CIM Relay #17 (Robin)

Date/Location:	December 6, 2015 - Sacramento, Ca
Distance:	Marathon Relay - 26.2m (My leg is just under 13m) – Legs #3 & 4 Note: The CIM Relay Races started in 1991.
Time:	3:32:27
Place:	8th, Female Open
Relay Teammates:	Leonie Alesci & Megan Sebra
Other Teammates:	Relay *Catch Us If You Can: Leonie Alesci, Megan Sebra & Robin Soares *FCA Endurance: Trixie Bradley, Karen Nickel & Stephanie Holloway *Good Job: Janell Peterson and Friends Track/Local Friends *Pacers: Jim Kepfer, Melissa Johnson, Lee McKinley, Jamie Frink  & Tim Twietmeyer *Racers: Annette Korn, Christine Val, Dave Campbell, Elizabeth Kastura, Helen Martin, Jason Shykowski, Ken Campbell, Melissa Penwell, Todd Osterberg

This is my 17th year in the CIM Relay. It's great to have such a long streak going. I cannot stop now! This time my teammate Liesbeth cannot make it so I'm attempting to run the last two legs of the marathon.

I drive our girls to the 2nd relay leg to meet Leonie finishing her leg and Troy finishing his 2 legs. Troy and our friend, Troy Outman, are each running a half of the marathon as "Team FCA Troy Squared." We meet up with Troy O and his wife, Sarah. Troy O and I warm up and watch the top runners come through. They are amazing athletes! I know I cannot even do one lap at their pace.

My phone rings and it's my friend Karen! I'm surprised because I know she's in the middle of running the 2 middle legs of the race. She tells me her calf is really hurting and she won't make it past her 1st leg. She wants to know what to do. If her team forfeits, at least her final teammate, Stephanie, may be ok with it since she hasn't left home yet. After some deliberation, in an effort to keep her team in the race, I tell her Troy can most likely finish her final leg after he finishes his.

I run into our friend Lee McKinley. He is helping the 3:00 pace group on the second half.

Troy comes in at sub-1:30 and Troy O heads out. I tell him the story about Karen's team and he feels like he can continue for one more leg...at a much easier pace since he gave it his all to finish his part of the Troy Squared relay.

While waiting we see Melissa Penwell fly by. And soon, Tim Twietmeyer comes by pacing the 3:35 group.

Twenty minutes later we see Karen AND Leonie running in together...cool! Troy and I start out together for a moment but then I have to say goodbye and pull ahead.

I feel pretty good starting out. I hope to be able to run 7:30 pace. We'll see!

Mile 1 is 7:29 (around 14th mile). Feels good!

Mile 2 is 7:27 (around 15th mile). Still feeling strong! It's nice to race hard again after many months off!

Mile 3 is 7:26 (around 16th mile). Going good! I rarely get to run this part of the relay and it's a nice change.

Mile 4 is 7:33 (around 17th mile). My body seems to feel the strain now but the sweet potato I had earlier this morning seems to be fueling me well. I can still push despite the fatigue.

Mile 5 is 7:29 (around 18th mile). I can see the 3:40 group ahead. Cool!

Mile 6 is 7:28 (around 19th mile). Mentally getting harder but catching the 3:40 group helps! I start to plan out the last few miles... Keep up 7:30 pace until the 22nd mile. Then go 7:25 pace until the 24th mile...and then sub-7:20 pace.

Mile 7 is 7:30 (around 20th mile). At Mile 20, they actually have the "wall" set up with foam bricks. I tap it as I go through.

Mile 8 is 7:35 (around 21st mile). Wow, I feel like I'm running faster than 7:30 pace. Can I really pick up the pace?

Mile 9 is 7:38 (around 22nd mile). Running across the H St. bridge is cool though it is a bit uphill. Got to pick it up the last miles now. The legs are tired but the energy is still good..sweet potatoes!

Mile 10 is 7:28 (around 23rd mile). I'm a little slower than expected but good to be under 7:30!

I see a familiar stride ahead. It's Jason Shykowski! I catch up and say hi. He's ahead of his PR pace but feeling like everything is seizing up. "I'll pray for you then" and have the privilege to do so. We part ways.

I push it and start to see the pace drop more...yeah.

Mile 11 is 7:23 (around 24th mile). Okay, let's go! I dig deeper and my legs have a bit more to give!

