Hello! Hello!

I just wanted to say hi! and that I am super psyched to be running with all of you. I just read all of the posts and am realizing that this is pretty big! I am getting back in shape. I just ran two and a half miles and I averaged about 9.6 minute miles. This was a shorter run and since it is a holiday, I am going to go to the gym in a couple hours and try to run 2.5-3 miles just to sort of mimick the whole relay thing and see how I feel. I feel confident and am excited to have a goal to work toward! Love you all and it was so fun to see everyone last weekend!

Beck

Reservations

I know some of you are getting hotel rooms but we still have some unoccupied beds available for those who aren't.

Bry and Cath have reserved the guest room. We still have available the futon fold out in the bonus room and two twins in Virginia's room (she will be at school). If we had the demand, I have some camping air mattresses I could setup as well.

Let me know.

Words of Wisdom from Wayne

Up front, I am very excited to participate. I am thinking of changing my last name to Holt for the month of August. For the record, I was a driver with 60 additional pounds on me back in 2002. The entire time training leading up to the event I told my wife Anne there was no way she could do this type of event. Of course she did awesome and after driving it, I thought, give me a year of serious training and I think I could run it. A little inspiration for Ramon. So, I have only run it 4 years. I have run Legs 4, 6, 7, and 12. The last three years I have been a team captain and I feel pretty confident in knowing each of the Legs so if anyone has specific questions, fire away.

A key tidbit I will give everyone is that your sleep on Wednesday night is critial. Thursday night you will be geared up, and will try to sleep and it is also important, but if you can log in a couple of extra zzz's on Wednesday night, you won't regret it.

Also, you find yourself eating the whole way through the event. We just did Mt. Rainier to the Pacific (a low key Washington version of H2C) and one van had a ton of bagels, suger coated dried apricots, nuts, beef jerky, trail mix, ate at Quizno's, etc, and had a great time. The other van had carrots and apples and were dying. Eat whatever you normally would eat, timing is the only decision about food.

Okay, okay enough. Let me know what I can do to help. I have access to enough reflective running vests for the team and first aid kits. Let me know if you need them. H2C is very strict about the flashlight/vest policy so be prepared for that. Like I said, however I can support, I am there for you.

Later,
Wayne

2 More Fabulous Team Members

We are happy to announce that Bryan Holt will be running the race. He has decided that his knee will have to behave so that he can get through this relay. Noah has been seizure free for a while, so Bri and Cath can do this together. Yeah for them and Yeah for Noah.

We are also excited to announce the arrival of Wayne Sackley, a HTC veteran of about 4 times over (maybe more)! He knows his way around this race, so we might be seeing a race medal in our HTC future. Take us there, Wayne!!

Also, little side note: Jordan has re-injured his bad knee and we will find out in 2 weeks if it heals well enough so he can run the race. Many of you are probably thinking that he did this on purpose, but it has turned out that he really does want to do this. Hopefully he won't need surgery. If he is out, Wayne's lovely wife, Ann, will hopefully be taking his place. We will keep you posted.

The Breeze of 2 Miles

I was getting tired of feeling like I have to run 4-5 miles everytime. So I decided to run 2 miles, but run it good and fast (or as fast as I can go). I LOVED it. I did my best at a 10:45 minute mile. We will see if I can push myself for 6 miles at that pace for the race. At the beginning of this training, 2 miles was hard for me. So to know that 2 miles is now a piece of cake is great.

I really tried to push it, knowing I didn't have to go very far. When I finished, I wasn't wiped out like I am after 5 miles. So it was very refreshing. I think I will do this atleast once a week to get the feel of speed and ease!! I suggest you try it.

P.S. We only have 5 week to go. I know what you are thinking, "Let's get this over with!!".

Outfitting in traditional Hulk Wear

Hey, don't we need to start getting our official Hulk Wear going? Here's a shirt I found at Target online for 16.99. It's made for running and could look good. Who knows, maybe the Stitching Barn could add some embellishments for us.

List of Names and Legs

I know this information is out there somewhere, but can we post who is running what legs?

