CIM Relay #22-Robin-2019

Date/Location:	December 8, 2019 - Sacramento, Ca
Distance:	13.5 mi (Leg #1 & 2 of the 26.2 mi Marathon Relay. CIM relay races started in 1995)
Time:	3:26:25 (3 person relay)
Place:	12th out of 143 Female Open
Relay Teammates:	Megan Sebra (Leg #3: 7miles) and Bailey Cossentine (Leg #4: 5.7 miles)
Other Teammates:	Relay *FCA Endurance:  Isaac Josifek & Troy Soares *EV Cain Speedsters: Hunter Glass, Leah Booth, Anna Soares & Holden Robertson *Old Man and the Lobster (Jason and Libby Shykowski) Track/Local Friends *Pacers: Jim Kepfer, Michael Cook, Tim Twietmeyer *Racers: Wyatt Hamilton

This year my main teammate/college roomie, Leonie Alesci, couldn’t make the relay last minute.  Fortunately a longtime friend from our track group and local college phenom, Bailey Cossentine, was available to take Leonie’s spot.  She’ll be running the last leg and will be giving my other teammate, Megan, and I a big boost to the finish.  I’m running the first two legs of the relay, 13.5 miles. 

The “Soares Shuttle” to the start is off as usual at 5:30am!  I’m driving Anna’s teammate Hunter, Troy’s teammate Isaac and Anna’s coach and CIM pacer Jim Kepfer to the start.   They have closed down more of Auburn Folsom Road near the start so I have to take some back roads to my secret parking spot at Beal’s Point. We park and jog to the start.  I can tell this race has grown by the wall of people we run into.  We also see big dump trucks at both ends protecting where the people are gathered, and a SWAT team with fully armed officers keeping their eyes out.  A sad reminder of races and events affected by violent individuals.  Thankful that no matter what happens, the Lord will be there to help me and others…even if that does mean I loose my life.

The starting line seems different this year.  The start is on both sides of the road.  I don’t remember it mattering which side of the road you lined up on.  I lead Hunter to the wrong side but we figure it out in time.  Hunter and I pray and then pray again once we find Isaac.  As we wait a few minutes to start, I look down and notice all the bright and strangely shaped Nike shoes.  They are everywhere and apparently they give a big advantage! Today, i mainly just want to run under 8 min per mile.  I don’t have anything else specific planned.  I have a rain coat wrapped around my waist in case it rains.  I am also wearing a long sleeve FCA shirt and tights.

Ready, set, go!  I can tell right away that I don’t have my jacket wrapped well and try to adjust it.  I drop my water bottle but am able to recover it quickly and re-tie the jacket so it’s snug.

I am feeling surprisingly great but I know I have a long way to go. 

Mile 1 is 7:41.  We are on Oak St. for a long way now.  I hear a lot of footsteps behind me so I know some pace group is approaching.  Sure enough it’s the 3:20 pace group.  It’s probably a little fast for me to stick with but I feel pretty good!  I did average 7:40 pace for a hilly 10K in Auburn on Thanksgiving so maybe this pace will work.

Through Mile 3 I’m averaging 7:42 and still feeling strong.  10 more miles!  I wonder how Hunter and Isaac are doing.  Isaac is doing the first two legs like me.  Hunter is doing the first leg and has about 3 miles more to go.  He’s probably pretty far ahead now.

I hear someone call my name and I look over and see Andrea Glass, Hunter’s mom, and his sister, Ashley, cheering.  That is nice of them to find a spot and cheer us on!

Mile 4. The 3:20 pace group (7:38 pace) starts to pull away.  I’m now holding 7:41 pace and feel any faster would be too much.  I don’t even know if I can hold this for the next 9 miles!  It’s sad to let them go because the pace leader was going to tell some stories. 

Mile 6. I’m holding 7:41!  The race finally makes a turn onto Fair Oaks.  This is where the first relay exchange used to be.  There are a lot of folks here cheering  I should be getting a text message on my watch from Anna’s group pretty soon indicating that Hunter is done!  Praying for their team to feel strong and content with their efforts.  Anna rolled her ankle recently and has been really busy with school so today could be a challenge.  The whole team has some big goals. 

