CIM Relay ‘17 (Robin’s 20th!)

Date/Location:	December 4, 2017 - Sacramento, Ca
Distance:	7.3 mi (Leg #1 of the 26.2 mi Marathon Relay. CIM relay races started in 1995)
Time:	3:38:23 (4 person relay)
Place:	11th out of 125 Female Open
Relay Teammates:	Leonie Alesci, Liesbeth Brouwer, Megan Sebra
Other Teammates:	Relay *FCA Endurance: Greg Biddle, Anna Soares, Troy Soares & Kris Kennedy Track/Local Friends *Pacers: Jim Kepfer, Lee McKinley, Tim Twietmeyer *Racers: Bryan Twardus, Carrie & Steve Chavez, Cal & Christine Val, Helen Martin, Melissa Penwell,  Mike Pirnat

The “Soares Shuttle” to the start is off at 5:30am!  This year I get to transport pacer, Jim Kepfer; my neighbor, Greg Biddle; and local fitness trainer, Bryan Twardus.  Greg is racing on the FCA Endurance team with Anna, Troy and Kris.  Bryan is racing the full and hoping to beat his PR of 3:22.

I park at Beals Point and we all run the short distance to the start.  I wonder why more folks don’t choose to park here.

Greg and I find a spot close to the starting line.  I do my drills… which I’ve been trying to do at the beginning of every run.  I hear it helps the legs move faster.  I hope it works today and in 3 months at the Napa Marathon!  I hit the bathrooms one last time and drop off my gear.

Greg and I pray.  Suddenly it’s packed with runners!  One of the members of the band, Cake, plays the National Anthem on his trumpet.  The crowd is virtually quiet and seems to be standing attention as he plays…refreshing!

The countdown and then the gun!  As we head out, they play Cake’s famous song, “The Distance”…nice!  Greg is out ahead of me.

My goals is to go out at 7:30 pace.  My Garmin’s splits have been unreliable in the past, giving me a false sense of hope, so I’ll be running at 7:20ish pace according to my Garmin in case it’s off.  I did recently changed a setting and hope it makes it more accurate.

Down Folsom Auburn and a tight right on Oak.

Mile 1. 7:14.  My Garmin reports just 4 feet ahead of the mile marker so it’s pretty close! Cool!   Up the hill and then a long flat. I feel great and wonder if I can keep this up.  Up ahead I can see the beanie that Greg is wearing.  This stretch is the start of the infamous Coffee Republic Coffee Shop ride.  It looks a bit different from the running perspective.

Mile 2. 7:26.  The mile marker again is just about 4 feet away.  So far so good…but still somewhat doubting the watch.  I am getting a little closer to Greg. This stretch is fun.  Many driveways back up to the street and folks are out in their pajamas with coffees in hand.  One house has a nice little fire going in a portable pit.  I am tempted to sit down and get cozy.  But I actually am feeling great so the temptation is less than in years past.  Those drills seemed to have helped!

Mile 3. 7:10.  The mile marker is about the same distance.  Yeah!  I surely am under 7:30 pace.  I feel good and am going to try to keep this up!  Almost to Greg!

Mile 4. 7:19.  Mile marker good!  There is quite a bit of undulations which I like.  I climb and then get some downhill.  I am really enjoying the variety.  I catch up to Greg and we run together a bit.  I see a girl marathoner in blue that passed me the last mile.  I decide to try to catch her. 

Mile 5. 7:16.  Again, marker good!  I have caught up to the girl in blue.  I look further down the road and see another gal in a sports top and a blond braid.  She looks familiar.  I’ll try to get her.  Up ahead is a big crowd.  It’s the 3:12 pace group…and the blond braid is in that group.  Let’s get there!

Mile 6. 7:12.  Lord, thank you for this race!  I feel great!  I also just feel so refreshed…almost like a vacation.  This has been a nice break from the hustle and bustle of life and I’m grateful!  I pass up the 3:12 group and the blond braid is still down the road.  I’m almost done so what do I have to loose.  I push harder and pass her!  I see another familiar girl from the beginning.  I push a little more and pass her.

Mile 7. 7:07.  Go, go, go!  I hear the relay chute annoucer.  I wave and shout “Leonie”.  I see Troy waving and then Leonie jumps out from behind him.  Yeah! 

Leonie takes the chip off my leg, puts it on hers and leaves.  “Go Leonie!”  So good to be done.  I feel recharged…such a nice break!  Thank you Jesus! 

Our team had a good day!  We couldn’t ask for better weather!  And, checking Strava later, it looks like my Garmin was right on!  Yeah!

