2021 CER Rescue Run–Ariel

   

Date/Location:	April  17, 2021 – Grass Valley, CA
Distances:	5km
Time:	25:57 PR!  (Previous PR 31:47, 2018)
Place:	Ariel: 1st Place, 0-12yrs; (4th Female OA)
Teammates:	Anna, Robin & Troy Soares; Ellie Nickel; Nick Lynch

Go!! I start running. Today I’m doing the rescue run 5k at CER. My friend Ellie is running it with me. I keep running and try to go faster. I run into a bend that directs me back to the starting line. I pass the starting line the opposite way now.

Now there is only a young girl my age and two older boys, probably in high school or college. I’m pretty sure I’m running too fast, but I really want to pass that girl. I can see up ahead of me, a tough hill that I’d soon be running up. I’m now almost to the hill, the girl in front of me slows to a stop at the bottom of the hill. I pass her. I run up the hill and run slowly at the top to catch my breath.

After the hill, there is a small downhill. I run down the hill and into a small wood. It’s very pretty. I run over two bridges and around some ponds. I see Anna and Ben cheering as I exit the woods. I run across a path surrounded on both sides by two ponds. I see one of the guys in front of me. I sprint and pass the guy. After I gain some space from him I slow down. I keep the first guy in front of me in the same spot and I don’t let him gain space from me.

I run up a steep hill and pass a cottage. I keep running up and up through some woods. The first guy stops and I try to catch him, but he hears I’m coming and begins to run. When I exited the woods I saw the trail I would be turning onto soon. The guy in front of me starts to walk again. He had just reached the top of the hill. I run fast to try to catch him but, I don’t gain much on him, since we are both going at the same pace. This is because I was running up a hill, while he was walking on the flat trail ahead. He starts running again.

I finally reach the trail. The trail is right next to a canal. I run for a while on the canal trail trying to catch the first guy. He keeps stopping and walking, while I jog. I stopped trying to sprint and just keep a steady jog because I wanted to save my energy and I was already tired. The guy would walk then sprint. He did that over and over again. Up ahead I spot an aid station the guy walks with his water. When I arrive I grab my water and run while I try to drink it in the effort of trying to catch up to the guy who had just started running. The water was hard to drink while I was running, so I slowed down to a walk to drink it. I gulped the water down and continued on the trail.

After running a little way I spot people running on a trail above me. I watch for mom or dad. I don’t see them so I stop looking for them since I’m tired. As I run little ways I hear dad shouting my name. I look at the trail above me and spot dad before he disappears into the trees. I keep running. The guy in front of me starts walking in longer sessions, but as soon as I’m close he sprints away.

Up ahead I spot a sharp turn. A course worker tells us to turn there. The turn brings us onto the path above the canal. I look down trying to spot people, but I didn’t see anybody. The guy in front of me keeps getting closer as I continue to jog while he runs or walks. Finally, he gives up and lets me pass him. I pass him. Behind me, I hear him sprint to catch up to me, so I sprint too. Then he stops and walks again.

As I run I look down to the canal and see some kids and adults running or walking. I spot a smiley face on the ground. That represents that there are no more hills. I give a silent cheer and thank God for getting me this far with so much strength. After running for a while I approach the aid station again. This time I did not get any water. The aid station merges onto the canal and I begin to run on it again in the opposite direction. I see people heading out. Mainly walker since all the runners started earlier.

I run on the canal for a while. I know I’m almost there. I exit the canal and go down a dirt path. I begin to recognize the path and know I’m almost there. I run faster and faster. I see the mile marker meaning the finish line is in sight. I run down steps and land on a bark-covered path. It’s the finish line straight away. Mom, Dad, Anna, and Ben are cheering me on. I give it my all and finish! I could not have done it without God though. He helped the whole way. Thanks to him I got first place in my wave and 10th overall.

2021 CER Rescue Run–Robin

Date/Location:	April  17, 2021 – Grass Valley, CA
Distances:	5km
Time:	25:57 (PR 23:59, 2016)
Place:	1st Place, 40-49; 2nd Female OA
Teammates:	Anna, Ariel & Troy Soares, Ellie Nickel; Nick Lynch

So great to be back at the Christian Encounter Ranch racing for these students and staff! We have brought our friends Ellie (13) and Ben (11) with us too. They are staying with us while their parents are on an adventure. I feel pretty wiped out from Ironman training and the busyness of life. But this race is for the Lord and the Ranch so I’m feeling hopeful I will still have a pretty good race. Feeling sad for Anna for popping (spraining) her ankle again. She's back in the boot and unfortunately on the sidelines. Ben has an injury too.

Troy and I warm up. The Ranch is nicely groomed, flowers are blooming and it's a sunny day. Great conditions! We run into one of our the new members of our track group, Nick. He's fast and likely will be at the front.

