A picture worth a thousand words

Where's the Rabid Squirrels?

Bourbon, All I Heard was Bourbon!

Last Hill!

Exchange 18-19 - Bathroom Debacle!

310?  Where is 310??

Turn on your HeadLamp?

Jim Beam gets Squirrel Moving!

So happy - wheres the Bourbon?

Finish Line - Wait for us Jodie!

Other sayings and random acts of brilliance:

WINNING!

Lisa's new look. Lady Gaga!

Someone asking speedy Lisa how fast she's gonna go and then they blew past her!

How empty does the gas tank need to be? How about 22 and 28 miles at return? Next time, we'll have to drive around on fumes.

How many different ways can we say 'good job'?

Best reaction to a shout-out....hey there's a cute girl behind you - and they turned around! BTW, this guy actually got passed by the cute girl.

Nick decided that it didn't hurt anymore to run faster than to run slower, so he just ran faster. Thank you very much.

Akira ran faster on the night leg while texting!

Best transition, Alicia and GerriAnne, Run B***CH run...

Who's the best navigator? That would be Verizon with the NavB***CH.

How many bags does it take? And how much Sh*t can we have spread out in the van.

Can you imagine driving a mini-van?

As we drive up a hill, a collective moan in commiseration...and David heckling.

Bourbon tasting is like red wine... love it. thank you David!

Slow down Jodie! We're trying to run with you through the finish!

To the ladies in Standford, KY, for the best transition stop ever! And to the best bathroom/changing room ever! Oh wait, Jessica didn't get to change in the best restroom ever. She changed in the Porta-jane because David didn't think she looked good enough for the people in the arts center. ah.....bummer.

Winning at horse race

Some One-liners & reflections

E-coli hit both vans: Gerrianne could run faster if could take a sh*t
Jodi concealed slap bracelet in her bra so it wouldn't get taken at finish line
Jessica: I smell sh*t, do you smell sh*t, OMG I am wearing it!!!
Keeneland has tailgaters that have never been in to see a race!
Runner gets bit by dog: users rabid squirrel shine chaser shirt for
medical advise
Runners have learned the meaning of running hills and the deceptive
topo map on web
Phenomena: our runners run faster in the dark.
Cow eyes are scary at night
Max experiences a command he has never heard before "DUCK!"
Lisa beats boys, leaves them crying in her tracks
Super tarp seats 50
Annie avoids collision with cars
3 shot Michelle goes Wild Turkey
Snuggie, Tuggie, and the new "Skanket" by Nick
Jet stream rains falling walnuts on Max
Walmonds and alnuts
If you have to puke, do it downhill
Nick " The announcer" 3-1-0 !!!
Perry and Frank
"If I gotta stay, you have to keep me lubricated"
"Nickolicious"
"You guys jealous? Because I can STAND in the van"
Dave scratches the crosswalk- wiki wiki wait
Joe blinds van 1 with a moon
Max meets state trooper-77 in a 65
Max finds penny on heads-the luck we needed for our great trip

After race some members who have been fed and watered

Retrospect

Now that we have completed the race successfully we have some catching
up to do...

Finished at 702 pm

Now were having fun

David finishing a leg

"All I heard was bourbon, what do you mean I am running 18.1 miles?"

33 1/2 down 2 1/2 to go!!

We are so close! We are 3 minutes ahead of schedule and are still having fun! Though I think most of us agree that these were the hardest runs we have done, mentally and physically. The heat has taken it's toll, but the scenery this section is amazing. David started the the last 6 legs with a long brutal set of hills, but came in under time. I felt slow, sluggish and that my legs were lead, but some how managed to make it in a few seconds before my predicted time. Which didn't seem possible as my stomach was giving me issues. I handed off to Alicia who looked so focused as we passed her- she came in 20 secs early, tired but glad to be done. Joe has the longest of the day- we are still waiting as Annie is preparing to her start leg- the end is in sight!

Our driver St. Julie Grace

> Our angle who carried us safely through the tiny clogged Kentucky roads!

Perry the van driver "Queen Bitch"

We have to hand it to Perry the driver of van 1 for her excellent organization and driving skills. With her "Special assistant to queen bitch" and also the "Nav-Bitch" that Dave was utilizing!!

First meal after van 1 completion

Van 1 final legs

After a quick 1.5 hours of deep dream filled sleep in the Wild Party parking lot we awoke to a crisp morning excited to get the last set of runs completed!! Met up with team two at Four Roses and we were off!

Cheers for van 1 at woodford

Van 1 final legs

After a quick 1.5 hours of deep dream filled sleep in the Wild Party parking lot we awoke to a crisp morning excited to get the last set of runs completed!! Met up with team two at Four Roses and we were off!

Mermaids Bistro Danville, KY

After the first 12 legs our team was about 7 minutes behind our target time. A great 68 miles. We met up with van one in Danville to make the transition back to inactive.