Just before Mile 7, I get the notice that Leah is off!  The course is now rolling and making it hard to push.  I can feel the Lord keeping me calm and in good spirits so I’m not stressing about it.  I look for familiar runners from the beginning and try to keep tabs on others I’ve noticed along the way.  It’s a nice distraction.

Mile 9. My average has creeped up to 7:43.  I can see I’m heading down towards downtown/old town Fair Oaks.  There are a lot of folks here.  I see a small high school band playing and I run by and give them a high five.  Too bad Anna didn’t get to see them.  I think about her getting ready to run soon.

I am so surprised that I’m able to keep up my pace.

Mile 11.  It is back to 7:42.  Wow, thanks God!  Sensing the end is close, I pick it up. 

Mile 12.  I’m at 7:41.  Wow, maybe I can get it to 7:40 and match my 10k average.  I am waiting to hear that Anna is off.

Mile 13. I get the notice about Anna’s exchange.  I hope Anna doesn’t feel pressure to have to blast her leg of the race.

I make it to the relay exchange at 7:40 pace!  Thank you Jesus!  I find Megan and pass on the timing chip.  My job is done.  Phew!

RELAY HISTORY

Year	Team Name	Relay Div	Place	Time	Teammates
2019	Catch Us If You Can	Open Female	12th/ 143	3:26:25	Robin Soares (Leg #1/2), Megan Sebra (Leg #3), Bailey Cossentine (Leg #4)
2018	Catch Us If You Can	Open Female	13th/ 169	3:37:34	Robin Soares (Leg #1), Liesbeth Magna (Leg #2), Leonie Alesci (Leg #3),  Megan Sebra (Leg #4)
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

CIM 2-man Relay

Date/Location:	December 8, 2019 - Sacramento, Ca
Distance:	12.7 mi (Leg #2 & 3 of the 26.2 mi Marathon Relay)
Time:	3:16:55 (2 person relay)
Place:	1st of 5 Male Fitness Club relays, 40th relay overall
Relay Teammates:	Isaac Josifec (Leg #1 & 2, 13.5mi)
Other Teammates:	Relay *Catch Us If You Can (Robin Soares, Megan Sebra, Bailey Cossentine) *EV Cain Speedsters: Hunter Glass, Leah Booth, Anna Soares & Holden Robertson *Old Man and the Lobster (Jason and Libby Shykowski) Track/Local Friends *Pacers: Jim Kepfer, Michael Cook, Tim Twietmeyer *Racers: Wyatt Hamilton

5am, chilly, I meet Isaac, my FCA TeamMate at our house.  We make final plans and then Robin drives him and a few others to the start of the California International Marathon.

It’s a yearly tradition which goes back like 22 years for Robin.  Maybe 1/2 as many for me.  But running a relay is really motivating and memorable and I’m glad to be doing it again with Isaac.

I’m not as well trained as last year so the usual goal of breaking 7:00 min pace is being replaced with 7:20 average.  And that’s with an easier leg.  Isacc is going for 7:30 pace on the longer 1st leg.

Doing the 2nd 1/2 of the marathon means I have more time at home.  I spend time with God first, something we make a priority before races because we couldn’t imagine racing without His blessing.

Anna is also starting at the 1/2 way point for her Relay.  And Ariel is coming to help coordinate transitions.  There’s a lot of strategy in point-to-point relay racing!

The 3 of us get to the transition just before the top marathoners come through.  So exciting.  Then we see our local star, Jane Kibii, running in the lead pack of women!  (she went on to win!).

Anna & I warm-up and 1/2 mi away see a marathoner laying down on the sidewalk.  We help him up and I give him one of my gels.  He had problems with nutrition and dropped out feeling terrible.  But he was now walking so we hurried back to our transition point.

Anna and I pray and then she takes her position.  Her teammate, Leah, comes in and she’s off.  I hope it goes well but most importantly I hope she prays if things don’t go well. I’m sure I won’t be catching her or her next teammate so will see them at the finish.

Start: Isaac comes in!  I’m wearing a black FCA T-Shirt because I forgot my usual yellow one at home.  Hopefully he sees me.  He finishes the 13.5 mi in 1:42:14 for an average 7:34 pace, pretty close to plan! We have a good transition but as I hand him my keys and turn to run I start to trip on someone else.  But I latch onto Isaac’s hand which I just dropped the keys into and it stables me.  Ok, now I’m off.

