Running Hood To Coast

I can't believe it is one week away. Friday, August 24th - Saturday, August 25th is the Hood To Coast Relay Race in Oregon. I'm completely freaked at this point. Am I really ready?

I've been workin' the Body for Life program for 5 months. It's helped me soooo much. Lost fat and I've learned to eat "clean." "Clean" meaning leave out the sauces, fats, and simple carbs. I eat 6 times per day. A complex carbohydrate and a protein. Portions matter. I'm really never hungry and I'm purchasing food that is tons better for my entire family. Honestly, I haven't eaten at McDonald's or any other fast food place except on a road trip. Still - I only ate a healthy, non fried wrap. I'm sure my kids are missing the fast food but I'm not!! I've gained muscle and more muscle tone. I'm pretty excited about the results as well as the stress reduction and time alone to think.

The weight training is pretty detailed and intense. 3 x per week. The opposite days are spent in a cardio interval portion. For cardio I enjoy running and cycling. However, with the Hood To Coast around the corner, I've had to spend my cardio time running for distance and not interval training. I like the interval training better. Actually, I'm excited to return to the interval training and out of the distance stuff. Unfortunately, I don't like distance running. But, for the race, I've increased my runs to 5 miles three times per week. I hope I'm ready.


The HTC is a relay race that covers 197 miles from Mount Hood to Seaside, Oregon. It's run by everyday people as well as professional runners. Nike sponsors the run. 3000 teams applied but only 1000 teams were accepted. Wow!! Each team has 12 runners, 2 drivers, and 3 volunteers. Our volunteers are friends of Bry's brother. Everyone else is part of the Holt Family. Our awesome drivers are Rame (a brother) and Jordan (a brother-in-law). "The Incredible Holts" runners consist of me, Bry, Marie (a sister and the Team Captain), Sue (sister), Jared (brother-in-law), Jeanne (sister-in-law), Brian (brother-in-law), Devin (niece), Amy (niece), Becky (niece), and Wayne and Anne (friends of the family). We each run 3 legs of the race. We average about 5 miles per leg per person although everyone's terrain is variable. We start 8 am Friday and relay until Saturday evening. Yikes!

A great team. I' m really excited about this. It's my first big race and I think I'm ready but of course I have a few concerns. I'm running a leg that begins with an enormous downhill for 5 3/4 miles. It's a 2000 foot descent. I tried running 5 1/2 miles down Mt. Diablo. It went well. I lost two toenails but have purchased new and bigger shoes since in addition to clipping my toenails. I'm planning on packing ice packs and Ibuprofen!! I'll need it. My last two legs are both under 5 miles each. I can do this!! I might not be walking Sunday the 26th but it'll be worth it!

Pray for us all. Bry's had injury after injury and keeps healing and training. With only one week prayers are a big necessity!! Staying injury free at this point, for all of us, is key!!!

Run Run Run As Fast As You Can, You Can Catch Me.......