RELAY HISTORY

Year	Team Name	Relay Div	Place	Time	Teammates
2017	Catch Us If You Can	Open Female	11th	3:38:23	Robin Soares (Leg #1), Leonie Alesci (Leg #2), Liesbeth Magna (Leg #3), Megan Sebra (Leg #4)
2016	Catch Us If You Can	Open Female	10th	3:34:22	Leonie Alesci (Leg #1), Liesbeth Magna (Leg #2), Robin (Leg #3), Megan Sebra (Leg #4)
2015	Catch Us If You Can	Open Female	8th	3:32:27	Megan Sebra (Leg #1), Leonie Alesci (#2), Robin (#3 & #4)
2014	Catch Us If You Can	Open Female	8th	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	6th	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	3rd	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	2nd	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	3rd	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	21st	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	3rd	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	1st	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	2nd	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	14th	3:32:15	Troy, Robin, Liesbeth Brouwer, Leonie Wynhoven (?)
2003	DAM GOOD RUNNERS	Open Coed	21st	3:06:50	Troy-Robin-Leonie Wynhoven-Liesbeth Brouwer
2002	DAM GOOD RUNNERS	Open Coed	76th	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	??	8	3:44:09	Kristin Matthews, Liesbeth Brouwer, Leonie Wynhoven, Robin Heidt
1998	DAM GIRLS	?	5	3:28:58	Kristin Matthews, Liesbeth Brouwer, Leonie Wynhoven, Robin Heidt

CIM Relay (Anna)

Date/Location:	12/3/17 – Folsom
Distances:	7.3 Greg, 6.2 Anna, 7.0 Troy, 5.7 Kris
Time:	54:07 Greg, 45:54 Anna, 49:03 Troy, 49:57 Kris.  3:19:01 Total.
Place:	FCA Endurance, Co-Ed Fitness Club 2nd/24 division, 66th overall
Teammates:	Troy Soares, Greg Biddle, Kris Kennedy Robin Soares, Mike Pirnat

I get ready for Mr. Biddle to hand off to me and I pray right before I go. When Mr. Biddle comes, I take off around 7:30 min pace. I feel great even though it’s hard to not run fast when people are passing me. I keep a good pace and have fun. I see Leonie up ahead and try to slowly catch her.

Mile 1. 7:23. We both said good job when I passed Leonie. The first mile was great I don’t feel anything.

Mile 2. 7:38. The 2nd mile is good.  I get some water and keep going. It is a little hilly, but the downhills are fun. People are playing music which is very encouraging.

Mile 3. 7:53. During mile 3 there is a big uphill.  It’s like we’re in an old town from long ago. There are bands playing and some of them have trumpets. It is cool to see them playing for us. I remember my Dad telling me that I want to feel good at mile 3 and to not feel bad. I feel great which is good.

Mile 4. 7:47. At mile 4, I am happy because I’m not hurting even though I am a little tired. I remember my dad also telling me to feel good on the hills and make up time on the downhills, so that’s what I do. I pass a girl about my age and tell her good job.

Mile 5. 7:44. When I get to mile 5, I am surprised that I did 5 miles already. Part of my foot is hurting and I am tired but I don’t feel super bad. I pick up the pace because I only have ONE MILE LEFT! I run up two more hills and then in the distance I see the relay exchange. As I get really close, I see my dad. I sprint to him and off he goes into the wild blue yonder.

Mile 5.8. 6:54 pace. I finished breaking 8 min pace I was able to stay close to 7:30 min pace the whole race!

CIM Relay (Greg, Anna, Troy, Kris)

Date/Location:	12/3/17 – Folsom
Distances:	7.3 Greg, 6.2 Anna, 7.0 Troy, 5.7 Kris
Time:	54:07 Greg, 45:54 Anna, 49:03 Troy, 49:57 Kris.  3:19:01 Total.
Place:	2nd/24 division, 66th overall
Teammates:	Anna Soares, Greg Biddle, Kris Kennedy Robin Soares, Mike Pirnat

Glad to have a full 4 person team this year at the CIM Relay Challenge.  My friend, Greg, will lead off on the longest leg, then Anna (stepping up from 5.7 to 6.2 mi), then me, and, finally, our faithful Huddle Leader, Kris Kennedy.

I haven’t raced since July!  There have been a lot of busy changes at our house and training has often been the first to go.  But it’s good to get back into the race routine.

I have an Achilles tendon issue on my rt leg.  I stretched last night and hope it helps.

I’m glad to have done some quiet time this morning.  Even though I depend entirely on God for a successful day, my distracted mind doesn’t show it.  I think about so many things I need to do.  But I’m trying to relinquish more and more to the Lord.  This morning I read Ps 94:19 “When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy.”  I come to a new understanding that He hears me and will console me about my concerns if I trust Him.