It always feels so good starting a leg after a hand-off.  But I remind myself there is a 1/2 marathon ahead!  I feel good and hit 7:00 pace but then notice my breathing is high.  I keep thinking it’s 7mi instead of 12.7.  I try to relax.  It’s hard to slow down with all the cheering and wonderful signs.  I’m smiling a lot and admiring the marathoners around me which are so well trained.

Mile 1: 7:14. Ok, now just have to hold this pace for 1-1/2 more hours.  But there’s a slight hill.  The gloves and arm warmers come off.  It’s 63 degrees – not the 40 it has been in the past.

Mile 2: 7:20. My rt achilles heal is a little sore.  A constant ache each push-off.  Usually it warms up after a couple miles.

Mile 3: 7:13. A really good mile but might come back to haunt me.  I’m drinking fluids at every aid station.

Mile 4: 7:26. I’ve slowed it down.  I see a bystander playing a trumpet and hope Anna also saw her.  It’s a slow song, but very well done.  I would love to hear Anna playing right now!

Mile 5: 7:22. This is going to be hard!  If I push too much my foot hurts. Just keep focusing on the Lord..

Mile 6: 7:20.  That was a good mile.  It’s raining now.  It feels good because I’m still too hot with the base layer I wore.  I imagine Anna should be close to finishing her leg and getting out of the rain.  I eat a new Hammer Gel flavor, banana, and don’t like it even though the product is great.

Up ahead I look for the exchange point, but not expecting to see Anna’s team.  I see her runner, Holden, running backwards to Anna.  They exchange something and he takes off again.

Mile 7: 7:22.  I look to Anna and she can tell I’m wondering why they’re so far behind plan.  She says calmly, “I got side cramps”.  I’m immediately proud of her responding so calmly because I know how much she wanted to run her sub-7 pace goal.  Instead, she had to walk parts of it.  “That’s, Ok, Anna, good job!” (I also learned later that the chip fell off the strap requiring Holden to go back to get it). 

I catch up to Holden.  Their troubles (being 5 min off pace) has become my benefit (having someone to run with!).

I love these kids, they’re all polite, hard-workers and actually like distance running! Hunter, Leah, Anna and Holden are 8th graders together at EV Cain Middle School.  Besides running Track and XC together, they’re also part of an Endurance Club at school which Hunter started so they can have even more fun running!  They impress me because I never wanted to run when I was their age.  Last year I got to run with Anna and Enzo.  This year I get to see 2 of their exchanges and get to run with Holden.  He looks calm and strong, but this will be his fastest pace for a long distance so I’m concerned he doesn’t start too fast.

Mile 8: 7:36. Approaching the bridge over the American River.  I tell Holden, “Big hill ahead” and he laughs.  On the bridge it is deafeningly loud!  There is a spin class set up almost the full length of it with an instructor pumping them, and us, up over a PA with music.  They’re pedaling and cheering and holding signs.  It’s quite an experience.  And the work to set that all up.. even with the rain.  Appreciated.

Mile 9: 7:34.  I give Hodlen some advice and remind him to drink, as I take another Hammer Gel and grab a cup.  I see a marathoner go by with a “Look to God..” shirt.  Holden is a Christian and the shirt reminds me that the best advice I can give my young friend is to always look to God.  I tell Holden, “If it gets hard, you get cramps, or something goes wrong… pray.. God answers prayers and helps us”.  He understands and is doing good but I don’t want to lead him too fast so must break away.  As we enter the “Avenues”, I tell him, just like my friend, Dick Kirkpatrick, told me the first time I ran this course, “We’re at 55th St and the finish is at 10th, you can count ‘em down”.  I also tell him, “control your pace and wait to 1 mile to go, and then sprint.  I’ll see you at the finish!”

Mile 10: 7:24. I’m trying to pick up the pace but everything is hurting.  Heel, calf, hip, all the pains coming and going.  They remind me to focus on God.  It’s amazing I’m doing as well as I am.  I remember my first marathon here and pushing these last 2 miles.  Boy, the street signs drop so slowly.  35th St.  I look forward to 20th when I know there’s only 10 more to go!