Mile 12 is 7:19 (around 25th mile). Less than 1 mile to go! I've caught up to Tim Twietmeyer's 3:35 pace group...yes! I say hi and keep pressing on! I then pass his pace partner Jamie. Go, go, go!

I can see the capital building! I can hear the cheering! I round the last corner and see the finish! I give it all I have and finish at just under 1:37. Alright! I hear the announcer and friend, Eric Gilsenan, tell me good job and ask about Troy. I give him a thumbs up and am unable to communicate that Troy is racing, too.

I don't see Troy and the girls and know they are on their way. The sacrifice of him not being here so he can help out Karen was so worth it! Thanks God for working it all out!

 

 

 

 

 

RELAY HISTORY

Year	Team Name	Relay Div	Place	Time	Teammates
2015	Catch Us If You Can	Open Female	8	3:32:27	Megan Sebra (Leg #1), Leonie Alesci (#2), Robin (#3 & #4)
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

California International Marathon Relay (Troy & Troy)

Date/Location:	December 6, 2015 - Sacramento, Ca
Distance:	Marathon Relay - 26.2m (My leg is over 13m) – Legs #1 & 2 Note: The CIM Relay Races started in 1991.
Time:	2:58:52
Place:	TBD
Relay Teammates:	FCA Troy Squared Troy & Troy Outman
Other Teammates:	Relay *Catch Us If You Can: Leonie Alesci, Megan Sebra & Robin Soares *FCA Endurance: Trixie Bradley, Karen Nickel & Stephanie Holloway *Good Job: Janell Peterson and Friends Track/Local Friends *Pacers: Jim Kepfer, Melissa Johnson, Lee McKinley, Jamie Frink  & Tim Twietmeyer *Racers: Annette Korn, Christine Val, Dave Campbell, Elizabeth Kastura, Helen Martin, Jason Shykowski, Ken Campbell, Melissa Penwell, Todd Osterberg

I've been excited to do this race as a relay with my good friend and running partner, Troy Outman.  We are "FCA Troy Squared". My goal is to break 1:30 for the 1/2.  Troy will also try to break 1:30 for a total time of sub 3.  However, I had some achilles pain on my last long run, and Troy also had some foot pain a few weeks back, so anything can happen.

At 5:45 I drive to the start with our neighbor, Tim Twietmeyer, who is keeping his tradition of pacing others to Boston Qualifying.  I drop off Tim and part at Beale's Pt and jog to the start.  It's dark and sprinkling.  Thankfully Robin reminded me to take a headlamp.

Running slowing to the start I immediately feel the tender achilles. This is not good.  I go real easy hoping it will warm up.  I do some stretching and take in the surreal site of 2000 runners, 100 porta potties and just as many trash-bag make-shift rain-jackets.

Eric Gilsenan is announcing as usual.  The National Anthem is sung wonderfully.  Then the mayor of Folsom, who is running the relay as well, jokes and tells us all to leave Folsom as quickly as possible.

I shed my rain jacket, just as it starts raining harder, and re-tie my shoes tighter, hoping it will help hold my Achilles together.  The wheelchairs and blind-runners have been sent off.  Now it's our turn.

Go!  We're off.  I'm about 15 rows back.  It's pretty packed and already feel the pressure to run everybody else's race.  I see our friend, Dave Campbell, on the other side of the road.  He looks like he'll do very well today.

Mile 1. 6:42. My achilles is already hurting.  We make the rt turn and climb Oak Ave and I have to ease up as the pain gets sharper.  I feel a little helpless. I might have to limp along and show up late and my partner will be stressed and wondering where I am.  Relays are really fun, but when something goes wrong, they become doubley stressful.  I may also risk serious injury jeopardizing my March marathon.

Mile 2. 6:55. In this helpless situation I'm again reminded by God to completely rely on Him.  He comforts me.  Gives me things to try, like pushing off on my big toe.  And reminds me to run appreciative, like He's already saved the day and I'm finished and thanking Him.  Amazingly, and unlike my training run last week, the sore tendon is feeling better, not worse.

Mile 3. 6:39. I continue to push off the big toe and thank God and encourage others around me.  Especially the wheel chair racer and the blind runners.  Blind runners rock!  With all the people darting around, it's hard to imagine running almost 10mph with the constant fear of tripping and falling hard.  Or worse, running into something.  Their guide partner has a big resonsibility.  Like a relay runner trying to get to the exchange on time!

