A Runner's View In The Couve

"A runner's view" is just generally speaking. I'm not so sure I'd call myself a "runner" anymore though. If you want me to run 10 miles with you, I'll do it. However, I'm not running 10 miles often or frequently keeping up my mileage for anything in particular. And I kinda like it that way. In fact, I think I may have out ran myself in my early 20s, put in enough training for marathons, half marathons, short races, and racing against my own time. They were good days and now, I just take them as they come. It's what happens when you get old and achy ;-)

The few things that get me out on runs these days are these...

1. my friend Laura who can easily talk me into really long runs, 

although I'm really not too hard to convince!

2. days that are not super windy or down pours. Sun, light rain, & cold days, sure. 

But the rest, nah.

3. and views such as these:

-1/2 mile north of our house, the view of St. Helens.

(which apparently looks like just a cloud here, but I was not going to wait around for a perfect photo)

-another 1/2 mile west, the view of Vancouver Lake.

-3/4 of a mile east, the view of Mt. Hood.

-about 2 miles south, the Columbia River (and another view of Mt. Hood on a clear day).

Not bad, right? Vancouver needs a little extra credit for being kinda cool, so there you have it!

Come to the Couve for a mini tour around downtown & uptown on foot and get all sorts 

of views in various directions.

And on that note, do I dare get out  for a run right now?

♥

HTC 2014: Summin' It Up

We survived HTC in case you all weren't updated via Instagram or Facebook. Sometimes I go a little post crazy so I'm not sure how you'd miss it anyway. But Hood to Coast...what a trip in so many ways! The literal trip was awesome. Driving across part of the State/running across part of the State, seeing some of the most beautiful areas while driving and running, and finishing up at the beach. Now that's a trip if I've ever done one! On the other hand, it's a trip in another way. Who signs up to run nearly 200 miles in total, to "sleep" in a van or to not sleep whatsoever in a 24 hour or more time period (which is closer to true), and to skim by on doing the most minimal hygiene while keepin' real close to 5-6 other individuals in the van? Nutty people and people who get talked into things way too easily...that's who gets roped into this thing. But I have to say, I haven't met a soul who regretted it. Some may not want to come back for another year, but they enjoyed the first and last Hood to Coast all at once.

Anyway, it was quite awesome to see everybody PR on not just their mile times but for some, it was the longest total time and miles they've ever run in their whole life. How cool is that? We were all super proud of each other to say the least! Scroll through the blog post to meet the team and read a few thoughts..or don't. Either way is fine with me.

The Squad

First we all started Crossfit together (crazy decision) and now we go and do this...

how nuts are we?

"Van 1"

"Van 2"

My Legs

(running legs, not my actual legs. Duh.)

Leg 0.

I may have looked like a hobo, but I managed to bike 5 miles to meet up with the van before takeoff

on a road bike with an incredibly heavy bag attached to me causing my head to be pushed forward, a food bag between my legs causing my legs to pump outwards, and a pillow that disabled me from being able to see behind me without falling off my bike. Let's just say I had to ditch a few things along the way and have a few trial and errors before I managed to leave my house.

But I sure made it and got quite the workout from it!

Leg 1.

4.84 miles. Flat with lots of stops for traffic lights and trail crossings. Run at dusk,

ended on a beautiful sunset.

13 road kills.

Leg 2.

4.14 miles. Small rolling hills at dawn. Chilly and foggy morning. Major traffic backup

and had to run 1-1.5 miles back to the van.

16 road kills.

Leg 3.

7.2 miles. A few rolling hills, then a gradual uphill for about 5-6 miles. Gravel road.

From hot and sweaty to foggy and cool.

53 road kills.

What It Means To "Hood To Coast"

you get to run for hours and hours and hours. Why would you not want to?

you get to spend time with awesome people.

you have so many laughs with these people that "tears" nearly run down your leg.

you get to be delirious with them.

you grow closer than you ever thought you would've.

they become your lifeline...because they do have to pick you up at some point at the end of your run.

In fact, you probably have never been so excited to see these people in your life up until this point.

you get to run in places and at times you most likely will never get to again.

you get to have little chances at sleeping, be a map reader at 3am, and be piled in a van

full of food and dirty clothes (and dirty people). Again, why would you not want that?

you get free entertainment along the way.

you get to be a driver stuck in traffic at some point or another (if you don't have a non-running driver)

and have plenty of time to think...or sleep at the wheel (kidding)

you get to eat your meals out of the back of your van and change your clothes

behind the van doors...praying that nobody has to see your bare cheeks along the way.

and some of us get to endure injuries other than the achy and sore feelings...

injuries like slicing your finger open with a knife.

and one of the best things...you get to see the end of the longest relay in the world!

The End

Reasons To Book A Night Stay After HTC ^^

-you may or may not feel like garbage

-you get to shower immediately

-you can sleep in something other than a van once you've eaten and showered

-you get to enjoy views like these, walk the beach the next morning, and take another nap if you so choose to

A Few "WHY'S"

(that maybe someone can answer for me)

-why is it that on the outside world we call a van, a van and a SUV, a SUV...

but once you get into HTC everything becomes "a van" when really it's still a SUV or car

or truck. Why?

