New Years Challenge (Troy & Anna)

Date/Location:	January 1, 2013 – Auburn, CA
Distances:	Hill Climb – 1st Climb 3miles up Old Foresthill Road; 2nd Climb 1.2miles Foresthill Bridge to Lincoln Way 10m @ Resolution Run
Time:	Hill Climb (PR 17:02, 2012) – 18:14 RR Run (PR 1:16:04, 2011) – 1:26:54
Place:	Hill Climb – 2nd woman (non-age graded) RR Run – 3rd W30-39
Teammates:	Hill Climb: Dave Malicoat, Eric, Flor Hodges, Jesse Warda, Jessica Bonner, Karen Nickel, Lance Loveday,Troy Soares 10Mile: Bryan Hacker, Dave Campbell, Lesley Hackett, Mo Bartley 10K: Lance Loveday, Scott Eckardt, Tom Barrett 5K: Anna & Troy Soares, Desiree Swift, Karen Nickel, Mason & Christine Kelly

It's our annual challenge, biking up mountains & running up hills, all on a morning when most people sleep in.  It's such a good way to start the year!  Despite not climbing many hills lately, I'm ready to see how I rank this year.

Familiar diehards, Lance Loveday, David Malicoat, Karen Nickel, and Jessica Bonner are here.  Jesse Warda and Eric are also game, along with Flor Hodges, and her husband, Rob, who has offered to time us up the hills.

The Bike

It's a chilly morning but bright and sunny.  We start the warm-up (or freeze-up) down Auburn-Folsom.  The ladies turn on Power House and the men on Newcastle.  We all meet up on the Glenview climb for our practice.  Lance, Jesse & Eric make it look easy, but it feels hard to me.  On Indian Hill we all group up while Lance looks for Kayden at his house.  No sighting.

I fall behind while putting on booties.  I remember we didn't pray for the ride beforehand so say a pray now.  It's so easy getting caught up with the fun of an event, but we know that safety and satisfaction come first from the Lord and that's what we want for this ride.  I meet up with everyone at the Confluence after a scenic cruise down Hwy 49.  We toss our warm gear to Rob Hodges and line up in order for the wave start.  At the top, our times will be age and gender adjusted according to national standards.  This means male & female times will be adjusted as if everyone was a 30-yr-old-male.  The first to go is Robin and she's off!  Then Jessica, Flor & Karen.  Then David Malicoat.  I stretch and review the plan:  Take it easy at the beginning (it's steep), think about the spin-cycle rather than pushing hard on the pedals, wait for the 1/2-way point, surge on the flat and finish strong.

Climb #1:  I begin with a rolling start while Lance, Jesse & Eric begin from the line.  Did I not tell them that was allowed?  They quickly pass me and form a paceline, pulling ahead on the steep section.  That's gotta be hurting by now, going fast on this climb early is painful.  They're pulling farther ahead but I have hope of catching at least one of them later on.

Far up the road I can see some of the ladies.  Will we catch any of them?  At 1/2 way, I've caught David and Karen is just ahead.  It's very hard work but I'm on the plan.  I see Eric within reach.  But when I hit the flat section, after passing Karen, I don't have any snap in my legs to pick up the cadence.  It's not the surge I wanted.  In fact, my legs are barely hanging together as I try to keep up some speed on the final climb.  Eric has pulled ahead and no sign of the other ladies.  I finish at the top gasping for air, but glad to see Rob and the others that finished cheering me in.

Female/Male Age/Gender-Graded Times
Name	Age	Place	Time	Pace (mph)
Lance Loveday	41	1	13:56	12.9
Flor Hodges	26	2	13:57	12.9
Robin Soares	38	3	14:04	12.8
Jessica Bonner	23	4	14:34	12.4
Eric	43	5	15:09	11.9
Troy Soares	44	6	15:23	11.7
Jesse Warda	38	7	15:35	11.6
Karen Nickel	33	8	16:13	11.1
Dave Malicoat	55	9	17:16	10.4

Climb #2: After rolling down to the bridge and enjoying the beautiful views on this clear day (and helping Eric fix a flat), we're ready for climb #2.  Because of the bridge construction and only 1 lane open, we'll start together and paceline across if possible.  Rob brings up the rear with the car.  Lance is leading out with Eric & Jesse on his wheel.  I fall back off the blistering pace.  Flor & Robin are close behind.  The climb up Raley's hill isn't long or steep but after coming off the flat bridge, the immediate change of grade is shocking.  I slow down quickly.  Ugh!  Soon Flor and Robin both pass me.  Good job!  I think I lost too much energy on the first climb.  Up ahead I can see Jesse taking the lead and Eric and Lance going back and forth.  2/3 of the way up I keep a good cadence and pass Robin & Flor and do one last push to the top.  Ouch!  That effort hurts.  So good to be done, though!  Rob gives us our times and we head back to the Overlook.