Also, can we start planning what is going to go inside each van? I'm thinking my van will be full of ice cold Coca Cola and dozens of Snicker bars.

Losin' Toenails

Today was AWESOME!! I committed a few days ago to running the 1st Leg of the race. So, to get ready I ran from the top of Mt. Diablo down 5.5 miles. It was a 2000 mile descent which is the same as in the HTC. YAY!!! Only problem - I completely spaced clipping my two big pretty painted toenails. Actually they weren't very long but I still should have clipped them!! Most likely losin' the two big toenails now. Fun for me. Might as well get it over with. Right??

Here is the great news. I averaged 7.45 minute mile!! I had no idea. It felt comfortable! But, I love the help of gravity!! Knees are still great too!

Fun!! I'm so excited!!

Bryan is in Argentina. He's working out and running daily to try to figure out before Monday if he can run with us! Pray for him please. He REALLY wants to do this with everyone!

Cathy

3 Spots with New Runners

We are happy to announce that Becky Glauser is running HTC with us!!! She thought she may have knee problems, but is much improved. So happy to have her with us. Vans have been switched around a little to accommodate the Glauser sisters to be together. So Cathy is now in Van #1.

We are sad to announce that Steph is officially out of the running. We will have you in our thoughts as we are running, saying, I wish I was home with Steph too with shin splints instead of running this crazy race! Please cheer us on from back home, Steph.

Now with 2 spots left, we are going to ask a couple from Rame and Jeanne's ward who have run this race 5-6 times before. They will be our Cheetahs. I hope they will join us and help us in our race.

So we are almost complete. This has been quite a process. I hope it all smooths out now.

What's The Plan

Marie - I am sad to even ask this question? Do we have a plan for extra runners now that we need 3 more?

cathy

Back on Track

For the past couple of weeks I have been so lazy about my runs. I would go for a couple miles every other day. But yesterday I decided to start up again, for real. I ran up two hills, one was short and the other was really long and steap. So I just wanted to blog about the start of my real training!

-Devin
p.s. tonight I'm going for a run with my team up in the canyon-yikes!

I"M STILL A RUNNER!

Wow! This is really hard. But, I am officially and permanently resigning from the race. I never like to give up and I always think things will work out somehow or that I can figure out a way, but I guess not this time. As you know, I have suffered from Plantar Faciitis for about 3 years now, and have a tried a million things to get better. Pretty much the worst thing you can do for it, is run on your feet, but I figured since nothing has worked and my feet still hurt, I would run anyway. Well, the problem is that because of the pain in the feet, my body overcompensates in other areas and I have severe pain in my calves and also in my shins. Then just lately I have this pain, that Sue tells me is called a nueroma, where a pinched nerve goes from your toes up to your hip. I get this about an hour after I run for about 3 days, sometimes mild to severe in pain. So, I have just been trying to gut through it all and eventually my feet would get better. Yesterday I went on a 3 miler and after pretty much couldn't walk or bend down. Sorry to give the gorry details or seem complaining, but it's just really hard for me to give up. I really wanted to do this with you all. I have imagined it all many times. But I think I need to give someone else the time to get ready for the race. I hope you all can support me in my decision. I hope to let my feet and legs heal and then get back to running. Don't forget, I AM A RUNNER!
-Steph

Driver, Please Take Me to the Coast!

Here is a SHOUT OUT to our 2 amazing drivers. Even though they won't be running, they will be sweating right there with us!!

Thanks to Ramon Holt and Jeff Holt for using their mad steering wheel skills for the Relay Race.

Does Everyone Have One of These Little Suckers?

Okay. This kind of sucks, but everyone of us should have a running watch. You can buy one at Target for $10. Also, check in with a website that Jordie introduced to us called, www.mapmyrun.com Once you know where the milage markers are on your route, use your watch to see how you are progressing.

We are gonna be one fast team this August!

-Brian

Dealing with the ups and downs of hills.

Let's face it. Hills suck. Both up and down.

But everyone needs hill strategy. Up hill burns you out. Downhill kills your legs. People who are good with hills work the uphill properly and get speed and a rest on the downhill side.