Only a few short hours before we go active again. We found a fantastic Bistro - Great dinner at Mermaids Bistro. They were so accommodating to take us 10 min before the kitchen closed. Great place, service, and management. We met the director of tourism as he was having dinner with a few of the bourbon chase organizers and had a great conversation with him.

Finally we were able to lay our heads down we took our nap at a soccer complex. Tossed our sleeping bags down for a short siesta. Short being the operative word.

The van went active at 2:36 am- bit of a cluster as bathrooms were packed so David and Nick were a bit off on the baton passing- but only by a few seconds.

David made up about 4 minutes on his run, and I cruised in about 5 minutes ahead of a schedule. Alicia, came in right on target so we are looking good!

This leg a shout out to Elizabeth, Elenor, Gabbrella, Gabby N., and Hannah. Thanks girls for being with me.

Test at 2:34 pm

Leg 8

3.7 miles in 34:20, made up some time. Came in 4 minutes early. Great run, but it was on pretty busy roads. A shout out to Ava, Arin, Bella and Cecillia thanks for helping me out in the heat!! This is an awesome race, well planned out, super friendly, and pretty scenery! Best part is I get to hangout with best friends, husband and sister.

GerriAnne
Sent from my iPhone

Sleepy time

Nap before leg 2 !!

Van 1 waiting for next exchange

We found a spot to rest waiting on van 2 to do their first round. Saw GerriAnne running while we were enjoying some pasta at a local Italian restaurant... Now need another leg to run...after this nap!!

Van one completes

Way to go!

David ready to roll - van two active!

Relaxing morning with friends, lovely drive through the country, laughing hard and my god the roads are TINY !! Van one completes there time on time! Boom!

And We're Off

Max starts us off!

First to check in WINNING

Opening Reception

OK..I am soo excited...I can finally post to the blog!!...We left at 4am this morning...but that meant J&A had to get up at 1:30AM...and subsequently pick up people from 3:00 on to meet us at 4:00!!!Wow...we are dedicated and wanted to get here in plenty of time to get settled...and enjoy Lexington, and the downtown Live with drinks and music, and the opening reception of the Bourbon Chase!!...What fun we had....Perry and I danced to Bluegrass....loving it...but my legs are going to be SO sore!! It was worth it though!! Looking so forward to the adventure over the next few days with awesome friends!

Rabid squirrels at opening party

Running from Banjos's

Driving

In west Virginia! Are we there yet?

On the road!

Arrived!

Anne and I arrived in Lexington today - it's HOT. Us North Idaho girls are not prepared for this heat.

Like all good tourists we went to Walmart and stocked up on hydration and snacks - looking forward to seeing everyone tomorrow!

T - 6 days and change

The back of the shirt says it all!

My first post! And the count down begins.

Plugging In and Other Choices Runners Make

It’s a week before I leave for the Bourbon Chase I keep wondering if I am ready.  I always do this before a race, doubt, worry, and doubt some more.   This mornings run was hard, not physically, that is often easier, but mentally.  The mind was a negative space this morning for the first mile.  I had to laugh because I started signing a song to quiet the negative talk – problem is I can’t remember what that song was, the negative talk continued. Then the light bulb went on, I needed to get rid of the negative cord that I had plugged in and plug in my Girl on the Run Cord.  If you are not familiar with Girls on the Run  program the cord is a positive cord, that we have the girls visualize, that helps us keep that bright light shining in all of us.  It’s the cord that makes you sparkle, tells you to stand tall and believe in yourself.  It reminds us to be strong and know that you are wonderful, nothing short of amazing.  Here I am 41, taking a page from the Girls on the Run Curriculum that I teach.  But it worked.   I relaxed my shoulders, picked up my pace, as Matt says, quick pulls, and finished in a positive mindset.  I don’t know what my time was, that wasn’t important today.  Today, it was important to finish, to quiet the mind, to finish on a positive note, full of gratitude -- that I can still get out and run, and that I can still use simple lessons to remind myself I am strong, and nothing short of amazing.

I always tell people how Girls on the Run changes the girls and their families but I often times forget how much it can change their coaches.  The program is designed for 3^rd -8^th grade girls  it inspires the girls to stay true to themselves and live free from societal stereotypes.   Our 10-week after school curriculum innovatively weaves training for a 5k run with lessons that empower girls to celebrate their bodies, honor their voices and embrace their gifts.  But I think all girls of all ages benefit from its simple yet life-changing lessons.  Today, was one of those days, I had a choice to make, do I let the negative energy win or did I see myself in a positive light.  Was I going to let the negativity control my run?  My answer was no, now I just have to make that choice before I waste another  beautiful morning mile! 

 

So I am off to pack for the Bourbon Chase, probably a harder task than running it.  The planning of 3 comfortable outfits, extra shoes, bibs, socks, sunscreen, hats, glasses, tents, pillows and of course my Girl on the Run Cord!