There are 3 waves of runners going. Troy and I seed ourselves in the 1st wave. Ariel and Ellie seed themselves in the 2nd wave. The leader of CER, Nate, thanks everyone for coming and talks about how the campus loves, disciples and encourages the lost teens/young adults who come here. He then leads us in prayer. Love that the Lord is King here!

Ok, go time! The communications director, Zack, starts the countdown. Ready, set…go! We jump off the line and head up the road to the work shed area. There are 2 women ahead of me. Then it's back to the main campus and UP…about 100 feet in a quarter mile! I am able to pass one woman and a young boy during the climb.

It flattens out a bit and we hit some technical trails along the ponds. This is where I slow down though I'm trying not to. I am such a scaredy cat on trails because I'm afraid of falling. The woman I passed passes me back. Up we go again about 100 feet in even less distance. I'm able to pass the woman again. I can see the other woman still ahead of me along with Troy. I wonder if I can close the gap.

Mile 1 is 9:17. I make it to the canal. Phew, the hardest spots are behind me now…I think! I do know that when I see the spray painted happy face on the ground that means no more climbing…I don't think we climb much more anyway. Troy and the woman are getting farther away even though I am picking up the pace.

Runners are already coming back on the trail on the other side of the canal. I see Nick and tell him good job. I am relatively alone. Now I cannot see anyone ahead or behind. I get to the turn that takes me to the upper trail along the canal.

Mile 2 is 7:54. Yay! Thanks God for a good split! I am confronted with some more hills. Oh man, I forgot it was rolling over here! Just got to make it to the happy face!! As I run back above the canal, I look for Ariel and Ellie below. I’m not sure when they started their wave.

After quite a bit of rolling hills, I finally see the happy face! Yes! I am still alone. I cross back over the canal to the flat trail and try to pick it up more. I get off the canal just before a large group of runners from the 2nd wave are coming up to the canal.

Down, down, down. I don't particularly like downhills because of the fall factor. I try my best to get my legs spinning. I get on the last trail down to the finish stretch. Another technical and steep trail. I am able to navigate with minimal slowing.

Mile 3 is 8:14. I sprint to the finish. I look up to God and thank Him. So good to be done.

The girl that finished ahead of me is a former intern at the Ranch. We congratulate each other. Now waiting for Ariel and Ellie to finish. Thank you Lord for a fun and safe event!

Troy & I warm-down afterwards along the trails..

2021 CER Rescue Run 5k - Troy

Date/Location:	April 17, 2021 – Grass Valley, CA
Distances:	5km
Time:	24:31  (PR 22:12, 2017)
Place:	1st Place,  50-59 (4th Overall)
Teammates:	Anna, Ariel & Robin Soares; Ellie Nickel; Nick Lynch

We love coming to Christian Encounters Ranch for this annual 5k run fundraiser.  The opportunities young teens have here are life changing.  They truly have “encounters” with Christ because nothing else could change their lives so dramatically.

The setting is beautiful.. ponds, trails, bridges.  And we get to run through it all!

My right heel has been painful lately.  The stretching I was doing doesn’t seem to help anymore.  But praying this morning, I am hopeful that God will still show me relief in some way.

After a welcome and introduction by the CER leaders, and a prayer before the race, we are ready to start the waves.  Robin & I in the first wave and Ariel in the 2nd.  Anna is still recovering from a badly sprained ankle.

Go!  Some young fast kids take the lead.  I see them go the wrong way but I’m not sure if the course had changed.  Others tell them quickly and we’re all on track.  A quarter mile and we come through the main area against amidst a lot of cheering!  It feels great.  Filled with appreciation.  Now up a steep section.. I do more of a shuffle to take strain off my heel.  I’m with Robin for a while.  We loop back down through narrows path and then around the pond.  There’s a girl ahead of me who is running well.

I get the idea to “relax” my rt calf.  The heal feels a little better.  I can still push off going up hill while relaxing it at the same time.  This is good!

Another steep climb to the canal.  I go by one of the CER leaders who is doing the race as well!

Mile 1: 9:25.  On the canal. Flat.  I grab water from the aid station.  I’m able to speed up, while relaxing the calf.  I pass the girl ahead and encourage her.  To the other side of the canal.  I see Robin doing well.  I look back across often to look for Ariel.. there she is!  In her bright yellow FCA shirt.  “Good job, Ariel!”. 

Mile 2: 7:41. These little rollers are getting tough.  Now where is that Smiley Face they painted on the ground indicating the last hill..  there it is, yay!  All down hill now.  Our friend, Nick, from Tuesday Night Track is ahead but on the descents he really opens up and pulls farther ahead.  I watch my footing as I try to navigate the stone stair-steps down the beautiful path. 

Mile 3: 7:12.  And now the final stretch along the main pond to the finish line.  Thank you, Lord, for such an encouraging race, so much better than I imagined.  24:08.  Robin and Ariel finish soon after and it’s a very enjoyable time hanging out at the Ranch.  Robin and I cool-down running around the property.

This is a view of the finish stretch

  Thank you, Lord, for CER!