Here are the basics:

• Uphill takes more arm work, but not excessive. You've got to concentrate and push forward more - both from your thighs and the lift as you push off from your big toe.

• Downhill should be a shuffle. Your feet should barely clear the ground. This keeps the landing softer and saves your knees. As you run, let your legs fall out in front of you. Keep your arm motion really minimal. Art Hansen calls it, "keeping a quiet upper body." Art Mr. Quiet Upper Body would know.

• Downhill is where you let your cardio catch up and rest.

Hope this helps.

Funny Name. Great Results.

For those of you who are trying to increase your milage times - me included - there's a sure way to make it happen. A lot of years ago, speed workouts were developed and introduced to drastically cut milage times. The same principles still work today. You can read up on it if you do a Google search for the term "Fartlek."

That's right. Fartlek. It's a funny name with great results.

Here's the easy way to do Fartlek training.

• While on your normal training run, pick a marker out in the distance. It can be a tree or a house or a fence post. It doesn't matter. Once you pick it out, try really increasing your speed until you get to that point.

• Once you hit that marker, don't stop, just resume your normal speed.

• A little while later, do it over again.

• On a 4 mile run, do about 6 of these mini speed workouts.

• The speed workout should only be between 100 - 250 yards, no more.

• Also, introduce more hills into your routes. You can even try some slower Fartleks on the hills.

Once you begin doing this, you'll find that your milage times will really drop. A family friend just sent me the "official" BYU Cross Country team (she's a member) summer workout. It's no surprise that it includes lots of speed workouts.


-Brian

Incredible Holt's Blog Gets "Hulkified"

Enjoy the new layout to the blog. I hope that mean green machine gets you pumped up to run!! I know I don't want him after me if I haven't been training!

Portland - Here I come!!

I DID IT!! Plane ticket purchased! I'm so excited!! Running, Sweating, Bonding!!!

Love it! Thanks for including me!!

My calves are sore from my run this morning and it's great!

cth

Off Topic... Slightly

OK, So you just finished that oh so very LOOONNNG run and you get this indescribable tingling feeling rising up from deep within your tummy. That feeling that can only be assuaged with things such as can be found HERE! Go ahead, click it! I DARE YOU!!!

I was ruuuuuunnnnnnnniiiiiing!

I did check the blogs for the first time since I wrote a blog, the day before our conference call, and started to write a blog, then got sidetracked.

I've been running consistently. My last week...I ran a 3m a week ago thurs., plus another 3m that same night, a 3m on Fri, a 5m on Sat, a 3m on Mon., a 7m on Tues, (vaca wed&thurs) a 4m Fri, today. I plan to run a 5m in the morning, and a 3m in the afternoon.

I have been averaging 13.3 min. for 3m, 14 min. for 5m, and 15 min. for 7m. I have been going in hotter times, and a lot up Millcreek canyon. But I am used to training for the marathon, and you gotta save up for longer miles, so I go slower, so I can go longer. Today, since our convo last night, I pushed myself hard the whole time, and I did a 12:40 min for my 4m, today. I usually do a 11min. mile the first mile, and it usually adds a minute each mile I do. I don't really understand why I am so slow. It just seems to be, it's depressing at times. I feel that I push myself everytime, the whole time, or do I? I am really going to push my time all the time. It is hard, mentally to do that. And physically, too. But, my legs are 4.4, 4.2, and 7.3. I am worried about the last leg. I think if I keep pushing myself every run, I can get better times. I will keep you updated.

Today, I used my MP3 player. I don't really like it. I just love running with me, and nature. I am more focused on my run, and how I am doing, and more in tune with my body, time, and my surroundings. I definitely feel more grounded without the tunes. Once in a while, I really like the tunes, though.

I wore a different pair of shorts the other day, cause my long biker shorts were in the wash. Chafe! I was so desperate to run I ran like I was running to the toilet about to diarrhea. I was running in the parking lot at the the church up the street, so no onlookers. Except, maybe one visitor. Haha!