Female/Male Age/Gender-Graded Times
Name	Age	Place	Time	Pace (mph)
Robin Soares	38	1	04:52	14.8
Flor Hodges	26	2	05:06	14.1
Lance Loveday	41	3	05:07	14.1
Jesse Warda	38	4	05:11	13.9
Eric	43	5	05:13	13.8
Jessica Bonner	23	6	05:21	13.5
Troy Soares	44	7	05:49	12.4
Karen Nickel	33	8	06:04	11.9
Dave Malicoat	55	9	06:11	11.7

We have some good chats and Jessica remembers that Rob was her Basketball coach during High School.  Funny thing is that Rob was my Wrestling coach during High School.  He was also my boss when I worked at Humpty Dumpty's Kitchen and even my Bible Study leader during those years.  That guy is really involved in the foothills community!

TOTAL BIKE RESULTS Female/Male Age/Gender-Graded Times
Name	Age	Place	Time	Pace (mph)
Robin Soares	38	1	18:56	13.3
Flor Hodges	26	2	19:03	13.2
Lance Loveday	41	3	19:03	13.2
Jessica Bonner	23	4	19:55	12.7
Eric	43	5	20:22	12.4
Jesse Warda	38	6	20:45	12.1
Troy Soares	44	7	21:13	11.9
Karen Nickel	33	8	22:17	11.3
Dave Malicoat	55	9	23:27	10.7

The Run

I'm glad to have my daughter, Anna, as part of my relay this year.  Last year I did the bike and the 10mi run and that was brutal.  Anna wanted to do the 5k and someone has to run with her so I volunteered.  This is going to work out great :)   Meanwhile, Robin is taking on the Beast, the 10mi hilly trail run.  Dave Campbell is here to put the pressure on her.  Lance is running the 10k.. his only run of the year.

Go!  Anna I start out with a 10 min pace.  Our plan is that I'll pace her at 10min pace on the decent, 12 across the bottom and about 14 back up to the finish.  We've also tried to minimize what she drank beforehand to help the nasty side aches she gets.  The first mile is all downhill and we're doing well in the middle of the pack.  But her side starts to hurt, as well as her shoulder.  We discover it's the downhill that brings on the pains.  She's a trooper and tries breathing easier and relaxing to get through it.

Mile1: 10:29.  A little off our pace, due to the side aches.  Along the bottom, with more gentle rolling hills, she's still struggling on the down sections.  She wants to walk and is losing desire to push the pace.  Right at the perfect time, her friend Mason Kelly comes by with his mom, Christine.  "Mason!"  Thanks, God, this was just what Anna needed.  She immediately picks it up and they start running together.

Mile 2: 12:49.  We're a minute behind but as we start climbing, the side aches go away and Anna and Mason are doing great!  Anna shows Mason how she takes water at the aid station and pours some on her head.  Then she feels her 2nd wind and start taking off up the trail.  Mason had slowed to drink and now him & I are trying to catch up to Anna.  I was encouraging him and telling him about the food at the end waiting for him.  Maybe I distracted him because at that moment he tripped and fell pretty hard.  He just wanted to walk with his mom for a while now, so I sprinted off to try to catch Anna.

It's a steep hill coming out of the Western States Trail.  I'm huffing and puffing while I pass other runners, looking ahead for Anna.  I really hoped she could get 40min today to beat her old time of 54.  It's a big jump but I know she's capable.  But I can't see her.. which is a good sign.  I pass a woman and tell her good job.  She says, "I'm just trying to keep up with the girl in the yellow shirt".  That's Anna, so I say, "I am, too".  I see Anna across a ravine running well.  Good job, Anna!

Finally I catch her and give her some water.  We see 2 girls ahead.  1 in pink who looks like Anna's age.  I cheer for them and tell Anna that the girl in pink might be in 3rd place.  Anna's legs are "burning" she says and she wants to walk.  She pushes through.  I'm so proud of her.  I also remind her that Ariel is waiting to run the final stretch with her.  We come out of the trees and there is Ariel with a big smile ready to run.  That is a huge help.  Anna pushes as hard as she can to stay with Ariel.  They run together through the parking lot and then there's the clock!  It says 39 min.  I watch and take a picture as Anna and Ariel run to it.  "Go, Anna, Go".  It looks like 40 min when she goes through.  Wow, she did it!  Thanks, God, for putting all the right motivations in place for her.  I'm also thankful that Anna was so encouraging to others out there.

