtELVeMnbCX0zWRC_Hz8230LksX1ifCZv3aGyYp/s1600/image2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1160" data-original-width="1544" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFR06b-DWHHx5RG_s4gaMkgd1Ml_v4d4XmOw0hNdVb7JaKqzDJLjzO__WtOLaBz-naqeUqjGif29lstuWtcecSqhdhPmk5ZyWTK8_ImZtELVeMnbCX0zWRC_Hz8230LksX1ifCZv3aGyYp/s320/image2.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">This year I am running to celebrate with my sisters who have
conquered this beast. I am running to remember the precious lives that this evil
has taken from us. And I am running for my friends who are battling this
monster right now. </span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">If you feel moved to help support me to run the New York City
Marathon for the American Cancer Society please donate to my fundraising page and click on this link at <a href="http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR/DetermiNation/DNCY19NER?px=48645091&pg=personal&fr_id=94035&utm_campaign=generic_2016&utm_source=mobile_app&utm_medium=email&utm_content=unknown&s_src=mobile_app&s_subsrc=email" target="_blank">American Cancer Society</a></span><br />
<a href="http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR/DetermiNation/DNCY19NER?px=48645091&pg=personal&fr_id=94035&utm_campaign=generic_2016&utm_source=mobile_app&utm_medium=email&utm_content=unknown&s_src=mobile_app&s_subsrc=email" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">Click on these words to be directed to Tanya's ACS page</span></a></div>
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<img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjvjALcRvGe-T350SAlK1QJegdBMTT_42q3SKjku3Ij0CP48MaUylXNLvNDVd4USms0h7e5oWMZZE94fgXwHk5cbnD8fswJoWPI2tlq8FI_q4tbS_n7TN7uZGg-DBS5jGCChqqcghRcAtq/s320/IMG_1009.JPG" width="320" /></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span><span style="font-size: large;"></span>Tanya Corkumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05127178808503246347noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7609922816774700750.post-26366172869682735132019-03-03T20:12:00.000-08:002019-03-03T20:12:37.737-08:00Running For Gracie<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: 20pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><b>BETHANY RUNNERS UNITE 4 GRACIE</b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">By Tanya Corkum</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">We all have
a race to run in this life. Sometimes we need to get out there and go it alone,
to set a goal and push ourselves to prove we can do it. Sometimes we need go
our own pace, to listen to our heart and body, because to try and run someone
else’s race might lead to injury or disappointment. But more often than not, we
need to run our race with friends. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Friends help
to motivate and inspire us. Friends give us support and encouragement. Friends tell
us what we are capable of, hold us accountable, and also remind us when we
should hold back and rest. Friends are there to carry some of our load or just
run along in silence so we know we are not alone. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">In our
running community we have one such group called <a href="https://www.runguides.com/article/343/get-to-know-your-running-clubs-bethany-runners-unite" target="_blank">Bethany Runners Unite (BRU)</a>. BRU
has met every Saturday since its inception in September of 2016. BRU was
started by friends Jamie Williams and Paul Enriquez whose goal was to unite
runners in the Bethany area of Portland, Oregon to support each other in their
running pursuits. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPcOrb7cHJoHUMDi7zYIGmyzqmItQoDxm2znC_57pJoa2SWtsrOnjU7plcl-yZ8Cl-RRKp5dsei-fdXH9TNOW8M0xUehqNfSIqSTLvSb11zSuyHV4T6Hzerp1oaG_g7zIVJoFKUxdHrZs0/s1600/BRU.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPcOrb7cHJoHUMDi7zYIGmyzqmItQoDxm2znC_57pJoa2SWtsrOnjU7plcl-yZ8Cl-RRKp5dsei-fdXH9TNOW8M0xUehqNfSIqSTLvSb11zSuyHV4T6Hzerp1oaG_g7zIVJoFKUxdHrZs0/s320/BRU.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">BRU is a
publicly posted group on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/591247421060598/" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, open to anyone who wants to join, that
welcomes runners of all abilities at 8am on Saturdays to run at their own pace
and self-selected distance along the same predetermined route each week. The
faster runners are encouraged to wait for the slower runners to catch up at
specific sections before continuing on. BRU always ends where it begins, at
Bethany Starbucks, where runners are invited to stay for coffee and socialize. </span></div>
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<span style="clear: left; float: left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; margin-top: 0px;"><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">BRU
currently has 245 members online and has anywhere from 10-25 runners who show
up every Saturday. BRU is also occasionally joined by other area running groups
such as the Sunstone Running Club creating a wider range of support and
friendships. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyct3r_CtlncTTMCokgrEIYdgmDgiQOJL9pDfQyAPDrXAO1iOBM35SuMxhbPcXchDh2d35kRKGwDXJB91fBnm3YNlpm3AGcKu4RuIOxxVxFhPYvajbG-l-XPykzTbwPKmw2NcV0b7ADYCv/s1600/BRU+happy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyct3r_CtlncTTMCokgrEIYdgmDgiQOJL9pDfQyAPDrXAO1iOBM35SuMxhbPcXchDh2d35kRKGwDXJB91fBnm3YNlpm3AGcKu4RuIOxxVxFhPYvajbG-l-XPykzTbwPKmw2NcV0b7ADYCv/s320/BRU+happy.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Little did
we know how important our community would become. In December of 2017 founder
Jamie William’s 5-year-old daughter Gracie was diagnosed with DIPG a rare form
of brain cancer. As Jamie, his wife Emily, and their son Liam tried to
comprehend, process and take on all that was happening to Gracie, they began to
reach out to their community and share openly on their Facebook page called
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/GraceFace2012/" target="_blank">Amazing Gracie</a> about their experience. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDdTEDt5hTL_ejxJcAz2rZgoXGXTs7y0MlIJZDR3R-1n9L1DzT1fdaIzntyFI-tq9O-Eu5GuidK02el1rIIDjGaB8Fetj9bnnY5BpStxre__q-D3_sciUplaPwwEyLyzDqf0d6hGKFbRCe/s1600/William+family.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDdTEDt5hTL_ejxJcAz2rZgoXGXTs7y0MlIJZDR3R-1n9L1DzT1fdaIzntyFI-tq9O-Eu5GuidK02el1rIIDjGaB8Fetj9bnnY5BpStxre__q-D3_sciUplaPwwEyLyzDqf0d6hGKFbRCe/s320/William+family.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">The Williams
invited us to be a part of their journey. They openly and honestly shared all
of their experiences good and bad. They opened their hearts and lives to the
support their community could offer. The Williams were surrounded by love and
support from near and far. All over their neighborhood; school, work, church,
and running club rallied around to do what we could to support them. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Jamie and
his family did all they could to find help and support for Gracie, while doing
all they could to keep themselves and their family healthy and connected. In
between work, research, doctors’ visits, treatments, travel, and making
wonderful family memories, Jamie would come back to run with BRU on Saturdays,
most of the time running a 13-mile half marathon distance to keep his body and
mind healthy. Through it all Jamie was always hopeful, positive and
encouraging. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ_7REcnTWEZLlWnFFSd4YgaYIRGjKlqFBN9_Kxg2gzWYBXRgbEYHliyFhGfsm0_-zxPaq_vE-qwE8bBUkyE2tW2_FhUWUjCW-Xr8TU-TI0Ocf-3zcGF0FB7WT7mGjPJ5LhyNARJaZKlRd/s1600/BRU+gracie+pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="960" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ_7REcnTWEZLlWnFFSd4YgaYIRGjKlqFBN9_Kxg2gzWYBXRgbEYHliyFhGfsm0_-zxPaq_vE-qwE8bBUkyE2tW2_FhUWUjCW-Xr8TU-TI0Ocf-3zcGF0FB7WT7mGjPJ5LhyNARJaZKlRd/s320/BRU+gracie+pic.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">When
American Cancer Society Community Development Manager, Shiela Peralta reached
out to BRU to ask if we’d be interested in creating a Hood to Coast Pacific
City team to raise funds to support those affected by cancer, we knew we had to
get involved. In fact, we had so many members who wanted to participate that we
created three BRU4GRACIE teams and got to work raising money to support the Society
by running as charity runners for the Hood to Coast Pacific City relay on May 4,
2019.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw_dAHF9qvmxHkyJPt1f7J4ZKYdKhNKDY2Rvll0B1VxohdgiukoXQouJtiC91lLr2XRKRk6UUmchIdvyQC5rY_oij1ylYtjGkloVhSEED_TvYN1ZpU_uZhNj6z0XyiCLDcmN_3Z8MgVShz/s1600/Shoe-gracie+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="664" height="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw_dAHF9qvmxHkyJPt1f7J4ZKYdKhNKDY2Rvll0B1VxohdgiukoXQouJtiC91lLr2XRKRk6UUmchIdvyQC5rY_oij1ylYtjGkloVhSEED_TvYN1ZpU_uZhNj6z0XyiCLDcmN_3Z8MgVShz/s320/Shoe-gracie+%25282%2529.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">As word of
Gracie’s story spread, our village got even bigger. Shiela from the American
Cancer Society and her boyfriend, Brandon started running with BRU and have
become part of our running community. Family, friends and neighbors have
reached out to ask how they can support Gracie and her family. Money was donated,
and events were put on spreading love in Gracie’s honor bringing together
strangers who became friends, connected by the desire to help support the
Williams family and eliminate cancer.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjytFd86fXiVkxEMeNdKi6hLmZ67jO_tyJqWed2L4fht5LmZMU8OyzuTCZRocd8V63AvCXpnsscHvf1zEkHa34FNG_Lu418mzHgZk7EUQ5qbHr2BttJxb8WEqHWVautKa3icp1SC4Jywfq/s1600/Team+Gracie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjytFd86fXiVkxEMeNdKi6hLmZ67jO_tyJqWed2L4fht5LmZMU8OyzuTCZRocd8V63AvCXpnsscHvf1zEkHa34FNG_Lu418mzHgZk7EUQ5qbHr2BttJxb8WEqHWVautKa3icp1SC4Jywfq/s320/Team+Gracie.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Sweet little Gracie Williams
finished her race peacefully in her sleep surrounded by family and friends on February
18, 2019. She and her family have taught us how to love and be loved well. They
have shown us what perseverance, hope and strength are all about. They have
also shown us the beauty of being honest, raw and vulnerable. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju-qddZPQpfOjJdHYVbC-UFQomgUGfU4nPwRw7dn_0fks3bCO4hzWEm-p6Xet6AIhGX4d-51gbRYctIyTCsJDm2HNgWpJtrgCPDrl_-OIcoSbfnv5hsnY3IURXT5i1IfAd8pnjoQbVw4Ot/s1600/angel+gracie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju-qddZPQpfOjJdHYVbC-UFQomgUGfU4nPwRw7dn_0fks3bCO4hzWEm-p6Xet6AIhGX4d-51gbRYctIyTCsJDm2HNgWpJtrgCPDrl_-OIcoSbfnv5hsnY3IURXT5i1IfAd8pnjoQbVw4Ot/s320/angel+gracie.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The Williams have taught
us that life is precious and that not even one moment should be wasted. They
reminded us of the power of community and the importance of caring for one
anothe<span style="margin: 0px;">r. They have proven that regardless of our
differences we are more alike in our humanity; and that we can, and should, all
do what we can to make the world a better place for everyone.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><i><b>Gracie Williams is a light
that has reminded us how to live and love well. It is our privilege to run in
honor of Amazing Gracie and carry her light in our hearts shining bright. </b></i></span></span><br />
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<b></b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />Tanya Corkumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05127178808503246347noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7609922816774700750.post-39692270578363842572019-02-01T15:40:00.002-08:002019-02-01T15:45:09.218-08:00Prudentby Jodi<br />
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PRUDENT: "<i>acting with or showing care and thought for the future</i>."<br />
<br />
Today I bailed on a half marathon I was supposed to run tomorrow. It pains me to leave money on the table. It frustrates me to not finish what I started. I feel shame for not following through on a commitment I made to my training partner and to myself. But today, I choose to be prudent. <br />
<br />
The last race I fully trained for was the <a href="http://solesistersrunning.blogspot.com/2017/05/plan-race-race-plan-eugene-marathon-2017.html">2017 Eugene Marathon</a>. In spite of a fast finish time, that race destroyed me physically and mentally. I recovered physically enough to race two relays a few months later, but by the fall of 2017 my body told me in no uncertain terms that it needed a break. <br />
<br />
Painful tendonitis in my knee plagued me for the next nine months. My run streak stayed in tact, but my weekly mileage went from 40+ fast miles to 20 slow, painful ones. My run streak hit 1,000 days on April 4, 2018. I contemplated breaking my streak the next day, but I couldn't do it. I'm too invested in my streak to not run if I'm capable. God knew I would need it.<br />
<br />
Five weeks later, one of our closest friends passed away unexpectedly and in the week that followed, suffering upon suffering besieged three more families we are close to. The grief was suffocating. Eight long months have passed, and there are moments of grief that still take my breath away.<br />
<br />
In those eight months I have run four races, none of which I was properly prepared for. Predictably they were slower finish times, but faster than I should have been able to run given my lack of training. My streak is intact and just passed 1,300 days. It has been a vehicle God has consistently used in my life to grieve, process, brainstorm, find encouragement and build friendship. I AM SO GRATEFUL! <br />
<br />
But I can't seem to find my running mojo. I have gained some weight. Lost a ton of speed. Put races tentatively on my calendar then scratched them when I didn't have the energy or time to start hard workouts again. It's not my favorite place to be. <br />
<br />
Dawn, my training partner and one of my best friends, felt the same way. In early December 2018, we picked the <a href="https://runsignup.com/Race/OR/Scio/RoaringRun5k10kHalfMarathon?rsus=100-200-557aa312-4954-49f4-acc3-4f73617b7a49&remMeAttempt=">Roaring Run half marathon</a> and registered so we wouldn't back out. Our hope was that a few weeks of training would put us back in the groove and our finish time would give us a gauge for our current fitness level. This was Phase One of our Get Back in Shape plan. Phase Two is a late spring half marathon, one we can be fully trained to actually race.<br />
<br />
I did get back to the track a few times, banged out some tempo runs, and eked out some double digit long runs. It felt good to conquer hard workouts again and I was really looking forward to the race tomorrow. <br />
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But then I got The Newberg Plague of 2019. It was the first time in years that I have been legitimately sick with fever and body aches and All The Things. "<i>One continuous mile</i>" on sick days feels just as difficult as 20 miles on a healthy day. I'm so happy my streak is still alive! Dawn got her own version of The Plague a few days after I did. Neither of us are close to full energy again.<br />
<br />
Could we run tomorrow? Yes. But it would be slow, not fun, and the following exhaustion would wipe us out for a couple of days. Our Phase One goal was to break out of our funk and start doing some hard workouts again. We did that. We won't have a race time tomorrow, but that's okay. It's just not worth it.<br />
<br />
The book of Proverbs in the Bible talks a lot about wisdom, understanding and prudence, likening them to rare treasures to be sought after. In this scenario, it seems the PRUDENT thing is to fix our eyes on the future (Phase 2) and take this weekend to keep resting and recovering. So that's what we're going to do.<br />
<br />
I changed my Facebook profile photo to a race picture when I felt strong, fast and confident. I'm hoping it will be the reminder I need to combine newfound prudence with ambition.<br />
<br />
What about you? What areas of your life would benefit from some prudence? What areas of your life need some ambition? Let's get after it together.<br />
<br />
Running through life together...<br />
<br />
JodiJodi Stilphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04329375455810397582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7609922816774700750.post-81964243485206655992018-08-29T12:50:00.001-07:002018-08-29T13:06:04.412-07:00Come From Behind: Hood to Coast 2018by Jodi<br />
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HTC 2018 was one for the story books... the kind of athletic story we all love. I still am trying to wrap my head around what just happened. And also trying to get my body to move without being sore and a thousand percent fatigued.<br />
<br />
There are so many subplots and stories within the overarching story, and I'm not going to tell them all. I'll try to just give a recap of 23 very eventful hours.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We call this "Leg 4." Our Sunday morning one mile run to keep Paula's (and now mine) run streak alive.</td></tr>
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My team is sponsored by Portland Running Company (PRC) and is called PRC Girlz. The women on my team are FAST. Really FAST... like 6 minutes miles for their overall average pace. I am one of the slower ones on my team and I averaged a 7:05 pace for just over 16 miles. I was THRILLED to run that pace. I give these stats only to give you a glimpse into the athleticism, grit, determination, and speed of the women on my team. You don't run that fast without hours of training, blood, sweat and tears. My teammates are impressive and inspiring.<br />
<br />
Well guess what? There's another team of twelve equally inspiring, fast, talented women in our division. Last year, Team Athena Tight Assets started at the same time as our team and beat us. This year we started at the same time AGAIN. This 199 mile race just got broken down into 36 mini-races. The bar was raised. Every single second mattered and all 24 of us knew it. If we wanted to win, we had to leave it all on the course. Everything we have. Every.single.time. It was intense.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Van 2: (L to R): Jami, Aubree, Ashley, Rachel, me, Dawn</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzvr2n6V16GKyMVJULEjTUxg8NfkQCb5cThiC-cqZcnTs5y5pPxJvwKCnHJd_gpBm3RnWW2aZEg-tHWhGQfwWAjnrsK8c9Rg7cYYztE4UBJjdwaYfjCwLDK1WZLr-TD4X2rjNvJbZmncA/s1600/8fvAnDRlTjOpPZ9F4Zog%252Bw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzvr2n6V16GKyMVJULEjTUxg8NfkQCb5cThiC-cqZcnTs5y5pPxJvwKCnHJd_gpBm3RnWW2aZEg-tHWhGQfwWAjnrsK8c9Rg7cYYztE4UBJjdwaYfjCwLDK1WZLr-TD4X2rjNvJbZmncA/s320/8fvAnDRlTjOpPZ9F4Zog%252Bw.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First van exchange - adding Brittney from Van 1 to synch the app.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrLwdZNAGeaPYEyXqbWKRo1L5vfnjT_uqCafk_C5XE5wAt1gZyKkoC6fdvq6TCRxER_TPQV7P8G-YBlG7Rwq-xGbfHQEquUES47lY9O54mKlvroM35rEEvkQC8eVlZRC2X7zv4-uP-qOY/s1600/19LzeAMBQzCbv1YJFM%25253AQ.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1203" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrLwdZNAGeaPYEyXqbWKRo1L5vfnjT_uqCafk_C5XE5wAt1gZyKkoC6fdvq6TCRxER_TPQV7P8G-YBlG7Rwq-xGbfHQEquUES47lY9O54mKlvroM35rEEvkQC8eVlZRC2X7zv4-uP-qOY/s320/19LzeAMBQzCbv1YJFM%25253AQ.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">me with Jami, our fearless Van 2 Captain</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig3QNeGirsY_EFK60Z_V97mCN76Mw4INqC3-cIW_YMjLU841MrLPvSYTZvyRvLor2rx799f6oHe3OYZOkpxnstIOvje7hEHp7bHMRk1NwnknvKri30i5EGubgmECCLiV0OuoxiR2nCdjs/s1600/fullsizeoutput_a5f0.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1203" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig3QNeGirsY_EFK60Z_V97mCN76Mw4INqC3-cIW_YMjLU841MrLPvSYTZvyRvLor2rx799f6oHe3OYZOkpxnstIOvje7hEHp7bHMRk1NwnknvKri30i5EGubgmECCLiV0OuoxiR2nCdjs/s320/fullsizeoutput_a5f0.jpeg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me and Larisa (Van 1)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsrjf6j3bEV7r9zeqhfRdJvrpoY08_wcNkWpsXIfovE9chxruc428SFZ_lR_c5n9cxO2bG8BhKroYeR0JdCR0NFkCd89OUtZmW4002D3Psi8FZX_VzqYSnHf1veZSQMydsaCRLr5KXIlE/s1600/ky4X8c53Tg%252Bv2PuSwnTMRw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsrjf6j3bEV7r9zeqhfRdJvrpoY08_wcNkWpsXIfovE9chxruc428SFZ_lR_c5n9cxO2bG8BhKroYeR0JdCR0NFkCd89OUtZmW4002D3Psi8FZX_VzqYSnHf1veZSQMydsaCRLr5KXIlE/s320/ky4X8c53Tg%252Bv2PuSwnTMRw.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rachel and Ashley have been friends for forever.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwnCx5H_ylGmr9ptqduvJx11mh8b5ahvE0k2RN7ISSfPv2-TVOtT-1FAjBcDaWfzIoqmxWjKE8rMfebJFmYiqrl5mCyIgldLoVn5aMPNNTlhGF-D2rVTvXeoBJSZCXKKvSL5zmNgC44MU/s1600/S%2525CqlkcfT9%252BGyuqsIpAHQw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1203" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwnCx5H_ylGmr9ptqduvJx11mh8b5ahvE0k2RN7ISSfPv2-TVOtT-1FAjBcDaWfzIoqmxWjKE8rMfebJFmYiqrl5mCyIgldLoVn5aMPNNTlhGF-D2rVTvXeoBJSZCXKKvSL5zmNgC44MU/s320/S%2525CqlkcfT9%252BGyuqsIpAHQw.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hi Nikki! (Van 1) </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkAOxCkuZmXesPErcZtxyWXHbovO4nYWse-eDAvMlXKbveDPTR43Z7dqDtPWjApiqbYlO-EEZ_RxmfY4gSvsl0K990W8h4Tzm4gzjKCpqIKa_AbSNll25MbnF3qaYXftrDYG20IVqTu8c/s1600/vhSqv9yUSxiTEsHNYjHS4g.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkAOxCkuZmXesPErcZtxyWXHbovO4nYWse-eDAvMlXKbveDPTR43Z7dqDtPWjApiqbYlO-EEZ_RxmfY4gSvsl0K990W8h4Tzm4gzjKCpqIKa_AbSNll25MbnF3qaYXftrDYG20IVqTu8c/s320/vhSqv9yUSxiTEsHNYjHS4g.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dawn and me... This woman has taught me how to be a smarter, faster runner. She also has become one of my very best friends. Miles and miles and miles together, sweating, training, praying, doing life. She's a keeper.</td></tr>
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For the next 23 hours, our teams played cat and mouse. Team Athena led initially, then we took over the lead. Then lost it again for a handful of exchanges. Regained it on Leg 21, only to have me give it back to them on a wicked mountain climb in the middle of the night. (Sorry PRC Girlz...). The Team Athena girl blew past me like I was standing still. It was impressive. And a little demoralizing, but whatevs. I was running as fast as I could.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look closely for Rachel... She closed the gap to about 20 seconds after her first leg. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rachel handing off to Ashley.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMzjCLkFs35cDzBDSEvS6vxF_6jXWsnv6G7PDbX3MsxFwJdEaRJdo0EqcZVMbkrRwqd9Npzf7Ihu1Dn5jkuA28hOzYt-ag3ZGmwFhGGja5T_IpuvFA5Ac-2XmXOL3UBmtuqyca2aNd_Xw/s1600/h5T53%252BOuTvG5fAYZjOYo1g.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMzjCLkFs35cDzBDSEvS6vxF_6jXWsnv6G7PDbX3MsxFwJdEaRJdo0EqcZVMbkrRwqd9Npzf7Ihu1Dn5jkuA28hOzYt-ag3ZGmwFhGGja5T_IpuvFA5Ac-2XmXOL3UBmtuqyca2aNd_Xw/s320/h5T53%252BOuTvG5fAYZjOYo1g.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ashley all done with her first run. Rach checking up on her.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg47NfDEs23tdqaQwfnGTWCR7TgvVwVefLhm9k2TVS6Oq1RQ1X9sWvyEwd4YO9BbJgJtUpgM3VLxO39TC32EIgnVpKXH3J6p0G-VBceHy8kJ_R8_80HaWUg77gHS_FfH2QWJsTVpwbr2Ds/s1600/vDv3VTd0R9%252BrQak1sd%2525RFg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg47NfDEs23tdqaQwfnGTWCR7TgvVwVefLhm9k2TVS6Oq1RQ1X9sWvyEwd4YO9BbJgJtUpgM3VLxO39TC32EIgnVpKXH3J6p0G-VBceHy8kJ_R8_80HaWUg77gHS_FfH2QWJsTVpwbr2Ds/s320/vDv3VTd0R9%252BrQak1sd%2525RFg.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jami ready to rock.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf8T_Ve579BkN4GbdvNVbv-3wmlrENEBsvRcwgA1fLakh4g7N3WAnzxZAyFk_vy8eaZ71arbWMeKcegOmrZtEJSHaUojw2mScE-o0Prk2TXf0sAVeulg5VCZ5ZFaRtf46SUkieOmM0hAo/s1600/IMG_5156.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf8T_Ve579BkN4GbdvNVbv-3wmlrENEBsvRcwgA1fLakh4g7N3WAnzxZAyFk_vy8eaZ71arbWMeKcegOmrZtEJSHaUojw2mScE-o0Prk2TXf0sAVeulg5VCZ5ZFaRtf46SUkieOmM0hAo/s320/IMG_5156.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me trying to copy Jami. My muscles are close... LOL! </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8SgODpJWHN0oFFjvFaujrd-o3H-Ulkm1gDZrA1SULjhKl4EDrq8KihosCK6u4-IQQ5dVVdGtC5eeYcLfENmoEDffE26YKiJ_GtEeeQTf5_8iMNIEXGHqR-jfpWqA_BKspbzg-x47S3kk/s1600/IMG_5157.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1374" data-original-width="1448" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8SgODpJWHN0oFFjvFaujrd-o3H-Ulkm1gDZrA1SULjhKl4EDrq8KihosCK6u4-IQQ5dVVdGtC5eeYcLfENmoEDffE26YKiJ_GtEeeQTf5_8iMNIEXGHqR-jfpWqA_BKspbzg-x47S3kk/s320/IMG_5157.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jami's done and off I go.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvG3x54AO9SDcM4eDTwx57Q-2Ya9RoLnFB78Px7yXzqiLnMQGkCUMzPEoBWVms7yLqFaxaImWWDWqIbVhcEVOQw7MbU3rFExTbsXBD23WoESSVZL5ceGERj96i3rE_5qMsKWwU0bgc4dY/s1600/IMG_5160.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvG3x54AO9SDcM4eDTwx57Q-2Ya9RoLnFB78Px7yXzqiLnMQGkCUMzPEoBWVms7yLqFaxaImWWDWqIbVhcEVOQw7MbU3rFExTbsXBD23WoESSVZL5ceGERj96i3rE_5qMsKWwU0bgc4dY/s320/IMG_5160.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me handing off to Dawn.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijvAJmUrm4e8HVXq9Rs410otQcbei5wYRmXydwM7zBpAqEwxX6_Xi_p4zeNT3H7UU_qHzvuAl1yvBi72utVmmXlBTubh08VQOKbGpkN1OFyBV0lM7YPs1q1kTDb1PEEKZjtiHVDshLNU0/s1600/DNtTEkU1R16wVi75UEWgYQ.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijvAJmUrm4e8HVXq9Rs410otQcbei5wYRmXydwM7zBpAqEwxX6_Xi_p4zeNT3H7UU_qHzvuAl1yvBi72utVmmXlBTubh08VQOKbGpkN1OFyBV0lM7YPs1q1kTDb1PEEKZjtiHVDshLNU0/s320/DNtTEkU1R16wVi75UEWgYQ.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dawn coming into the exchange.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4xtSK9WJwxj_xuNRgytHTX0OWEfpMEMEBpVHfAiJkl4_2dgK9lj0xrgT4Q0sqQwo3fAmnyAEDs7nw57uzZFsRc1bWXJBQvlgQk8g4jj4U-6Byela-93Yhm6QKyBf200W5JQoMrMBJq5A/s1600/tMOvxKYmR%252BKOEG1mIjyosA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4xtSK9WJwxj_xuNRgytHTX0OWEfpMEMEBpVHfAiJkl4_2dgK9lj0xrgT4Q0sqQwo3fAmnyAEDs7nw57uzZFsRc1bWXJBQvlgQk8g4jj4U-6Byela-93Yhm6QKyBf200W5JQoMrMBJq5A/s320/tMOvxKYmR%252BKOEG1mIjyosA.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aubree ready to run.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJX80CrE4ppTG2Ohd8fG_qi0207cVz4NgrB9v0h0E2OCCJJlGIWvshbN7bf3yrwS8k6z5QrFjq4o7mLmwkN7nCzOmdU7S1B-fhx0ReG_IkAdF1q4Ln7joxHy3G0jZitcWXeVCbhwYKlQ0/s1600/NzQ8BTc%252BQ6KhAdWucpOx1Q.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJX80CrE4ppTG2Ohd8fG_qi0207cVz4NgrB9v0h0E2OCCJJlGIWvshbN7bf3yrwS8k6z5QrFjq4o7mLmwkN7nCzOmdU7S1B-fhx0ReG_IkAdF1q4Ln7joxHy3G0jZitcWXeVCbhwYKlQ0/s320/NzQ8BTc%252BQ6KhAdWucpOx1Q.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Most of both our vans at the second van exchange in downtown Portland</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_4YBZOibvydTYID7CytgVjwreCQ1UP9KJL-q-9t5AcLDspGecLGq34dEHzsGAi9113dm-chlKxKDVY7SoJkIBjLiG8jXXP-J-_kXpyWz-tbdH4oPdiyxJU9OZMxEf8xfcGTiOFKVDzC4/s1600/dKp4IEo2TsC95TQrW3Pg4w.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_4YBZOibvydTYID7CytgVjwreCQ1UP9KJL-q-9t5AcLDspGecLGq34dEHzsGAi9113dm-chlKxKDVY7SoJkIBjLiG8jXXP-J-_kXpyWz-tbdH4oPdiyxJU9OZMxEf8xfcGTiOFKVDzC4/s320/dKp4IEo2TsC95TQrW3Pg4w.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waiting with Team Athena girls to see which of our runners would come into the exchange first. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
PRC Girlz didn't see the lead again for several hours. We went into the last van exchange behind Team Athena by almost seven minutes. Six runners. Seven minutes. We each had to chip away more than a minute against a very talented team. I didn't think we could do it and had really given up hope. But Jami....<br />
<br />
Oh Jami... Our Van 2 Captain, is a personal trainer and a high level athlete. She knows how to motivate athletes. I'm pretty sure she never slept all 23 hours because she just kept calculating splits, projected paces, etc. She had an action plan plotted out to come from behind. She told us, "<i>I'm going to take the lead around mile six of my leg and then it will be up to the last three runners to try to hold them off."</i> And that's exactly what happened.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVNGEpIlIrEpzuwK6rk6TdM_zXwdNFe5t6PNxGnfYawNzVMD0NMrVgcNcxisQsVHd2-om_s4rW8YQNviK2noqpQbFeUNHLvAHN17XjWu_oa5WQBduefcbEUXELlliVzFAmYyV2uC6PIXU/s1600/3eztNMUMQ5Gqg3WAV5lv5g.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVNGEpIlIrEpzuwK6rk6TdM_zXwdNFe5t6PNxGnfYawNzVMD0NMrVgcNcxisQsVHd2-om_s4rW8YQNviK2noqpQbFeUNHLvAHN17XjWu_oa5WQBduefcbEUXELlliVzFAmYyV2uC6PIXU/s320/3eztNMUMQ5Gqg3WAV5lv5g.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seen on the side of the van in the middle of the night... #wecandohardthings.</td></tr>
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Rachel ran her guts out with a 6:45 average pace on her last leg and chipped away at their lead.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM2HYYsutknCxRgyTkGWqmPORMEgDIgu5goQ2F6J4QQE_vZ1wMqHnntr5bgUj57gm51zrIoLUSuxqaMrAbzUGa8pSFcDGWWClW_T7m0BnCv4je8vdtbqbxbZglNhIgr8EYPg_HUv9rqCI/s1600/G3NPg25oTBm6juRRJhiMaw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM2HYYsutknCxRgyTkGWqmPORMEgDIgu5goQ2F6J4QQE_vZ1wMqHnntr5bgUj57gm51zrIoLUSuxqaMrAbzUGa8pSFcDGWWClW_T7m0BnCv4je8vdtbqbxbZglNhIgr8EYPg_HUv9rqCI/s320/G3NPg25oTBm6juRRJhiMaw.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blurry Rachel killing her last leg.</td></tr>
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Handed off to Ashley who also crushed her last leg with a 6:40 average and chipped away at their lead.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvPRUUbcxwwhp2fBVHEKxd2nO1IeRi_FjZwatTCIFtkcdMpixuWyUl_rf0b7GXivksma5GiR6gsyODvGY8mQIt4XYtCRMmPqhWwQEMUJM_fWpWzLB6kCArIZmDvfArYpyWCZBaHTh_E-U/s1600/zitdEn%2525XT%2525i7jRHR78QX4A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1203" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvPRUUbcxwwhp2fBVHEKxd2nO1IeRi_FjZwatTCIFtkcdMpixuWyUl_rf0b7GXivksma5GiR6gsyODvGY8mQIt4XYtCRMmPqhWwQEMUJM_fWpWzLB6kCArIZmDvfArYpyWCZBaHTh_E-U/s320/zitdEn%2525XT%2525i7jRHR78QX4A.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Passing out Sour Patch Kids and waiting for Jami to get to us.</td></tr>
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Jami took the baton from Ashley still behind, but with <i>"only"</i> four minutes to make up. Jami's leg was EIGHT grueling miles of rolling hills on legs that had already run ten miles at a low 6:00 minute average. We stopped to give her water four miles into her run. She had closed so much on the Team Athena runner that she was almost in sight. Just watch this video of Jami's intensity and focus. She's a beast. And Rachel's giggle at the end gets me every time.<br />
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<br />
Jami came into the exchange ahead of Team Athena, just like she said she would do. I had no idea how big my lead was or wasn't. All I knew was that the Team Athena runner racing me was much faster than me, good at climbing hills and that the next 4.12 miles were all rolling hills. Also my legs were completely shot, so the odds were not in my favor. My projected pace for this leg was 7:20. I made up my mind to do a few things:<br />
<br />
<ol>
<li>Don't look back. Ever. Eyes focused and forward. Don't waste negative mental space worrying about something that was out of my control.</li>
<li>Hit my projected pace.</li>
<li>Don't let my team down.</li>
<li>PRAY. Hard.</li>
</ol>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiudHSxbonBH1re79I5bum1RNt924lLyrcHtseuiOXFGT-kmXN39MWC0s5eRHYIrVqVVRD0ejTKeG6Nt5UKIrqQvs2IfEXUTUlbuI6jtPALrE0ZFPxCrpo8HuxitXvfFdXAc3kX5vFksfU/s1600/KOssW5%2525fRMiBW%2525KpA1L3Bw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiudHSxbonBH1re79I5bum1RNt924lLyrcHtseuiOXFGT-kmXN39MWC0s5eRHYIrVqVVRD0ejTKeG6Nt5UKIrqQvs2IfEXUTUlbuI6jtPALrE0ZFPxCrpo8HuxitXvfFdXAc3kX5vFksfU/s320/KOssW5%2525fRMiBW%2525KpA1L3Bw.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me running my last leg.</td></tr>
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<div>
Once I started running, I didn't think about Team Athena. I prayed for breath in my lungs, which at this point were not giving me full oxygen like my first two legs. I prayed for strong legs and a strong mind. I prayed for my friend who is battling cancer like a boss. Her name was on my bib and it felt comforting to take her with me on the journey.<br />
<br />