Mile 11: 7:32.  Can’t bring the pace down. Pushing very hard.  Trying not to look at the street signs.  The road is wide and long.  I can see the palm trees in the distance that mark the Capitol Park where the finish is!

Mile 12: 7:23. This is it, finally!  Just get around the park.  Thank you, Lord.  Every step is sore.  I can’t WAIT to stop!  Coming around the final turn, I quickly see Robin, Ariel, Anna, and Andrea Glass cheering along the finish chute.

Mile 12.7: 7:14.  I finished with an average 7:27 pace, with the last mile about as fast as the first mile!  Our total is just under 3:17, about 5 min slower than last year but still 1st out of the few male fitness club teams that participate.  Thank you, Lord, for helping me through another tough effort and allowing all of us to finish well in good weather.

CIM Relay-Anna-2019

Date/Location:	December 8, 2019 - Sacramento, Ca
Distance:	7 mi (Leg #3 of the 26.2 mi Marathon Relay)
Time:	53:37 (Relay total: 3:20:46)
Place:	2nd of 11 High School Co-ed Teams (even though they are Jr. High)
Relay Teammates:	Hunter Glass, Leah Booth, Anna Soares & Holden Robertson
Other Teammates:	Relay *FCA Endurance (Isaac Josifek, Troy Soares) *Catch Us If You Can (Robin Soares, Megan Sebra, Bailey Cossentine) *EV Cain Speedsters: *Old Man and the Lobster (Jason and Libby Shykowski) Track/Local Friends *Pacers: Jim Kepfer, Michael Cook, Tim Twietmeyer *Racers: Wyatt Hamilton

I get ready for Leah to come and handoff. I see her in the distance and jump out into the running chute. As she gets closer I get ready. I take the chip off her ankle and put it on mine. I start running. I run around the corner feeling a burst of energy. Everyone's cheering making me smile. I feel good and try to run at the pace dad predicted, it's pretty fast.

After a while, instead of doing a 6:40 like my dad predicted, I’m running a 6:50. I start to feel a side cramp so I use breathing techniques to stop it. It kind of just stays there as I run.

Mile 1. 6:53.  I get to an aid station and grab water. I'm at a mile and a half and I can't wait for 4 miles where I can take my new Stinger gel. I'm looking forward to trying it out. I see someone dancing around in gingerbread costume and I think that it probably is going to get pretty hot in there.

Mile 2. 6:57. I'm feeling good.  I only have 5 miles left. I continue running and pushing hard. 6:50 mile pace is becoming hard to keep. After a while I come to another aid station. I grab water and drink some.

Mile 3. 7:00. I start to feel tired. I think about taking my gel a little earlier. At 3.5 mi I take my gel and hope it will give me energy.

Mile 4. 7:24. The gel makes my cramp worse. I try to take deep breaths, but the cramp gets worse. I start walking and take deep breaths. I try not to cry and focus on God. I keep feeling like I'm letting all my teammates down. I take deep breaths and try to run again. I  begin to run and thank God for getting me through the cramp. I felt like it was a test for me and I passed because I didn’t cry and trusted Him.

I try to slowly pick up the pace. I'm now kind of running with the marathon runners not passing them any more. I grab water at the next aid station and drink some of it.

Mile 5. 8:57.  I have only two more miles to go. 2-miles seem like forever, though. As I’m running I start to feel the side cramp coming back. I take big breaths like I have been doing. The side cramp makes me walk again but I keep my attitude up. I’m able to run again and I push on through the race.

I get to a mile and a half to go and I know I can't stop. I see another aid station far up ahead with a blow up arch .

Mile 6. 7:31. I feel the side cramp again but this time I don't let it make me stop. I‘m able to run and I grab some water. I run through the arch feeling good and I try to speed up the pace. I only have a 1/2 Mile to go and I know I’m almost done.

It begins to sprinkle on me but at least I'm almost done. It then starts to rain, but I don't mind.  I begin to see people up ahead and know I'm close. I see the relay chutes and my teammate, Holden.

Mile 7. 8:34.  Holden steps out into the runway. I get to him and he takes my chip. The chip falls off but we put it back on. He then starts running. The sprinkling stops.  

I go with Holden’s family to the finish to watch him finish. Holden finishes and we all congratulate him. The whole team did a great job!

Praise The Lord For He Is Good His Love Endures Forever.