| Date/Location: | December 7, 2014 - Sacramento, Ca |
| Distance: | Marathon Relay - 26.2m (My leg is over 13m) – Legs #1 & 2 Note: The CIM Relay Races started in 1991. |
| Time: | 3:27:15 |
| Place: | 8th, Coed Female |
| Relay Teammates: | Leonie Alesci & Megan Sebra |
| Other Teammates: | Relay *CIMfast: Stephanie Holloway & Friends *FCA Endurance: Karen Nickel & Troy *First Big Run: Jason & Hope Shykowski *Sovereign Sandals: Todd Osterberg, Nick Elcock & friends Track/Local Friends *Pacers: Jim Kepfer, Lee McKinley Michael Cook, Jamie Frink & Tim Twietmeyer *Racers: Bailey Shykowski, Beth Bourne, Melissa Penwell, Sandy Baker, Scott Eckhardt, Troy Outman |
I meet 6 friends (2 pacing and 4 racing) at Maidu Market at 5:30am to drive them to the start. We load up and head down to Beal’s Point which is less than a mile from the start. It’s a fun ride down. I drop off the group at the camp bathrooms and park the car. After the pit stop, we run to the start for a warm-up. The weather really couldn’t be better! 2 years ago was torrential rain/wind and last year was extremely cold.
Once at the starting area, we all begin to go our separate ways but not without encouraging each other first. Karen Nickel and I run to the start and get some strides in. My hamstrings are tight and I feel like I cannot go as fast. I’m hoping once the race starts, I’ll loosen up. I’ve been trying some new things to help the hamstrings like myofascial exercises with a lacrosse ball and trying to get some consistent massages…though this week I skipped it as I got too busy. But, the hamstrings have been much better lately so I’m hoping it will go smoothly. I give Troy and the girls a call to pray with them. It is a critical part of any race!
I find Karen and we look around for some of our other friends racing up near the front: Bailey Shykowski (17 yr old, 1st marathon), Melissa Penwell (first marathon) and Troy Outman (marathon veteran). We cannot find them so we find a spot on the starting line. I run into my friend Beth Bourne. I pray with her and Karen.
It’s time to go. Our friend Eric Gilsenan is announcing and counting down. Go! We are off! As usual, it’s a fast start. People are everywhere and the elites are off in their own world. I see the 3:05 pace group go by and try to stay close. I was thinking about trying to run 7:00 pace but that seems a little fast at the moment
Mile 1 is 7:07. Good start! There are so many runners ahead of me, I’m amazed!
Mile 2 is 7:03.. Feeling good! My hamstrings seem to be okay. My right shoe seems to be too tight and it’s hurting the top of my foot. Should I stop? No, I decide to press on.
Mile 3 is 7:05. Wow, this is great! I can even see the 3:05 group coming back to me! I might really be able to run close to 1:30. The top of my right foot is still bothering me.
I hit the first aid station and see Rob Myer and Jesse “Santa” Ellis handing out water. I say hi and grab some water.
Mile 4 is 7:12. Both hamstrings (the whole hamstring on each) are starting to feel tight! Okay, just hang in there! The 3:05 group is fading away.
Mile 5 is 7:10. I’m able somewhat hold the pace but these hamstrings are getting worse. The course rolls quite a bit (forgot about that) and that seems to be aggravating the hams. The top of my right foot is no longer an issue…I’d take that though over the hams!!
Mile 6 is 7:20. More pain/discomfort! Ugh! The 3:10 pace group goes by. I know this means Michael Cook’s 3:15 group is coming soon along with Karen, Troy O and others. It’s hard not to be frustrated. My engine is ready to go but these legs are not. Lord, please help me to keep a good attitude.
Mile 7 is 7:16. I’m hanging in there! Man I’m just barely over halfway. Lord, please help me get through this!
Mile 8 is 7:31. My hamstrings seem to be going through periods of “cramping”. It won’t hurt for a moment and then it really hurts. At those worst moments, it feels like my legs want to give out on me! It has never been this bad before!
Mile 9 is 7:34. Lord, help! I’m just trying to go as fast as I can. When the cramping stops briefly, I try to push it…but these moments are so short.