SIDE STORY: While I ran, the lyrics of a song I heard on Friday were running through my head on repeat. Over and over, to the point of almost being annoying, but the lyrics matched the cadence of my feet and labored breathing.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Peace, bringing it all to peace</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>the storm surrounding me</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Let it break, at your name.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Still. Call the sea to still.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>The rage in me to still</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Every wave, at your name.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Jesus, Jesus. You make the darkness tremble. </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Jesus, Jesus. You silence fear. </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Breathe.. then call these bones to live.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Call these lungs to sing.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Once again, I will praise...</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Jesus, Jesus. You make the darkness tremble.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Jesus, Jesus... You silence fear.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Your name is a light that the shadows can't deny. </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Your name cannot be overcome. </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Your name is alive. Forever lifted high. </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Your name will not be overcome.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The reason I share this part of the story is because on Sunday, when I went to church post-race tired and elated, the worship team led this song. God loves so intimately and personally. I just feel that someone reading this needs to know that He sees you. He knows your name, your fear, and your darkness. And He has already overcome and redeemed it. To Him be the glory. END OF SIDE STORY</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Okay... back to the race... My run ends on a hill climb. (Of course.) It's short, but steep and it took every part of my mental strength to keep running and not walk. Every muscle ached. My breathing sucked. I wanted to quit, but I knew my team was relying on me. And then I saw the exchange. And heard my beautiful teammates screaming my name. <b>Friends... there is power in encouragement.</b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaELn3H4TyrEVNNrbzthnYllIvczpF5Hp5XcuZ8-CxleWasd0KuFYPIBQ4n5N1JAsBY49F4Za2jj0bkFxp-bmU78nlbjAH-Hc6Daw_KnYYA5wU-413cMQUoDfIRrBv9z0xaBWhvTUnRtk/s1600/vKie4FoqRU6aw7zqr6gKrQ.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaELn3H4TyrEVNNrbzthnYllIvczpF5Hp5XcuZ8-CxleWasd0KuFYPIBQ4n5N1JAsBY49F4Za2jj0bkFxp-bmU78nlbjAH-Hc6Daw_KnYYA5wU-413cMQUoDfIRrBv9z0xaBWhvTUnRtk/s320/vKie4FoqRU6aw7zqr6gKrQ.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dawn waiting for me. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0xU0WSEqS0zEGSJlfGcXTA8IB6ONeSNuzsB6CTBttrhTsDzmc4Sa2aL-HzbnbQYmDUXZgwqFzmW1Z9HBzhnKiDUJ8w_9p8M6SlDd2DiiqEtMyVSUS006lmrvGZ6G5l8TgFbFeNrRBHrA/s1600/wi326TIFT5OXfSyHTXUSeQ.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0xU0WSEqS0zEGSJlfGcXTA8IB6ONeSNuzsB6CTBttrhTsDzmc4Sa2aL-HzbnbQYmDUXZgwqFzmW1Z9HBzhnKiDUJ8w_9p8M6SlDd2DiiqEtMyVSUS006lmrvGZ6G5l8TgFbFeNrRBHrA/s320/wi326TIFT5OXfSyHTXUSeQ.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cresting that stupid hill.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv4pV0_duxB8NFQZ_sgsLxSHwzCE-9IOTbzOtxca_W05gFXXbsFL5v79wLBo5AWDsMr86o6GCSuW2oblH5aYlruSZlrI7CsqjaXmyEoG59raLubuvjggdFEZ_J14SjcEt6ITYWL00n7uc/s1600/pQduYyO5TyOJSbTqQh0wbQ.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv4pV0_duxB8NFQZ_sgsLxSHwzCE-9IOTbzOtxca_W05gFXXbsFL5v79wLBo5AWDsMr86o6GCSuW2oblH5aYlruSZlrI7CsqjaXmyEoG59raLubuvjggdFEZ_J14SjcEt6ITYWL00n7uc/s320/pQduYyO5TyOJSbTqQh0wbQ.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Into the exchange zone </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9E-RjUzjWkWVNLj7aZzWKpoAZPEGWofmgFdA36I_5c2jM275kxQyR-XjGqizyW4hkyU3l5QzTvrdpaa1EM_w27a1Y1NrhTvsKvMVdndWIXh6rMCvPQ7fkKdEOQN0vjTcTiw6hS9Neoy4/s1600/JfxgBcWzS%252BaUzsqzahMovA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9E-RjUzjWkWVNLj7aZzWKpoAZPEGWofmgFdA36I_5c2jM275kxQyR-XjGqizyW4hkyU3l5QzTvrdpaa1EM_w27a1Y1NrhTvsKvMVdndWIXh6rMCvPQ7fkKdEOQN0vjTcTiw6hS9Neoy4/s320/JfxgBcWzS%252BaUzsqzahMovA.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And Dawn's off. You're welcome for that ten second lead.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I passed the baton to Dawn, pushed stop on my watch, and looked back for the first time in 4.12 miles. The Team Athena runner was already in the chute stopping her watch. Ten more seconds and she would have caught me. GAH! Our teams were even again and this 199 mile race was going to come down to the last 12.3 miles.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Dawn crushed her very hard 7+ mile leg on gravel with a continual uphill grade at a 7:11 pace. She came into the exchange first, but we had no idea what kind of a lead she was giving Aubree, our last runner.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiVptQ8Tjro3J5qjcIe_W9QhHZP0phZKytSf3A3TGtxpexcA0RJAkv1CuP0Hx0eP4zHMrAiAKwitDzdfxJ46D-mvhll9AxZK0Yx5iwVd9-JkvOKhybNiLHsE-9Xr35mp3RJF6Tr64lIjc/s1600/9bWczMGtRj6WVakOT8OgEg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiVptQ8Tjro3J5qjcIe_W9QhHZP0phZKytSf3A3TGtxpexcA0RJAkv1CuP0Hx0eP4zHMrAiAKwitDzdfxJ46D-mvhll9AxZK0Yx5iwVd9-JkvOKhybNiLHsE-9Xr35mp3RJF6Tr64lIjc/s320/9bWczMGtRj6WVakOT8OgEg.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting the baton for one last time.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-VvMae1p_A8dcdR_AWXITRJjn7poz57n48nIGL4mDyqZfRE_OXdkdl8PTYq_irgU-n_Ubc6f3XJSk8Ewr85lPDNNzopSfew7q77TRELMSLv1ACIz4vy99IOLz5KI3Y4Sem_lm8bnVAKc/s1600/3W8HMh3tRiC6B5EiesH1%252BA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-VvMae1p_A8dcdR_AWXITRJjn7poz57n48nIGL4mDyqZfRE_OXdkdl8PTYq_irgU-n_Ubc6f3XJSk8Ewr85lPDNNzopSfew7q77TRELMSLv1ACIz4vy99IOLz5KI3Y4Sem_lm8bnVAKc/s320/3W8HMh3tRiC6B5EiesH1%252BA.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And Aubree is off and running.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Also... while I was running, Jami went into exercise induced anaphylactic shock. Thankfully, Dawn is a nurse. Thankfully there was an ambulance right at the exchange. Thankfully they were able to help her and she was fine within a handful of hours, but she did have to go to the hospital and miss out on how the race ended. She is a beast. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
So back to Aubree. She was in the same position as me - racing against a Team Athena runner who was much faster than her. It's not a good feeling when eleven other people are relying on you to outrun someone who will always beat you in an even foot race. But Aubree is tough. She trained hard. She's mentally strong. We all knew she would run her guts out. And that she did.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
We piled into the van, got stuck in traffic (#shocker) and were a good 20 minutes into Aubree's run before we were driving on the race course headed to the finish. We saw the runner from Team Athena flying down a hill. She was fast, strong, focused. She was coming for Aubree.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Where's Aubree? </i> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Drive some more.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Where's Aubree?</i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
More driving.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Where's Aubree?</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
We finally saw her about 3/4 of a mile down the road. She had a huge lead with two miles to go. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>WHAT?!?! </b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Rachel, Ashley, Dawn and I looked at each other and realized... "<i><b>Oh my gosh. We could win this thing."</b></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Aubree was running fast and focused, but she was pushing herself beyond what she thought she could run. The strain was evident on her face. Rachel immediately insisted that we stop. We gave Aubree water and then Ashley - who has a hurt hamstring - jumped out of the van and started running. Initially it was next to Aubree to give her a word of encouragement and then it was ten steps ahead of her. We'd been chasing for 197 miles. Why not chase your own teammate? #tears #sobs #teammwork #allthefeels</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Our van of six was now depleted to three: Jami at the hospital, Aubree running her guts out; Ashley winning the Teammate of the Year award. We parked about 3/4 of a mile from the beach and sprinted toward the finish where the rest of our team was waiting with baited breath. Thirty seconds after we arrived, Paula yelled, <i>"I SEE HER!" </i>We all went crazy. Like lose your mind screaming, crying, hugging, jumping up and down, yelling crazy. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Way down the promenade was Ashley. Ten steps behind was Aubree, chasing down our dream to win our division. Ashley peeled off and Aubree brought it home, crossing the finish line in the sand in 23 hours, 4 minutes, 28 seconds with an average pace of 6:58 per mile. What an adventure.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip8gUMuLfg7IGjVuoULilkbx4dFcqc0_Z_3mLkycOca7sfYgvXJS7Kk-Bcp0S2sY_ouNY5W54atLFyQ-IieKWnf8fA33JGiUntbkZzZkayIzCb9mia4aLSqLhBXwpTcVif7lRJ8EjQW5o/s1600/fullsizeoutput_a611.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip8gUMuLfg7IGjVuoULilkbx4dFcqc0_Z_3mLkycOca7sfYgvXJS7Kk-Bcp0S2sY_ouNY5W54atLFyQ-IieKWnf8fA33JGiUntbkZzZkayIzCb9mia4aLSqLhBXwpTcVif7lRJ8EjQW5o/s320/fullsizeoutput_a611.jpeg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Teammate of the Year Ashley grabbing Aubree's face to say, "YOU DID IT!"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkq5aveJeOF2pj3EF7B4VYjiYMMD9WxVRqRx2T7URmPG6aKJyVikM-Wjn8Mcz1YhyRSflYd_6qJ5bFmuBUxyVGVOH3Yx7MwINCzf9LzGT1RfR6v5eGOcIETrYynB2AlX39NRgTM7Ng9Pk/s1600/fullsizeoutput_a60d.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkq5aveJeOF2pj3EF7B4VYjiYMMD9WxVRqRx2T7URmPG6aKJyVikM-Wjn8Mcz1YhyRSflYd_6qJ5bFmuBUxyVGVOH3Yx7MwINCzf9LzGT1RfR6v5eGOcIETrYynB2AlX39NRgTM7Ng9Pk/s320/fullsizeoutput_a60d.jpeg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hugs between two amazing women. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUzPas3Zml2kkCyPYC0bVkugMQYD8OCFF9yLQsNt1sufCb91fCDmQf8yg8ULbyif4S4L84H79NlPovcRZtjR177qjzgSwgekBf846OPHE6_FkZVVJsIT9FUi969OJARmsNLJ4H2GVSpTk/s1600/IMG_5260.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUzPas3Zml2kkCyPYC0bVkugMQYD8OCFF9yLQsNt1sufCb91fCDmQf8yg8ULbyif4S4L84H79NlPovcRZtjR177qjzgSwgekBf846OPHE6_FkZVVJsIT9FUi969OJARmsNLJ4H2GVSpTk/s320/IMG_5260.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">CELEBRATION!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0bjnUi97KHh8jkdXfcdtsPCM5Lw_0aWcJBBmJe75hmxOAwMgUSDWy-DxmQe-WlbhqT4DpFuIYxIVtON1NHwH-a2yyzIYHwD7CPn4veX56c6_ABWIds54yUdDtCQbfQMzlN05kpkHA_bk/s1600/IMG_5262.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1334" data-original-width="750" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0bjnUi97KHh8jkdXfcdtsPCM5Lw_0aWcJBBmJe75hmxOAwMgUSDWy-DxmQe-WlbhqT4DpFuIYxIVtON1NHwH-a2yyzIYHwD7CPn4veX56c6_ABWIds54yUdDtCQbfQMzlN05kpkHA_bk/s320/IMG_5262.JPG" width="179" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Love this moment between Ashley and Aubree.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEtTjodgsjSxN-pcYR3edDzuzyOzNF2tQvEGr_Qj0IWWxGb83bqk5WMQCzcUpPuQ9bni0KrA9FLiaFmlAdeDB23zrPja2gQ0dSinXEvtkCl__dgRUuh8lRzJHbfW5C9ePM4i1xx0oot2s/s1600/JvFQBXY4RWi5go5KEw%2525rGA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEtTjodgsjSxN-pcYR3edDzuzyOzNF2tQvEGr_Qj0IWWxGb83bqk5WMQCzcUpPuQ9bni0KrA9FLiaFmlAdeDB23zrPja2gQ0dSinXEvtkCl__dgRUuh8lRzJHbfW5C9ePM4i1xx0oot2s/s320/JvFQBXY4RWi5go5KEw%2525rGA.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paula and Aubree</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFg117fyfPAdMljfEDczLGMjbUTJVbyhlJe8BpqXCo4Fzlr1iXk9hlNPADHetPqFgJJZM1SEE2uJKyyUzXEz7GqUX1khP29RBVk-hVP3TJztk_uWMu-Cu2Fl1U24TWiBt7AFCS2WOloZI/s1600/mklJkAduTvaORui2yK0j%252Bw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFg117fyfPAdMljfEDczLGMjbUTJVbyhlJe8BpqXCo4Fzlr1iXk9hlNPADHetPqFgJJZM1SEE2uJKyyUzXEz7GqUX1khP29RBVk-hVP3TJztk_uWMu-Cu2Fl1U24TWiBt7AFCS2WOloZI/s320/mklJkAduTvaORui2yK0j%252Bw.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Walking across the finish line.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ZgQ8oe5jFKoSmffQbeWf0LWd9eCfsQ49x6rAEg2ZQNohKkICvYbIAXDk12xY3uWgbWjsDINsR7CTq5-418btVKwIekWRV_W2Sz_bR4cNsGkis_yUlb5EEn9ahkPsa4cAo0pBWzrk7E4/s1600/5xjfXQk%252BTMCtnHRselMHRA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ZgQ8oe5jFKoSmffQbeWf0LWd9eCfsQ49x6rAEg2ZQNohKkICvYbIAXDk12xY3uWgbWjsDINsR7CTq5-418btVKwIekWRV_W2Sz_bR4cNsGkis_yUlb5EEn9ahkPsa4cAo0pBWzrk7E4/s320/5xjfXQk%252BTMCtnHRselMHRA.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So much joy. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsR36-w1ccwMQ4kTXOU_RhMrHdqT_bexR2vq8_ZPNfDnntWK08B275JFxJBYRHWD1uLry0wbeR9iE0-wL3WpCtQHCmNGUjJyNiX8ZHTzWebY2rsYnc58ZaAJG1ont3ylv8WoGGIMmFw_0/s1600/b8b1NIwxSYqbo9zJztn5Ew.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsR36-w1ccwMQ4kTXOU_RhMrHdqT_bexR2vq8_ZPNfDnntWK08B275JFxJBYRHWD1uLry0wbeR9iE0-wL3WpCtQHCmNGUjJyNiX8ZHTzWebY2rsYnc58ZaAJG1ont3ylv8WoGGIMmFw_0/s320/b8b1NIwxSYqbo9zJztn5Ew.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We did it!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggom_hQox0eftrh2F-VqWb3d6osl4hVSiOTnYJb652xLcMmMdvGo6cwhsbda8zhEqtlPRPXaix_elg-gFYZKYpmkkGidd8GAVgdWZ64l7xGiibhQYaJL9U_5SBiiEXibFGterCYdMkBfg/s1600/7DfGoDA9SISuvrBusS7qYQ.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggom_hQox0eftrh2F-VqWb3d6osl4hVSiOTnYJb652xLcMmMdvGo6cwhsbda8zhEqtlPRPXaix_elg-gFYZKYpmkkGidd8GAVgdWZ64l7xGiibhQYaJL9U_5SBiiEXibFGterCYdMkBfg/s320/7DfGoDA9SISuvrBusS7qYQ.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Group hug. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL5ZO3ET3GnbR4JrK1B1nl4_wYK21e-rIo-t7OQ8lJo2qz8OPAHadljsVvavZGmn8sfc-qsq5TejsoC77bZnZpaVcxqS1RhKGXgGm9ZiXAUGFO83Z_bZpKHBDq9mVetgXcPtAaP6YSCeo/s1600/mrXXCjfJRrWr3%252Bu%252BcVW%25250A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL5ZO3ET3GnbR4JrK1B1nl4_wYK21e-rIo-t7OQ8lJo2qz8OPAHadljsVvavZGmn8sfc-qsq5TejsoC77bZnZpaVcxqS1RhKGXgGm9ZiXAUGFO83Z_bZpKHBDq9mVetgXcPtAaP6YSCeo/s320/mrXXCjfJRrWr3%252Bu%252BcVW%25250A.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">TEAM!</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
This race came down to two minutes and 43 seconds separating two incredible teams. Can you believe that? </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Team PRC Girlz finished: </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<ul>
<li>32nd place overall</li>
<li>3rd fastest women's team</li>
<li>1st place in our division</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
This Hood to Coast was really about the women. Women empowering women to rise above, see the bar, and beat it. Team Athena and PRC Girlz pushing each other to run to a 32nd and 33rd place overall finish in a race with more than 1,000 teams. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE5OwNOFWEMgIPXN5d7nTYtjW9Gi6k9AVaxR1eT6uVlmc4-94IkKWVXdPxpHMiD2fXIuJ-Y2MP6iuxoIfV9pOCne5c3vAchb1W5FDES6gQZwVLfvsM4uBM_OpvWjuNPxUgyXDkR6iG2NA/s1600/7k4f6dCcT%2525CYJ205RAEJog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE5OwNOFWEMgIPXN5d7nTYtjW9Gi6k9AVaxR1eT6uVlmc4-94IkKWVXdPxpHMiD2fXIuJ-Y2MP6iuxoIfV9pOCne5c3vAchb1W5FDES6gQZwVLfvsM4uBM_OpvWjuNPxUgyXDkR6iG2NA/s320/7k4f6dCcT%2525CYJ205RAEJog.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">some of both teams.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Team Goats and Roses was the first place overall women's team. They finished with a blazing average pace of 6:21 per mile, and got 12th place overall, but they were not recognized at an award ceremony on Saturday night. Only the mens top winners received trophies. Goats and Roses was brave enough to speak up. Their tweet went viral, bringing national attention to a pretty big mistake. Hood to Coast staff offered a quick apology, made some staffing changes, and acknowledged that this will never happen again. Positive change for all women moving forward. Thank you Goats and Roses.</div>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
Thank you Paula Harkin for being my friend. Your friendship is a gift I treasure deeply. Thank you for putting together the PRC Girlz team and including me on the roster. The friendships I've gained from this team grow deeper every year. What a gift. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">me and Paula</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
Shout out to my teammates. You women inspire me every day. You are gritty. Determined. Hard working. Successful business women, moms, wives, friends. You get up early. You stay up late. You put in the time, sweat, tears to be fast. But you are also loyal, funny, kind. You make me want to be better, faster, kinder, and stronger. Thank you.</div>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
And to Team Athena and Goats and Roses... well done. Thank you for pushing us all to rise above. To work smarter, harder, better. Until next year...</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
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<div style="text-align: left;">
My Legs by the splits so I know for next year:</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
5.25 miles - 6:55 pace</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
6.82 miles - 7:09 pace</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
4.12 miles - 7:17 pace</div>
Jodi Stilphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04329375455810397582noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7609922816774700750.post-24963995615178377132018-08-23T11:14:00.005-07:002018-08-23T12:22:28.132-07:00Hold Everything Loosely and Be Kind to Yourself: Life Lessons from Runningby Jodi<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1ybTOH1-LUncN6xu5rrWARSxHZsHO8vTiqIfT1Ov-1cyR_loEZGcBxYP9cX2q3W9JCO6OGGbpqNBDzC-Br9Z5o3zfWZ_1nzXLpJG8K4xnJy1dU8_mm8HhZvITKiWXsjjFTuNtkHtk01U/s1600/IMG_4983.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1ybTOH1-LUncN6xu5rrWARSxHZsHO8vTiqIfT1Ov-1cyR_loEZGcBxYP9cX2q3W9JCO6OGGbpqNBDzC-Br9Z5o3zfWZ_1nzXLpJG8K4xnJy1dU8_mm8HhZvITKiWXsjjFTuNtkHtk01U/s320/IMG_4983.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Most of my teammates at our team dinner</td></tr>
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Today I am prepping for Hood to Coast, an epic relay race from Timberline Lodge, nestled high on Mt. Hood, to the ocean beach at Seaside, Oregon. Runners flock from all over the world to participate in this race. For the third year in a row, I have the distinct privilege of running as part of the Portland Running Company's all women team. It's a huge honor to put on the race team uniform and run for a company that has contributed so much to the running world in Portland.<br />
<br />
With that uniform comes a responsibility to train hard and run fast. This year, I'm nervous about the "<i>run fast</i>" part. I spent the first seven months of this year rehabbing tendonitis in my knee. I watched all speed and distance I'd accumulated from two years of training hard dissipate with one slow, painful, short run after another. My knee did get better though and I've slowly been building back speed and stamina. I'm getting faster, but I'm not as fast I as I have been.<br />
<br />
And then there's the training piece. My training has been interrupted by grief, sporadic asthma, and Life Stuff. So often this spring and summer, I've had a plan, then scrapped it because Life decided to turn things all cattywampus. I'm training hard, but not in the predictable, routine way that I prefer. Normally I head into a race with weeks of consistent training behind me and a hard and firm pace that I know I can run. This year, I've got a semi-confident guesstimate. <b>If there's anything I've learned from training this summer, it's to hold everything loosely and to be kind to myself mentally</b>. This summer God has given me so many opportunities to practice training my mind and for that, I'm grateful for every hard, wheezy mile.<br />
<br />
Would I love to run a 7:00 minute pace this year again for my team? You bet. Is that going to happen? Nope. I'll be thrilled with a 7:20 average pace and that will be just as big of a stretch for me as the 7:00 minute pace from years previous. But what I can do is manage my mental space.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
What am I telling myself? </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Is it a garbage thought? Then throw it out. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Truth? Hold on to it.</div>
<br />
The TRUTH is I am healthy. I am so thankful for legs that can run and lungs that can fuel my body with the oxygen I need, even when it's all wheezy. I'm still breathing. I'm still running.<br />
<br />
The TRUTH is I have a strong mind. My body will do what my mind tells it to do.<br />
<br />
So I will run my guts out, with the goal of spreading joy to those around me. I resolve to speak kindly to myself: to praise God when I want to complain, to tell myself "<i>I can</i>" when I want to say, "<i>I can't,</i>" and to not care about my pace as much as I care about being a positive and hardworking teammate.<br />
<br />
These truths apply to life, not just running. How often do we put too much emphasis on things, agendas or people that feel HUGE in the moment but in the grand scheme of life should not consume so much mental and emotional energy? When things don't pan out the way we hope or plan, we jump straight to mental defeat and shame. My friends.. this is not God's heart for us.<br />
<br />
May I encourage all of us to embrace seasons of difficulty and challenge? Use these seasons of life to press into God and practice training your mind instead.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>"Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is TRUE, whatever is NOBLE, whatever is RIGHT, whatever is PURE, whatever is LOVELY, whatever is ADMIRABLE - if anything is EXCELLENT or PRAISEWORTHY - think about such things." - Philippians 4:8</i></div>
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Tomorrow I will put on my PRC uniform with pride, run my guts out, and manage my attitude. I'm saying it out loud so you can all hold me accountable. And, to make our captain happy, I promise to GET IN THE VAN!!!!!!!!<br />
<br />
See you on the flip side.<br />
<br />
Running through life together... Jodi<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Jodi Stilphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04329375455810397582noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7609922816774700750.post-12271884509545802072018-08-18T14:59:00.001-07:002018-08-18T14:59:11.189-07:00Free Therapy: Cascade Lakes Relay 2018 Just Us Leagueby Jodi<br />
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The first weekend of August 2018 I ran in my fifth consecutive Cascade Lakes Relay (CLR): 216.6 miles from Diamond Lake to Bend through some of the most beautiful parts of Central Oregon. I love the rugged beauty of the course. I embrace the challenge of surviving the harsh elements. The temperature swings from extreme heat to very cold desert nights. The mosquitos and bees can be super annoying. Much of this race is run on single track trails and gravel roads, without support from your van. And all of the course is at elevation - a race factor that is hard to train for when you live at sea level. It's grueling and magnificent and altogether amazing. Every.single.time.<br />
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This year I ran with the Just Us League - an all women team that my training partner captains. We wear red capes the entire race that signify our camaraderie and our love for the race. I ran Leg 3 (with one leg change in the middle) for a total of 23 miles, 17 of it on trails or gravel. I loved every mile, even the hard ones when I struggled with my breath control.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Van 1 Ladies </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Van 2 Ladies</td></tr>
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We arrived at Diamond Lake the night before the race and checked into our cabins. As our van settled in for the night we discovered a common theme. Each of us had walked through personal tragedy, sorrow, or suffering in the months leading up to the race. Our training had been one of mental strength... choosing joy each day in the face of suffocating sorrow. Our legs and lungs weren't as prepared as we normally are for the race, but our minds were strong.<br />
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This year, CLR was free therapy. Each woman in our van needed encouragement. Friendship. A place to be raw. Grace to run slow and use our time in creation to breathe in. Breathe out. We needed each other.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She-Wolf Costume Leg. OH MY GOODNESS! #amazing</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ran into some of my Hood to Coast teammates. </td></tr>
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We cried together. Prayed together. Laughed together. Cheered each other on. Danced on the side of the road at all hours of the day and night. One of our teammates even put her shoes back on and ran with a teammate who was suffering from a broken toe for the last two miles of her leg. We needed each other.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I like this random photo...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWfErHzEr6jPHheSAkd_Q4UxaaMbZd8JsV_cRsSbi_Hqg-yUtLz7af-f4WLxqeWAG0c9_oyZv6xlx-QN5ip6NdjWiRxMI45miHYZ1xwd60ZUv-B55EVUHglchdMqlDRF25pDrcQOGavCQ/s1600/IMG_4253.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWfErHzEr6jPHheSAkd_Q4UxaaMbZd8JsV_cRsSbi_Hqg-yUtLz7af-f4WLxqeWAG0c9_oyZv6xlx-QN5ip6NdjWiRxMI45miHYZ1xwd60ZUv-B55EVUHglchdMqlDRF25pDrcQOGavCQ/s320/IMG_4253.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I got my special Five Year shirt.</td></tr>
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My friends who don't run, think I'm crazy to run every day. But honestly... this is why I run. You can't put a price tag on friendships that are forged in the fire of sweat, tears, and shoulder-to-shoulder of running together. Some of us started our weekend as strangers, but we all left as friends. Thank you Jesus for knowing just exactly what we need. And thank you Cascade Lakes Relay for putting on this race. I look forward to it every single year.<br />
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Oh.. forgot to mention we finished 216.6 miles in 30 hours, 25 minutes and 21 seconds, for an 8:26 average pace. We won our division and got 32nd place overall. Well done ladies.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd8jh_yJmFhUB8Sfvz1OeuZRdYBSu2q-BitBeNjo8Mzf1aBYpLDZ3YXZzUtXjEvTCYiCNe2Az10UrgnrG40qTcv2czlS4xgDWZQM7kOkmPPVIwAK0IWBU2FvgacnpaSW5vk7fgWvTp_bI/s1600/2d0PH0neRnSRrW5qcxvVBg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd8jh_yJmFhUB8Sfvz1OeuZRdYBSu2q-BitBeNjo8Mzf1aBYpLDZ3YXZzUtXjEvTCYiCNe2Az10UrgnrG40qTcv2czlS4xgDWZQM7kOkmPPVIwAK0IWBU2FvgacnpaSW5vk7fgWvTp_bI/s320/2d0PH0neRnSRrW5qcxvVBg.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">podium picture</td></tr>
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#whyirun #runeveryday #runstreak<br />
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And just for my reference because I sometimes come back here to look up stats. I ran Leg 3 (for legs 1 and 3. Leg 2 for the 2nd portion).<br />
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Leg 1: 7.8 miles - 7:32 pace (some downhill and the rest flat. Four+ miles of dirt trail; the rest pavement)<br />
Leg 2: 8.9 miles - 8:15 pace (climbing in the first three miles, the rest rolling. All gravel)<br />
Leg 3: 6.05 miles - 8:51 pace (all uphill on pavement. Breathing was really difficult. Had to slow down to catch a breath and be able to finish)Jodi Stilphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04329375455810397582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7609922816774700750.post-84553087713121313222018-07-09T12:28:00.000-07:002018-07-09T14:20:54.789-07:00Three Years: Run Yourself Betterby Jodi<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgxBw37pbhyugcJugehURnBI0ca9_DwSBbKVO6_seB0TmcYGCYDIOi4PDSl5S2nfWmmQ9s3RIEap0cRRmY67sSERRyRwPCKuNpFfX-wnuM9PzWa3HYp-m456VoUyCk-u9Wa6j3Cajw1xc/s1600/IMG_3389.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgxBw37pbhyugcJugehURnBI0ca9_DwSBbKVO6_seB0TmcYGCYDIOi4PDSl5S2nfWmmQ9s3RIEap0cRRmY67sSERRyRwPCKuNpFfX-wnuM9PzWa3HYp-m456VoUyCk-u9Wa6j3Cajw1xc/s320/IMG_3389.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">THREE YEARS</td></tr>
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Today my run streak hit three years. Three years of tying up the laces and running at least one continuous mile each day. I've got 936 miles under my feet so far in 2018, and over 6,000 miles since I started my streak. I am thankful for every single day I can run. Thankful for every single mile.<br />
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My friend Paula is on her 10th year of run streaking. When people ask her, "<i>Don't you get injured?</i>" she smiles and says, "Sure. <b><i>Run yourself better.</i></b>" She should trademark this phrase. It has come to define what my run streak is for me.<br />
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I started my streak three years ago when my husband Curt was working a more than full time job and also a full time doctoral student. My run streak was a stabilizing force in a chaotic and unpredictable season in our family's life. It was free mental therapy. God knew I needed it. #runyourselfbetter<br />
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Once Dr. Stilp graduated, I was less emotionally needy. A minor knee injury nagged its way into really painful tendonitis that took a good six months to rehab. I went from 40+ miles a week for over two years, to barely eking out twenty, slow painful miles a week. I considered ending the streak, but I was within months of my 1,000 day goal. I couldn't quit, but it was a rare day that I didn't have to talk myself into tying up the laces and stepping into another painful run. <br />
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Those pain filled months were so good for me though. I got to practice showing grace to myself. Up until this point in my streak, I had averaged around 6 miles a day for more than two years. Running "just" one mile felt like cheating. But my body needed rest so I learned to let myself have One Mile Days. I dumped plans for all races - including training programs with intense workouts - and just ran short, slow miles. I took walks with my friends who don't run. And you know what? My knee slowly got better. #runyourselfbetter<br />
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1,000 days arrived on April 4th of this year. I got my run streak comma. I really thought I would take the next day off. But my kids didn't want me to quit. <i>"We love your run streak Mom. It's so fun for us to watch you do this. Our friends think it's cool. But most of all you would miss it."</i> And they were right. When it came to Day 1,001, I knew I couldn't skip a run. <b>If I was capable of running a mile, why wouldn't I?</b> So like Forrest Gump, I kept running.<br />
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On May 13th, tragedy rocked our world. One of my dearest friends lost her husband in a tragic accident. Less than a week later, another friend of mine told me she had just been diagnosed with cancer. We're the same age. We've raised our kids together. How can this be? In this mix of grief and tragedy, one of our pastors and his wife found out that their unborn twin boys had an in-utero accident. One died in the womb. The other sustained such significant brain damage that he was not expected to live outside the womb. Grief upon grief upon grief. <br />
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I am 1,000% emotionally needy again and have sobbed and prayed my way through run after run. My training partners (who are also some of my best friends) have let me verbally process through the unfairness of good people living in a broken world being given a cross of suffering. Free therapy. God knew I needed my streak. #runyourselfbetter<br />
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I am so grateful to serve a God who invites me into an authentic faith instead of a tidy one. Nothing about my life is tidy right now. I am discombobulated, raw, and emotional. I have never felt Jesus more real than now and I am so grateful, but Jesus and I are not in a warm fuzzy phase. We are wrestling through the mire. I get stuck on the unfairness. The weight of the grief. We are not made for this...<br />
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How do I walk well alongside my closest friend when each morning she wakes up alone and has to face another day without the love of her life?</div>
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Why did my friends take one infant son home on hospice care when there were supposed to be two, healthy boys leaving the hospital?</div>