Anna and I head out and arrive at Leg 2 right as the race starts 7.3 miles away.  It’s a beautiful clear day, but chilly enough to wear gloves.  Anna says she’s nervous.  We watch the marathon leaders go by at 5:00 pace!!  We are happily reunited with Leonie, runner #2 for Robin’s team.  And we cheer on her husband, Rich, as he goes by at 7:00 pace doing the first 1/2 for his relay team.  Leonie & Rich came down from Oregan to continue the CIM Relay tradition.

Robin comes running in, tagging Leonie.  And soon after Greg comes in and tags Anna.  First exchange is a success!

Greg & I rush to Leg 3 where I warm up before Anna comes in.  My legs are tight and achilles is sore.  But I stretch, focus on form, and pray and soon I’m feeling a little better.  I get in the corral, not expecting Anna for a few more min when Robin yells, “Troy, she’s coming!”  Wow, she’s early.  Thank you, Lord.  I was concerned about her pacing the longer distance in the chilly weather.  After a perfect exchange, I’m off!

I’m running with a lot of intention… duty, I suppose.  Kind of serious I realize.  I notice the spectators and start to remember what an opportunity racing is.. an opportunity to be thankful and show my appreciation for the Lord allowing me to do this.  But my legs aren’t turning over easily and I feel my tight right hamstring already.  It’s hard to smile and be joyful when things are hard.  God is reminding me.. and my focus starts turning from inward to outward.  Encouraging and thanking a few people.

Mile 1. 6:58.  That was hard work for a pace I’m trying to keep for 6 more miles.  And soon I’m falling behind.. 7 secs behind.  I try to improve my form, relax my muscles, and run faster on the downhills.  I notice there are many little declines and I can gain seconds on each.  I’m back on pace… even a little under. 

Mile 2. 7:03.  I’m very thankful and optimistic that I can keep gaining seconds if I work the descents.  I see an ultra runner who has come to our track workouts.  He says he’s feeling beat, but this is probably just another one of his many long runs this week.  I’m passing runners.  I hope to come in a little under my pace to help the team.

Mile 3. 6:45.  It feels good to be racing again.  Working hard to give God my best effort.  I’ll be sore tomorrow but it’s a special time today.  I’ve been having trouble focusing on God lately.. for even 20 minutes.. it’s because I want to do so much and keep so many things from going wrong.  But right now I’m reminded how much I need Him.  Maybe a little bit of pain helps.  He is consoling my anxieties and replacing them with joy.

Mile 4. 7:01.  I smile and thank the people with the funny signs.. like “You think this is hard? Try growing bangs.” and a woman holding a big sign, “You’re tired?  My arms are killing me”.  I’m thanking the Lord, too.  Everything is holding up really well.  But I am getting tired.  I make sure to drink water at each aid station.  I really need it.  I guess I didn’t hydrate well because of the cooler temps.  I really look forward to seeing the 20 mile marker and knowing the exchange is near.  Up ahead I see a big pacing group.  I hope I can catch him.  I take off my arm warmers.  2 light shirts and a beenie.  Perfect.

Mile 5. 6:49.  I catch the 3:12 group!  The reason they have this odd pacing time is because the Boston Qualifying time of 3:15 is not fast enough to guarantee an entry so they figure 3 minutes faster is.  I wonder if I can catch the 3:10 group but I don’t see them anywhere.

Mile 6. 6:55.  Just a mile to go!  The 20 mile sign is coming soon. 10k done. I think of Anna doing her first 10k this morning.  I see a guy holding a big sign, “Turn to Jesus .. and be Saved”  I’m glad he’s out here every year.  For some, they won’t care for a sign, but there are others for which it may be the perfect hope at the perfect time of their life.  I hope so because Jesus has saved me and blessed me so many times I don’t know where I’d be without Him.  Still no sign of the 3:10 group.  My Garmin says I’m almost 30 secs under my time (later I would find out my Garmin was wrong and I was really right at pace).  Yay! Through the 20 mile sign.  I try to pick it up. Last chance to catch the 3:10 group but still can’t see them.  I pull out my phone thinking it will be cool to get a picture of Kris ready to exchange.. but I don’t see him.  There he is behind a barricade!  He finds a way a through, points the direction to his car, and we make the exchange.  “Have a good run, Kris!”.  My last mile was 6:51.  But actually they were all a little slower.  My finish is 49:03, just 3 secs over my goal.  But a mile into it I didn’t think I could even come near it.  “Thank you, Lord, for your faithfulness and grace to bless us even when I fail to focus on you as I should.”  Now it’s off to the finish to see how our team does!