WOOPWOOP!!!

It's actually Friday.

Well, Hood to Coast Relay 2017 is in the Books. One week ago today we ran off the top of a volcano 199 miles to the coast of Orgon. May I just say, "WOW!" What an amazing experience. I met 6 new friends, the other half of our team from Oregon. What a great bunch of people.

Me and my team! Southeast by Northwest

I can't begin to describe what a life experiencing event this was. It took us 32+ hours to run from Mt Hood to Seaside, Oregon and in doing so learned so much about myself and my team mates. I learned what my strengths are and weaknesses and areas I could improve on.

 I saw so many funny things like the other teams' vans and how clever they were in decorating. Learned about funny and cute traditions that go on through the race.

The other runners were so nice. Even the elite runners were thoughtful enough to get in a quick "Good job"" or "You're doing great" as they flew by on fleet feet.

Mt. Hood from my plane window

I got to see breathtaking parts of Oregon that would have gone completely unnoticed if I had been in a car just whizzing by. I got to experience adventure, exhaustion, exhilaration, frustration and accomplishment! It was, in a word, AMAZING!

My first leg. Mt Hood.

I had so much fun. The weather was absolutely perfect for running in. It started at 48F for my first leg from the 4000 foot level on Mt. Hood. My friend kept me warm till the first runner reached me with the bracelet.


But once I got running the temperatures felt amazing. I think I didn't even sweat, lol.

Leg 2, through Portland

I think it was in the upper 70s to 80F (but dry) for my second leg through Portland. This was the hardest of the three for me. I think it is because I had only gotten about 5 hours sleep in the previous 42 hours due to travel and other frustrating circumstances before the race....part of the test! But I truly had fun, nonetheless!







It was in the 50s for my third night leg.

The night was so peaceful. I ran through rolling hills and past farms. Through the valleys of the road the fog was so dense I could barely make out the white paint on the edge of the road to guide me. There were parts of the road where the edge just dropped off into nothingness. It was a little unnerving with the dense fog.

Every breath out turned into a dense cloud of foggy condensation blocking my view as my head lamp lit it up. It was so quiet that only the rhythm of my foot steps and whisper of my breathing were heard to keep me company.

After my third leg! About 5am.

Oh, and what about my stick figure you ask? That was pretty cool. I didn't have enough reflective tape to do my thighs but it looked pretty good otherwise :-) .

The reflection was so bright it reflected internally in my camera lens, lol. Next time I will have the skirt and head element, too!













Would I do it again-oh heck yeah! We are all planning for next year, already, lol.

Woop Woop!!!!

TTFN!