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Why does my friend have to schedule chemotherapy into her weekly rhythm instead of spin class?</div>
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Jesus how do I get my raging emotions to fall in line with what I know is true of you? That you are faithful. That you are love. That you are good and that you will make all things right in the end?</div>
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These are just some of the questions I take with me on the run. There's something about the rhythm, the effort, the cadence of running that lets The Ugly slide off and opens my gutted heart to really receive the truth. Jesus welcomes my questions, my grief, my emotions. He invites me into his arms and gently reminds me that the way through the valley is continued obedience. <br />
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<i>"In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome..." </i></div>
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<i>- I John 5:3</i></div>
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Last week I studied Galatians 5. It talks about the characteristics that should define the people who follow Jesus and are filled with His Spirit: <i>love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, faithfulness, goodness and self control.</i> In this current season, I'm struggling with all of it. It's almost comical how tricky it is to choose joy and patience and self control when you feel like such a raging mess internally. Laugh or cry friends.. I've done both.</div>
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The passage finishes up with this verse. <b>"</b><i style="font-weight: bold;">Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit."</i> </div>
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As I enter another year of my run streak, my goal is to <i>"keep in step with the Spirit" </i>as He runs with me through the valley of the shadow of death. One foot after the other. One mile after another. Each step, a step to healing. </div>
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<b>Run yourself better. </b></div>
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#runyourselfbetter #whyirun #runstreak #runeveryday #stepstohealing</div>
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<br />Jodi Stilphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04329375455810397582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7609922816774700750.post-78865642458875048582018-01-09T19:28:00.002-08:002018-03-21T18:32:56.526-07:00Run Every Day: Why I Am A Run Streaker<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cascade Lakes Relay 2015 - just three weeks into my streak</td></tr>
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On July 9, 2015, I registered with the <a href="http://www.runeveryday.com/">United States Running Streak Association</a> (USRSA) and started Day One of my Run Streak. I had no idea the places my feet would take me in the days, weeks, months and years that followed. I also had no idea how much interest other people would have in my streak. Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions that I get.<br />
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Q: What are the rules?<br />
A: The rules are simple. To be a recognized "Streaker" <i>by USRSA, each runner must "run at least one mile (1.61 kilometers) within each calendar day. Running may occur on either the roads, a track, over hill and dale, or on a treadmill" </i>for a minimum of 365 days. When I first started my streak, other Streakers told me that the mile had to be "<i>one continuous mile</i>" for a minimum of 365 days. If you stop mid-mile, you have to start your mile over. Streakers who have been doing it for years are very particular about the Consecutive Without Stopping part. Rumor has it they have even gone so far as to say you could run a full marathon, but if you stopped in the middle of each mile it wouldn't count toward your streak. This made me laugh. Talk about rigid. But I get it. If you don't hold fast to this rule, people would find a way around it, stopping multiple times per mile because they are tired and say it counts as a mile. I respect the Continuous Mile and on more than one occasion have had to start my mile over again because of red lights, shoes coming untied, etc.<br />
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You do not have to run a certain pace to qualify as a run streaker. It just has to be one continuous running motion for a mile. Anyone could do this.<br />
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The USRSA Director read my post and wanted to include this addendum: "<i> While you may adhere to the continuous mile rule for your own streak, our streak association dropped the rule a couple of years ago."</i><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbl4gpSzyFtwdpXLNQ_yaa0FId5yGf9iGbwpbvcCW058RqGubh0LKvJwwC4pEMnhvsuDsNL0qoePmcJf9kx5QiBsN2_RncHcrzXQNrkFiJWFKBAFOxJ4pI-dgFso5IOT9yVu2vqQf_xsc/s1600/fullsizeoutput_859e.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1203" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbl4gpSzyFtwdpXLNQ_yaa0FId5yGf9iGbwpbvcCW058RqGubh0LKvJwwC4pEMnhvsuDsNL0qoePmcJf9kx5QiBsN2_RncHcrzXQNrkFiJWFKBAFOxJ4pI-dgFso5IOT9yVu2vqQf_xsc/s320/fullsizeoutput_859e.jpeg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunlight on my face. Sweat on my brow. Just how I like it.</td></tr>
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Q: How do I register as a Run Streaker?<br />
A: Go to http://www.runeveryday.com and fill out the registration form. Send in your $20 annual membership fee and you're off and running (pun intended).<br />
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Q: What is your run streak goal?<br />
A: My original goal was a minimum of 365 days. I wanted my name on the docket at USRSA. But I got to 365 days and I was addicted. There was no part of me that wanted to stop streaking, so I set a new goal. 1,000 days. I want that run streak comma. I'm 85 days away from that goal and that makes me VERY happy.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSbtznBlHL572BxC3KjjqcLof_iUY7hVpMgljs64YgcODuIOPKYeh6ijcUDBcrFl5tr2iDwdW5VpXdELjOkRG6bqaAjUh3GarmL9NvsQPlNop3nK3H_ReblTIqjMBB63w0SrO5-QecOPo/s1600/IMG_3321.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSbtznBlHL572BxC3KjjqcLof_iUY7hVpMgljs64YgcODuIOPKYeh6ijcUDBcrFl5tr2iDwdW5VpXdELjOkRG6bqaAjUh3GarmL9NvsQPlNop3nK3H_ReblTIqjMBB63w0SrO5-QecOPo/s320/IMG_3321.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Track workouts - I have a love/hate relationship with them</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One year streaking in the books</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 900 was Christmas Day 2017. My whole family ran 1.5 miles with me so that our total would be 9 miles for 900 days. They are awesome.</td></tr>
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Q: Why a run streak?<br />
A: In July 2015 I was already running five or six days a week and in great shape. My good friend Paula started a run streak on January 1st, 2009. She hasn't missed a day of running in over nine years. She inspires me. Paula could tell that her streak intrigued me, so she asked me, "<i>Why are you not streaking?"</i> I couldn't get that question out of my mind. I unofficially started a streak. Ran five days in a row and purposely skipped the sixth day. Instead of appreciating the rest, I was irritated with myself for sitting on the Run Streak fence. The next day, I put my money where my dream was and registered with USRSA. Then told my husband Curt I was an official Run Streaker.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxPdmOCFxDS3ZGiBCNrPfvu485LgeHN0nwXPCyqY6YVxZrzo0TLyKXmh4Tl_R-ZZJFx6UKm_eHLg-wf25OqSi9XHH6Q-jXz2AioXwwwn_H2ocAXditQJvg7Gpi3ITCbQ5p_NpRiQB1GyE/s1600/IMG_3330.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxPdmOCFxDS3ZGiBCNrPfvu485LgeHN0nwXPCyqY6YVxZrzo0TLyKXmh4Tl_R-ZZJFx6UKm_eHLg-wf25OqSi9XHH6Q-jXz2AioXwwwn_H2ocAXditQJvg7Gpi3ITCbQ5p_NpRiQB1GyE/s320/IMG_3330.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paula, Amanda (middle) and I ran a half marathon a couple weeks before I started my run streak.</td></tr>
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The timing was terrible to start a streak. Curt was working a more than full time, high stress job while simultaneously going to full time graduate school to earn his doctorate. He was one year into a three year program, and we hardly ever saw him. All four of our kids play sports year round and at the time, none of them were driving, so I spent the majority of my time chauffeuring and coordinating sports calendars. When I wasn't doing that I was running my photography business. Adding one more Must Do Today seemed stupid, but I felt pulled to give it a try. I'm so glad I did. The streak has been one of the best gifts to me and my family.<br />
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My run streak has been a stabilizing force in a chaotic season in my family's life. No matter what the day threw at me, I knew I would run. I've done some of the best business planning, talking to Jesus, and friendship building on the run. I come home from a run with a clear head and focused vision for each day. My run streak has made me a better wife, mother and friend. Every day for more than 900 days, I have chosen to honor the commitment I made to run one mile. It's empowering to know I can do hard things. God knew I needed this. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpdFIK7_J8yd9b_V3jGf2e7Rs7yvq3W72VMsNsl0nrJ_ZhL6UZir4XrIVoyGG5xaEf33mhYcfq7Jl7ej3WG66G6IjzvLJDtbcqi3W3MYxm5nPF4rGBpQbMpWuLv1YihJ5rqtUgtXCe-4k/s1600/IMG_5532.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpdFIK7_J8yd9b_V3jGf2e7Rs7yvq3W72VMsNsl0nrJ_ZhL6UZir4XrIVoyGG5xaEf33mhYcfq7Jl7ej3WG66G6IjzvLJDtbcqi3W3MYxm5nPF4rGBpQbMpWuLv1YihJ5rqtUgtXCe-4k/s320/IMG_5532.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dawn is one of my best friends. I learn so much about running and life by training with her. We got DRENCHED in this 10k on Thanksgiving Day 2016.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg7Euyeic19aLqeQbLK37N1HOZfXs1-ggZLwbjvemAHA5LRkjmjajuRO9oZCL0WW3nzQ___M4QIcmG6rGKp4p15nWH1gNZ56-ceunx6xxZNygzrnDDe_ih4Ww8Jgijc64M-ZhwftddKZQ/s1600/IMG_4308.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg7Euyeic19aLqeQbLK37N1HOZfXs1-ggZLwbjvemAHA5LRkjmjajuRO9oZCL0WW3nzQ___M4QIcmG6rGKp4p15nWH1gNZ56-ceunx6xxZNygzrnDDe_ih4Ww8Jgijc64M-ZhwftddKZQ/s320/IMG_4308.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It was NOT raining on this half marathon day. We ran every step together and won our age group so we got huge bottles of wine.</td></tr>
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Q: Where do you run?<br />
A: Always outside. Always. I'm not sure I even know how to work a treadmill. I'm never without my <a href="https://handful.com/">Handful Bra</a> because I have a permanent tan line from them.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFw874nioAzJeQXePIidx9cWrZbp-Ea7lJxMxrt2eQtG8QXJtj_Rn05ZfeKPQfjJCPZ3vjtCLmaPJPImTMWUP_2fkePUJ2isD6VAkWKXZMc778qAXvSQf6DY9MNbbY0cdA5H6KsbgOE1I/s1600/IMG_5676.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFw874nioAzJeQXePIidx9cWrZbp-Ea7lJxMxrt2eQtG8QXJtj_Rn05ZfeKPQfjJCPZ3vjtCLmaPJPImTMWUP_2fkePUJ2isD6VAkWKXZMc778qAXvSQf6DY9MNbbY0cdA5H6KsbgOE1I/s320/IMG_5676.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Never without my Handful.</td></tr>
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Q: What about bad weather?<br />
A: When you're a streaker, the question is not IF you're going to run, it's WHEN you're going to run. So I just get it done. I'm grateful Oregon is so temperate and I can run outside every day. Last winter it rained and rained and rained and rained and rained. I rotated my shoes on the heating vent and was very sick of feeling like a raisin. I have fallen multiple times due to slick road conditions, ice, tree roots, etc. Thankfully none of these falls have resulted in significant injuries. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCoAj8gLLge9PhYXag6sdDQdA__5yBw6e_SqVq-SjedYoiNLY0i1FZrAyfVRBv3jEnYMLusuVcS14iaxSndPIao1bBXEIpSsNBZFU2HYzFuEBOCG3vszf7SIDbFOQ5QaGFsHiiJg9YCWg/s1600/IMG_5925.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1203" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCoAj8gLLge9PhYXag6sdDQdA__5yBw6e_SqVq-SjedYoiNLY0i1FZrAyfVRBv3jEnYMLusuVcS14iaxSndPIao1bBXEIpSsNBZFU2HYzFuEBOCG3vszf7SIDbFOQ5QaGFsHiiJg9YCWg/s320/IMG_5925.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Selfie after another skin-drenching run in the rain</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiId72fLIohGWF7Bnod4Oo7ATzkB6GWmerR2XZhk8nsJBZY6RmW1UgntEdB4QBPxtyikK5IhlyWDuNYXdVX2XSowtYVew4CAtK3W2yJsDbvZ14VZZFwzojOi3cvgspnBWdGxVO58oWR-vI/s1600/IMG_4194.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiId72fLIohGWF7Bnod4Oo7ATzkB6GWmerR2XZhk8nsJBZY6RmW1UgntEdB4QBPxtyikK5IhlyWDuNYXdVX2XSowtYVew4CAtK3W2yJsDbvZ14VZZFwzojOi3cvgspnBWdGxVO58oWR-vI/s320/IMG_4194.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After one of my falls. Darn tree roots.</td></tr>
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Q: Don't you get sick?<br />
A: Yes. Those are the days when I just run a slow mile or two. Those are also the days when being a Streaker feels hard.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeDAXHitxE8sMfj5g3-9xF2H4MjYzpRX9iMFfRSNOYCAOk1w_SbzpYUbs0zPEZ1ZsH_66qw73I1DbVPZ5GdrRlwWmraC41-Hf6PDZiCsUcKKjKFPmpbPZ6hKjO5oEfsN1JB5axD_HFRBY/s1600/Camelia%2527s+Camera+Edited-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeDAXHitxE8sMfj5g3-9xF2H4MjYzpRX9iMFfRSNOYCAOk1w_SbzpYUbs0zPEZ1ZsH_66qw73I1DbVPZ5GdrRlwWmraC41-Hf6PDZiCsUcKKjKFPmpbPZ6hKjO5oEfsN1JB5axD_HFRBY/s320/Camelia%2527s+Camera+Edited-4.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some running days just feel like this.</td></tr>
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Q: What about injuries?<br />
A: Yep. Paula has a motto, <i>"Run yourself better"</i> and I've adopted it. When I'm hurting, I modify my workout to baby whatever is not 100% and do what it takes to get back to running injury free. I've utilized yoga, physical therapy, massage, and easier workouts to keep bouncing back. Fortunately none of my injuries have been Streak Ending ones, but streaking does take a toll. I am currently addressing lingering tendonitis in a knee that has been very sore for months.<br />
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Q: What are the craziest places/times you've run?<br />
A: When we hike, I still have to run at least one mile. One time I ran circles around the lake we hiked up to, but most of the time, I run the road from the trailhead back down the mountain for a mile and then my family picks me up. I've run laps around high schools in between water polo games, before photo shoots, in between soccer games, and circles around the traffic lights downtown Portland so I didn't have to start my mile over. On day 699, I almost forgot to run. I remembered when someone at a graduation party asked me how far I ran that day - it made for a late night run on a belly full of party food, but Curt and I got it done. I have run down Mt. Hood, on Huntington Beach, and along the Deschutes River. Through the forest, around neighborhoods, down country roads, and through the urban core of big cities. I've run on gravel, single track, pavement, cement, and the track. I have run by myself, with my friends, and with my family. Curt and I run together every Sunday. It has been incredible.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgETWw7mKjzWsiMpGdTAnP8vmRHXri9kLPsZtIoBrtry0mgASqnQLRzm_WQYdvnr7L8mR_2_M66RR_3lhgbaD6A74rv8q_xTQTtfV9XVAXrYj8A7Z5NrnEOvaXMFlN_5SgcxD4rN9MR-KI/s1600/fullsizeoutput_77e2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgETWw7mKjzWsiMpGdTAnP8vmRHXri9kLPsZtIoBrtry0mgASqnQLRzm_WQYdvnr7L8mR_2_M66RR_3lhgbaD6A74rv8q_xTQTtfV9XVAXrYj8A7Z5NrnEOvaXMFlN_5SgcxD4rN9MR-KI/s320/fullsizeoutput_77e2.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Running down the trail above Timberline Lodge on Mt. Hood</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4aIuTpFpJ-amOxuMXg3fZwz3Z8nXG04m3A-FDcyJaewg4BSmqJUqR_FEqJttBVHWNbc1KmnJlQfELOt7r6AfDbCAeBNna_MeiBHjjz3733v-MKb0x8xhq7QaPxzcdMh_oY0AkP8k_yok/s1600/CLR2017+for+FB+-+the+girls-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4aIuTpFpJ-amOxuMXg3fZwz3Z8nXG04m3A-FDcyJaewg4BSmqJUqR_FEqJttBVHWNbc1KmnJlQfELOt7r6AfDbCAeBNna_MeiBHjjz3733v-MKb0x8xhq7QaPxzcdMh_oY0AkP8k_yok/s320/CLR2017+for+FB+-+the+girls-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Running has given me some of my best friends. And Oregon is not an ugly place to run.</td></tr>
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Q: Has the streak made you a better runner?<br />
A: YES! Running every day without a purpose is boring. To keep it interesting, I started racing more. With each new training schedule, I got stronger and faster. I won the 2016 Vernonia Marathon, shattering my previous marathon PR by twelve minutes. I also won a local 10k with a sub-7 pace, something that is super hard for me. This summer I finished an ultra relay, splitting 216.6 very difficult miles with five other runners in 29 hours. My portion was 40 miles It was the most difficult and exhilarating accomplishment to date. My run streak helped me accomplish these things.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaMjaGHUSZFLoZKeJavqNs-vOmrAxKeD3mbM5SrxkKBziK_4GsbQwTK7YapIkQSECba60-N4UYTEbF2hQFdUMD2UITSCNgRFoANTaV17CAByMfKJ6cZnbX-st0O725p833yv7epNIb0Ys/s1600/IMG_2290.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaMjaGHUSZFLoZKeJavqNs-vOmrAxKeD3mbM5SrxkKBziK_4GsbQwTK7YapIkQSECba60-N4UYTEbF2hQFdUMD2UITSCNgRFoANTaV17CAByMfKJ6cZnbX-st0O725p833yv7epNIb0Ys/s320/IMG_2290.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I will never forget this moment - crossing the finish line of a marathon with a shiny new PR and as the first woman. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxJB9cNG_B25ZSjI37_CREzQj8307agS7qGJw7chr5rNLpDyQqeO5HKdRm35mYkhVNFoJBRiFwTEKvCABmTDXB-mANIfjfXuDQAIxxQj7Mmkf4IYIeXVBY-TA2ZizyjKk52fZZzKmoyq8/s1600/IMG_2287.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxJB9cNG_B25ZSjI37_CREzQj8307agS7qGJw7chr5rNLpDyQqeO5HKdRm35mYkhVNFoJBRiFwTEKvCABmTDXB-mANIfjfXuDQAIxxQj7Mmkf4IYIeXVBY-TA2ZizyjKk52fZZzKmoyq8/s320/IMG_2287.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I ran so much faster than I thought I would that Curt missed the finish. LOL.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkA_ctJ6kDVIRMvh1smXH8cAJOx3hWwgMq9E_wwXEcLzjQWxZE3uvphpqV9GTBrIMkW8q9VakfAJL7w2OCcdlbtNV08rczTHyRHlfeliDl25OnoDG4_IZbwJchyhXOHIyRSsLnLxOCkjk/s1600/fullsizeoutput_6ea3.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkA_ctJ6kDVIRMvh1smXH8cAJOx3hWwgMq9E_wwXEcLzjQWxZE3uvphpqV9GTBrIMkW8q9VakfAJL7w2OCcdlbtNV08rczTHyRHlfeliDl25OnoDG4_IZbwJchyhXOHIyRSsLnLxOCkjk/s320/fullsizeoutput_6ea3.jpeg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">finishing the Eugene Marathon this year was bittersweet. Second fastest marathon, but not the race I trained for. This race wrecked me for weeks.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrvtcV8lM6EGslX4_rgu9-6-rqSW94f6Y3DpYoC4RokeQ897HhkxcidRJZ4wsAIaQnA-Kr8ruxtv4_5E5CV67dEyelYYg_lw-1EOj1zQX-tUToI0af_3Tdm_G3LGISQvuclYmHut23TEI/s1600/IMG_6717.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrvtcV8lM6EGslX4_rgu9-6-rqSW94f6Y3DpYoC4RokeQ897HhkxcidRJZ4wsAIaQnA-Kr8ruxtv4_5E5CV67dEyelYYg_lw-1EOj1zQX-tUToI0af_3Tdm_G3LGISQvuclYmHut23TEI/s320/IMG_6717.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">10k Winner and a sub-7 pace!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZCSQQKQwYuijR7DBp-z9Tsw7lyCpI-i_nuTmysrNervktIQ48U6gY5Y0XMFUyG6Dl7JzppoFUzQsc2foWtairA145gpE8lQTB4bQ12Vql9iPF80DmMKj_kHgHpEUTNm4AH5le2Xs55fs/s1600/IMG_9158.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1187" data-original-width="1600" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZCSQQKQwYuijR7DBp-z9Tsw7lyCpI-i_nuTmysrNervktIQ48U6gY5Y0XMFUyG6Dl7JzppoFUzQsc2foWtairA145gpE8lQTB4bQ12Vql9iPF80DmMKj_kHgHpEUTNm4AH5le2Xs55fs/s320/IMG_9158.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Ultra Relay day taking one for the team and running one very stiff and slow mile with me the morning after our race.</td></tr>
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Q: How many miles do you run a day?<br />
A: In 2016, I averaged a 10k a day. This year, I had to reduce my mileage starting in September because of tendonitis in my knee. It brought my average to 5.6 miles a day. The days when I just run one mile are few and far between. If I'm going to get sweaty, I might as well make it count.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQK4Zeo7VKtr7yRQ81-xdqlm1UNTTOk1vJO0hdFo0UWH4Gir7rEMNczwGdFomlyJo1CfNz-ETQUBZF8Z4nsePFL1e4KJpcA-h_nB7irayyzwntskWt1WQzPjicUW7Z63JU7lKAGiWgjiU/s1600/IMG_E9155.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQK4Zeo7VKtr7yRQ81-xdqlm1UNTTOk1vJO0hdFo0UWH4Gir7rEMNczwGdFomlyJo1CfNz-ETQUBZF8Z4nsePFL1e4KJpcA-h_nB7irayyzwntskWt1WQzPjicUW7Z63JU7lKAGiWgjiU/s320/IMG_E9155.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">during the Cascade Lakes Relay 2017</td></tr>
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Q: How many miles have you run?<br />
A: In three years (January 1, 2015 to date), I have run more than 6,000 miles: the same distance it is from Portland, Oregon to Bucharest, Romania. This boggles my mind.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicfp0xSoOTDALytaY-obYdDbIvhOokeyU9sTJthSgkFoD7igXnO_pdeMHub0DatAKNwvYf3RymFKvMp9125YSKZX3-kWXEvPVuxk9O9g6KJ7X_L_O0xPXDodfwTLvlwYmKIxf6g6qKpaU/s1600/CLR+2016+Team+No+Expectations-47.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicfp0xSoOTDALytaY-obYdDbIvhOokeyU9sTJthSgkFoD7igXnO_pdeMHub0DatAKNwvYf3RymFKvMp9125YSKZX3-kWXEvPVuxk9O9g6KJ7X_L_O0xPXDodfwTLvlwYmKIxf6g6qKpaU/s320/CLR+2016+Team+No+Expectations-47.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I ran with Curt up the backside of Mt. Bachelor during his ridiculously hard leg of the Cascade Lakes Relay.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeAr6J7-aMImzVmSO6PQYEqUVNmybmOVMqCj2VWEnv-XXTM6ORxDJumfVxC01VkUnv46Iys0p6C8Mo9UO7KPGekHrC7zsewxvpbP4jXUsWkR3MH0cfqStXr3uFvHXLFtd_JZMoCHX87jY/s1600/CLR+2016+Team+No+Expectations-49.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeAr6J7-aMImzVmSO6PQYEqUVNmybmOVMqCj2VWEnv-XXTM6ORxDJumfVxC01VkUnv46Iys0p6C8Mo9UO7KPGekHrC7zsewxvpbP4jXUsWkR3MH0cfqStXr3uFvHXLFtd_JZMoCHX87jY/s320/CLR+2016+Team+No+Expectations-49.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I was his water sherpa and his encourager. We both wept when he finished. It's one of the greatest things we've done together - top ten dates for sure. My run streak gave us this memory.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Q: When will you quit?<br />
A: I used to say, <i>"I have no plans to quit."</i> However, I'm feeling compelled to end the streak after 1,000 days. Curt graduated in June with a doctorate in Education Leadership. Having him around again to help me navigate our crazy life makes me less needy for a run every day. My continuing achy knee is also nudging me toward taking a break from running. So that's where I'm at right now. Ask me in another thirty days and I might feel compelled to keep streaking. It's pretty addicting. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Starting my first leg of the CLR ultra.</td></tr>
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Q: What does your family think of your streak?<br />
A: They have been very supportive. It's nice that Curt worked in orthopedics for so many years. He's my sounding board for all my aches and pains and I trust his advice. I was recently interviewed by Runners World about my streak. The article focused on what it's like to live with a streaker. Here's a link <a href="https://www.runnersworld.com/runners-stories/what-its-like-living-with-a-run-streaker">to the article</a>. I still can't believe I got to share my running story in such an iconic publication.<br />
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<div>
So there you have it. The most frequently asked questions I get about being a run streaker. If you have one for me, leave it in the comments and I'll gladly answer it.</div>
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Run on Friends.</div>
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#runeveryday #runstreaker #whyirun</div>
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Jodi Stilphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04329375455810397582noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7609922816774700750.post-78318569044346852672017-08-28T15:53:00.001-07:002017-08-28T22:49:57.235-07:00Hood to Coast 2017: Portland Running Company Girlz<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">by Jodi</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This weekend I ran Hood to Coast for the third time. Thank you Dave and Paula for the opportunity to represent you and your store that has changed the culture of Portland's running community. It was such an honor to be a part of the Portland Running Company Girlz team. <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4c8-mFm9O3_pQiOcgFkaq6-aGQNxqsAa05j6IOn9SLazIRR1bzCj0DaxMgKGF9ybO4tssixvTRSvvmcDgQwHGdSOQnF2k97ckMEtiJmSdPcu1xFv2rNRN1loJsfckQLYuZYBU8M9cjCI/s1600/IMG_9482.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4c8-mFm9O3_pQiOcgFkaq6-aGQNxqsAa05j6IOn9SLazIRR1bzCj0DaxMgKGF9ybO4tssixvTRSvvmcDgQwHGdSOQnF2k97ckMEtiJmSdPcu1xFv2rNRN1loJsfckQLYuZYBU8M9cjCI/s400/IMG_9482.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our Team, minus one</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">These women are...</span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Strong </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Fast</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Determined</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Kind</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Funny</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Zesty</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Fierce.</span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">These women...</span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Chase down their dreams </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Love their families well </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Friend hard.</span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">These women are...</span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Small business owners</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Race directors</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Executives</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Personal trainers</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Physical therapists</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Administrators</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Photographers</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Nurses</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Teachers</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Coaches</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Wives</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Moms.</span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I glean from their wisdom. Laugh at their wit. Dig deeper than I thought I could dig because I watch them do the same.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We run our guts out on every leg... </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span>
<span style="text-align: center;"><b>BECAUSE WE CAN.</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We know that running is a gift and we don't take it for granted.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">These women brought it to the race this weekend. We encountered some challenging speed bumps along the way, but we didn't wallow. We adapted to new exchange zones that took mileage from prepared runners and added mileage to others who already had a big mileage load. It was cold at night. Hotter than expected during the day. I tripped in a pothole in the pitch black and almost face planted on the concrete. We ran neck and neck with our biggest competition, until our van got stuck in a holding pattern while Race Officials addressed an emergency. Our poor runner was stranded at the next exchange for almost 20 minutes in the freezing cold, but she didn't complain. In spite of - or maybe because of - these challenges, we pulled together and chased down a goal. And we did it as a team.</span><br />
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<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My teammate said last year, "<i>I didn't come here to be mediocre. I came here to kick ass.</i>" (Don't judge me for the curse word). That stuck with me and it tumbles around in my head every time I'm racing and easing off would be so much more comfortable than finding another gear.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There is NOTHING mediocre about my Portland Running Company Girlz. These women...</span></div>
<div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Push hard</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Adapt to challenges</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Laugh at adversity</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Compete (man do they compete!)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Encourage</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Drive like maniacs</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Live life fully.</span></li>
</ul>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">199 miles from Hood to Coast.</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">23 hours. 41 minutes. 38 seconds.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">7:08 average pace</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2nd place in our division</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">30th place overall</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Well done Girlz. I'll run my guts out any day with you. Until next year...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My race by the stats: </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Not my fastest or favorite leg of Hood to Coast,
but I kept a positive attitude and gave it my all on every leg in spite of a
few challenges.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
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<td style="border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 88.55pt;" valign="top" width="89">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<td style="border-left: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 51.85pt;" valign="top" width="52">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mileage<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Pace Per Mile<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Difficulty Rating<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Notes<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Leg 11<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 51.85pt;" valign="top" width="52">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4.60<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: .75in;" valign="top" width="54">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">6:59<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Easy <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Had to stop for traffic lights three times and lost at
least 60 seconds standing around waiting for the lights to change.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So hard to get started again after
interrupting my cadence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Only saw five
runners (passed them all).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was kind
of eerie to be on the Springwater Corridor in the dark with so few people. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Leg 23<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 51.85pt;" valign="top" width="52">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4.18<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">7:02<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Easy<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tripped in a pothole and almost face planted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Shoe came untied with less than a mile to
go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Had to stop, take off my gloves,
and try to tie my shoe with shaking legs and hands.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>GRR!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>50ish road kills.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 88.55pt;" valign="top" width="89">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Leg 35<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">7.14<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">7:48<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hard<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Unusually hot for so close to the coast. Fully exposed.
