Date/Location: | December 3, 2023 - Sacramento, Ca |
Distance: | 12.8 (Leg #2 of the Marathon Relay. CIM relay races started in 1995) |
Time: | 2:13:39 (12.8 mi. 8:22 pace. 3:35:48 total relay team time) |
Place: | 21st out of 29 Female Masters |
Relay Teammates: | Anna Tortosa |
Other Teammates: | Relay *FCA Endurance: Myself & Anna Tortosa *Placer Speedsters: Grace Mueller & Anna Soares Marathon Emily Donlevy, John Justus, Luis Vidal, Michelle Nall, Steph Jamis Jim Kepfer (pacer), Tim Twietmeyer (pacer) |
This is my 25th CIM Relay in a row! Except for 2020 when it wasn’t held. Today I am without my favorite relay partner, Troy. Troy is injured with a hurt Achilles. Fortunately our friend Anna T from our track group is taking his place. I have a health issue myself with difficulty breathing and low energy. I’ve had to walk portions of my training runs recently. Tomorrow I have a doctor’s appointment. Although the thought of running a half marathon right now is daunting, my 25 year streak is quite motivating.
I drive a car full of runners down to the start: my Anna and her XC teammate, Cooper; Anna T; another track friend, Steph; and a friend of a friend, Marisa. I drop them off and then drive down to the relay exchange. I’m extremely early. I get a front row parking spot to the race course. I take time to read the Bible and remind myself why I am racing. With even more time than expected, I get a little grocery shopping done at Safeway.
Soon the top runners are coming. It’s so fun to watch them soar by. Soon I see Cooper’s grandparents and hang out with them until Cooper comes and hands off to his dad. Then I see Anna’s partner Grace and her mom Kelly. I hang out with them until Anna arrives. She’s smiling brightly and giving Glory to Jesus.
After some time spent together, I send Anna off to Sacramento in my car to watch Grace finish. I bundle up for the for the next 20 minutes. I opt not to warm-up and just make it a long training run. It’s totally entertaining listening to our friend Courtney Cardenas. the announcer, call out the various relay teams coming in. The names are clever, like “Snailed It”, “Scrambled Legs” and “You Half to be Kidding Me”.
I track Anna T on the race app and see she’s coming soon. I stuff my gear in a bag to hand off to her for her to wear to keep warm after she finishes. I can see Anna T sprinting her way to me and I wave to her. I get the chip off her ankle and tell her great job. Now it’s my turn!
After the first 100 meters of bliss and what is usually an easy 10:40 pace, my lungs start to revolt. My chest is burning and I’m struggling to breathe. I’m trying to stay steady and focused on the Lord.
Mile 1 and Mile 2 are 10:40 pace. I have to stop a few times to walk and normalize my breathing more.
Mile 3 is a 10:24. I’m definitely feeling better and there is no walking necessary! Thank you Lord! If I can just maintain this pace and continue to feel stronger, that would be great!
Mile 4 is an 11:31 with a pit stop. I’m still feeling pretty good!
Mile 5 and 6 are 10:30 average. Thank you Lord that I can run and don’t have to walk! I’m able to look around more and enjoy the excited spectators and the unique attire of runners around me.
Mile 7 and 8 are 10:18 average. I’m actually passing runners. I see Steph and another track friend Michelle up ahead. I catch up to them and tell them good job. They are definitely having fun running together. Steph has on a blue tutu.
I cross over the American River on the J St. Bridge. It’s definitely an iconic part of the marathon! I see another track friend John J walking up ahead. I stop to walk with him and he tells me he’s having hamstring issues. I pray for him. Michelle and Steph catch up and cheer John on.
Mile 9 is 10:23. I’m so in awe that God is getting me through this!
As I approach downtown I’m seeing my pace decrease even further. This makes no sense and can only be attributed to Jesus!
Mile 10 and 11 are 9:59 pace! Wow! I receive encouraging texts from Anna and Troy as they can see I’m getting close to the finish. It’s such a nice boost!
Mile 12 is 9:40! Only 0.8 mi to go on this leg!
The Capitol Building is getting closer! I can’t wait to be done but I’m so pleased that God has helped me to feel strong!
I make the final turns to the finish and look for Anna. I see her and I pull over to give her a big hug. I finish and look up to Jesus! Thank you Lord for this amazing run! I love You!
|
Year |
Team Name |
Relay Div |
Place |
Time |
Teammates |
|
2023 |
FCA Endurance |
Open Female |
21st/ 29 |
4:53:07 |
Anna Tortosa (#1) |
|
2022 |
FCA Endurance |
Co-Ed Masters |
11th/ 67 |
3:35:48 |
Troy Soares (#2) |
|
2021 |
FCA Endurance |
Co-Ed Masters |
4th/62 |
3:22:14 |
Troy Soares (#1)* *3 and 4-person relays have been retired |
|
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 |