Today, I was thinking on my last mile, I just love this. I really love to run. What a gift for me.

Dat Boy's a Runnin Fooool

OK, So I am just enjoying myself laying tile in a shower, wondering why the walls keep getting bigger and the ceiling taller, when I feel a tug at my arm... I look over and see nobody there. Huh?? Strange. I turn back to my work, and I feel the tug again. This time much harder and more sudden. What the....?? I wake up to find Sue hauling my lazy butt out of bed.

DARN!!! I wanted to be the one to wake us up today! Ah well. At least I AM getting up to go running. I suppose that today is a good a day as any, and the earlier the better. After all, yesterday it was well over 104 degrees and there is no way I am going to be able to pull this off unless I do it before sun breaks the ridge on Olympus.

Next thing I know, I am chasing Sue down the road as she leads on a blistering pace along Wasatch Blvd. ( I love running behind Sue! Any of you married men will agree that the best view is had when you are following your wife. Just to prove it, I took out my camera phone and snapped this picture:



Anyhow... To make an overly loquacious posting somewhat more succinct, we had a good run! I admit that I did not do as well as I had hoped this morning, but I can honestly blame it on the tile setting endeavor that inspired the previously mentioned nightmare. Legs + Hips + Knees + Back + Pain = Slow times. Tomorrow I will wake up early enough to get some ibuprofen for breakfast .

So, there you have my first blog entry. And I will leave you with this delightful image of the HTC course I found somewhere out in cyber space...



Ciao.

I am Inspired

Hi everyone,

After talking with everyone last night, the fire was re-lit, after being snuffed out , and i'm back in race mode again. On Monday night, Brian and I ran a 3.5 mile course WITHOUT STOPPING! First time ever to be able to do that. and I mean EVER! and then of course the depressing letter from the HTC people, and the great convo with the fam. I was so inspired that devin and I went out on a 3 mile run up the Canyon late last night. Here's the deal though. I need to plan when i'm running for the day because each time I have run, i have eaten too much for dinner and i feel it in my chest the whole time i'm running. not good. Anyway, I'm going to plan from now on when to eat and run. This is very important.

Steph

Bloggin' while I'm Runnin'

I went running the other day and I didn't take my head phones for the first time. I like it. My head was free to think. Then I got really thirsty and couldn't get that out of my head. Then I could hear my breathing, then I could hear my shoes hitting the ground. So I may only do that every once in a while. I haven't decided if I will iPod for the race.

Anyway, I was totally thinking up things to blog about while I was thinking and running. Things happen while I am running and I think "that would be a great blog post". So I wanted to share my thoughts with all of you.

Here are the titles to Blogs I wanted to write when I was running:

• Hold In Tight, It's More Than a Fart
• I Got Desperate For a Sprinkler - I really squatted down to get a drink from someone's sprinkler last time!
• It's Time For Biker Shorts, I'm Gettin' Chafe
• My Baby's Daddy Has Some Nice Running Legs - this one would be a country song.
• Truly Mind Over Matter

So what are all of your blog titles that get thought about as you run? Let's share.

Up at 6:15 am

Today was really hard to wake up after playing Tues - Thurs. morning at Randall's. But, I did it and I'm sooooo glad! To the gym for an upper-body weight training morning!! Tomorrow I'm trying to run a 4.2 mile run again. Probably you have all run further than me but, this is my longest so far and I ran it last week for the first time!! I remember a long long time ago, running a 5 k with Sue and Bryan. It was tons of fun! I'm really looking forward to being with you all and enjoying the support and supporting everyone through this run!!

We can do this!! Have a great day!!

cth

We Have a New Member

We have lost one of our members, but gained a new one. Michael LeBaron has officially left the race. He is going to be supporting his wife in a run that her family is doing the same weekend. We will miss you Mikey, keep up the running for life.

So, we are happy to announce the newest member of our team: Cathy Holt!!!! Yeah! We are so excited to be running with you and I can't wait to sweat alongside of you in my van!

Everyone give a big comment hug to Cathy, joining our relay!!