Gravel (big chunks of rock) road with no van support.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>105 road kills cause most people were
walking or running slower than usual.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And Yes… I counted each person I passed to keep my mind off the misery
of how hot it was.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
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<div style="color: #1d2129; font-family: 'SF Optimized', system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, '.SFNSText-Regular', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: -0.11999999731779099px; margin-bottom: 6px;">
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Jodi Stilphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04329375455810397582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7609922816774700750.post-9193191194072721922017-08-12T16:31:00.000-07:002017-08-13T08:25:59.282-07:00Did We Just Become Best Friends? Ultra - Cascade Lakes Relay 2017<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
by Jodi</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
You guys... guess what?<br />
<br />
I ran an ULTRA RELAY RACE and lived to tell about it. I still am riding the wave of adrenaline.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbRDSqaWVJ6vPzH4YHhGUsF9Spa72BS5DfOk_QTyamYSNwX4L5JP6DyJ9RFnIasrk2TdcXDTJ4m6NTS9xDYM-MKFktvCQZY1peJKwY01rWy41pNzWP40o5cIThzqDsn82NI9rp4zMzpYM/s1600/CLR2017+for+FB-8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbRDSqaWVJ6vPzH4YHhGUsF9Spa72BS5DfOk_QTyamYSNwX4L5JP6DyJ9RFnIasrk2TdcXDTJ4m6NTS9xDYM-MKFktvCQZY1peJKwY01rWy41pNzWP40o5cIThzqDsn82NI9rp4zMzpYM/s400/CLR2017+for+FB-8.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our team (wearing shirts Hillary designed for us) at the start in Diamond Lake</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWl0BMLQc9zrW62cGJxkI2e5rmDqkCkGVJqE70ktdiTOBC_rie4YRpnX-_ZYx7RF-PWwUa4U-ZnQF8X5V-NxTy81THjTRY8f4hvNVp0wc4-w_Z93-9EAx0qOQ3oYWAa8iNpud1LRzgPi4/s1600/CLR2017+for+FB-10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWl0BMLQc9zrW62cGJxkI2e5rmDqkCkGVJqE70ktdiTOBC_rie4YRpnX-_ZYx7RF-PWwUa4U-ZnQF8X5V-NxTy81THjTRY8f4hvNVp0wc4-w_Z93-9EAx0qOQ3oYWAa8iNpud1LRzgPi4/s400/CLR2017+for+FB-10.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Last weekend I tackled
one of the hardest physical and mental challenges of my life: relaying 216.6
miles with only five teammates in just over 29 hours. My portion of running was 40 miles – 24 of it
on soft gravel road or trails. The elevation is one factor that is difficult to train for since I live at sea level. Every single mile of this race is at elevation with a TON of climbing (not my speciality). With those factors considered, I made it my goal to average an 8:00 pace so I was STOKED to discover </span>that my average pace per mile was... (wait for it)... an 8:01! #nailedit</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrxqpNsyJwHiw_enn-skL5O9RNfE62OhoVDo41E9BgFLvp4ezzT6vkOoyXCxbw7O_JthXn3bQYC5bDE0yOCXM5trN8NQxYmuegORJQOJPTetrQM_lbql5AnNqtYhWDIwx_NNz-rqmBLEg/s1600/CLR2017+for+FB-37.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrxqpNsyJwHiw_enn-skL5O9RNfE62OhoVDo41E9BgFLvp4ezzT6vkOoyXCxbw7O_JthXn3bQYC5bDE0yOCXM5trN8NQxYmuegORJQOJPTetrQM_lbql5AnNqtYhWDIwx_NNz-rqmBLEg/s320/CLR2017+for+FB-37.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sweaty is sexy right?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj96MFNm5SBBKubRVvxLynAS9e0fCokyapuzfAgzsPk57hyphenhyphenUD9T6yCrn3-pxWxztrM2UPH-ckyp2pn9bNPCt6_C9QnvmFldt9mRfBYv4RAwSbJ4Qez2InoqepNHzyV1FfpsiKdlwcAMos/s1600/IMG_9155.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj96MFNm5SBBKubRVvxLynAS9e0fCokyapuzfAgzsPk57hyphenhyphenUD9T6yCrn3-pxWxztrM2UPH-ckyp2pn9bNPCt6_C9QnvmFldt9mRfBYv4RAwSbJ4Qez2InoqepNHzyV1FfpsiKdlwcAMos/s320/IMG_9155.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo credits to Mara who ran on another team with a bunch of my friends.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">My team ran up and over
mountains, past wetlands, rivers and mountain lakes, and through Oregon’s
beautiful forests.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> And can I pause for a second to talk about these teammates? Each one of them is so talented - and not just at running. They are humble. Kind. Thoughtful. Funny as all get out. Compassionate. And tough as nails. What a privilege to race with them.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO3l6UmLWkopUAo8yEnB0MCZ7aBlZdxFSsxslYtqg2CFUFzy1qbGs4y_CiBvQOQUJKXYD5heBTEM_CTqAQaZyM5U3I-Bx0KtmJcqiKNhNHC-DGiKDAP9hiHWP7lqG7x93PEJ02irZNYqc/s1600/CLR2017+for+FB-9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO3l6UmLWkopUAo8yEnB0MCZ7aBlZdxFSsxslYtqg2CFUFzy1qbGs4y_CiBvQOQUJKXYD5heBTEM_CTqAQaZyM5U3I-Bx0KtmJcqiKNhNHC-DGiKDAP9hiHWP7lqG7x93PEJ02irZNYqc/s320/CLR2017+for+FB-9.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clearly jumping is not our forte.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh86WGRC3WW7fl9MbbJmDZBEJz67_UQ_-shT7FJJM10y2UXjTuabPyvffbDlDUjWnkHEQTqnsJT239GeNiSHBD7IIEz8k0FfkeVoaP9T7vQAzwT3NGSa726bHXME_H0Z_Epd0zn8vwBpyI/s1600/CLR2017+for+FB+-+the+girls-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh86WGRC3WW7fl9MbbJmDZBEJz67_UQ_-shT7FJJM10y2UXjTuabPyvffbDlDUjWnkHEQTqnsJT239GeNiSHBD7IIEz8k0FfkeVoaP9T7vQAzwT3NGSa726bHXME_H0Z_Epd0zn8vwBpyI/s320/CLR2017+for+FB+-+the+girls-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We didn't have any fun at all.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsTzbpa37qHQeSxPaL2RMHRIwLKmLwbnhAkCRuSpI8-H50oa0cAsQo4rf3I7yAKPKfOCqFQHfINGSavgpxqHBI3EuUaMWHkAKPoF2y0ohRmBi05yAMwDqXgBd0_HbOeNB7c4iDB61KNzQ/s1600/CLR2017+for+FB-12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsTzbpa37qHQeSxPaL2RMHRIwLKmLwbnhAkCRuSpI8-H50oa0cAsQo4rf3I7yAKPKfOCqFQHfINGSavgpxqHBI3EuUaMWHkAKPoF2y0ohRmBi05yAMwDqXgBd0_HbOeNB7c4iDB61KNzQ/s320/CLR2017+for+FB-12.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The boys are Crossfitters first. Runners second. As if that wasn't abundantly obvious. They are all muscle.<span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">When we started at 10 am
on Friday it was already hot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We ran
into and through extreme heat, then into middle of the night So Cold You Could
See Your Breath, and back into extreme heat.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqIu2laGX_zJ-L7INivZnIQ3oVk-518HBJXlkjUuVtz_lKsex2QlTnzEPqVGcRV4jjD7Gq6AIHX58wQeljz4k02Jw9axOCwTqkBJAMHjHEkS8L3cV1Ggsfo_goltQ89kTNSa48mz2P5Es/s1600/CLR2017+for+FB-23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqIu2laGX_zJ-L7INivZnIQ3oVk-518HBJXlkjUuVtz_lKsex2QlTnzEPqVGcRV4jjD7Gq6AIHX58wQeljz4k02Jw9axOCwTqkBJAMHjHEkS8L3cV1Ggsfo_goltQ89kTNSa48mz2P5Es/s320/CLR2017+for+FB-23.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Accidental reverse twinning with Hillary.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiQ0kpLxOwrEEu83xnwW43b-SDMqWU-w8N38pa31qQqdDiqW3aSQKFQactIiywOOuA53Iv52XGddUqLHxVUVvm6oRF_6iuMO4HUrARpE1LNZt9HH9owlHPFTlz9raoXalR9FTYsuhFWJI/s1600/CLR2017+for+FB-47.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiQ0kpLxOwrEEu83xnwW43b-SDMqWU-w8N38pa31qQqdDiqW3aSQKFQactIiywOOuA53Iv52XGddUqLHxVUVvm6oRF_6iuMO4HUrARpE1LNZt9HH9owlHPFTlz9raoXalR9FTYsuhFWJI/s320/CLR2017+for+FB-47.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Most of our crew. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRndA1ngbkDRGDSZ2YOtwH5Psv4yrJrB0280Sj66Dr1zRgJQ8HoIqpXCogeXzl-0nQn-yoLLD3-SKqTmmQxMBOqrYxQC6jDB18VYF8dadRmA4h2t67sjx-ZjwWtw5jOK_m633C4Jpn_ic/s1600/CLR2017+for+FB-58.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRndA1ngbkDRGDSZ2YOtwH5Psv4yrJrB0280Sj66Dr1zRgJQ8HoIqpXCogeXzl-0nQn-yoLLD3-SKqTmmQxMBOqrYxQC6jDB18VYF8dadRmA4h2t67sjx-ZjwWtw5jOK_m633C4Jpn_ic/s320/CLR2017+for+FB-58.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Poor Mike had to climb up the Cascade Lakes Highway on his fifth leg in high heat. He got after it one mile and a time and rocked it out.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvwwqEy4yXTWRN_MzoFAnxsGp7b8XuGHWkwRnaEO8Hbi58q2fbtMyfjLR6OuYo-9qiSmyqP2DYDmCBWvUzxpBlBcu67xcSU9z3P5kZHg8tJ1pA0dtLyzv6v_Pu9kmKhLtnBUIkBEbIfGw/s1600/CLR2017+for+FB-68.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvwwqEy4yXTWRN_MzoFAnxsGp7b8XuGHWkwRnaEO8Hbi58q2fbtMyfjLR6OuYo-9qiSmyqP2DYDmCBWvUzxpBlBcu67xcSU9z3P5kZHg8tJ1pA0dtLyzv6v_Pu9kmKhLtnBUIkBEbIfGw/s320/CLR2017+for+FB-68.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting slap happy. At this point we had been up for 30+ hours.<span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">My teammates got eaten
alive by mosquitos, lost toenails and grew some horrendous blisters and my callouses grew to the size of </span>the<span style="font-family: inherit;"> state of Montana. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">We didn’t sleep for 40 hours, changed in the
back of the van after each leg, and used baby wipes to “shower.”</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpl65qly9G1eUNjVhX5_49rPKy0vAFclwBJjC6G9BcNs5n8WURblfK4UTXvvoiIs6SS118JbWyrYVrJxWr0K1w7XaO7lMYYQxc48I7OkMmCJbKcmFOESo8Mzi8br-65C9dbrTI5EMHVrw/s1600/CLR2017+for+FB-61.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpl65qly9G1eUNjVhX5_49rPKy0vAFclwBJjC6G9BcNs5n8WURblfK4UTXvvoiIs6SS118JbWyrYVrJxWr0K1w7XaO7lMYYQxc48I7OkMmCJbKcmFOESo8Mzi8br-65C9dbrTI5EMHVrw/s320/CLR2017+for+FB-61.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tim had almost 100 bug bites like this all over his arms.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Our fifth of six legs
wrecked every single one of us. Tim joked that the fifth leg was “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">crushing his soul.”</i> I wanted to lay on
the dirt trail and cry. Or bum a ride. Or both.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The last 400 meters to the exchange point were grueling.</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirq-cSH3DySC71UExAH6gvBBkXp4epuFJMSFI1E3lcoXN847Zsn7bzbfHlVpmYbyNJe2hBAQzlfBBrTKJH57WOz-JiVLQxwPQg6IDi25bJgZmml03zSauJNbKQE-l91MQYD8nIH3rh2OE/s1600/CLR2017+for+FB-69.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirq-cSH3DySC71UExAH6gvBBkXp4epuFJMSFI1E3lcoXN847Zsn7bzbfHlVpmYbyNJe2hBAQzlfBBrTKJH57WOz-JiVLQxwPQg6IDi25bJgZmml03zSauJNbKQE-l91MQYD8nIH3rh2OE/s320/CLR2017+for+FB-69.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Giving Tim a fresh Frog Togg. At this point he had climbed more than 800 vertical feet in less than five miles in 90 degree heat and still had more than a mile and almost 200 vertical feet of climbing to go. He is a beast.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKuZ4zxzTXiy4kTKIv6BHCiyEd18-euw_eDY-tMAJZHdiJQV0V3PEvf9GvM4mqx8kcFCKMic-fuDd-zihm-FXD3rfrVU1OVoTtXIMUcLfmB6Re1c5OO49hWi6k2Aqyub1_BJptOjXCdYY/s1600/CLR2017+for+FB-70.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKuZ4zxzTXiy4kTKIv6BHCiyEd18-euw_eDY-tMAJZHdiJQV0V3PEvf9GvM4mqx8kcFCKMic-fuDd-zihm-FXD3rfrVU1OVoTtXIMUcLfmB6Re1c5OO49hWi6k2Aqyub1_BJptOjXCdYY/s320/CLR2017+for+FB-70.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just wrecked from Leg 5 and a mountain summit. You did it Buddy!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Our sixth legs were so
victorious we cried.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, I cried.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like choked over I Can’t Believe I‘m Doing
This sobs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I ran down the Cascade Lakes
Scenic Highway wheezing and smiling past a stream of tears.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was one Happy, Hot Mess. I still can't really believe we just did that.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzphQXtDy7UTQ0DssvyDIb1gHDkEEBQyWQ26zAnJCz7Obiit-7oLaBqfHVI59RcU4xYfRnobwXb2S4mfb4L6oaiSzxk_6TCDRyWMGclYPstlMdgEJq3-mzc7aXXAjKG_8qRno_UGUMroQ/s1600/CLR2017+for+FB-72.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzphQXtDy7UTQ0DssvyDIb1gHDkEEBQyWQ26zAnJCz7Obiit-7oLaBqfHVI59RcU4xYfRnobwXb2S4mfb4L6oaiSzxk_6TCDRyWMGclYPstlMdgEJq3-mzc7aXXAjKG_8qRno_UGUMroQ/s320/CLR2017+for+FB-72.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finishing up my last leg.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNPLpo21UmVu_EeJx5VIioRd6eBQ7DnP40ynvuVsu4UfZk3sOCgN4ediQd2KdJpMVR6m8NtbwJJYe2xZJfv5Phy2HO3vXb7VU7anJlZ8iT8hs9asVrKrm6wOBqD0nxQhx_jpRtHwKvzI4/s1600/CLR2017+for+FB-73.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNPLpo21UmVu_EeJx5VIioRd6eBQ7DnP40ynvuVsu4UfZk3sOCgN4ediQd2KdJpMVR6m8NtbwJJYe2xZJfv5Phy2HO3vXb7VU7anJlZ8iT8hs9asVrKrm6wOBqD0nxQhx_jpRtHwKvzI4/s320/CLR2017+for+FB-73.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting love from my team.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqEsgP4kWV6jkHwZs3qcgDalNG81EhkHJGDRaQbwa43yBeQVg5w9z7wagwVucB7QfJC9YWHijnn82Jd4HG4rWQmOCWyh7NZZdx-RuqYMn9vVlvp1ddxcN8ADfllGzezR3OWtqa5eM286Y/s1600/CLR2017+for+FB-76.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqEsgP4kWV6jkHwZs3qcgDalNG81EhkHJGDRaQbwa43yBeQVg5w9z7wagwVucB7QfJC9YWHijnn82Jd4HG4rWQmOCWyh7NZZdx-RuqYMn9vVlvp1ddxcN8ADfllGzezR3OWtqa5eM286Y/s320/CLR2017+for+FB-76.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I did it. 40 miles in less than 29 hours. What the heck?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Our team name was Did We
Just Become Best Friends and it was so appropriate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some of us started as strangers, shaking
hands as we loaded the van.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We all
finished as friends who shared a life accomplishment together.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHqKVdBK4L9dI_HO5xEosvqIBeRd6ZTkWs1N5h_5wnME2czV4eSfI_v7jon9yG6dsPJrMad_KpBq2Bn7Bcr1shZfCERld_rL1KEjR9LT3H4n8WMpdJyGB5q5Ybdwmcgac0yexYyr9-ypg/s1600/CLR2017+for+FB-86.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHqKVdBK4L9dI_HO5xEosvqIBeRd6ZTkWs1N5h_5wnME2czV4eSfI_v7jon9yG6dsPJrMad_KpBq2Bn7Bcr1shZfCERld_rL1KEjR9LT3H4n8WMpdJyGB5q5Ybdwmcgac0yexYyr9-ypg/s400/CLR2017+for+FB-86.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finish line shenanigans.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">We knew running CLR as
an ultra team would induce physical and mental suffering.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span>I can get grouchy when I'm running, especially if I fall off my predicted pace. Add in sleep deprivation and it could have made for some Crabmaster General behavior. <span style="font-family: inherit;">We made it our team goal to Spread Joy, even
when – and maybe especially when – we were suffering.</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> I even wrote <i>"Spread Joy" </i>on the back of my bib to add a layer of accountability for myself. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">This perspective made running CLR as an ultra relay one of
the most amazing race experiences of my life.</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtYDjR1erdcQQAMCO-DHkkhjR5BLbUsNYyHR9Ubbl6X_wAFGQ8m6YTUYe_cStvawFzSBA_11AW51XkOjVkFHE17hKHS-SGbaD_3aCLwO36sbfkEuhDm_Jd_qatpPEF6LS9ffkCenNkEwI/s1600/CLR2017+for+FB-17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtYDjR1erdcQQAMCO-DHkkhjR5BLbUsNYyHR9Ubbl6X_wAFGQ8m6YTUYe_cStvawFzSBA_11AW51XkOjVkFHE17hKHS-SGbaD_3aCLwO36sbfkEuhDm_Jd_qatpPEF6LS9ffkCenNkEwI/s320/CLR2017+for+FB-17.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spreading joy.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Our team crossed the finish line 100% spent and 100% satisfied. I may have fallen asleep under our table in the middle of the After Race party cause that's how I roll.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8997u92nBrAvifLdv8RbEiVnlV6QqYsyvjk7CaeoHkTv6GMC-TF30_guFsu65seMFFD-TGHLBulSWQM-__nlcvsqg9sx9vSeF5uUid_kB8VkR6lUgXZlT3fC4ndwfUmpAsWfKWq-M4eQ/s1600/CLR2017+for+FB-83.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8997u92nBrAvifLdv8RbEiVnlV6QqYsyvjk7CaeoHkTv6GMC-TF30_guFsu65seMFFD-TGHLBulSWQM-__nlcvsqg9sx9vSeF5uUid_kB8VkR6lUgXZlT3fC4ndwfUmpAsWfKWq-M4eQ/s320/CLR2017+for+FB-83.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWjOHk5ex8FrIOeo-ylK0Y342x1N3ul-V2YAwu-FB4IOzp9jCMX0uOilm57MFpiBqV-no5rUrfsqvUHegWkDLZfuuXhpNNcdtJOcHOahlqdc3tOvmzqI9Oae-HO8AYWttAcIkUVWHScWI/s1600/CLR2017+for+FB-78.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWjOHk5ex8FrIOeo-ylK0Y342x1N3ul-V2YAwu-FB4IOzp9jCMX0uOilm57MFpiBqV-no5rUrfsqvUHegWkDLZfuuXhpNNcdtJOcHOahlqdc3tOvmzqI9Oae-HO8AYWttAcIkUVWHScWI/s320/CLR2017+for+FB-78.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">100% spent.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">CLR as an ultra team was
supposed to be a Bucket List one-and-done event, but our team is all in for one
more ultra next year cause runners are a crazy breed. They even helped me keep my </span>streak<span style="font-family: inherit;"> alive by hobbling a mile with me the day after the race.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQU4tOTZzfbxPps3LudvEgKdX7lX2vjhQiFFZ0AjqBFsJAfwlGBXMrxJV6bTnHXpGRhNaGJb9QH6hNjN_Lb7jBybT6N9LTqVJnx5IQjy1zwmwIutkMXhyphenhyphenjMIna5dXbpJFJWuFjBXKMVtQ/s1600/IMG_9158.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1187" data-original-width="1600" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQU4tOTZzfbxPps3LudvEgKdX7lX2vjhQiFFZ0AjqBFsJAfwlGBXMrxJV6bTnHXpGRhNaGJb9QH6hNjN_Lb7jBybT6N9LTqVJnx5IQjy1zwmwIutkMXhyphenhyphenjMIna5dXbpJFJWuFjBXKMVtQ/s400/IMG_9158.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Keeping my streak alive the morning after the race.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Did We Just Become Best
Friends?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think we did.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">216.6 miles<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">8,111 feet of climbing<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">29 hours, 14 minutes, 17
seconds<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">8:06 average pace per
mile<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">6 runners<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">1 van<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">1 Grand Adventure<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">What is your Grand Adventure? Why not quiet the excuses and grab life.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">#grablife #handfulbra
#adjustablebra #clr2017 #didwejustbecomebestfriends #ultrarelay #whyirun
#runeveryday #runstreak<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">BY THE STATS </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">11.00 miles<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 81.0pt;" valign="top" width="81">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">WTH<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">1:31:33; 8:24 avg.
pace<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">819 feet<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Leg 2<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">3.85 miles<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Easy<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">29:21; 7:37 avg. pace <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">166 feet<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Leg 3<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">8.9 miles<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Very Hard<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">1:11:13; 8:03 avg.
pace<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">221 feet<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Leg 4<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">7.00 miles<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Moderate<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">52:14; 7:33 avg. pace<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">5 feet (mostly
downhill)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Leg 5<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">7.06 miles<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Moderate<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">1:02:05; 8:48 avg.
pace<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 88.6pt;" valign="top" width="89">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">213 feet<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
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<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 6; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 88.55pt;" valign="top" width="89">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Leg 6<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">2.23 miles<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Easy<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 110.3pt;" valign="top" width="110">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">14:29; 6:29 avg. pace<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">0 feet (all downhill)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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Jodi Stilphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04329375455810397582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7609922816774700750.post-83859958961987018302017-06-15T15:58:00.002-07:002017-06-15T16:02:55.407-07:00The Green River Marathon: My Dream Race<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">By Tanya</span><br />
<span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13px;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">This spring <a href="http://solesistersrunning.blogspot.com/2017/05/going-with-plan-b-in-boston.html" target="_blank">I ran the Boston Marathon</a> - a dream come true. But the unexpected heat forced me to go with my Plan B, a finish time that did not qualify me to run the Boston Marathon again in 2018. </span><span style="color: black;">This meant, I would need
to run another marathon before September 2017 and get a Boston Qualifying time of 3:45:00 or better. The
marathon I chose for this purpose was the Green River Marathon (GRM). I heard about the GRM from some running friends who raced it for the past
couple of years and really liked it. </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13px;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Some of the major draws of the GRM are: </span><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The majority of the
race takes place on a mostly flat biking trail. </span></li>
<li><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A big portion of the race is along
the scenic Green River and ends at the beautiful Alki Beach. </span></li>
<li><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Kent, Washington, location is a mere three hour drive from Portland. </span></li>
<li><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It is a small race with only about 150 runners. </span></li>
<li><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The course is a Boston
certified course. </span></li>
<li><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The best part? This is a FREE race! </span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Donations are accepted to help pay for event costs, i.e. supplies, improvements
and certifications, however a substantial amount of the donations are given to
a local charity.</span></span></li>
</ul>
</div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Some of the drawbacks of the GRM are: </span><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Because it is a free
race i</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">t is put on entirely by an all-volunteer crew.