Resolution Run
5k Times
Name	Dist	Place	Time	Pace (mph)
Karen Nickel	3.1	1	28:15	09:07
Desiree Swift	3.1	4	35:57	11:36
Anna Soares	3.1	7	40:04	12:55
10k Times
Name	Dist	Place	Time	Pace (mph)
Lance Loveday	6.2	6	56:16	09:05
10mi Times
Name	Dist	Place	Time	Pace (mph)
Dave Campbell	10	1	1:15:06	07:31
Robin Soares	10	3	1:26:54	08:41

First thing Anna does is lay down on the grass.  Probably because I always tell her that's a promise I make to myself during Ironman races… "if I keep pushing, I can just lay down on the grass when I'm done".  The next think she does… eat race food.  She loves the after-race food.

Anna placed 7th in the run & I placed 7th in the age-graded bike.  Together (14), we placed 3rd in the relay division.  A great way to start the New Year :)

New Years Challenge Combined Results
INDIVIDUAL
		Bike Age-Graded		Run		Combined
Name	Age	B Time	B Pl	R Time	R Plc	Plc	Award
Robin Soares	38	18:56	1	1:26:54	3	4	1
Lance Loveday	41	19:03	3	0:56:16	6	9	2
Karen Nickel	33	22:17	8	0:28:15	1	9	2
RELAY
		Bike Age-Graded		Run		Combined
Biker	Runner	B Time	B Pl	R Time	R Plc	Plc	Award
Jessica Bonner	Desiree	19:55	4	0:35:57	4	8	1
Dave Malicoat	Dave C.	23:27	9	1:15:06	1	10	2
Troy Soares	Anna	21:13	7	0:40:04	7	14	3
Flor Hodges	NoName	19:03	2	0	15	17
Eric	NoName	20:22	5	0	15	20
Jesse Warda	NoName	20:45	6	0	15	21

RESOLUTION RUN RESULTS

Name	Race	Place	Time
Anna & Troy Soares	5K	7th	40:03
Mason & Christine Kelly	5K	10th	43:36
Karen Nickel	5K	1st	28:15
Desiree Swift	5K	4th	35:57
Tom Barrett	10K	1st	45:58
Lance Loveday	10K	6th	56:16
Scott Eckardt	10K	3rd	1:02:39
Bryan Hacker	10M	2nd	1:10:01
Dave Campbell	10M	1st	1:15:05
Mo Bartley	10M	1st	1:21:27
Robin Soares	10M	3rd	1:26:54
Lesley Hackett	10M	2nd	1:30:14

Soares New Years Day Challenge (Robin)

Date/Location:	January 1, 2013 – Auburn, CA
Distances:	Hill Climb 1 – 3m Old Foresthill Rd Hill Climb 2 - 1.2m Raley's Hill Resolution Run - 10m Trails
Time:	Hill Climb 18:14 (PR 17:02, 2012) Run 1:26:54 (PR 1:16:04, 2011)
Place:	Hill Climb – 2nd woman (non-age graded) Run – 3rd W30-39
Teammates:	Hill Climb: Dave Malicoat, Eric, Flor Hodges, Jesse Warda, Jessica Bonner, Karen Nickel, Lance Loveday,Troy Soares 10Mile: Bryan Hacker, Dave Campbell, Lesley Hackett, Mo Bartley 10K: Lance Loveday, Scott Eckardt, Tom Barrett 5K: Anna & Troy Soares, Desiree Swift, Karen Nickel, Mason & Christine Kelly

