Life is Short, Run Long

AM: 60 mins.
8 miles
PM: Hood to Coast!

Gen and I awoke this morning to a pleasant 57 degree temperature and decided to go for an easy shakeout on the bike path. We ran out and back for about 30 minutes together before parting ways, she to go back to the hotel and me to add on a few more minutes. As I was winding along the path I noticed a bench with some flowers on it. Only as I got closer did I realize it was the memorial for Liz Duncan, a former Brooks customer service employee who was tragically killed when she was hit by a car during a run last year. I didn't know Liz, but she is always spoken of as a beautiful and vibrant girl who touched everyone with her kind spirit and her love for others. I lingered a few minutes at the bench, noting the bronzed shoes and the memorial plaque inscribed with what's become her honorary motto: "Life Is Short, Run Long." I teared up for a moment as I thought about how that has so many life applications, both literal and metaphorical. I sincerely hope that at the end of every day I can look back and say that I have lived that mantra out.



As I type this, I'm sitting at the hotel preparing to head over to our office and board one of the vans that's bound for Oregon. It's hard to believe that 24 hours from now I will have run 3 more times and be completely finished with my Hood to Coast role. I'm excited and nervous and eager to get the race underway. I'll catch you on the other side.

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Taking it to the West Side

AM: 75 mins.
10 miles
PM: 27 mins.
~4 miles


Bridge connecting the Sammamich River bike path

After getting in an easy ten miles this morning, I headed off to the airport to catch my 11:30 flight. I'm happy to report that my travel experience was much smoother and less stressful than last week, albeit just about as long. I'd forgotten that it takes five hours to travel from Atlanta to Seattle, even on a nonstop flight. After arriving, my already long afternoon was exacerbated by having to wait over two hours for my friend/coworker/HTC teammate Genevieve to arrive from Boston. By the time we made it to the luxurious Country Inn and Suites down the street from our corporate office, I was hungry enough to gnaw my arm off. It was only 5pm here but felt like 8 to my confused body, and the last thing I wanted to do was go for a run. However, Gen and Carson (one of our bosses who was kind enough to come pick us up) had not run yet, so we set out for a quick jaunt on the bike path. I stole a tasty fresh-baked cookie from the hotel lobby just before we left, and I'm convinced that's what gave me the energy to make it through. Not to mention how much nicer the weather is--what a treat to finish a run not dripping with sweat! Hood to Coast starts tomorrow evening, so I plan on getting in a nice shakeout run in the morning and then preparing for the big weekend.

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