That being said, we were warned there are only a few rotating aid stations
along the course and runners are encouraged to “<i>bring your own bottle to be
filled.</i>”</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The course is entirely open,
meaning cars are not stopped, and when you get to a traffic light you must wait
for traffic. </span></span></li>
<li><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It also ends on a busy beach boardwalk and some weaving around
public may be necessary. </span></span></li>
<li><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Additionally, the race is not chip timed so when it starts
at 8:30am you better be close to the starting line and hope your Garmin, and
their watch at the end function correctly! </span></span></li>
<li><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The race takes place in early June
and hot weather can be a factor. Last year it was 80 degrees during the race! </span></span></li>
<li><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There
is also no fanfare whatsoever. No swag, no big cheering crowds, and no medal.</span></span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The drawbacks of GRM were
not deal breakers for me. However, because I am directionally challenged, especially when focusing on
maintaining my BQ pace as well as my fueling, I was scared I would accidently
get off course somewhere. This fear was put to rest when two of my
best running buddies, Michael and Paul, told me they would pace me during the
first and second half of the race.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">Because my race in Boston was so difficult, my
confidence was a little shaken. I was so certain that I was stronger this year than
the previous year when I ran and qualified for Boston at the </span><span style="color: black;"><a href="http://solesistersrunning.blogspot.com/2016/04/vernonia-marathon-running-to-find-rest.html" target="_blank">Vernonia Marathon</a>.</span><span style="color: black;"> When I was not able to push through the heat and tough course at Boston I
wondered if maybe I just had a lucky day in Vernonia. Regardless, two of my best
running friends had just qualified for their first Boston marathon and I knew I had to
join them. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The GRM was six weeks after I ran Boston so I was on a <strike>
</strike>new training routine I’d never practiced before. I decided to just repeat the last
6 weeks of my previous training program and pray that I was actually as strong
as I thought. Because the GRM had been 80 degrees last year, I was concerned
the heat may once again get the better of me. I combatted this fear by going to a “<i>Training for Hot
Races</i>” seminar by Coach Chris Bragg. I decided to apply the lessons I had learned
for the GRM, just in case. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="color: black;"></span><br /></span>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Some of the new heat tactics I practiced included finding
out my sweat rate and corresponding amount of fluids I would need to replace
during my marathon. I was shocked to discover this was forty ounces per hour! Once I knew how many fluids, I practiced replacing them plus more, while simulating a hot environment. To do
this I did what my friends and I coined “<i>Toilet Training</i>.”</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I spent one hour, three nights a week in my bathroom on my bike trainer with my
shower running and a space heater blasting on my face while forcing myself to
ingest sixty ounces of fluid with electrolytes. Yes I am that crazy!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"></span><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13px;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I was a nervous about having to replace forty ounces of
fluid and electrolyte every hour during the race. In order to do so I would have to
carry two twenty ounce water bottles while running and refill them two
or three more times! Michael and Paul volunteered to be my “<i>fuel mules</i>” and carry my water
bottles for me, and three more amazing friends of mine volunteered to drive
along the course and replace the fuel as needed! How lucky was I to have five
friends traveling to the race to support me on the course? It was already shaping
up to be a dream race!</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Zk5MYpn5xts1mDj5XF0f1qZXRNFPAke_MfyDo_zHLPnXhIkWqG8KmmboaTma7B8C4AFv5ttYM1vKqiJrRX5PRc8TUvv68IzMru_F0d2hi3tUPO1O18l1bOgao9oyxXAsxmMtesudhRRm/s1600/IMG_2467.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Zk5MYpn5xts1mDj5XF0f1qZXRNFPAke_MfyDo_zHLPnXhIkWqG8KmmboaTma7B8C4AFv5ttYM1vKqiJrRX5PRc8TUvv68IzMru_F0d2hi3tUPO1O18l1bOgao9oyxXAsxmMtesudhRRm/s320/IMG_2467.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Me and My Awesome Pacers: Michael, Paul, and Lynnette</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As the race day grew closer the weather forecast fell in
line with the “<i>dream race</i>” theme and it looked like cloud cover, no rain and an
ideal 60-65 degrees the whole time!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"></span><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13px;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The night before the
race I dreamed that I missed the start of the race.
I woke up in a funk with my stomach in knots. It is very unusual for me to
have stomach issues before or during a race so when I was unable to eat all of
my pre-race breakfast fuel I was a little concerned. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13px;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I
lined up at the start of the race on time, but still felt like I was in a foggy, dream-like state. The first two miles I felt a bit “off” but continued with my plan to stay at my pace of 8:23 per mile and force in my forty ounces of electrolyte fluid. Around mile four I started
to feel like I was going to throw up. Sensing my discomfort, my friend
Michael kept reassuring me I was doing well and keeping right
on my pace. </span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIlSfbPhnorxc_LYvAECG-fkVc9zyMaBv0FahaI6ammTI1h_stvYnS_C9ublmxvSoQ3kN3HJurfR9Lu3aQysa6_De96enbQMsVrjNKb9YHpIFH4eMeYFUZGHPkNxMI2JpdKragfkCmgKwS/s1600/IMG_2509.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIlSfbPhnorxc_LYvAECG-fkVc9zyMaBv0FahaI6ammTI1h_stvYnS_C9ublmxvSoQ3kN3HJurfR9Lu3aQysa6_De96enbQMsVrjNKb9YHpIFH4eMeYFUZGHPkNxMI2JpdKragfkCmgKwS/s320/IMG_2509.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="240" /></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFCazYdB9ouTX18WfvCF_9FyhtJuMFmjUDuRQ_eCdpsJvaEmcJwJh6EdGqd8LCVvD1qzhK0nFl6zUWnyw0KsiB0GbMPBxrDT4ze_mLbQNXw0lmvY_1qMtXpBXOFBiai4urIDs95bB9ZnN-/s1600/IMG_2501.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFCazYdB9ouTX18WfvCF_9FyhtJuMFmjUDuRQ_eCdpsJvaEmcJwJh6EdGqd8LCVvD1qzhK0nFl6zUWnyw0KsiB0GbMPBxrDT4ze_mLbQNXw0lmvY_1qMtXpBXOFBiai4urIDs95bB9ZnN-/s320/IMG_2501.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: black;"> <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The GRM very simple starting line and small racing crowd.</span> </span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My mind started to doubt. I thought maybe the pace was too
fast, but I needed to keep the consistent pace to meet my BQ goal, so I kept
going. I kept drinking and gagging. I figured that
if I threw up, oh well. Perhaps I’d feel better and then just keep going. Miles
6-13 continued in the same way, feeling like crap but holding my pace. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"></span><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13px;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">At mile 13, I saw my crew again. Michael switched out with Paul and he became my new pacer. I did my best to put on a smile for my crew. Paul
brought with him a new bottle of my carb mix and two new bottles of electrolyte
water. I knew I would need the carb to sustain me through the last six miles,
so I forced it in as quickly as I could and did my best to keep it down. Paul
kept offering me my electrolyte drink and telling me I was on pace but
at that point I started to feel dizzy and zone out. I felt like my dream race
had turned into a nightmare. I made a decision at that point that I was going
to keep pushing along and keep my pace until I either felt better or passed out. I
prayed that God would keep me going strong and if possible make me feel better
so I could enjoy the experience. </span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The next four miles were a blur. I told Paul I was going to
either throw up or pass out. He reminded me that I may feel like crap but
I was keeping my pace. He told me to splash the water on my face at the next
aid station and that made me feel better. Around mile 17 my angel crew showed
up again. I couldn't drink any more electrolyte so Paul switched it out
for straight water. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"></span><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13px;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">By mile 18 we were finally going through a city and off the
long straight bike path. The change in scenery and variance in terrain, along
with the straight water started working wonders. Also, at each of the tricky
turns or traffic stops before we’d get there Michael Allen would already be there
waving for us and/or pushing the cross walk button to get us a walk signal
right when we got there! So amazing, right?! By mile 19 when we hit the first of the two hills, I
felt so much better. At mile 20, my friend Lynnette came onboard to pace me the last six miles. She and I have a very similar cadence and I knew I’d make it to my goal if I just kept in step
with her. </span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7pAQs8t3qolEL9U9wUEGqcCaF2FpP4u8sZvcxvGPgc5DtQ3glqpDT0DGTWG-hoAIBZLk28nJzGpb93fQO7KVHrXm48zuP8chG8a4BpNGmELNC-r2PxpmkZqbFX-Xipwb2S-w79bqF4iKr/s320/IMG_2489.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="240" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lynnette and Me stride for stride</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">By mile 21 when other runners were starting to struggle, I
was starting to feel pretty good! We started passing runners left and right and
I just kept making sure my watch was staying at an overall 8:23 pace.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">At mile 25 when we turned onto the boardwalk at Alki Beach
and I knew I was going to meet my goal I stopped looking at my watch and just
ran! I enjoyed the beautiful view and said a prayer of thanks to
God for my amazing friends! Halfway into mile 25, Michael joined us again
and all four of us ran strong into the finish where the other half of my crew,
Sacha and Michael Nguyen, were waiting for us with cheers, cowbells and
cameras! </span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmOKcsd409QGi4gAWi2F4wbjXXcBlETEKWiOsMFaruvjOJVIOThoTZCoxk5yyRuXEUoeNvFmBEb-78c0tysCxXWyVWg5dgoW4K7LOHdKyWkwpWzg5l9dP1JJhQPE4RYOSPIQFMT71oAS84/s1600/IMG_2479.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmOKcsd409QGi4gAWi2F4wbjXXcBlETEKWiOsMFaruvjOJVIOThoTZCoxk5yyRuXEUoeNvFmBEb-78c0tysCxXWyVWg5dgoW4K7LOHdKyWkwpWzg5l9dP1JJhQPE4RYOSPIQFMT71oAS84/s320/IMG_2479.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Crossing the no frills finish line with my three amazing pacers</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13px;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My official finishing time was 3:39:20! That’s 5 minutes 40 seconds
faster than my Boston Qualifying time and 2 minutes and 55 seconds faster than my
fastest marathon! </span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Thanks to my wonderful friends and racing crew, the Green
River Marathon truly was my dream race! </span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="966" data-original-width="1288" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlG7b2jUIJUz8HxYOVSMSgvGsa978605u-V2Pn6ov2KYLXJxrPgMuQqZuqPy9Ee1W_gG4OQnaxaIZEPOnh_XXHGJSbkLpKPeZ3CWiwkoeymdIbuUD4HDSK9DszFUJlE-BFXDlSZtEEQErh/s320/IMG_2493.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div>
My Crew: Me, Michael Nguyen, Michal Allen</div>
<div>
Lynnette, Paul and Sacha</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlG7b2jUIJUz8HxYOVSMSgvGsa978605u-V2Pn6ov2KYLXJxrPgMuQqZuqPy9Ee1W_gG4OQnaxaIZEPOnh_XXHGJSbkLpKPeZ3CWiwkoeymdIbuUD4HDSK9DszFUJlE-BFXDlSZtEEQErh/s1600/IMG_2493.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black;"></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"></span><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Mile</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span></span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Pace</span></div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; margin: 0px; width: 211px;">
<tbody>
<tr style="mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 6pt;" valign="top"><div align="center" style="line-height: 15pt; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 6pt;" valign="top"><div style="line-height: 15pt; margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">8:28</span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 1;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 6pt;" valign="top"><div align="center" style="line-height: 15pt; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 6pt;" valign="top"><div style="line-height: 15pt; margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">8:21</span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 2;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 6pt;" valign="top"><div align="center" style="line-height: 15pt; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">3</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 6pt;" valign="top"><div style="line-height: 15pt; margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">8:19</span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 3;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 6pt;" valign="top"><div align="center" style="line-height: 15pt; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">4</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 6pt;" valign="top"><div style="line-height: 15pt; margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">8:22</span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 4;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 6pt;" valign="top"><div align="center" style="line-height: 15pt; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">5</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 6pt;" valign="top"><div style="line-height: 15pt; margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">8:21</span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 5;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 6pt;" valign="top"><div align="center" style="line-height: 15pt; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">6</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 6pt;" valign="top"><div style="line-height: 15pt; margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">8:22</span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 6;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 6pt;" valign="top"><div align="center" style="line-height: 15pt; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">7</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 6pt;" valign="top"><div style="line-height: 15pt; margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">8:21</span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 7;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 6pt;" valign="top"><div align="center" style="line-height: 15pt; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">8</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 6pt;" valign="top"><div style="line-height: 15pt; margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">8:30</span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 8;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 6pt;" valign="top"><div align="center" style="line-height: 15pt; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">9</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 6pt;" valign="top"><div style="line-height: 15pt; margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">8:24</span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 9;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 6pt;" valign="top"><div align="center" style="line-height: 15pt; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">10</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 6pt;" valign="top"><div style="line-height: 15pt; margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">8:19</span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 10;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 6pt;" valign="top"><div align="center" style="line-height: 15pt; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">11</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 6pt;" valign="top"><div style="line-height: 15pt; margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">8:20</span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 11;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 6pt;" valign="top"><div align="center" style="line-height: 15pt; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">12</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 6pt;" valign="top"><div style="line-height: 15pt; margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">8:24</span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 12;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 6pt;" valign="top"><div align="center" style="line-height: 15pt; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">13</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 6pt;" valign="top"><div style="line-height: 15pt; margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">8:19</span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 13;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 6pt;" valign="top"><div align="center" style="line-height: 15pt; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">14</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 6pt;" valign="top"><div style="line-height: 15pt; margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">8:30</span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 14;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 6pt;" valign="top"><div align="center" style="line-height: 15pt; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">15</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 6pt;" valign="top"><div style="line-height: 15pt; margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">8:26</span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 15;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 6pt;" valign="top"><div align="center" style="line-height: 15pt; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">16</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 6pt;" valign="top"><div style="line-height: 15pt; margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">8:33</span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 16;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 6pt;" valign="top"><div align="center" style="line-height: 15pt; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">17</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 6pt;" valign="top"><div style="line-height: 15pt; margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">8:22</span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 17;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 6pt;" valign="top"><div align="center" style="line-height: 15pt; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">18</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 6pt;" valign="top"><div style="line-height: 15pt; margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">8:29</span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 18;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 6pt;" valign="top"><div align="center" style="line-height: 15pt; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">19</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 6pt;" valign="top"><div style="line-height: 15pt; margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">8:20</span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 19;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 6pt;" valign="top"><div align="center" style="line-height: 15pt; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">20</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 6pt;" valign="top"><div style="line-height: 15pt; margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">8:19</span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 20;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 6pt;" valign="top"><div align="center" style="line-height: 15pt; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">21</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 6pt;" valign="top"><div style="line-height: 15pt; margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">8:16</span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 21;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 6pt;" valign="top"><div align="center" style="line-height: 15pt; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">22</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 6pt;" valign="top"><div style="line-height: 15pt; margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">8:21</span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 22;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 6pt;" valign="top"><div align="center" style="line-height: 15pt; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">23</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 6pt;" valign="top"><div style="line-height: 15pt; margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">8:21</span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 23;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 6pt;" valign="top"><div align="center" style="line-height: 15pt; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">24</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 6pt;" valign="top"><div style="line-height: 15pt; margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">8:23</span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 24;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 6pt;" valign="top"><div align="center" style="line-height: 15pt; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">25</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 6pt;" valign="top"><div style="line-height: 15pt; margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">8:24</span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 25;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 6pt;" valign="top"><div align="center" style="line-height: 15pt; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">26</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 6pt;" valign="top"><div style="line-height: 15pt; margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">8:07</span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 26; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 6pt;" valign="top"><div align="center" style="line-height: 15pt; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">.2</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 6pt;" valign="top"><div style="line-height: 15pt; margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">7:38</span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><span style="color: black;"></span>Tanya Corkumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05127178808503246347noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7609922816774700750.post-2259199132430544622017-05-23T19:49:00.000-07:002017-05-23T20:02:41.424-07:00Plan The Race. Race The Plan. - Eugene Marathon 2017<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 11.0pt;">by Jodi<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<i><span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 11.0pt;">"Plan the race. Race the
Plan."<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span></i><span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 11.0pt;"> - Cashier Guy
at the Eugene Marathon 2017 Expo</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipZXfs3gokSHK5IQm8aWWLInFY9ZhgoqAghAOaqH0STYi0OklCh0iMmRwwD_iZVXY1EAba8xLRCLf-Hyd_eOdJCMQzucYszbZLvI3qJ9xIZ0fQWAsK6Ti70WVH0OPkULB3GqdIF2CfN4c/s1600/fullsizeoutput_6ea3.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipZXfs3gokSHK5IQm8aWWLInFY9ZhgoqAghAOaqH0STYi0OklCh0iMmRwwD_iZVXY1EAba8xLRCLf-Hyd_eOdJCMQzucYszbZLvI3qJ9xIZ0fQWAsK6Ti70WVH0OPkULB3GqdIF2CfN4c/s400/fullsizeoutput_6ea3.jpeg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marathon #8 is in the books: 3:24:26 (7:49 pace)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 11.0pt;">I started training for the 2017 Eugene
Marathon in mid-January using the <a href="http://www.baa.org/races/boston-marathon/participant-information/boston-marathon-training-plan.aspx">same plan</a><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>from
the Boston Athletic Association website that I used last year for the Vernonia
Marathon. I took that marathon finish time, factored in my current fitness
level and committed to train for a 3:15 (7:26 average pace) finish time at
Eugene. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 11.0pt;">This pace is very ambitious for me,
especially coming off four months of very little tempo or speed work. Hitting
the required paces in the first two months of training was really challenging,
especially given the fact that it was the wettest winter on record for the state of
Oregon. The sun went into hibernation and it rained almost every day for months.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since I run outside, I spent the winter feeling like a raisin and rotating my shoes on the
heating vent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was hard.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 11.0pt;">The good news is that this training plan
works. In spite of the weather and my initial lack of speed, I managed to hit
the pace requirements of the training plan day in and day out. Mileage
increased week by week, but the paces got easier and easier to achieve. My
confidence grew with each successful track workout, tempo run, and long run.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 11.0pt;">I went into the taper week feeling mentally
confident and equipped, but with an exhausted and achy body. My left knee has
been bugging me since I fell hard on it last August. I subconsciously
adjust my gait to accommodate for it, so my left hip, then hamstring, then calf
got tighter and sorer as marathon training intensified. Normally I would do
weekly yoga to help, but marathon training is so time consuming that I let yoga
lag this time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a mistake I won’t
make again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 11.0pt;">My training partner Dawn didn't want to
commit to training for a marathon, but she did at least one-third of my hard
workouts with me. Since my hubby was finishing up his dissertation, Dawn
decided to be my wingman and come to Eugene with me. She promised to find me
with about ten miles to go and run me to the finish. (I thank God every day for
a friend like Dawn.) We were at the marathon expo and the Cashier Guy who rang
up my purchase said something that stuck with me. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 11.0pt;">"Plan the race.
Race the plan.”</span></i><span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPyuB-Z8hIQfuK7Nlr5f7ICEgsipqq1WpeI8TwDHgTyB-gfEq0zLeb9ATXObMP1jh-tXkodhNdk98wOdxPf4tneX5PsNBDkLiGbwN4roQVzbdcjCeF3BY1kiBfDuOqqvM386lz7CC7cI4/s1600/fullsizeoutput_6ea8.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPyuB-Z8hIQfuK7Nlr5f7ICEgsipqq1WpeI8TwDHgTyB-gfEq0zLeb9ATXObMP1jh-tXkodhNdk98wOdxPf4tneX5PsNBDkLiGbwN4roQVzbdcjCeF3BY1kiBfDuOqqvM386lz7CC7cI4/s320/fullsizeoutput_6ea8.jpeg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I loved the faux tattoo. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJoHRqaE3QYQ-0zA9dKDSKZiUGNc3gruX7ZbacMnW5RRqTlzOwN_IE2cD620DarOwfDkJfEykY0j8mH21YV4vfN08aojH7KcQp_zb83pu3fWbN_TV4R0DcDkZgBdNeraq_-6g5FNtMQJU/s1600/fullsizeoutput_6eaa.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJoHRqaE3QYQ-0zA9dKDSKZiUGNc3gruX7ZbacMnW5RRqTlzOwN_IE2cD620DarOwfDkJfEykY0j8mH21YV4vfN08aojH7KcQp_zb83pu3fWbN_TV4R0DcDkZgBdNeraq_-6g5FNtMQJU/s320/fullsizeoutput_6eaa.jpeg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the expo with my Wingman Dawn</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNGtw90KC8FKeOcB4rKCmtITzWF7nsOv3tsWHZbr0zH8jcoEaInDpoD1Gc34OUw1FAQ_tRnyrJmTAo3fn8vAmU1CfWGTAgVbGVRJ67H6gwOQRQOtv2rz79-5NPu6UAp-EoP01-IGvZ3kw/s1600/IMG_7226.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNGtw90KC8FKeOcB4rKCmtITzWF7nsOv3tsWHZbr0zH8jcoEaInDpoD1Gc34OUw1FAQ_tRnyrJmTAo3fn8vAmU1CfWGTAgVbGVRJ67H6gwOQRQOtv2rz79-5NPu6UAp-EoP01-IGvZ3kw/s320/IMG_7226.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was super cool - everyone's name printed on the banner. Here's mine.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 11.0pt;">I had Planned the Race: Train hard. Taper
well. Start with the 3:15 pace group and run even splits to the finish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also wanted to get on the podium in either
my age group or overall Masters category. I was ready to Race the Plan… except
my legs still didn’t feel fresh the night before the marathon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It concerned me, but I chose not to dwell on
it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was nothing I could do about
it with only hours until the start of the race.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Race Morning was the typical mess of nerves
and excitement. It also happened to be an incredibly beautiful day! What
a gift after months of rain to have blue skies, sunshine, crisp temperatures,
and dry socks and shoes. Dawn and I walked to the start then found Corral
A and the 3:15 pacer with minutes to spare. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3LZBfUMdWi_3VmP8TTFJZhMm51jPnJIg-IuEDhCSqu8-MESwcea5wNwKPzvtVBZxNr6z_jsu2e-sK4AnWWlCW7r-j4ep3Vv6F2iNTJdKrUxfiKt_V3UbNkWGikx6mJtuO7YeO-bXI8Uw/s1600/fullsizeoutput_6ea5.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3LZBfUMdWi_3VmP8TTFJZhMm51jPnJIg-IuEDhCSqu8-MESwcea5wNwKPzvtVBZxNr6z_jsu2e-sK4AnWWlCW7r-j4ep3Vv6F2iNTJdKrUxfiKt_V3UbNkWGikx6mJtuO7YeO-bXI8Uw/s320/fullsizeoutput_6ea5.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">just before the race started.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 11.0pt;">I ran stride for stride with the 3:15 pace
group for the first 15 miles. My cardio effort was right on track –
comfortably hard - and the pacer was keeping us on target to finish around
3:14.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 11.0pt;">I saw my Hood to Coast teammate Ashley at
Mile 8.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She came running out to me with
a water bottle and so much joy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dawn was
next at Mile 10, then Tanya and her friends at Mile 12. Their love and
encouragement gave me a huge boost! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXaPMPlvTsFfBRIvIKxCCmmmlCd_Aj6J0WPRpqzIubVbxM7FO-n21vKFUaLTwIqJeCpWzF2CSy2moaWUvpSU8PsHn4e2KbRrrTHlJgNC5aCqs3MAXCx4PbIXg7o1kL8M_J0rFymIWLaZ0/s1600/IMG_7247.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXaPMPlvTsFfBRIvIKxCCmmmlCd_Aj6J0WPRpqzIubVbxM7FO-n21vKFUaLTwIqJeCpWzF2CSy2moaWUvpSU8PsHn4e2KbRrrTHlJgNC5aCqs3MAXCx4PbIXg7o1kL8M_J0rFymIWLaZ0/s320/IMG_7247.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dawn snapped this photo of me as I ran by her at Mile 10.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 11.0pt;">At Mile 11, the marathon course heads off
the streets and onto a lovely trail system. It was at this point in the race
that my legs started to tighten up. Our pacer also kicked it up a notch,
taking us from a 7:25-7:30 pace to several miles in the 7:10-7:20 pace.
It felt like a big jump in speed on legs that were acting goofy way too
early in a long race.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 11.0pt;">I started to freak out mentally, but didn’t
let myself go very far down the Crazy Road. I told myself,<i><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 11.0pt;">" You're fine.
Relax your legs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adjust your
stride. Fast feet. Strong mind. Race the plan. Trust your training.
You can do this."</span></i><span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 11.0pt;">I started to pray.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I asked God to give me mental stamina and to
help my muscles relax. As I was praying, God brought a song to mind that I
love.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 11.0pt;">"Lord I need
you. Oh I need you. </span></i><span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Every hour I need
you. </span></i><span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 11.0pt;">My one defense, my
righteousness, oh God how I need you."</span></i><span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 11.0pt;">The lyrics became the cadence of my feet and
the prayer of my heart. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 11.0pt;">I let the pace group start to pull away as
we climbed the overpass around mile 15, but I’m way too competitive to give up
that early.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I told myself,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>"NO. Trust your
training.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lean into the suck. Race the
plan.” </i><span class="apple-converted-space"> I had to kick </span>into another
gear, but I caught them on the downhill and found my place again
in the pack that was dwindling with every mile. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 11.0pt;">True to her word, Dawn came running out to
meet me at Mile 16. She was sunshine and joy, encouragement and love.
The comfortability of her friendship gave me permission to lose it
mentally for a brief moment.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 11.0pt;">"Dawn! My legs
are so tight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This has never happened to
me before. I don’t know what to do and I am FREAKING OUT!”</span></i><span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Dawn was a stabilizing force in my
fluctuating emotions. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 11.0pt;">"Walking won't
help. Slowing down won't help. Stopping to stretch won't help.
You have to just keep running. Stop talking and don’t respond
to me. I'll be your voice and your encouragement. Your job is
to run and keep yourself together mentally."</span></i><span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 11.0pt;">I mean really... what a friend.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Slowly over the next three miles, the 3:15
pace group slipped away. My legs were so tight it felt like I was
dragging tree stumps down the path. Everything hurt, especially the
bottoms of my feet. It felt like my shoes were made of concrete and I was
just bang, bang, banging my way to a slow and painful finish. It was so hard to
stay in the race mentally as I watched all I'd trained for disappear in the
distance. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Dawn kept encouraging me. She quoted
verses from the Bible, gave me practical running tips, and at one point she
even sang to me. Always the nurse, she also kept staring at me to make
sure I was looking okay physically.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 11.0pt;">At Mile 20 my average pace was exactly what
I needed for a 3:15 finish time in spite of slowing down each of the previous
three miles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But there were still 6.2
(or 6.43 according to my Garmin) long and brutal miles left in this race. I
physically could not maintain my pace. I stopped often to walk briefly, trying
to shake my legs out and get my muscles to relax. With each mile my pace
got slower. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 11.0pt;">At Mile 23 nausea set in. I think it's
my body's way of saying,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>"Peace
out. You have pushed me too hard and I'm done,” </i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">because I never get nauseous when I’m
training and I didn’t switch up my fueling strategy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everyone who knows me knows I don’t do vomit.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 11.0pt;">I briefly considered dropping out of the
race. And then I saw your faces. YOU - my friends and neighbors -
who have encouraged and prayed me through this training cycle. I knew you
were praying for me on race morning. I couldn't let you down. I
couldn't let myself down. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 11.0pt;">I slowed my pace by more than a minute per
mile and found a zone where I could continue plodding to the finish and keep
the nausea at bay. The last three miles felt so long. I took a final walking
break during mile 24 and then committed to not walk again until I finished the
race. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Three women passed me in the last mile. I
wanted to chase them, but I had nothing left. It was so irritating. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Dawn ran me to the Hayward Field entrance then
left me to finish on the track by myself. Ashley was at the 100 meter mark, screaming
lies at me about looking strong and good. I have a photo to prove she was lying
but it made me feel so loved anyway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
have the BEST friends a girl could ask for. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq3wL4YHJ6jrqPgiSW1XI85rVeH_YJceb8zDDXhzuM5tP2PKKTRauANps0AvGfHei7qEEAcQq3-uwsDyM3kyOjAvTdqGNU_Jjsar5sgmRAzBU02Lphls3SYMswSDUT-2PscsEgBAtzj2I/s1600/fullsizeoutput_6de2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq3wL4YHJ6jrqPgiSW1XI85rVeH_YJceb8zDDXhzuM5tP2PKKTRauANps0AvGfHei7qEEAcQq3-uwsDyM3kyOjAvTdqGNU_Jjsar5sgmRAzBU02Lphls3SYMswSDUT-2PscsEgBAtzj2I/s320/fullsizeoutput_6de2.jpeg" width="179" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">See? She was lying!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 11.0pt;">I crossed the finish in 3 hours, 24 minutes
and 36 seconds (a 7:49 average pace), nine minutes off my goal pace, but still
my second fastest marathon finish ever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This still baffles me given how awful I felt the last nine miles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I found out after the fact that I got on
the podium for my age group and Overall Masters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who would have thought?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 11.0pt;">My biggest emotion in the moments after
crossing the finish line was RELIEF to be done running. And then came the
DISAPPOINTMENT. I planned the race, but couldn't race the plan. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had to grieve the death of that dream for a
few hours before I could appreciate what I had accomplished and that’s okay. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOqpYAUhdBzh7lSt5AaE-5hyphenhyphen6oVQWqJ_dlVNGx0kZyBRgEkkJxDrIwCKA-dcEQzGvpH9vMP3bzZEOra0Uggt0HLry1UosrrCklQf82TQ0vMeaOZ7QV_umcjxku4YUzuu-jIPz_PTffgsQ/s1600/fullsizeoutput_6eaf.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOqpYAUhdBzh7lSt5AaE-5hyphenhyphen6oVQWqJ_dlVNGx0kZyBRgEkkJxDrIwCKA-dcEQzGvpH9vMP3bzZEOra0Uggt0HLry1UosrrCklQf82TQ0vMeaOZ7QV_umcjxku4YUzuu-jIPz_PTffgsQ/s320/fullsizeoutput_6eaf.jpeg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Disappointed Face</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 11.0pt;">The marathon is a formidable opponent.