Foresthill Climb
This year we have three women competing with us: Flor Hodges, Jessica Bonner and Karen Nickel.  These girls are fast too!  Flor is an elite triathlete and mother of a 5 year old. Jessica is an awesome triathlete, defending Auburn Marathon champ and amazing swimmer.  Karen is a stellar runner and duathlon champ.  I have my work cut out for me. I haven’t been on the bike much but I feel pretty good.  At least it’s not terribly cold like it was for Troy’s Birthday ride. 
After a warm-up in Newcastle, we head down Hwy 49 to the start.  Troy’s got us doing a staggered start as always.  But like last year, it’s age graded so we really won’t know who has won until we get it up on the computer.  My ride was just over 17 minutes last year. I’m not sure I can do that again.
Ready, set, go!  I’m the first to go since I’m an "old lady" according to Troy.  I’ve got everyone chasing me so it’s good pressure to push it.  I just want to stay ahead at the halfway point.  I look back on my way there…something I try to resist doing but today I don’t.  At the halfway point it looks clear!  I think I had a pretty good head start.  At the flat part of the ride, I try to get moving fast but my cadence isn’t over 80.  I look back again and the coast still looks clear. 
The stop sign is around the corner!  I push hard to the finish where Rob, Flor’s husband, is getting our splits.  Flor comes soon after me.  She definitely closed the gap and went faster. 
Everyone finishes strong!  We get a few minutes to catch our breath then it’s on to the last short, steep climb…up from the Foresthill Bridge to Lincoln Way!  Since there is only one side of the bridge open to both directions of traffic, we go single file across.  Rob is also behind us in his car blocking any cars.  It’s nice to be escorted!  Once we all roll off the bridge it’s on!  Lance, Jesse and Eric take off.  Flor pulls ahead.  I pass Troy.  Dig, legs, dig!  It’s so hard to go but I try to hang in there. 
Halfway up I pass Flor.  “Good job!”  Two-thirds of the way up Troy pulls ahead and I try to stay with him.  Finally I make it to the top not too far behind Troy.  Thanks Lord for protecting us and helping us through! 
We head back home.  Time for leg #2!
RIDE RESULTS
Resolution Run
I’m back in the 10 miler this year and Troy is running the 5K with Anna.  This year we are better fueled for this race.  Last year we had very little food between the ride and the race and when Troy didn’t make it to the finish line when expected, I thought he was stuck somewhere with some injury.  He was just bonking and trying to get to the finish line.  Today I'll be fueled but this holiday season I’ve probably been my least trained.  I hope to get in some good faster running than what I’ve been getting.
As usual things get hectic before the race.  Troy runs back to the car while Anna waits with me…and the race director says they are starting.  But as usual, I have no need to worry because the Lord makes it work out just right.  Ready, set, go!
The 10 milers are running an extra little loop in the parking lot to separate us from the 10Kers and 5kers.  It seems like a great idea until our group runs into the back of the 10k and 5k runners.  The road is wide and we get around and down to our own out and back section.  Lesley Hackett from our church pulls up alongside.  It’s great to see her and she’s looking strong for the Spartan race coming up this spring.  We run together for a bit.
Mile 1 is 7:18.  This should feel pretty easy on a downhill like this but it’s an effort…not a good sign but not something to dwell on.
Mile 2 is 7:36.  Still feeling hard but keeping my focus on Christ.  We get to the lower parking lot of China Bar and turn up Cardiac Bypass (great name btw!).  I get into a good grove and am able to catch up to a few guys.  I don’t see any women but I know a bunch are up there like Mo Bartley.  You never know what can happen I tell myself…always need to keep hoping!
Mile 3 is 8:39.  I’m happy with that.  It’s still tough but I just keep looking ahead!
Mile 4 is 8:25.  Now we are running the 5K/10K course.  Down, down, down the Dam Road we go!  I’m trying to get the legs spinning.  A guy that I past goes flying by.  I watch what he is doing to get some pointers.  He looks like he’s taking quick little steps.  I try that and it seems to work.  I get some good momentum getting off the road and heading UP the trail.
Mile 5 is 7:49.  Alright!  Now it’s really time to climb!  Up, up, up we go!  I make it to the 5K/10K split.  I hope to see folks I know.     
Mile 6 is 9:27.  Ugh!  Come on legs!  We can do it!  Pretty soon I’ll get to the other side of Robie Point and I hope to see Dave Campbell coming back from the out and back.  I see a young girl who looks great.  Here comes Mo!  “Go Mo!”  I see a few more girls now which helps motivate me to go.  There is no Dave and that means he’s having a phenomenal day once again! 
Mile 7 is 9:01.  I make the turn and head to Robie Point.  There is a girl just ahead of me and I hope to catch up to her on the climb up to Robie.  It’s pretty muddy on this end of the course.  The white shoes are getting the treatment! 
I catch up to that girl.  Yeah!  Thanks Lord!  I tell her good job.  On the way down the other side I remember to take small, quick steps.  I also try to use my friend Courtney Loveday's tricks, she's awesome at downhills!
Mile 8 is 9:04.  I’m almost done!  I see another lady on the other side of the mountain.  I might catch her but I’m going to have to push hard.  The last miles of this course are steep.  Lord, thanks for keeping me going…we can do this!  The 10Kers are so nice in sharing the narrow trail! 
Mile 9 is 8:55.  I see that girl!  I might be able to catch her!  I push as hard as my legs can go up out of the canyon.  I pass her and tell her good job.  Up ahead is Anna and Kayden’s son Mason.  “Come on guys, help me to the finish”.  They run ahead of me and I just try to keep up.  We finish together!  That was tough but so glad I did it!  Thank you Lord for getting me through that!

GO DESIREE, KAREN & LANCE!

GO SCOTT, TOM, BRYAN!

GO DAVE, MO & LESLEY!

RESOLUTION RUN RESULTS

Name	Race	Place	Time
Anna & Troy Soares	5K	7th	40:03
Mason & Christine Kelly	5K	10th	43:36
Karen Nickel	5K	1st	28:15
Desiree Swift	5K	4th	35:57
Tom Barrett	10K	1st	45:58
Lance Loveday	10K	6th	56:16
Scott Eckardt	10K	3rd	1:02:39
Bryan Hacker	10M	2nd	1:10:01
Dave Campbell	10M	1st	1:15:05
Mo Bartley	10M	1st	1:21:27
Robin Soares	10M	3rd	1:26:54
Lesley Hackett	10M	2nd	1:30:14