Mile 4. 6:47. I look forward to seeing Karen Nickel at the start of leg 2.  She's running as another FCA Endurance team (Trixie, Karen, Stephanie).  She has an injured calf, but a great attitude.   It seems to take forever to get there.  I keep thinking we turn at the next light.  I see a kid running with his shoe untied. Fortunately he's a relay and will chance it.

Mile 5. 6:47. Finally we round the corner.  I see Karen.  Great seeing a friend to take my mind off of this difficult pace. 

Mile 6. 6:50. How am I going to keep this up for another 7 miles?  I can't complain, the Lord is allowing me to run despite a sore Achilles!  I remain appreciative and keep watching the pace.

Mile 7. 6:54. It's going great!  Right on 6:46 pace.  But getting tired and the pace is slowly deterioating. 

Mile 8. 7:01.  The rollers are getting to me.

Mile 9. 6:54.  Pretty good for a little bit of a climb.

Mile 10. 6:46. On each roller I try to make up the time I loose climbing.  On a long gradual downhill I dig deep to try to get my pace back below 6:50 again.  Yes!  It works.  Thank you, Lord, this is becoming exciting.  I talk to a guy from Reno who does this race as a yearly tradition with other Reno teammates.  He's going for a sub 3:00.  I don't think I'll ever be able to do that again, but I do think I can shoot for a 3:10 one of these days.  I think back to '95 when I got my first sub 3:00 on this same course.  He pulls away on a hill.  I'm already pushing it and know that the loss of pace on the hills has to be made up on the downhills.

Mile 11. 6:51.

Mile 12. 6:59. Only a mile to go to the 13.1 mi mark and I'm right on the 1:30 pace.  It's going to be close.  The relay exchange is another 1/2 mi farther but I've got to try for the 1:30… despite a big push, I go under the clock at 1:38.

Mile 13. 6:54.  I want to rest and recover but I've got to get to my partner.  The achilles is hurting now but I'm almost done and so happy for the gift to run a great race. 

Mile 13.4. 6:48. I come in with a big smile and tell Troy "8 seconds over" so he'll know what to shoot for.  I tell him to "go have fun. God is with you!"

Whew!  So glad to be done, and to hug Robin and my girls.  Just when I'm glad I don't have to run anymore, Robin tells me bad news.  Karen's calf has flared up and she will have to drop out unless I or someone else can run the next leg on her team.  Immediately I feel like this was all planned out and I'm excited to do it.  We also realize how difficult it would be to quickly find someone to run 7 mi to the next town.  And that it would be unfair for Robin to run with 2 chips.

Here comes Karen!  And right next to Robin's partner, Leonie.  Leonie exchanges to Robin and Karen exchanges to me.  I can see the pain in her face every step she takes.  I take off, but much slower now.  About 9:30 pace.  After 1/2 mile my achilles hurts bad and I think maybe this was a bad idea.  I might have to walk the whole thing and Stephanie will be very confused.  But it gets my focus back on the Lord immediately.  I stop and stretch and tie my shoe tighter.  As I start again, it's getting better.  I feel like maybe this was to confirm that these shoes are too loose for me.  I got injured in them before IMLT and now injured again.

I'm focusing on God and keeping my toe down and my pace is getting faster.  Under 9:00 now.  I set a goad for 8:40 by mile 16.  Yay, I get it!  Now I shoot for 8:30.  And I get there, too.  I really want to help Karen's team and set a goal to come in at 8:20 average.  At 19 miles I'm down to 8:27.  I want to stop so hope the exchange is at mile 20.  But I also want to get 8:20 so hope I have farther to run.  We pass by the "Wall" at mile 20 and no sign of the exchange.  8:23!  This might happen..  Finally, there it is, I pick it up and, wow, 8:20!

I see Stephanie's well-known smile, make the exchange and she's off.  Wow, thank you Lord for not only getting me through the first run and keeping me from letting my team down.. to getting me through 2 runs and being able to help 2 teams!  I really felt God's hand in the race today and am so thankful for His grace, and for the lesson that I need different shoes.

Troy went on to accomplish both goals, a sub 1:30 for him and a sub-3 for us.  We all reunited at the Christmas tree at the Capital and got to catch up with some of the amazing Auburn marathoners from our track group.  It was indeed a special day.