Because of the distance it only takes one factor to alter the outcome.
I think that's why marathoners keep coming back, in spite of the pain. We
want to feel like we won our race – like we raced our plan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am <a href="http://jodistilp.blogspot.com/2012/04/my-weakness-his-strength.html">0-2 against the Eugene Marathon</a>, but God
willing I’ll be back next year to try again. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 11.0pt;">The final emotion that I felt strongly, even
in the aftermath of a race that wrecked me physically and mentally, was
GRATITUDE. Gratitude for friends like Dawn and Ashley and Tanya who gave
up their Sunday to come support me and my dream. Grateful that my body can do
stupid hard things. Grateful for an incredible network of friends who
offered prayer and support throughout the training cycle and on race day.
Grateful for a God who knows my name and gives me strength. To Him
be the glory forever and ever.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4bBSacerbk9_LxHZYGT_E7QUqYtv8b9zZ-ItA8bQ88hOKJWWfSfROSyGJrYhCGeTxww8sLYYQW4o_pMYsYS1RY8VJ9hWO8UuXnfLK31xabIWulsJ9eTDoqP-xsfMQVADbr0qA7CZdO8g/s1600/fullsizeoutput_6ead.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4bBSacerbk9_LxHZYGT_E7QUqYtv8b9zZ-ItA8bQ88hOKJWWfSfROSyGJrYhCGeTxww8sLYYQW4o_pMYsYS1RY8VJ9hWO8UuXnfLK31xabIWulsJ9eTDoqP-xsfMQVADbr0qA7CZdO8g/s320/fullsizeoutput_6ead.jpeg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Grateful Face</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpmKBGuzMuBwP0AmToKD8OdnYgiVNmx-_stMqSkawwUNri8RZ_tEIdBMwBivXp-1fDJiY9yiLEa_bU-gdIhoOIsyXVQSuVL4_rf7y44ThMBLpaGTc8G0aTRyPRqiJ-pr17JqsjTX0Oieo/s1600/IMG_7249.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpmKBGuzMuBwP0AmToKD8OdnYgiVNmx-_stMqSkawwUNri8RZ_tEIdBMwBivXp-1fDJiY9yiLEa_bU-gdIhoOIsyXVQSuVL4_rf7y44ThMBLpaGTc8G0aTRyPRqiJ-pr17JqsjTX0Oieo/s320/IMG_7249.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Driving home.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTSnojnW4UfgwahiIm5L85ChRVgUoa83y_I73ToSqvV70wA006zTNCuFpAt0_Phg9yvWp2J1FaF9DdHI_iLENzyim2wNiYVTgpP0H2uhbajLHj8BBkEbuPNeldimA2KMuTzEu2zmoCm3A/s1600/IMG_7251.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTSnojnW4UfgwahiIm5L85ChRVgUoa83y_I73ToSqvV70wA006zTNCuFpAt0_Phg9yvWp2J1FaF9DdHI_iLENzyim2wNiYVTgpP0H2uhbajLHj8BBkEbuPNeldimA2KMuTzEu2zmoCm3A/s320/IMG_7251.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">MONSTER COOKIES! The best pre and post race food.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 11.0pt;">I hobbled to church the night of the race
and guess what song was in the worship set? <i>Lord I Need You</i> -
the exact song God gave me as I raced. I fought back tears as I let God's
personal and intimate love wash over my battered body and renew my soul. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Friends, Jesus loves you. Deeply.
Personally. Intimately. He is for you. He is with you.
Even when it includes unplanned detours, Jesus is with you. We Plan our life
Race. But He helps us Race the Plan. Run on friends...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Official
Race Results: 3:24:26. 26.2 miles. 7:49 avg. pace</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 11.0pt;">. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 11.0pt;">263rd of 1,480
overall. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 11.0pt;">37th of 680
females. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 11.0pt;">2nd of 94 in my age
division. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 11.0pt;">3rd of 277 female
masters.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 11.0pt;">By the
Splits and According to my Garmin: <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 11.0pt;">3:24:38. 26:43 miles (the course
measured long) 7:44 avg. pace<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoTableGrid" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184;">
<tbody>
<tr style="mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0;">
<td style="border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.05in;" valign="top" width="148"><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Mile 1: 7:23<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.05in;" valign="top" width="148"><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Mile 10: 7:27<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.05in;" valign="top" width="148"><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Mile 19: 8:08<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 1;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.05in;" valign="top" width="148"><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Mile 2: 7:35<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.05in;" valign="top" width="148"><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Mile 11: 7:20<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.05in;" valign="top" width="148"><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Mile 20: 8:07<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 2;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.05in;" valign="top" width="148"><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Mile 3: 7:27<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.05in;" valign="top" width="148"><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Mile 12: 7:13<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.05in;" valign="top" width="148"><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Mile 21: 8:10<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 3;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.05in;" valign="top" width="148"><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Mile 4: 7:28<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.05in;" valign="top" width="148"><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Mile 13: 7:18<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.05in;" valign="top" width="148"><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Mile 22: 8:18<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 4;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.05in;" valign="top" width="148"><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Mile 5: 7:15<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.05in;" valign="top" width="148"><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Mile 14: 7:17<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.05in;" valign="top" width="148"><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Mile 23: 8:12<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 5;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.05in;" valign="top" width="148"><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Mile 6: 7:25<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.05in;" valign="top" width="148"><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Mile 15: 7:23<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.05in;" valign="top" width="148"><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Mile 24: 9:19<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 6;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.05in;" valign="top" width="148"><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Mile 7: 7:22<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Mile 16: 7:16<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Mile 25: 8:43<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Mile 8: 7:27<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Mile 17:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>7:22<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Mile 26: 8:39<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Mile 9: 7:33<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Mile 18: 7:50<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Mile 26.2 (or 26.43): 8:29<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br />Jodi Stilphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04329375455810397582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7609922816774700750.post-28797301182363933922017-05-19T07:49:00.000-07:002017-05-24T12:00:30.756-07:00Going With Plan B In Boston<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">By Tanya</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">"I am running the Boston marathon! Is this really happening?! This is
exactly how I imagined it. I can't even believe this is real right
now!"</span></i></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">These were the thoughts swirling through my mind as I started my very first
Boston Marathon. All the years of work, training and planning had come down to
this very moment and it was so surreal.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">"Everything seems to be going as I imagined; maybe I can actually fulfill
my plan of getting a Boston qualifying time again at Boston!" </span></i></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">That plan of course was Plan A. You see I am a Plan A type person, as most of those who qualify for the Boston Marathon
are. We meticulously plan our training, our nutrition, our fueling, our
qualifying race, even sometimes our ideal racing weight to get us to our goal
of qualifying for the Boston Marathon. I had done it all and it worked for me.
Last year I qualified for the Boston Marathon. I proved to myself I had
what it takes. This year was no different except for the fact that I felt like
my training had improved and I was going into running Boston stronger than last
year. I was even fueled by a stronger desire to get another BQ (Boston
qualifying time) since two of my best running friends were going to be running
their first Boston next year and I wanted to return with
them. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Many of my friends had advised </span><i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">"Boston is a tough course to BQ at"</span></i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
and "</span><i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This is your first Boston, you don't want to push it and not enjoy
your experience"</span></i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">. Yes, all very sound and wise advice. But this is the
BOSTON FREAKIN' MARATHON! It almost feels like you have to be part of an elite
club to qualify for Boston and then you are going to be running with the best of
the best so you kind of have something to prove. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<a name='more'></a><br /><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Nevertheless, I did know that not BQing was a possibility so I did have a Plan B which included finding a marathon six weeks after Boston. Of
course I hoped to not have to run another marathon again until Boston 2018,
so I neatly tucked Plan B into my mind and continued preparing for
my “A” game. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I researched the Boston course for elevation gains and losses. I read the
blogs of runners who had run the course to both victory and defeat. I even watched
videos of the course preview which drives the entire course so you can
virtually see each street, city and turn. I knew the first half of the race is mostly
downhill and if you start out too fast you may not have enough left in your
legs to make it through the second hilly half. My running partner Paul once
again made me a bracelet of the paces per mile I would have to hit based on the
Boston course to get my BQ. </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; margin: 0px;"> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I knew my
pace at the start would have to be quick yet comfortable. My last long training
runs I even started later in the day when I’d be starting the marathon and found
courses that would emulate the same elevation losses then gains. I felt ready.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I said all the right things such as </span><i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“I’m just going to go out there and see
what the day brings,”</span></i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> but of course I hoped the day would bring all the right
things including a BQ. What the day did bring however, was some unexpected hot
weather! I arrived late Saturday night in Boston which only gave me one day
before the race to go to the Expo and see all the sights of the finish line.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">That day it was 80 degrees. All my preparations and training in 40 degree
Oregon weather had not prepared me for this. Just walking to and from the Expo
from my hotel left me hot and feeling dehydrated. I tried to drink a lot of water
to stay hydrated. I brought long pants and compression socks to run in which
just would not work in this weather, so I ended up buying light capri
pants and short socks for the race the next day. Never one to give up without a
fight I was not ready to concede to Plan B. </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; margin: 0px;"> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">That night I made sure to continue to hydrate and
memorize my pacing and fueling strategy. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">When I entered the Athletes Village on marathon day the weather was 70
degrees. I stayed under the tent for shade and continued to drink water. At
10:50 when I lined up in Hopkinton to start the race it was 74 degrees. I was
still determined to give Plan A a shot so I decided to do what I could to
keep up my paces for the first half of the race and then evaluate after that.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">READY, SET, GO!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The best way to describe the first few
miles was like a dream come true. Everything I had seen and imagined were
exactly so. As warned the runners are packed in so tightly that you are at the
mercy of the pace you are seeded in. Fortunately for me the pace was pretty accurate
to where I needed to be with the small amount of weaving around people I was
able to do. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">However by the first aid station at mile 2, I was already feeling really hot
and dehydrated. I took two cups of water; one to drink and the other I dumped on
top of my head. I continued this trend at every aid station which occurred every
mile from then on. I was able to keep up my paces but because there is no shade
along the course the temperature continued to climb and I found that the water
on my head was not enough to cool me down.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; margin: 0px;"> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Around mile 5 I noticed spectators handing out cups of ice. As I went by I
would grab some ice and stick in in my bra which seemed to have a pretty good
cooling effect. I continued to stay on my paces but it certainly was not
feeling comfortable. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> At mile 9 my music from my phone stopped playing. When I reached back to
make sure it was still in the back pocket of my shirt I did feel my phone as
well as the pool of water my phone was sitting in from all of the water I was
pouring on my head. I usually put my phone in a plastic baggie when I run but today
I had failed to do it. This started a mini panic attack as I thought there is
no way I can afford to buy a new IPhone! I pulled out my phone and as I was
running I started asking spectators alongside the road for a baggie. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Fortunately by mile 11 I found a baggie on the ground, was relived to find
my phone still worked, and proud that I was still keeping my pace. Unfortunately
though the whole ordeal had made me delirious because I thought I was at mile
12 and was really looking forward to making it to the half marathon mark. So
when the next mile marker came up and I saw it was just the start of mile 12, I
felt a little defeated. It slowed my pace a little but I continued to push
it to fulfill my goal of a strong half marathon. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> When I finally crossed the half marathon mark it was 78 degrees, I was
dehydrated and there was no way I could keep up my paces through the next hilly
half. Needless to say Plan B was now in motion. To me Plan B was enjoy the
rest of the experience and save my legs for my next marathon in six week.
However, as I ran I found that Plan B started to take on a whole new meaning.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Miles 13-14: “B” Present – I slowed down and took the time to really take in
all of the sights and sounds of the Boston Marathon.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Miles 15-16: “B” Silly – I enjoyed giving out high fives to all the cute
kids along the course and even did the “Whip Nay Nay” splash dance with some awesome
spectators blasting music and water from a hose onto runners. After that I
took out my phone and started taking some videos as I was running.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Miles 17-21: “B” Encouraging. (Up the Newtown and Heartbreak Hills) At this
point I became so dehydrated I was struggling take in any fuel, even water. My
only saving grace was the ice I’d keep in my little cup and I’d take in tiny sips
as it would melt. Other runners around me were struggling too. Many were walking
and some even stopping and leaving voluntarily or involuntarily by medics off
of the course. When I’d come to a struggling runner I’d encourage him or her and
see if they wanted to walk/jog a bit with me. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> Miles 22-25: “B” Persistent. By this point I was one of those struggling
runners. I was feeling really dizzy and my vision was going in and out. I know
I looked like the walking dead from all of the sympathetic looks I was getting
from spectators. I started to have doubts and feel like a poser. How could I be
a Boston Qualifier when I was struggling to walk a straight line? I was even regretting
asking my friend Kelly to write my name on my arm and I would cringe every time
a spectator would yell </span><i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Keep going Tanya, you can do it.”. </span></i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I don’t remember too
much through this point. I really wanted to jog but all I could muster was to
put on foot in front of the other and keep moving forward.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> Mile 26: “B” Inspired. When I looked up and saw the CITGO sign signifying the
last mile of the marathon I got a little boost. I once again took a video and
started noticing other runners. It was then that I noticed two runners, one blind
and one with a prosthetic leg pushing forward towards the finish. Their strength
carried me through that mile.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> Mile 26.2 “B” Grateful. I pulled my phone out and took a video as I rounded the
last corner onto the final stretch at Boylston street. The crowd was amazing and
so was the feeling when I saw the finish sign in the distance. I put my phone
away, put my arms in the air and sprinted across the finish line grateful to be a
Boston Marathon Finisher. After I crossed the finish line and got my medal I took one last video. In the video I say how grateful I am to have made it to the finish, how grateful I am to my family for helping me achieve this dream and have this experience and how grateful I am to spot a Wendy's restaurant across the street!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Needless to say my first Boston Marathon experience was amazing! It may not have been exactly as I had imagined or planned the whole way through, but isn't that the way life is? We can dream and work and create our Plan A but maybe sometimes the bigger blessing is in the Plan B.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana";"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #0066cc;"><u></u><br /></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Mile </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; margin: 0px;"> Pace</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">1</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; margin: 0px;"> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">8:18</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">2</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; margin: 0px;"> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">8:10</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">3</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; margin: 0px;"> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">8:05</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">4</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; margin: 0px;"> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">8:04</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">5</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; margin: 0px;"> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">8:20</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">6</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; margin: 0px;"> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">8:11</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">7</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; margin: 0px;"> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">8:20</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">8</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; margin: 0px;"> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">8:35</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">9</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; margin: 0px;"> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">8:39</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">10</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; margin: 0px;"> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">8:31</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">11</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; margin: 0px;"> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">8:45</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">12</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; margin: 0px;"> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">8:36</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">13</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; margin: 0px;"> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">8:51</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">14</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; margin: 0px;"> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">9:11</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">15</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; margin: 0px;"> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">9:20</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">16</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; margin: 0px;"> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">9:44</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">17</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; margin: 0px;"> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">11:03</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">18</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; margin: 0px;"> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">12:47</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">19</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; margin: 0px;"> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">11:28</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">20</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; margin: 0px;"> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">15:03</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">21</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; margin: 0px;"> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">15:53</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">22</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; margin: 0px;"> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">13:50</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">23</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; margin: 0px;"> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">17:17</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">24</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; margin: 0px;"> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">15:12</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">25</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; margin: 0px;"> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">15:31</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">26</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; margin: 0px;"> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">15:41</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">26.2</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; margin: 0px;"> 9.20</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Total Time: 4:45:35</span><br />
<br />Tanya Corkumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05127178808503246347noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7609922816774700750.post-40324241481533829102017-04-20T07:00:00.000-07:002017-04-28T15:32:00.592-07:00So Satisfying - Camellia Festival 10k 2017by Jodi<br />
<br />
I am in the thick of training for the Eugene Marathon. I have been at this program now for fifteen weeks. I am sore and hungry and tired, but so satisfied. The training program works. The high mileage/high intensity workouts have made me leaner and faster and given me confidence and awareness of my current fitness level and ability. I'm so grateful that I have gutted it out through Oregon's wettest and grayest winter on record. Man was it wet and cold and gray. BLECH!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRVgj_VRAc5ptIRsTKvkoyR_ykG_hNpqlc8oDZbjHIbdg01NKhXsxDtL5qCqN2_TYyHqAPwBvORH-OQENnmwyIy9WlV6wh0cF2WH6jjnxox8Yyv6zm-SbyjGZp6paR8v2jC-9-5uO5WWU/s1600/IMG_6717.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRVgj_VRAc5ptIRsTKvkoyR_ykG_hNpqlc8oDZbjHIbdg01NKhXsxDtL5qCqN2_TYyHqAPwBvORH-OQENnmwyIy9WlV6wh0cF2WH6jjnxox8Yyv6zm-SbyjGZp6paR8v2jC-9-5uO5WWU/s320/IMG_6717.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Got another Champion shirt. The first one was too small. This one is too big. Maybe I can win another race to get just the right size... LOL.</td></tr>
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Saturday, April 8th, 2017, was the <a href="http://www.cprdnewberg.org/general/page/camellia-run-0">Camellia Festival 5k and 10k </a>fun run and walk in my hometown of Newberg. It felt silly to pay to run the streets I run every day, but I love my town and my community. The park district brings so much beauty and value to our lives. I was happy to pay $30 to do my tempo run for the week in a race setting.<br />
<br />
My marathon training plan is set up for a 3:15 marathon. It sounds ridiculous to say that fast finish time out loud. But I have been consistently hitting the training paces in spite of my skepticism. The 10k pace for this plan says <i>"6:40-6:55."</i> I wanted to test this track time out on the road. Could I actually run a 10k in this pace range? I needed to run 43:00 minutes or under to achieve a 6:55 average pace, so 43 minutes became my goal.<br />
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Race morning was colder than I anticipated. I ran a slow two-mile warm up with my long sleeve shirt on, and then did some strides. I ditched the long sleeve at the start and it was the right decision. I was never too hot or too cold - perfect racing conditions.<br />
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I was the first woman out of the start and I never saw another 10k woman on the course. There were two men in front of me, and we separated into equidistance from each other. They were both far enough ahead that I never wanted to chase them, but close enough that I could see them on the flats and gauge whether they were pulling away or not.<br />
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The race course is a combo of (wait for it...) rolling hills and a few flats. Shocking. The first big hill came around mile two. I was dreading it, but I made it up and then back down easier than I anticipated. Mile three and four both had longer, more gradual climbs that I was able to tackle with an even effort. I was really happy to be staying on pace through the hills and that the two guys in front of me weren't extending their lead.<br />
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Dawn surprised me and showed up at Mile 5 to cheer me on. It was such a boost to my spirits to see her on the corner in her rain gear, yelling about how I was the first girl and how strong I looked. She is so good at encouraging.<br />
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The last mile had a couple of short, steep up's and downs through the canyon on the George Fox University campus. Those hills felt hard. I was definitely ready to be done. I rounded the final corner and just had a straight stretch to the finish. My watch beeped my mile 6 pace and it was slow.<br />
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I knew I had first place locked down for this race, but that wasn't my goal. My goal was to run 43 minutes or under and that goal was slipping away.<br />
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In that moment I knew I had a choice. "Settle" for first place or chase down my goal. I picked up my pace significantly and gutted out that last .2 miles with a strong mind, knowing I was giving it all I had.<br />
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I crossed the finish, hit stop on my watch, nd guess what? 42:57 - 6:55 pace - for a finish time. Mission accomplished. I still can hardly believe it. I won another Champion shirt and a giant potted camellia plant. I also won a set of coasters and a gorgeous medal, all made from trees that were harvested to make room for the new pool that is being constructed. My son plays water polo and swims in the old pool every day, so this was really special for me.<br />
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Everything about this race was so satisfying. <br />
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<ul>
<li>First 10k victory. To win in my hometown with my friends and acquaintances cheering me in to the finish was really special. </li>
<li>Sub-seven average pace. This always feels like an accomplishment for me.</li>
<li>A new 10k PR.</li>
<li>Set a goal and achieved it.</li>
</ul>
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You guys... this is why I love running. You don't have to run fast to capture the same endorphin rush. Just set a goal. Go after it. Train your body. Train your mind. Then bask in the satisfaction of a job well done. Run on friends!</div>
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By the Splits: (42:57 - 6:55 pace)</div>
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Mile 1: 6:56<o:p></o:p></div>
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Mile 4: 7:01<o:p></o:p></div>
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Mile 2: 6:49<o:p></o:p></div>
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Mile 5: 6:47<o:p></o:p></div>
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Mile 3: 6:45<o:p></o:p></div>
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Mile 6: 7:04<o:p></o:p></div>
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Mile .2: 6:33<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br />Jodi Stilphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04329375455810397582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7609922816774700750.post-13508962220930718582017-04-19T09:00:00.000-07:002017-04-28T15:31:47.818-07:00Give N' Gobble 10k - November 2016by Jodi<br />
<br />
Me again. Here's installment two of three for races updates. After Hood to Coast, I dropped any and all speed and tempo work. I continued my run streak, but dialed back my mileage and intensity. I needed a break from training schedules and some time to just let my body "rest" a little. I ran just to run. It was awesome. And definitely slower than when I'm following a training plan.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dawn ran with me on my 500th (or as she said "Fifth-hundredth") day of running consecutively. This was a few days before our race on a gorgeous day at the Oregon coast.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Dawn and I decided at the last minute to run the <a href="http://www.givengobble.com/">Give N' Gobble 10k in Sherwood</a> on Thanksgiving morning. It's early enough that we could both get our run for the day in and be back to our families before they really noticed we were gone.<br />
<br />
Neither of us had been doing any speed work or tempo training so we knew we would finish slower than the year before. I wanted to try to run a low seven minute pace. Dawn scoffed at my suggestion. She wanted to 7:15 to 7:30 pace. We both tried to convince the other that our plan was best, but in the end we agreed to disagree and each run our own race.<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br /><br />
The morning of the race was TERRIBLE weather. It was a torrential downpour that never let up. Thankfully it was a warm rain so we weren't freezing, but HOLY COW! It was wet. And wet. And a little windy.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Do I have to get out of the van?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The gun went off and I set a pace in the low seven minute range, hoping Dawn would change her mind. But she smiled, waved me on, and stuck to her game plan. I was on my own on another race course with rolling hills. Is there any such thing as a flat course in Oregon?<br />
<br />
As the 10k crowd thinned out and settled in, I saw two women ahead of me. I am not a good hill climber, but I can run the downhill pretty well and do okay on the flats. By mile three I had caught up to and passed the first woman. Then I caught and passed the second woman to put myself in the lead position, but all of us were still close together.<br />
<br />
Both women caught and passed me on a hill climb around mile four. We grunted at each other, but we were all pretty miserable in the rain. And then we turned a corner. Strong headwinds and one long, slow climb. I put my head down, didn't look at my watch and tried to force myself to go with the lead women. <br />
<br />
I told myself, <i>"This feels hard because it is hard. They are feeling every bit of these hills and the wind and rain like you are. Don't worry about pace, but stick with them. GO WITH THEM!"</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
Our group started to spread out with the lead woman taking a more prominent position as she pulled away. I hung with the other woman until about mile 5.5 when she turned it up a notch. I had a 3 hour car ride ahead of me when I got home and I just didn't care enough to push myself to chase her. I let her slip away (something I kind of regretted after the fact) and finished the race in the third position for the women with a finish time of 44:09 and a 7:07 average pace. Dawn stuck to her plan and finished with our friend Natasha in 45:07 with a 7:16 pace.<br />
<br />
We went straight to the car after our cool down to change into dry clothes. We were DRENCHED! And home by 10:30. A perfect way to start our Thanksgiving holiday.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">just wring us out already.. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">DONE! Happy Thanksgiving.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Thanks Dawn for another race together. I learn so much from training with you. <br />
<br />
By the Splits: (44:09 - 7:07 average)<br />
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Mile .2: 6:46<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br />Jodi Stilphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04329375455810397582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7609922816774700750.post-40694042881726498232017-04-18T22:53:00.000-07:002017-04-28T15:31:34.776-07:00Oregon Wine Country Half Marathon - August 2016by Jodi<br />
<br />