-why don't the Honey Buckets further away from the start get serviced?

no TP and you're nearly sitting on someone's sh*t by the end of the relay because it's piled high.

-why do people think they can tell you when you should and shouldn't go to the bathroom?

somehow I kept overhearing ladies tell their team they needed to go to the bathroom and for some reason it was always the man in the group that would say "you should hold it until we get to the next stop" or "you'll have to wait, we don't have time for that."

(I'd like to tell them to shut it because since when did someone tell you when you can and can't go to the bathroom)

-WHY do people poop their pants when they have all the trees/bushes/poles to hide behind and just go?

I couldn't figure out why my last half mile smelled so bad...until I looked up and realized

what was running down the woman's leg. It's way easier to pop a squat somewhere even if you don't have toilet paper than it is to go in your pants, run in it for who knows how long, and ruin a pair of nice running shorts.

And I'm done...

That's all I can think of for now. All I have to say is that if you get a chance to do HTC, do it. Don't hesitate. Man up and go for it. You won't regret it...and if you do, don't come back to me and tell me.

Because you won't regret being with your team, you won't regret the experience...you just may regret the way you feel after all those runs and no sleep. But guess what, that all goes away and life goes on.

Nice job to both van 1 and van 2...way to kick some butt and finish strong!

There aren't enough words to say how proud we all are of each other.

#htc14 #motherofallrelays

♡Cori

H2C 2014: My Thoughts, Concerns, & Lifeline

Some of us prep like nobody's business many months before Hood to Coast while others prep a few weeks before go time. That also means some of us will feel decent on Sunday while the rest will feel like garbage. Maybe even worse, who knows. I feel bad for each individual who will feel like junk the following day. I'll feel bad if I'm one of them as well. However, I'm caught somewhere in the middle. If it weren't for my gal, Laura, I'm pretty sure I wouldn't have even run 1-2 times a week the last couple of months. And to top it off the challenge by one of our teammates, Jason, came into play many times. In fact, too many times. Somehow I got talked into an 8 miler, then a 10 miler, and topped it off at 13.2 miles. You both are nuts, but as always, I'm happy to do it anytime with either of you!

The other part of the prep...packing. I always save it until last minute because as we all know, it will get done in a minute. So here I am at 11PM at night blogging. Why would I be packing yet anyway...I still have hours until start time.

My thoughts on H2C 2014

Let's just say they're mixed. When I first think about it, I think "no big deal, just a few runs with plenty of time in between." But as soon as I think about how big of a deal H2C is and the night running, I get butterflies in my stomach. Mainly the night run is what gets me and for a few reasons. The animals that could be out there, the late night drivers that may or may not be paying attention on the back roads, and being alone in the middle of nowhere. Everybody tells me not to worry about any of those, but it's easier said than done. So if you see me in the middle of nowhere on the path to Seaside with a giant machete, a rifle, and the largest beam of light coming off me (so cars don't hit me of course), just know that I'm prepared for any situation.

What To Pack

3 regular running outfits with a long sleeve to go with each

1 extra running outfit (just in case)

2-3 extra pairs of socks 

1 extra sports bra

1 running vest

1 head lamp

2 pairs of running shoes

5 pairs of undies

1 comfy outfit to wear in the van + 1 sweatshirt

1 pair of sandals or comfy shoes in between runs

1 pillow

1 sleeping bag

basic toiletries

toothbrush & paste, floss, deodorant, face lotion, hair ties and pins, chapstick, sunscreen, 

soap/body wipes, mascara, hand sanitizer, wash cloth, a towel, toilet paper

additional items to think about

glide/anti-chaffing items

shower items if you get to shower along the way

first aid items if your van isn't providing them

anti-inflammatories

phone charger

watch

FOOD (you know what you like, you know what works best)

water bottle

A friend gave me this website from Blonde Ponytail for packing ideas. The best tip was to place each running leg clothes into a ziploc bag so they are easy to get to as well as easy to put away once they're dirty!

H2C Lifelines

As I began thinking about the most important thing we all pack for two long days ahead of us, I realize that most people are concerned about having enough water (and maybe the right foods that will give them the energy to get through the relay). My lifeline: toilet paper. I am not much of a water drinker, so of course that wouldn't be the first thing to cross my mind. But toilet paper...I'm pretty sure I've reminded Ty to remind me to not forget a roll of TP. We all have our concerns, we all have our security blanket, we all have our lifelines. For some it's water, for others it's the right clothes and food, and for me it's TP. Does it surprise you? Didn't think so.

If this is your first go around for Hood to Coast or the 10th time, we wish you all a safe, fun, and wonderful experience. Take care of your body, don't poo in people's yards (so we've been told per the rules), and if possible, get a few winks of rest! 

Here's to running nearly 200 miles from start to finish with approximately 1,050 teams (times that by 12 and see how many runners that means). See you all at the beach!