Mile 10 is 7:47. Getting harder! I contemplate slowing down but I know I cannot give up. Today is all about persevering! We are going downhill through a small twisting part of Fair Oaks. It’s a cute area with a lot of energetic folks cheering. I try to smile through the pain but it’s hard.
Beth comes by and encourages me. She could tell that something was going on. I tell her to keep going for it.
Mile 11 is 7:54. Ugh! Karen comes alongside and prays for me. I really appreciate her slowing down to do that…she is such a great friend! I tell her to go for it and that I’ll see her at the relay finish. I’m doubting that the Lord will turn things around…but at that moment, I feel some relief!
Soon Troy Outman is alongside me and praying also. He’s going for a 3:15 today and seems to be running great! I appreciate his prayers and want to pray out loud for him too but let the pain consume me. I say a prayer for him in my mind. I start to feel even better! Thank you Lord! How can I doubt you?! I tell Troy I’m going to try to catch up to Karen. He tells me I need to go now.
Mile 12 is 7:25. Wow, prayer does work! Though the hamstrings still hurt, I no longer feel like my legs are going to give out! I can move them a little better too! Thank you Jesus!
Michael Cook’s 3:15 group catches up. I tell him about the hamstrings and he encourages me to get some electrolytes. I thank him and try to get some aid at the next station. I'm unable to get through the many runners and miss my opportunity. At least I’m almost done!
Mile 13 is 7:21. Better! Thanks Jesus! I make it through the half marathon. I can see now that the relay finish is after the 1/2 Marathon…and it’s still down the road! I’m giving it my all to catch Karen but she is strong. I see her head into the exchange area and hand off to Troy. I hope she tells him. I wish I can talk to him but I’ll see him at the finish.
I finally get there and see Leonie ready to go. She grabs the chip and I tell her she can do it! She takes off and I find Megan Sebra my other teammate. Time for her to head to the last exchange. I then find Karen and the girls. I’m in major pain but am so glad it’s over! Thank you Jesus!!
Go Leonie! Go Megan!
RELAY HISTORY
| Year | Team Name | Relay Div | Place | Time | Teammates |
| 2014 | Catch Us If You Can | Open Female | 8 | 3:27:15 | Robin Soares (Leg #1 & #2), Leonie Alesci (Leg #3), Megan Sebra (Leg #4) |
| 2013 | Catch Us If You Can | Open Coed | 10th | 3:31:23 | Liesbeth Magna (Leg #1), Kevin Magna (Leg #2), Robin Soares (Leg #3) and Megan Sebra (Leg #4) |
| 2012 | Catch Us If You Can | Open Coed | 6 | 3:32:57 | Leonie Alesci (Leg #1), Robin Soares (Leg #2), Kevin Magna (Leg #3) and Liesbeth Magna (Leg #4) |
| 2011 | Catch Us If You Can | Open Coed | 3 | 3:05:14 | Robin Soares (Leg #1), Troy Soares (Leg #2), Liesbeth Magna(Leg #3) and Leonie Alesci (Leg #4) |
| 2010 | Catch Us If You Can | Open Coed | 2 | 3:13:32 | Robin Soares (Leg #1 & 2), Richard Alesci (Leg #3) and Leonie Alesci (Leg #4) |