Hi Friends! Remember me? I used to write all the time, but Life is happening. It's full and beautiful and chaotic, and priorities are shifting. My "free" time has been delegated to marathon training and cheering my kids on in their own sporting adventures. Writing has suffered. I apologize cause I miss writing and I miss the interactions I have with you. Since Sole Sisters serves as my running/race journal, I need to update it on three races. Here's the first of what should be three installments. (Don't hold your breath for quick installments two and three).<br />
<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The race started at Stoller Vineyards and we watched the sun rise. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Incredible setting for the start of a race.</td></tr>
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<br />
<b><u>August 2016 - Oregon Wine Country Half Marathon</u></b><br />
Finish time: 1:37:49 - 7:28 pace. Tied for 1st place Master Female and Age Group Division with my training partner Dawn.<br />
<br />
One of my photography clients is a runner and works for a local winery. She invited me and my training partner Dawn to join the <a href="http://www.elizabethchamberscellar.com/">Elizabeth Chambers Cellar</a> race team, so we did. This race gives prize money so it draws a fast crowd, which is fun. Our original plan was to train hard and see how fast we could run it. But Life... It happens. It's full and beautiful and chaotic and... we found ourselves really enjoying our summer and skipping the hard track and tempo workouts to be with Our People.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With our Elizabeth Chambers Cellar teammate Sunny</td></tr>
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<br />
<a name='more'></a><br /><br />
Early in the summer we both got recruited to join Portland Running Company's all women Hood to Coast team. Since Hood to Coast was only two weeks after our half marathon, our Team Captain asked us to consider dialing down our race goals and running the Oregon Wine Country half marathon as a tempo run instead of a full effort race. We evaluated our current fitness level and decided to aim for a 7:30 average pace for this race - a pace that should have been a tempo effort for both of us.<br />
<br />
The week of the race I came down with a bad summer cold. I felt terrible and the congestion in my lungs induced my wheezing. The point-to-point race course rolls through wine country, including a ton of hills, especially in the first six miles and then again in the last two miles. Climbing hills at tempo effort also induces my wheezing. I knew I was in for a rough morning.<br />
<br />
Thankfully Dawn felt great on race day. She set our pace and chugged along at an even, tempo effort from the start until the finish. She could have run minutes faster, but Dawn is very methodical. She stuck to our race plan. I wheezed my way up and down every hill, giving a race effort but barely sustaining our tempo pace.<br />
<br />
I told her to leave me about a hundred times, but she wouldn't. She just kept telling me, "<i>You've got this.</i>" She may have even told me to stop wasting my energy on talking and just run. Dawn knows I'm too stubborn to give up, so she stayed a step or two in front of me so I would chase her.<br />
<br />
There was one point around mile seven that I freaked out mentally. I could hear myself wheezing and I started to panic. <i>" I can't breathe. </i><i>I shouldn't be doing this. </i><i>I can't catch my breath. I'm scared. It's not worth it. I should drop out. Where is a medical tent?..." </i><br />
<br />
But I COULD breathe. It just wasn't easy. <br />
<br />
So I mumbled under my breath, <i>"I take these thoughts captive and I will replace them with truth"</i> and then mentally started telling myself the truth. <br />
<br />
"<i>You are capable. You have run this distance at this pace several times before. You ARE breathing. You sound like a cow in labor, but your lungs are getting air and you are scaring all the other runners around you. See how they just make way for you? Just keep following Dawn. You are fine. You are strong. Fast feet. Strong mind. You run this body. The faster you run the sooner this will be over."</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
And then I prayed. <i>"Jesus help me. Help me enjoy this scenic course. Help me soak in this sunshine and the beautiful day. May my feet be swift and my heart be full of gratitude that I get to do crazy stuff like this."</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
I felt my panic fade away and a peace wash over me. Thank you Jesus! From that point on, I was able to really enjoy the race experience, in spite of the wheezing.<br />
<br />
Dawn and I ran stride for stride the entire race. She could have run much faster. Without her, I probably would have quit when I had my little panic session. Instead, we crossed the finish line together. <br />
<br />
Neither of us thought to check the standings or even our finish time. We took our finish line wine glasses around to the different vendors and tasted some wine, then took ourselves out to breakfast. We were in the middle of eating when my phone rang.<br />
<br />
<i>"Jodi!!!!! They just called your name as the overall Female Masters winner. YOU GOT FIRST PLACE!" </i><br />
<br />
For the love... are you serious? I did not see that coming. And oh the irony that even though Dawn and I had the exact same finish time they listed me first place overall and gave Dawn the first place in our age division. We both won big bottles of wine and giggled our way home.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We did it! </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Winner winner chicken dinner</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4p_B7bAq979MzqnH-Kjl1RJPqW6gjbT8s2gG5WdlwOjYtfqachxZHGLzsBg0Jw3sFNW00sB49rNLiTJWTioFDdBhJd3xtLwk4zKn-TOznIrAWkkExTzwEtzxLjNaqv8G36MAx9fRikx4/s1600/IMG_4309.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4p_B7bAq979MzqnH-Kjl1RJPqW6gjbT8s2gG5WdlwOjYtfqachxZHGLzsBg0Jw3sFNW00sB49rNLiTJWTioFDdBhJd3xtLwk4zKn-TOznIrAWkkExTzwEtzxLjNaqv8G36MAx9fRikx4/s320/IMG_4309.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That is one big bottle of wine!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Thanks Dawn for being the methodical, steady balance to my all over the place race day emotions. I am grateful every day to have you as my training partner. Cheers to this adventure. And all the ones in our future. #oregonwinecountryhalfmarathon #trainingpartners<br />
<br />
By the splits:<br />
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Mile 1: 7:19<o:p></o:p></div>
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Mile 9:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>7:37<o:p></o:p></div>
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Mile 3: 7:34<o:p></o:p></div>
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Mile 4: 7:30<o:p></o:p></div>
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Mile 11: 7:42<o:p></o:p></div>
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Mile 5: 7:37<o:p></o:p></div>
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Mile 12: 7:38<o:p></o:p></div>
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Mile 6: 7:27<o:p></o:p></div>
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Mile 13: 7:18<o:p></o:p></div>
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Mile 7: 7:28<o:p></o:p></div>
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Mile .1: 7:01<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br />Jodi Stilphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04329375455810397582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7609922816774700750.post-37145051083626375202017-02-07T16:49:00.000-08:002017-04-28T15:31:16.404-07:00The Long Road to The Boston Marathon<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">By Tanya</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Well, it's been quite a while since you've heard from me. My last post was almost a year ago when I fulfilled my dream of getting a BQ (Boston Marathon Qualifying time) at the <a href="http://solesistersrunning.blogspot.com/2016/04/vernonia-marathon-running-to-find-rest.html" target="_blank">Vernonia Marathon last April</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I felt really good about my race and some "signs" had pointed to me getting in this year such as seeing Shalane Flanagan on my first marathon training run as well as at an author talk for her new book Run Fast. Eat Slow. She autographed my book and wrote "<i>Hope to see you in Boston.</i>" (So cool! I'm a total fan!) </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">qualified with a time three minutes and forty-five seconds faster than what I needed for my age group, but it still put me in the last qualifying lottery registration group. I was left hanging as to whether I would actually get in or not because marathon officials have been reducing the qualifying times each year due to increasing interest in the race and the amount of people qualifying.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Well, let me tell you if you haven't experienced the Boston Marathon qualifying lottery wait, it's pretty intense! You obsess and agonize to qualify only to obsess and agonize to see if you'll get in! </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWRZWlIZd7lVdDYHcyEM-HySJhacPDFnoQ2XaMttNitD2G_u74xo3Fq-qNT5-MFZbI80oL8k3cTEP8n38cu-dX9Xbk9EYvoYrxSBVtge3mOZ1yCFPR-N0yNdLsFiQluO9YnRoXvG80d2lg/s1600/IMG_0232.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWRZWlIZd7lVdDYHcyEM-HySJhacPDFnoQ2XaMttNitD2G_u74xo3Fq-qNT5-MFZbI80oL8k3cTEP8n38cu-dX9Xbk9EYvoYrxSBVtge3mOZ1yCFPR-N0yNdLsFiQluO9YnRoXvG80d2lg/s320/IMG_0232.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">More than five months later on the 28th of September 2016 it was announced that that qualifiers who were two minutes, nine seconds faster than their qualifying times would be accepted into the 2017 Boston Marathon. </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Talk about getting in by the skin of my teeth!! That was only thirty-six seconds to spare! But yes! Hallelujah, my next marathon would be the 2017 Boston Marathon!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I talked to many friends who have run Boston before and all of them told me not try and re-qualify for Boston at my first Boston Marathon. Their advice? Just go and enjoy the experience. So that is what I intend to do. </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">However, some of my friends who did not qualify last year are going for BQ's this year and I'd really love to join them in 2018. So I made it my plan to use Boston as a training run and run the Green River Marathon six weeks after Boston to try and re-qualify. For me that means a lot of running! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I feel like I found a training and fueling plan that worked well for me, so I plan to do the same this year. I started building a good running base in November and by New Year's 2017 I was ready to jump into the hard work of officially starting my training plan. It was fifteen weeks out from the Boston Marathon.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I have been running again this year with my friends Paul and Lynnette. We all ran the Vernonia Marathon together last year. Paul and Lynnette are trying to BQ this year and their marathons are around the same time as mine so we are able to train together again.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Paul's specialty is running fast and he has a unique strategy that works well for him. Paul and I both have strong, heavier muscles than most runners and we don't "look" like we could run as fast as we do. But Paul and I have found ways to use our muscles to our advantage. In fact in the last year Paul has shattered many expectations by placing in numerous races. He is my speed guru.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Lynnette is a petite, speedy and determined runner who is trying to find the right strategies to get her to Boston. She definitely has the ability and will to get here there. Lynnette and I are well matched in our cadence. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">All three of us glean wisdom, encouragement and support from each other just as it is with my beloved Sole Sisters Jodi and Carissa. That is what is so great about the running community!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">With my training now in full swing, I recently took a full body measurement test and found that I am almost identical to the same weight and body mass as I was last year after fully training for and running the Vernonia Marathon. It's a pretty good place to start. I also feel stronger and faster than I was at this point last year. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">My stronger and faster theory was recently put to the test when I went back to race the Scio Roaring Run half marathon again this year. </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Last year at Scio, it was my goal to run my marathon pace for the entire race. I executed this plan perfectly, however I remember feeling disappointed that it didn't feel quite as easy as I'd hoped it would. </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This year I was ready to take on the course again and see what I could do.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Jodi and Carissa both decided not to run Scio again, however it worked well for Paul and Lynnette so they decided to use it as their half marathon training race as well.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6d00tdFikq_jO7yi5kM47OETjQYNSPv_ZDeGPHFDWFqnmSPgToITG8y_p1M_ATLCtI9JkhROspIQzRqqFQJroZ9jmCN07jpeMNFi7HgoV0Ni2BmmEw4gtxmCHhFc8kbOI1Osv0OsYYAM2/s1600/IMG_1308.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6d00tdFikq_jO7yi5kM47OETjQYNSPv_ZDeGPHFDWFqnmSPgToITG8y_p1M_ATLCtI9JkhROspIQzRqqFQJroZ9jmCN07jpeMNFi7HgoV0Ni2BmmEw4gtxmCHhFc8kbOI1Osv0OsYYAM2/s320/IMG_1308.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">On the way to Scio Paul and Lynnette and I shared our goals for the race and strategized about how to achieve them. Lynnette wanted to race similar to how I had last year, maintaining her race pace the whole time. Her main goal was to not get injured and risk her chance at a BQ. Paul, in true Paul style, wanted to go out strong and maximize on the first downhill portion of the race setting a quick pace and base for the remainder of the race. He hoped to not get injured but also be a top finisher. </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">My goal was to run this race in a sub eight minute average pace. Paul and Lynnette were confident that I could do it. </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Based on the course layout, my training, and the fact that I had already qualified for Boston, I decided to use Paul's nontraditional strategy to just go all out and see what I could do. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Everything that I could control in my training was on point and I thought I was capable of hitting or even exceeding my goal. However, as all runners know, there are many other non-controllable elements that go into a race and we had a big one against us: the weather!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We have had one of the worst winters on record in Oregon this year and the day before the race we woke up to howling wind and sheets of ice covering the streets. Fortunately the ice melted away by mid-afternoon by buckets of rain. Unfortunately, the rain and the wind continued on through race day. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">As luck would have it the park where we start was quite sheltered from the wind and the rain also miraculously stopped right before the start. When the announcer said "go" I went out like a shot! My brain of course told me to slow down and don't be so naive to think this race start adrenaline could last but I felt just fine. I remember looking at my Garmin after the first mile and it said I had run a 7:30 pace. Wow! Well, I thought, I'm just going to keep going strong. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The next five miles I was flying and felt fantastic! A light misty rain had started but it actually felt refreshing. The first six miles have some rolling hills but the overall elevation is a loss. I kept playing leap frog with a guy ahead of me. I would pass him on the uphill and he would pass on the downhills. </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Here are my splits from the first six miles:</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 10px; line-height: normal;">Mile</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 10px; line-height: normal;">Pace</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 10px; line-height: normal;">Elevation</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 10px; line-height: normal;">1</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 10px; line-height: normal;">7:37</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 10px; line-height: normal;">25</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 10px; line-height: normal;">2</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 10px; line-height: normal;">7:18</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 10px; line-height: normal;">-82</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 10px; line-height: normal;">3</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 10px; line-height: normal;">7:28</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 10px; line-height: normal;">-30</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 10px; line-height: normal;">4</span></div>
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<td style="border-color: #000000 #000000 #000000 #000000; border-style: solid; border-width: 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px; height: 17.0px; padding: 4.0px 4.0px 4.0px 4.0px; width: 47.0px;" valign="top"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 10px; line-height: normal;">7:34</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 10px; line-height: normal;">-32</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 10px; line-height: normal;">5</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 10px; line-height: normal;">7:42</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 10px; line-height: normal;">-21</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 10px; line-height: normal;">6</span></div>
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<td style="border-color: #000000 #000000 #000000 #000000; border-style: solid; border-width: 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px; height: 17.0px; padding: 4.0px 4.0px 4.0px 4.0px; width: 47.0px;" valign="top"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 10px; line-height: normal;">7:35</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 10px; line-height: normal;">-17</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">At this point in the race I knew to expect long straight stretches and a net elevation gain on all the rest of the miles, especially mile 12-13. But I was feeling good and going up hills is my specialty! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">When we reached mile 6.25 and rounded the corner onto the main road I was met full on with 20 mph headwinds. I pushed through this long straight away, but when we turned again to the left, the wind continued to push me on my right side. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I was pushing to keep up the pace but starting to feeling extra fatigued from the resistance of the wind. It was at mile 8 when I looked up and saw the guy I'd been leap frogging pulling way ahead in the distance. I looked down at my Garmin and noticed my nice 7:30 average pace continually going up.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The elevation gain continued and with each mile and each corner I thought I'd get a reprieve from the wind, but no such luck. The wind was always pushing straight on or on my right. By mile 10 my mind started to play tricks on me. My legs felt really heavy and I got flashbacks of my lactic acid build up and hitting the wall at mile 20 of my first marathon. I wanted so badly to start walking. Lord knows I was feeling super slow at this point anyway but I knew walking would only prolong the torture so I closed my eyes (Yes, I do this. I know it's not the most safe way to run! I do peek up at times) and willed my legs to pick up the pace in short sprints. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This torture continued on through miles 11 and 12. I remembered Paul saying that he has a mind trick he plays in a half marathon where he only thinks about running through mile 12 because after that he is energized by trying to pass as many people as possible to the finish. I kind of laughed as I thought this because in the past five miles I hadn't seen many runners. I had either passed them at the beginning or those who were up ahead were experiencing the same agony I was and attempting to not lose too much of their average pace. I also knew that mile 12-13 was had the greatest elevation gain. I looked down again in dismay at my average pace holding at 7:52. When I looked up, I saw my leap frog guy up ahead walking! I knew if I gave it all I had for the last mile I would at least accomplish my goal of a sub 8 average pace. So that's just what I did. I smiled as I passed leap frog guy and heard him say "<i>Good job!"</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">As I ran into the park and saw Paul, he was saying "<i>Go, go, go! You've got this!</i>" I sprinted in for a 1:43:09 finish and a 7:52 pace per the race results. Lynnette joined us at the finish just a few minutes later with a pace a few seconds faster than she had planned!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">My second half Garmin splits were:</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 10px; line-height: normal;">7</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 10px; line-height: normal;">7:38</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 10px; line-height: normal;">-8</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 10px; line-height: normal;">8</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 10px; line-height: normal;">7:53</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 10px; line-height: normal;">5</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 10px; line-height: normal;">9</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 10px; line-height: normal;">8:02</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 10px; line-height: normal;">7</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 10px; line-height: normal;">10</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 10px; line-height: normal;">8:11</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 10px; line-height: normal;">20</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 10px; line-height: normal;">11</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 10px; line-height: normal;">8:15</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 10px; line-height: normal;">29</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 10px; line-height: normal;">12</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 10px; line-height: normal;">8:31</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 10px; line-height: normal;">39</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 10px; line-height: normal;">13</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 10px; line-height: normal;">8:18</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 10px; line-height: normal;">57</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 10px; line-height: normal;">0.1</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 10px; line-height: normal;">7:53</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 10px; line-height: normal;">-17</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Paul and Lynnette both finished with great times as well 1:35:03 and 1:49:27 respectively, with both of them winning age group awards! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">You never know what is going to be thrown your way, but what doesn't kill you makes you stronger. Persistence pays off and I know that all three of us will soon be Boston bound.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOdA06S4Y3FM3NsIUcfPgKt8_uXLrL4tXFe8yQhU-36sPzP00uCPsfCQeurWW_C1poU_Lkzx3OMl_HjXoXdJ_AxfM7E_4fcomzzELhLAhhIumDY6xQgxovGc-tZgQhUvSQMVQb_S6ZuFrQ/s1600/IMG_0417.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOdA06S4Y3FM3NsIUcfPgKt8_uXLrL4tXFe8yQhU-36sPzP00uCPsfCQeurWW_C1poU_Lkzx3OMl_HjXoXdJ_AxfM7E_4fcomzzELhLAhhIumDY6xQgxovGc-tZgQhUvSQMVQb_S6ZuFrQ/s200/IMG_0417.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>
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Tanya Corkumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05127178808503246347noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7609922816774700750.post-31868472684699090712017-01-06T18:42:00.000-08:002017-04-28T15:30:47.641-07:00Barefaced Beautyby Carissa<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih8j0WOygIrYAvXtapxjkniNepQ4I54zKgqdg3QP89MEpFmsKeO1vzYqbGkhcQt30bENfVA33dJ_Z-g-DPbczx9HFTNxVdzV1L3gYPqJ89Ovtvb5TCc2fKOCHpS6F2W04qJC8uzJfbiNCw/s1600/IMG_3683.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih8j0WOygIrYAvXtapxjkniNepQ4I54zKgqdg3QP89MEpFmsKeO1vzYqbGkhcQt30bENfVA33dJ_Z-g-DPbczx9HFTNxVdzV1L3gYPqJ89Ovtvb5TCc2fKOCHpS6F2W04qJC8uzJfbiNCw/s320/IMG_3683.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two of the Barefaced Beauties I run with.</td></tr>
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<attachment webkitattachmentpath="/Users/carissavonkoch/Desktop/IMG_3683.JPG"></attachment>"What's the point of putting on makeup? It's like saying you don't like the way your face is normally."<span id="goog_1724128581"></span><br />
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-12 year old son</div>
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Sometimes I get a niggle of a thought. Is it strange that our definition of beauty involves painting our face, dying our hair, tinting our skin, surgically altering our body? What is beauty? What makes you feel beautiful? For each of us I'm sure it varies greatly. Does the woman who has gone to great lengths to alter her appearance feel beautiful? Can one do none of that and feel beautiful?</div>
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Two years ago I decided to stop dying my hair. I knew I was starting to get grey hairs and I chose slowly greying hair in my natural color over regular highlights. This allowed me to save time and money and for the health of my hair to improve. Ultimately though, I wanted to find beauty in my natural hair color. I wanted to embrace the grey hairs instead of hiding them.</div>
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This summer I stopped wearing makeup on a daily basis. My nineteen year old sister had done the same because she found she was struggling to accept her face as beautiful without it. She decided to spend a month not wearing makeup as an experiment. This break allowed her to reset her expectations and gave her back that sense of beauty. I was intrigued. I wasn't a big fan of the way I look in the mirror without make up. Could the same happen for me if I stopped wearing it also? </div>
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I started the experiment and found that I did indeed grow accustomed to how I looked without it. I loved bypassing application in the morning and not needing to take it off at night. I looked around me and noticed that plenty of other women weren't wearing makeup either and that emboldened me. It helped that I live in Portland because there are many women who already embrace this look. I noticed that when I did wear makeup it felt like a special occasion. What was formally my norm became the exception. While I wish my experience was all roses that hasn't been the case. When I look into the mirror sometimes I feel more blah than self assured. <b> I am still in the process of finding the beauty in my natural face.</b></div>
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The more I got used to seeing my own face without makeup the more I noticed the contrast in others who did wear makeup. Women on TV or in print ads looked REALLY made up and those that were DECADES older than me appeared to not have any wrinkles. That made me sad. <b>I want to find beauty in the lines and creases that will increasingly grace my face.</b></div>
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So what does this having to do with running? There is a connection. Running is a social outlet for me. Whether I am running with others or on my way to a run I've become very comfortable spending time with other people looking the same way I look when I roll out of bed. Between this blog, my Facebook account and Instagram many of the pictures that are floating around of me are before, during or after a run and the same is true of my friends. <b>When I see my friends without makeup I think they are beautifully perfect.</b> That is how God sees us too and how he wants us to see ourselves. This post isn't about judging someone else's beauty routine but a call to say you are beautiful without it. May those of us who need to grow in that truth, myself included, embrace it. </div>
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Beautiful </div>
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Beauty in my grey hairs </div>
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Beauty in my wrinkles </div>
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Beauty in my pale skin, muted lips and short eyelashes </div>
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Beautiful</div>
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"You are all together beautiful my darling, there is no flaw in you." Song of Songs 4:7</div>
Carissa @ Sole Sisters Runninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03809725240498822356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7609922816774700750.post-12014044578640882402016-12-29T18:32:00.002-08:002017-04-28T15:30:57.881-07:00I Ate Too Much<div style="text-align: justify;">
by Carissa</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv1T812_iyV14yXsoIAaDQVbuc-4SnVbSS7FPHLaAaaAVM_KzwRL9CnMGlxkc3KEOosfAIZqchFnC37M-cF_6UFJc90oCYCXTdrjk79mDOLXv6ri5-yhqPwkoIA7LPEkEqzk-4JKwgSlmF/s1600/IMG_9538.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv1T812_iyV14yXsoIAaDQVbuc-4SnVbSS7FPHLaAaaAVM_KzwRL9CnMGlxkc3KEOosfAIZqchFnC37M-cF_6UFJc90oCYCXTdrjk79mDOLXv6ri5-yhqPwkoIA7LPEkEqzk-4JKwgSlmF/s320/IMG_9538.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These were tasty...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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I ate too many Christmas sweets and now I have to face the consequences. I knew while I was doing it that I was going to have to pay for my lack of self discipline with some extra discipline in the near future. My pants were getting a bit tighter but still I continued to eat too many cookies and indulged in the delights of the season. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfzb4YlKqVre3NHAiwoUBtXsPO8bksFMuWXKKiEG9JcKBwIdG86ypBL9t6NQajXKhCNg0WPAtWDhR1JBK1ohCXkx-7E3mjmrpmz_DAJzsVX-XKHm9LLsm2WXFuZU5G-eqeJaiDWZ-YcGDq/s1600/IMG_9537.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfzb4YlKqVre3NHAiwoUBtXsPO8bksFMuWXKKiEG9JcKBwIdG86ypBL9t6NQajXKhCNg0WPAtWDhR1JBK1ohCXkx-7E3mjmrpmz_DAJzsVX-XKHm9LLsm2WXFuZU5G-eqeJaiDWZ-YcGDq/s320/IMG_9537.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And so were these...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span id="goog_1053413552"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Yesterday I stepped on the scale for a reality check and then hit the trail to ponder my next move. As I ran the possibility of a running streak crossed my mind. Jodi has been rocking one and is in the 500s! I know that she loves it but it does not appeal to me. It does however appeal to me as a short term focus to reach a weight loss goal. So starting yesterday I plan to streak until I have lost seven pounds. (Sidenote: A running streak is running every day a minimum of one mile.)<br />
<a name='more'></a><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyXVdLyID-mdZ3p9x2S3DKH9A2dcuxnp0bY4x0CJ7FhrZApBQxfXEAV_qqo76XehIL36WfjHqKhfEpt7TBQ2DcMJS2Odzt6T59VepLAlooNBndJo1LL4x5AG9zS8v3kQfXE8I4gzVYk1Sv/s1600/IMG_9531.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyXVdLyID-mdZ3p9x2S3DKH9A2dcuxnp0bY4x0CJ7FhrZApBQxfXEAV_qqo76XehIL36WfjHqKhfEpt7TBQ2DcMJS2Odzt6T59VepLAlooNBndJo1LL4x5AG9zS8v3kQfXE8I4gzVYk1Sv/s320/IMG_9531.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Who wouldn't want to run here every day?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
I'm really happy with my current workout rhythm so I hope to return to it soon. In the meantime I think the streak will require me to work a little harder and remind me to apply a little more self discipline to my life in order to hit that goal. Speaking of self discipline, I also plan to cut out sweets with the exception of once a week when I take a Sabbath rest. After all, it's the darn sugar that got me into this mess to begin with. I have such a sweet tooth and I find that one way to combat it is to get myself out of the habit of consuming it regularly. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Over the last six months I've been playing around with fasting. I've fasted from social media, buying clothes, sweets, eating out and coffee. Coffee was definitely the hardest! In my experience it is absolutely essential for me to have accountability partners. If I make a commitment to myself it's easy to talk myself out of it in a moment of feeling weak willed. If I tell others, I feel like I'm doing it for myself and to keep my word. Writing this commitment as a blog is the ultimate in being held accountable! </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Another component to fasting that has worked really well for me is to set a time period. The set time frame allows me to establish new habits and know that the practice doesn't need to go on without end. Times that I took an indefinite break from something I noticed I felt lost about when to restart it. Having a weight loss goal will be my version of a time limit. Here's to hoping that it doesn't take forever to lose- oh the beauty of getting older!</div>
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In the meantime...must resist the left over pecan bars in the fridge!</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>How about you Sole Sisters? Anyone looking to start a new exercise routine and/or new eating habits in 2017? Share with us your plans/goals.</b></div>
Carissa @ Sole Sisters Runninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03809725240498822356noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7609922816774700750.post-6496400177022277072016-09-01T16:33:00.000-07:002016-12-29T18:33:13.944-08:00EMPOWERED: Hood to Coast 2016by Jodi<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">EMPOWERED.</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is my Hood to Coast 2016 experience in
one word.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixZ5L8HMi2hsGc8pghWhZh87ZkrOQ_u4k7ERNqHtSYkC5bTE5coSMH6qE20w1CdhOi9xC27jRA4G80qhaIJWD-5AlHCBSbHEqWeOXZGdgvlVCBTW44etNho8rSpzstFzhQ5BMQ2svmO3c/s1600/IMG_4541.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixZ5L8HMi2hsGc8pghWhZh87ZkrOQ_u4k7ERNqHtSYkC5bTE5coSMH6qE20w1CdhOi9xC27jRA4G80qhaIJWD-5AlHCBSbHEqWeOXZGdgvlVCBTW44etNho8rSpzstFzhQ5BMQ2svmO3c/s400/IMG_4541.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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When Paula Harkin invited me to be on Portland Running
Company’s all women’s team, I was 100% intimidated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And of course had a ton of questions, because
apparently asking questions is a trademark of mine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In my mind, there was no way on earth I was
fast enough to run on a sponsored team. But Paula wasn’t requiring a certain
pace per mile.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She asked three things of
every woman on her team.<o:p></o:p></div>