| 2009 | CATCH US IF YOU CAN | Open Coed | 3 | 3:08:47 | Kevin Magna (Leg #1), Robin Soares (Leg #2), Richard Alesci (Leg #3) and Leonie Alesci (Leg #4) |
| 2008 | CATCH US IF YOU CAN | Open Coed | 21 | 3:27:28 | Robin Soares (Leg #1), Courtney Loveday (Leg #2), Richard Alesci (Leg #3) and Leonie Wynhoven (Leg #4) |
| 2007 | RIONIE AND SOARES | Open Coed | 3 | 2:58:55 | Robin Soares (Leg #1), Troy Soares (Leg #2), Richard Alesci (Leg #3) and Leonie Wynhoven (Leg #4) |
| 2006 | CATCH ME IF YOU CAN | Open Female | 1 | 3:00:54 | Robin Soares (Leg #1), Megan Canova (Leg #2), Liesbeth Brouwer (Leg #3), Leonie Wynhoven (Leg #4) |
| 2005 | DAM GIRLS & GUYS | Open Coed | 2 | 3:00:36 | Robin Soares (Leg #1), Dick Kirkpatrick (Leg #2), Liesbeth Brouwer (Leg #3), Leonie Wynhoven (Leg #4) (?) |
| 2004 | DAM GIRLS & GUYS | Open Coed | 14 | 3:32:15 | Troy, Robin, Liesbeth Brouwer, Leonie Wynhoven (?) |
| 2003 | DAM GOOD RUNNERS | Open Coed | 21 | 3:06:50 | Troy-Robin-Leonie Wynhoven-Liesbeth Brouwer |
| 2002 | DAM GOOD RUNNERS | Open Coed | 76 | 4:13:14 | Robin, Dave Funston, Kristin Funston, Leonie Wynhoven |
| 2001 | DAM GOOD RUNNERS | Open Coed | 21 | 3:56:56 | Robin Heidt, Dave Funston, Kristin Funston, Leonie Wynhoven |
| 2000 | Un-Named | Open Coed | 49 | 3:48:04 | Kristin Matthews, Liesbeth Brouwer, Leonie Wynhoven, Robin Heidt (?) |
| 1999 | DAM GOOD RUNNERS | None | 88 | 3:44:09 | Kristin Matthews, Liesbeth Brouwer, Leonie Wynhoven, Robin Heidt |
FASTEST TO LEAST FASTES TIMES
| Year | Time | Teammates |
| 2007 | 2:58:55 | Robin Soares (Leg #1), Troy Soares (Leg #2), Richard Alesci (Leg #3) and Leonie Wynhoven (Leg #4) |
| 2005 | 3:00:36 | Robin Soares (Leg #1), Dick Kirkpatrick (Leg #2), Liesbeth Brouwer (Leg #3), Leonie Wynhoven (Leg #4) (?) |
| 2006 | 3:00:54 | Robin Soares (Leg #1), Megan Canova (Leg #2), Liesbeth Brouwer (Leg #3), Leonie Wynhoven (Leg #4) |
| 2011 | 3:05:14 | Robin Soares (Leg #1), Troy Soares (Leg #2), Liesbeth Magna(Leg #3) and Leonie Alesci (Leg #4) |
| 2003 | 3:06:50 | Troy-Robin-Leonie Wynhoven-Liesbeth Brouwer |
| 2009 | 3:08:47 | Kevin Magna (Leg #1), Robin Soares (Leg #2), Richard Alesci (Leg #3) and Leonie Alesci (Leg #4) |
| 2010 | 3:13:32 | Robin Soares (Leg #1 & 2), Richard Alesci (Leg #3) and Leonie Alesci (Leg #4) |
| 2014 | 3:27:15 | Robin Soares (Leg #1 & #2), Leonie Alesci (Leg #3), Megan Sebra (Leg #4) |
| 2008 | 3:27:28 | Robin Soares (Leg #1), Courtney Loveday (Leg #2), Richard Alesci (Leg #3) and Leonie Wynhoven (Leg #4) |
| 2013 | 3:31:23 | Liesbeth Magna (Leg #1), Kevin Magna (Leg #2), Robin Soares (Leg #3) and Megan Sebra (Leg #4) |
| 2004 | 3:32:15 | Troy, Robin, Liesbeth Brouwer, Leonie Wynhoven (?) |
| 2012 | 3:32:57 | Leonie Alesci (Leg #1), Robin Soares (Leg #2), Kevin Magna (Leg #3) and Liesbeth Magna (Leg #4) |
| 1999 | 3:44:09 | Kristin Matthews, Liesbeth Brouwer, Leonie Wynhoven, Robin Heidt |
| 2000 | 3:48:04 | Kristin Matthews, Liesbeth Brouwer, Leonie Wynhoven, Robin Heidt (?) |
| 2001 | 3:56:56 | Robin Heidt, Dave Funston, Kristin Funston, Leonie Wynhoven |
| 2002 | 4:13:14 | Robin, Dave Funston, Kristin Funston, Leonie Wynhoven |