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1. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Train hard.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">2. Be a team player.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">3. Run your guts out.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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I knew I could do that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Why bother racing if you’re not going to leave it all on the course?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a huge honor to don the Portland
Running Company uniform and run with this team.<o:p></o:p></div>
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You guys… THIS is not supposed to be part of my story. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nine years ago I was overweight, out of shape
and exhausted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Four babies in four years
kicked my butt. My hubby and I knew something had to change so we started
running slow and short three times a week. </div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a name='more'></a><br /></div>
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A few months later, my aunt challenged me to run a half
marathon with very little training.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She
believed I could do it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My brother said
it was impossible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Crossing the finish
line of that race changed my life. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">And that’s the beauty
of empowerment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In that tension of
attempting the impossible because someone else thinks you can, we come alive</b>.<o:p></o:p></div>
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My Hood to Coast teammates are empowering.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All eleven of them are smart, funny, fit,
strong, fast women impacting the world around them with their talents, grit, and
determination. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCuDN3al9H5a9FFTxCVA45C-pBhbhSpGhkfpeW6eVGbXMIitI0xvCtdBtRPsATG5sBcathyZI1Z9DZFjwjmlePUhZa4shepSU-QJ34_UlSl-2poMCiqesBI1r6RG4YQDDrdtQV32EPiiU/s1600/IMG_4556.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCuDN3al9H5a9FFTxCVA45C-pBhbhSpGhkfpeW6eVGbXMIitI0xvCtdBtRPsATG5sBcathyZI1Z9DZFjwjmlePUhZa4shepSU-QJ34_UlSl-2poMCiqesBI1r6RG4YQDDrdtQV32EPiiU/s320/IMG_4556.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just missing Brittney and Karlee</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</o:p></div>
We each brought our strengths. We each brought our insecurities. <b>And in
that tension of strength and insecurity, we came together, empowered each
other, and ran our guts out.</b><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDnE39yMTM2MXbBbPcZZgtx08WqQEgrSU59Xek1omMIJ274MtK9WXCkct8yzOfWHe8NRgMODn6-tjlw8YdV_vWKkMDY16KotJ8Fa4u0bWIDMm1M28N9co_JsXJPR7L5kBBh83qXUEehPM/s1600/IMG_4482.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDnE39yMTM2MXbBbPcZZgtx08WqQEgrSU59Xek1omMIJ274MtK9WXCkct8yzOfWHe8NRgMODn6-tjlw8YdV_vWKkMDY16KotJ8Fa4u0bWIDMm1M28N9co_JsXJPR7L5kBBh83qXUEehPM/s320/IMG_4482.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Van 2 Runners: Ashley, Jami, Karlee, Dawn, Jodi, Aubree</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Karlee is an elite runner who qualified for the USA National Championships a few years ago. Karlee’s running is poetry in motion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Solid muscle with huge, beautiful blue eyes
and sick tattoos, Karlee flies down the road like she has wings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>People all along the course stopped in awe to
watch. Her “non trained” average pace per mile was a 6:11!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thank you for sharing your talents with our
team. #empowered</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-tfxSnDgMmkYDFp5s5pe7SirxF1zQBk1lvampCfhE-Psz7pqwkSxSXDpQBSIigtbvoPbUZ3OFs3sL7S4JYQiFQQ57VEH7mcurVfxQFFkV8uZyDED3ttyFFBR98MlFWvUvTBijBGqNJvA/s1600/IMG_4480.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-tfxSnDgMmkYDFp5s5pe7SirxF1zQBk1lvampCfhE-Psz7pqwkSxSXDpQBSIigtbvoPbUZ3OFs3sL7S4JYQiFQQ57VEH7mcurVfxQFFkV8uZyDED3ttyFFBR98MlFWvUvTBijBGqNJvA/s320/IMG_4480.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Karlee</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Ashley doesn’t say a lot, but when she jumps into a
conversation it’s almost always witty, a little sarcastic and wise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She has a gift of encouragement and that girl
listens with purpose.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She’s 100%
adorable and super fast. This momma of two destroyed every leg, averaging a
6:46 pace over the course of her 16 miles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Seriously.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She came in from one
of her hardest legs and said, “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I just
told myself, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">‘You’re not out here to
have fun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’re out here to kick ass,
so do it’” </b></i>and she did<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">. </i></b>#empowered</div>
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<o:p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVFOoPbbotUUvlgHekmqP9ymnd4YrEbLPofnORP9QmXl6HERvIAPC-WstoLzAneThbgnsH47nsWFhY3FFaAXC1QcIB-ZmDdx1KXbISP9dnUgoKDr9UwVxNajp9ELR8XDYIftQFS6zMzBs/s1600/IMG_4506.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVFOoPbbotUUvlgHekmqP9ymnd4YrEbLPofnORP9QmXl6HERvIAPC-WstoLzAneThbgnsH47nsWFhY3FFaAXC1QcIB-ZmDdx1KXbISP9dnUgoKDr9UwVxNajp9ELR8XDYIftQFS6zMzBs/s320/IMG_4506.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ashley</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</o:p></div>
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Jami had twin daughters one year ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You would never know she’s ever been pregnant
though because she is one mass of solid muscle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She lives her life with intensity and passion and that transfers to her
running.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Before each leg, Jami would
tell us what pace she was going to run.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She came flying into each exchange at the exact time she predicted. Jami
knows what her body is capable of and she pushes it to the max.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Average pace? 6:27. #empowered<o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTua2T0XbAkZ-cereM_f1K4f2nUR9D-o0oyGqW-vxw99gmqfeNr_iHAqXJNZPf0uyds671jQc8Ie5BJDScPJQ0IAL752lZjCMQ4LXlWjp58dNXZohZfqZDhg-Yj5waBUNwiVbGsKWw1sA/s1600/IMG_4501.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTua2T0XbAkZ-cereM_f1K4f2nUR9D-o0oyGqW-vxw99gmqfeNr_iHAqXJNZPf0uyds671jQc8Ie5BJDScPJQ0IAL752lZjCMQ4LXlWjp58dNXZohZfqZDhg-Yj5waBUNwiVbGsKWw1sA/s320/IMG_4501.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jami</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</o:p></div>
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I can count on one hand the number of times I’ve run in just
a sports bra and shorts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s not about
modesty, but 100% about vanity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My
stomach has been the source of crippling insecurity for a huge chunk of my
life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While I feel mostly free from that
burden now, I still have no desire to show the world my lack of a six pack. <o:p></o:p></div>
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It was 95 degrees when I was about to run my first leg.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My teammates told me it was too hot to run in
my jersey.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I protested they
reminded me, “<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Strength is beautiful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are
beautiful.</i>”</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I chose believe them
over the lies in my head, and ran that leg in just my sports bra. I ran a 6:53
pace for that leg.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s only the third
time in my life that I’ve averaged a sub seven pace in a race.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I may have been running fast to get my shirt
back, but whatevs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My 7:02 average pace
is the fastest I’ve ever run in this kind of race before. #empowered<o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQlo7TTOrGKA2lQxP6PYhzHwuwMSVHZibxU0Pmbx5BGjuBxwJJar-Z4crpbOMpbAzKxsOUUOjmVhVsan219Wuy58lc40SsSuRX-r1h6pOER7eOf7Q3hFu6d8nE9z6hZX8aD6HFzV6gktI/s1600/IMG_4485.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQlo7TTOrGKA2lQxP6PYhzHwuwMSVHZibxU0Pmbx5BGjuBxwJJar-Z4crpbOMpbAzKxsOUUOjmVhVsan219Wuy58lc40SsSuRX-r1h6pOER7eOf7Q3hFu6d8nE9z6hZX8aD6HFzV6gktI/s320/IMG_4485.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Dawn has been inspiring me for two years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She is steady and consistent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dawn knows what her body can accomplish and
how to achieve the pace she sets out to run.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Dawn was forced to stop at lights eight times in 5.6 miles on her first
leg.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It added 30 seconds per mile to her
average pace, but she didn’t complain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Dawn does<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>not want attention or accolades
in spite of her running prowess.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her
quiet strength and humility are what I aspire to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>7:08 average pace overall #empowered </div>
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<o:p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4qqVDtFzy2TKJ7adcA2j207MWe_HrkHn8Oz3atQkaitudIZVMPrfZkgipOyLCXgceATnQgWIMJ1zM-aqnX7z1tHYQ_iZdiMEVie37bW16We_xKJbZE-TOTGkwr0zwKE7e1Nq9w01tVP4/s1600/IMG_4492.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4qqVDtFzy2TKJ7adcA2j207MWe_HrkHn8Oz3atQkaitudIZVMPrfZkgipOyLCXgceATnQgWIMJ1zM-aqnX7z1tHYQ_iZdiMEVie37bW16We_xKJbZE-TOTGkwr0zwKE7e1Nq9w01tVP4/s320/IMG_4492.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dawn</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And then there’s Aubree.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Full time physical therapist.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Wife. Mom to her darling son Owen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>HILARIOUS! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh my gosh is Aubree
funny. Before Aubree had Owen, running was a major part of her life and she was
super fast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But motherhood has shifted Aubree’s
priorities.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She bravely gave up running the
paces she used to hit easily so she can spend time with her husband and her
son. And can I just say that Aubree’s “slow” is still super fast?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think she averaged right at an 8:00 pace. #empowered<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdTfNGophK3oNPkWxhUwtlbnP8PIAdg8TqCC3eH98oYkq-260UrZkouGB9anuz2XciTGSRnaeh5X5k4RiBsbHdVFr_s0TdCpHMsLTp5toA_uYMhC7yfOi8ENWbZ-6aaT1LE2weAVNeozQ/s1600/IMG_4495.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdTfNGophK3oNPkWxhUwtlbnP8PIAdg8TqCC3eH98oYkq-260UrZkouGB9anuz2XciTGSRnaeh5X5k4RiBsbHdVFr_s0TdCpHMsLTp5toA_uYMhC7yfOi8ENWbZ-6aaT1LE2weAVNeozQ/s320/IMG_4495.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aubree passing off to Amanda</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And this is just my van.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Paula got heat stroke on her first leg.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She was a dry heaving hot mess, but in spite of all that suffering, she
came to the first transition with a smile on her face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Paula cautioned our van to adjust our pace to
accommodate for the weather.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Being safe is more important than speed,</i>”
says the woman who invested her time, finances and heart into our team.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who does that?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>#empowered<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Marni ran the hardest leg in Van 1 with a hamstring
injury.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She could have quit and had us
adjust to run her legs, but she gutted it out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>#empowered<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Amanda sacrificed her quads for the team and sprinted down 1,884
vertical feet over 5.44 miles in record time. #empowered <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Brittney, Nikki and Larisa destroyed their legs with their
speed and grit. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would have loved to
see them racing down the road.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Brittney
even broke into the 5 minute range on her first leg.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For real.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>These women are legit. They all averaged a sub 7 pace for their overall
mileage. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>#empowered<o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRo79WXuvBW0NZH3FGu5bl3J4Zep2zA_OCZXsKC1nPxBzpOBtAhBxMaPl9x-9U_khBvPO9JLnnpgT5iLbf8KH4xpHWKeqMAqrPaVER47ClRwuqjBew3nZX0obaRqGkz4SN4mD5ynBzGsU/s1600/VAn+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRo79WXuvBW0NZH3FGu5bl3J4Zep2zA_OCZXsKC1nPxBzpOBtAhBxMaPl9x-9U_khBvPO9JLnnpgT5iLbf8KH4xpHWKeqMAqrPaVER47ClRwuqjBew3nZX0obaRqGkz4SN4mD5ynBzGsU/s320/VAn+1.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Van 1</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQGjyQ8SAb3SsnfCJBef3L1YCM14c-dBheHItQGrD6ZcmsABtFdExNiqs-8tla_JheMY5FAT0Hs-jJqGM6nOafQEZyt3Puq1EHnPjtgZqnsaGnQSia2JLIWk50XL27uCFLFecxAw-QcKc/s1600/water+for+larissa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQGjyQ8SAb3SsnfCJBef3L1YCM14c-dBheHItQGrD6ZcmsABtFdExNiqs-8tla_JheMY5FAT0Hs-jJqGM6nOafQEZyt3Puq1EHnPjtgZqnsaGnQSia2JLIWk50XL27uCFLFecxAw-QcKc/s320/water+for+larissa.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Water for Larisa </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My teammates took care of each other before, during and
after each leg.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the process,
acquaintances morphed into friendship. #empowered<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU-Emzuxg6J-JBKcThZwWfecb_vkghyTjbcq1ixB4SbKHba-j8wUI7h2XlikMGM4z5fJ-UbMP0LLuVr73C1Vt0NT9JI4ExG_kbT05L3emiMnIa9DcyU-kKeZjjG_9K4H5pg8bLi64bFXQ/s1600/IMG_4512.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU-Emzuxg6J-JBKcThZwWfecb_vkghyTjbcq1ixB4SbKHba-j8wUI7h2XlikMGM4z5fJ-UbMP0LLuVr73C1Vt0NT9JI4ExG_kbT05L3emiMnIa9DcyU-kKeZjjG_9K4H5pg8bLi64bFXQ/s320/IMG_4512.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxUNBTWZ4D3vYvqoEsK1NBsaYjWcq_5zbyrJfa-qoXxoKhI0JI5XkN4E8o20N7xpo0X39y9pai4UXbX7bSL1kMgvqajML8Etsm_kCAJJOPBVAPMo9BREySX7X3nU1NEAYI3jHRXwrM7A4/s1600/IMG_4518.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxUNBTWZ4D3vYvqoEsK1NBsaYjWcq_5zbyrJfa-qoXxoKhI0JI5XkN4E8o20N7xpo0X39y9pai4UXbX7bSL1kMgvqajML8Etsm_kCAJJOPBVAPMo9BREySX7X3nU1NEAYI3jHRXwrM7A4/s320/IMG_4518.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dave and Paula are so cute</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh84wLXo1lfsQl6_mDoTHVZAwBePkqUIv_K8IeAZN2GWfWcM4EBXW-5nDLND6NTFCJXgVlSkVvWr-7Aax-nbWvBL5OAbr9OA54OS-JQ819wOH8hdPqNVXq5EwRQPdQykqZ2KfCN23X5cmg/s1600/IMG_4525.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh84wLXo1lfsQl6_mDoTHVZAwBePkqUIv_K8IeAZN2GWfWcM4EBXW-5nDLND6NTFCJXgVlSkVvWr-7Aax-nbWvBL5OAbr9OA54OS-JQ819wOH8hdPqNVXq5EwRQPdQykqZ2KfCN23X5cmg/s320/IMG_4525.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">When you leave it all on the course, you just might fall sound asleep during the finishers party.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhClTXdmTUwI5vIzRrklny6p-lIxmgCtIHCLHV2oVfj2DQFz9vjMK_Y28WY_hMainV7328PXI6gN9m_1jYaeseaKTnhn1gWQIFOLqCi3sAs2pYUBOBqsJxtdiqKuE3BLJ4JUd47M2Khs9c/s1600/IMG_4527.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhClTXdmTUwI5vIzRrklny6p-lIxmgCtIHCLHV2oVfj2DQFz9vjMK_Y28WY_hMainV7328PXI6gN9m_1jYaeseaKTnhn1gWQIFOLqCi3sAs2pYUBOBqsJxtdiqKuE3BLJ4JUd47M2Khs9c/s320/IMG_4527.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-MfqqKvpPPMlVMQ-WIZ33k6m5LsRdeuHe5vrS9Qh5P84GI4IYQAVunBwi1WS6l3E-shbetV2ccRpqhyphenhypheneOBJSz-BVZom95dj7Nfzuum-qKu3tDwN3ESxZUtjFkVSEL4cryoj-TBSlQtLY/s1600/IMG_4530.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-MfqqKvpPPMlVMQ-WIZ33k6m5LsRdeuHe5vrS9Qh5P84GI4IYQAVunBwi1WS6l3E-shbetV2ccRpqhyphenhypheneOBJSz-BVZom95dj7Nfzuum-qKu3tDwN3ESxZUtjFkVSEL4cryoj-TBSlQtLY/s320/IMG_4530.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">CHEERS!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2zkDiE5GV1v1cb2omvpK9kFqA-NS7QNnUGnRdFK03TS6ai0GWRi3kesOqnRzdvwXBSFWH_-LsCBZo3vsNvAKOHY8zAXtePeCLYK8gbA6AKuBjDy2e8HHy3ShPobcTgJT31UDkxWehztQ/s1600/IMG_4551.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2zkDiE5GV1v1cb2omvpK9kFqA-NS7QNnUGnRdFK03TS6ai0GWRi3kesOqnRzdvwXBSFWH_-LsCBZo3vsNvAKOHY8zAXtePeCLYK8gbA6AKuBjDy2e8HHy3ShPobcTgJT31UDkxWehztQ/s320/IMG_4551.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just a tad dusty in Van 2. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In the end, team Portland Running Company crossed the finish
line in 23 hours, 35 minutes, 52 seconds – an average pace of 7:07 for 199
miles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We won our division and took 30<sup>th</sup>
place overall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thank you Dave and Paula
for sponsoring our team and inviting us to represent Portland Running
Company.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a huge honor.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG8ATtz_SuqfcfB6bx4rz6lwb0dWdfsMj9wIp8WutqSOHOpta6aFwsVyEOA1ABsfqMdtV5UWw5AugwegURq9JvDAzPP-EwJCCzJc2ZZkhzitl0vQFHQ1kp6M8CeJa6n6ibum9nVo2_bhM/s1600/IMG_4537.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG8ATtz_SuqfcfB6bx4rz6lwb0dWdfsMj9wIp8WutqSOHOpta6aFwsVyEOA1ABsfqMdtV5UWw5AugwegURq9JvDAzPP-EwJCCzJc2ZZkhzitl0vQFHQ1kp6M8CeJa6n6ibum9nVo2_bhM/s320/IMG_4537.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
One of my teammates said, “<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Empowered women empower women</i></b>”
and nothing could be truer for our team.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgA4rjcoiuAbOVBOmHlQ822VYbPIicxCpW3CM16e_qRNjgccm-cFMvynZthFU40BB72g3czCSC4Gw41m1SKwdNc_-TUiPxnIZXJIMMpj4U6S3005UCJmsoy_uTmzjFYP9HOQ2MRfLYGvY/s1600/IMG_4540.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgA4rjcoiuAbOVBOmHlQ822VYbPIicxCpW3CM16e_qRNjgccm-cFMvynZthFU40BB72g3czCSC4Gw41m1SKwdNc_-TUiPxnIZXJIMMpj4U6S3005UCJmsoy_uTmzjFYP9HOQ2MRfLYGvY/s320/IMG_4540.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Twelve women. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
199 miles to run our guts out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZPgQWJ7Cs2v7rRhE16AxtzLrhBwIgx8bXp9gxNq87FvvMCcsohP9JPZTlQUt7EgOO_eJw4sBE6mupUZgb3VaWiKz-1erVVcTraM4VD7osqnU_zU1aOltpv6_VeeodqdLb8UZa-UP1u9k/s1600/team+photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZPgQWJ7Cs2v7rRhE16AxtzLrhBwIgx8bXp9gxNq87FvvMCcsohP9JPZTlQUt7EgOO_eJw4sBE6mupUZgb3VaWiKz-1erVVcTraM4VD7osqnU_zU1aOltpv6_VeeodqdLb8UZa-UP1u9k/s400/team+photo.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brittney had to jet off to a wedding, but this is our team at the finish line.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And we did.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikqybizJXP6YQ82Y6e2sTqPVDlQk3FIQmLnCOBuLk8fBI-_v-Ka7hhxxChBAwOjJS4g6r_1jTIbO7WZ7UDS1Ir5oeNn54TLd0MUe4KFgTli7xJvzyoQqss8LJb9q0Nqb7j6IjbzZwQrXY/s1600/IMG_4534.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikqybizJXP6YQ82Y6e2sTqPVDlQk3FIQmLnCOBuLk8fBI-_v-Ka7hhxxChBAwOjJS4g6r_1jTIbO7WZ7UDS1Ir5oeNn54TLd0MUe4KFgTli7xJvzyoQqss8LJb9q0Nqb7j6IjbzZwQrXY/s320/IMG_4534.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
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Jodi Stilphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04329375455810397582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7609922816774700750.post-81239298451401436622016-08-06T20:36:00.000-07:002016-09-03T06:58:17.473-07:00It Feels Hard Cause it Is Hard: Cascade Lakes Relay 2016 Team No Expectations<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">by Jodi</span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Team No Expectations</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129;"><a href="http://www.cascadelakesrelay.com/">Cascade Lakes Relay</a> is something I look forward to all year. I can't explain why it's FUN because on most levels it sounds awful.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br style="color: #1d2129;" /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129;">Teams of twelve run 216.6 miles - all at elevation through extreme heat, up and over mountains, from Diamond Lake to Bend. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129;">Participants sleep little (if at all), share a van with five other sweaty, smelly people, and run three different times over the course of 30+ hours, including through the middle of the night. Sounds fun right? </span><a class="_58cn" data-ft="{"tn":"*N","type":104}" href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/not" style="color: #365899; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;">#not</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129;">But I love everything about this race. The land we traverse (in my opinion) is some of Oregon's finest. It's rugged and remote, vast and beautiful. It's hard to really absorb all the beauty and the constantly changing terrain. </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129;">Much of the course is run on trails or dirt/gravel roads. Every single leg is run at elevation. For those of us Valley Dwellers, the elevation just complicates an already tough course. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: inherit;">It's the fierceness of this course that I love. You can't approach it half-hazardly. You have to train. You have to respect the mountains. The heat. The elevation. You have to rely on your teammates. <b>It feels hard, because it is hard.</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;"></span></span><br />
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br style="color: #1d2129;" /></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129;">Teams come together to cheer on and support not just their runners, but all the runners on the course. Each team carries extra water to hose down over-heated runners as they go past. Teammates start the race as new acquaintances and finish as friends. It doesn't make sense until you experience it.</span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129;">This was my third year in a row running the Cascade Lakes Relay. The past two years I've talked Curt into running it with me. We train together on the weekends to prep for the race, then get three days together to run the race. He is my best friend and I love sharing this with him. He doesn't even really like running, but he does it so we can spend time together on the weekends. I mean seriously... he is the best.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #1d2129;">Each of our vans had a Van Camera and we were supposed to take photos along the way. Van 1 was very responsible for the first set of legs, then promptly forgot about the camera until we were almost done with our third and final set of legs. OOPS. We still got a decent album of everyone in our van taking their turn facing the heat, hills, trails, and beauty of CLR. You can view our van </span></span><span style="color: #1d2129;">album by clicking this<a href="https://www.facebook.com/jodi.stilp/media_set?set=a.10154317594628116.1073741955.695968115&type=3&pnref=story"> link.</a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">My training partner and friend Dawn is our team captain. She runs our team like a well oiled machine and we can't thank her enough. She's taking next year off (we're all so sad), but man did we all appreciate her organization and thoughtfulness. She is a gem.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Our van consisted of me, Curt, Dawn, Dawn's college friend Mindy, my friend Chris, and Dawn's work friend Marc. There wasn't one person in our van who knew everyone before we set off. Our other van was also a mix of people who didn't know each other prior to the race: John, Mike, Camelia, Sydney, Kym and JoJo bonded too. I love that this race takes strangers and morphs them into friends over the course of 30+ hours. It's so unique.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Such a pretty place to start a race</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Van 1 at the start</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Van 1 at the finish</td></tr>
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Feeling weak was the theme of CLR 2016 for me individually. I had the pleasure of kicking off the race for our team and running Leg One. It was a 7.4 mile time trial on a paved path around Diamond Lake. I had a loose goal to run this leg at a 7:20 average pace, but I got my butt kicked by the elevation and unexpected hills. Each mile was a struggle. It was odd to feel weak on the first leg, but I gave it a full race pace effort and finished with a 7:36 average. I passed Kathy, a runner on an ultra team, around mile two and we leapfrogged the remainder of the leg. It felt good to not be alone in our struggle.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFOdwTkNXrXXWQJi2F9Ht94u6Q_iS3Iop1qxrKTmYwotl8t8DnTe1Eid4MRrSwLpr74ECKr02W1bgsFr2GSXhGQ2v6ApmPMvMjHsWxaBvtBkGF_3dIdaECAgm3_H-x8UgO-2AKj1DG-yQ/s1600/IMG_4186.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFOdwTkNXrXXWQJi2F9Ht94u6Q_iS3Iop1qxrKTmYwotl8t8DnTe1Eid4MRrSwLpr74ECKr02W1bgsFr2GSXhGQ2v6ApmPMvMjHsWxaBvtBkGF_3dIdaECAgm3_H-x8UgO-2AKj1DG-yQ/s320/IMG_4186.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before Leg 1. I love Portland Running Company. It's an honor to wear their race jersey.</td></tr>
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The nighttime leg is my favorite. The stars are ridiculous - shining brightly against a vast, stark sky. Runners cross cattle guards and people on horseback patrol the road to keep runners safe. In what other scenario would we be able to run in these conditions? <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjscXTk53KD89N7LEEHPd1r8YGeeqtKFf6zMvMc8HhlOaLzl8Cp-bfL2BZfBhUX5zbadD-p1pqeN1uUoF4zj4DTu5ehJOvSpmz28AI8fNrzH-afr3Cq11grr5N_jpcCIx2_TuviPQmutHI/s1600/IMG_4171.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjscXTk53KD89N7LEEHPd1r8YGeeqtKFf6zMvMc8HhlOaLzl8Cp-bfL2BZfBhUX5zbadD-p1pqeN1uUoF4zj4DTu5ehJOvSpmz28AI8fNrzH-afr3Cq11grr5N_jpcCIx2_TuviPQmutHI/s320/IMG_4171.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taking off. The bugs were swarming that light.</td></tr>
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My second leg started around 10:30 p.m. and was a 7.5 mile run through the area around Fort Rock State Park. This leg was mostly flat, and almost all of it was on a dusty, dirt/gravel road. The vans drive past the runners on the way to the exchange, kicking up huge clouds of dust that the runners try to avoid inhaling. I felt great at the start of this leg and was running a steady 7:30 pace until mile 3 when inexplicably, my energy just drained right out of me. The next two miles were in the 8:00 range and I felt so weak. Lisa, a runner from my friend Jarae's team, passed me while I was having my meltdown. She was strong and steady, so I willed myself to keep her in my line of vision. I chased her for the rest of the leg and finally passed her in the last 1/3 of a mile. Thank you Lisa for getting me back on track. Average pace 7:46.<br />
<br />
My last leg started at Wickiup Reservoir and was a long 8.6 miles with a ton of hills. I woke up from our rest area with a sharp pain in my back and in my gut and (wait for it...) feeling weak. My legs were shaking when we were waiting at the exchange and I knew it would take a lot of will power to get through the leg. Curt put his arms around me and prayed for me just before I started running. Knowing my teammates could offer assistance on this leg also boosted my morale.<br />
<br />
I ran this leg like a training run, starting with a slow warmup until I found my stride. The first two miles were on a gravel/dirt road with a lovely view of South Sister. By the end of the second mile the pain in my back was mostly gone and I was picking up my pace. But then the hills hit. They were steep and I was hungry so I walked up the first one and ate a gel. While I was walking I gave myself a little pep talk, <b>"</b><i><b>It feels hard because it is hard." </b> </i>I tell this to myself often on my hard training runs. Somehow just acknowledging that what I'm doing is hard helps me regain my perspective. I was able to finish the leg feeling strong and even passed a guy in the last half mile. 8:13 average pace.<br />
<br />
Curt's last leg was a six mile climb on the Cascade Lakes Highway up the back side of Mt. Bachelor. He trained hard for it, but you can't train for 1,000 vertical feet gain in under two miles when you live in the foothills. Curt set out and our van started driving his route to the exchange. It was brutal. We were worried about him since most of this leg is unsupported. I had told him that if the climb got to be too much he could tap out and I would finish for him, but how can he tap out when the leg is unsupported? <br />
<br />
We made an impulse decision to turn around. I put on my running shoes and jumped out of the van to run with him. I fell in line behind him, carried his water, and the two of us ran up that mountain together, stride for stride until he got to the exchange point. It was a joy to share that experience with Curt. To finish a leg that tough is a huge accomplishment for any runner, let alone someone who only runs because it keeps him in shape and gives him time with his wife. Both vans from our team were waiting at the exchange cheering loudly for him as he crested the final hill. It was a moment I will remember for the rest of my life.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvdSzFlx25jeMMO303FDRViZC9SKLsMSlDzbmF7tq-eFg3VjFtcL1qztx1CgcefWIaYS7gAEE4Z8wcMMSNXKrl3dkA8ko6oj9njO0-3f_9VjtjqTx3R7lCtB5sUHj4DnfRTHn_iafNMq8/s1600/CLR+2016+Team+No+Expectations+low+res-47.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvdSzFlx25jeMMO303FDRViZC9SKLsMSlDzbmF7tq-eFg3VjFtcL1qztx1CgcefWIaYS7gAEE4Z8wcMMSNXKrl3dkA8ko6oj9njO0-3f_9VjtjqTx3R7lCtB5sUHj4DnfRTHn_iafNMq8/s320/CLR+2016+Team+No+Expectations+low+res-47.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That last little crest was steep.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghFJgfeI7cZWLVpafhPM52uxU_XJMYnwRjz_bNqYGyMBtdbiLMzP_KKugdP2RVzJ-e5KV4bUGDRBdPPWQjbyGG8DkHHbnEQiqqsJftxA2qXIlk8BJgLc99OLCAozI-icIRa_A8cNWXdX8/s1600/CLR+2016+Team+No+Expectations+low+res-49.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghFJgfeI7cZWLVpafhPM52uxU_XJMYnwRjz_bNqYGyMBtdbiLMzP_KKugdP2RVzJ-e5KV4bUGDRBdPPWQjbyGG8DkHHbnEQiqqsJftxA2qXIlk8BJgLc99OLCAozI-icIRa_A8cNWXdX8/s320/CLR+2016+Team+No+Expectations+low+res-49.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Almost there Baby. You can do it!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrd41mnNJo6Ymqp0uZ8l5m5Jt-9EOLnbNsrO31iQ2578Ff3cBWzzDcFHr3XVZSkuSiwHQ7kl3-8NfCndHYXLfP4Innl8zFWwz26OBxER3qTR1SeuvinUiA691AZdMO9TT5frNZ7C81-Ig/s1600/CLR+2016+Team+No+Expectations+low+res-50.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrd41mnNJo6Ymqp0uZ8l5m5Jt-9EOLnbNsrO31iQ2578Ff3cBWzzDcFHr3XVZSkuSiwHQ7kl3-8NfCndHYXLfP4Innl8zFWwz26OBxER3qTR1SeuvinUiA691AZdMO9TT5frNZ7C81-Ig/s320/CLR+2016+Team+No+Expectations+low+res-50.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">GIANT hug!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7eXSlV5-zo4YL_qWTJY6l2hJvoiv1NwNy6Yk5e8cdNRr9x4KiwjuYjQ_xwnc5NSxDR7d_uNffu12FZeuM4PSSUAFwNUTtXQ6Y5ZK1kKUu-YRwxPfLlSVZmgIdCF-zHK8gxyA2CiixXHg/s1600/CLR+2016+Team+No+Expectations+low+res-51.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7eXSlV5-zo4YL_qWTJY6l2hJvoiv1NwNy6Yk5e8cdNRr9x4KiwjuYjQ_xwnc5NSxDR7d_uNffu12FZeuM4PSSUAFwNUTtXQ6Y5ZK1kKUu-YRwxPfLlSVZmgIdCF-zHK8gxyA2CiixXHg/s320/CLR+2016+Team+No+Expectations+low+res-51.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can you believe you did that?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpHW0j53rdrV5layz1upDCvMKxkeQKPsb6jci6tY9UODyR0-v9T8T8sqx5rHHspSyKNokPjYTVUz85wYc3eFjokz4rVDkSjEKrsoKrELFeM0cWlE7KWjUQm7HVkSfmnjUobU9hkFkwqgg/s1600/CLR+2016+Team+No+Expectations+low+res-52.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpHW0j53rdrV5layz1upDCvMKxkeQKPsb6jci6tY9UODyR0-v9T8T8sqx5rHHspSyKNokPjYTVUz85wYc3eFjokz4rVDkSjEKrsoKrELFeM0cWlE7KWjUQm7HVkSfmnjUobU9hkFkwqgg/s320/CLR+2016+Team+No+Expectations+low+res-52.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We did it!</td></tr>
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All in all, I logged 26 (or 27 give or take on the Bachelor leg) at this Cascade Lakes Relay, most of it feeling weak and off my game. It was a confidence boost to know that I can still get the job done even when I don't feel awesome. Overall I was proud of my effort and I am (stupidly?) considering running this on an ultra team (six runners instead of twelve) next year since Curt is also taking next year off.<br />
<br />
Thank you Team No Expectations for another incredible year. We finished 35th out of 203 teams with an overall time of 31 hours, 28 minutes, 15 seconds and an average pace of 8:39 per mile. Way to go team. You guys rock!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh-WH1kPg5zBXSSO7j3zf9ETJE3xTQs6jvL5knMvHu-_YyYXOjxAND0MbLlIFuPImfc3jSRx57pjdSINcm3mxS_-Ys4dpsMbutvhMSu2oiB7y1o78JCO0Eyxo5yBblV73iFPTULBjncCg/s1600/CLR+2016+Team+No+Expectations+low+res-62.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh-WH1kPg5zBXSSO7j3zf9ETJE3xTQs6jvL5knMvHu-_YyYXOjxAND0MbLlIFuPImfc3jSRx57pjdSINcm3mxS_-Ys4dpsMbutvhMSu2oiB7y1o78JCO0Eyxo5yBblV73iFPTULBjncCg/s320/CLR+2016+Team+No+Expectations+low+res-62.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">35th place overall. 31 hours 28 minutes 15 seconds. Average pace: 8:39.</td></tr>
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<br />
Thank you Dawn for being such a capable captain. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJpwFyTiTWA7WN1EWCgGG7PrD8tNzyAXZfOu6yt-Ll9u3jWWz1McDh9aTrGWTdvDGTxRBVEkJ8UwTCiz5IHJS85COYV6WFtjAShyphenhyphenpK6baIP0xK2QyaZQM4hszIyWMpOq-rn4LNgyir5DM/s1600/IMG_4164.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJpwFyTiTWA7WN1EWCgGG7PrD8tNzyAXZfOu6yt-Ll9u3jWWz1McDh9aTrGWTdvDGTxRBVEkJ8UwTCiz5IHJS85COYV6WFtjAShyphenhyphenpK6baIP0xK2QyaZQM4hszIyWMpOq-rn4LNgyir5DM/s320/IMG_4164.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Girls from Van One.</td></tr>
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Thank you Babe for learning to run so we can do crazy stuff like this together. You are my best friend. I love doing life with you and am so proud of you.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiPg8JSIyqG7axjdbCsAxiKZpCMrOwQvdzd_V7JKywvpJIyKDrunoTp_zQAW48BJHgqvds_h4CmdTtiSPLHae9izr-2KBYyqZBYT7jMYK6lxKZ_QFEczHUjoEOzUtjCqDPPYLJTN2oFSI/s1600/IMG_4161.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiPg8JSIyqG7axjdbCsAxiKZpCMrOwQvdzd_V7JKywvpJIyKDrunoTp_zQAW48BJHgqvds_h4CmdTtiSPLHae9izr-2KBYyqZBYT7jMYK6lxKZ_QFEczHUjoEOzUtjCqDPPYLJTN2oFSI/s320/IMG_4161.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another year. Another cool Race shirt. Another cool medal. #boothang</td></tr>
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Cascade Lakes Relay feels hard because it is hard. And the "hard" is why it feels like such an accomplishment to cross that finish line.Jodi Stilphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04329375455810397582noreply@blogger.com0