I want to run Hood to Coast with Team Nuun!

Nuun is sponsoring a team of female bloggers to run the “mother of all relays,” Hood to Coast.  This is a race that I have wanted to take part in since before I ever thought about being a “runner.”  I grew up in Oregon and when I first heard of teams running from Mt. Hood (just east of my hometown) to Seaside (where I spent many, many weekends and vacations as a child) I was inspired. I knew I would run it someday…it was just a matter of finding the right team and managing logistics.

Running with a team of women who also blog would be the perfect HTC experience for me.  I started my running journey with women and this has really been a theme throughout the last three years.  I am definitely not a solo runner.  I have logged plenty of miles alone, but find my true joy sharing running with my friends.
The following is my official entry to be selected to the Nuun team!  First, the basics:

Name: Lisa
Current Home: Anaheim Hills, California
Family: Married mother of two
Special Skills: RRCA Running Coach; CPR Certified; can avoid awkward silences in a van by spewing worthless facts and trivia, similar to a lovable Cliff Claven; I don’t get too stinky when I sweat; I can live on Nuun and Luna Bars for days; I'm young enough to be fun, but old enough to have a little "motherly" wisdom; I don’t get too cranky when I’m tired; I am the eternal optimist

This entry is a story, in pictures, of the women who have inspired me (and in turn, I have also inspired them) to run, run, run.

My running journey started in early 2008 when I joined a wonderful group of moms to train for our first marathon.  We went through a lot of ups and downs and supported each other in the journey of a lifetime.  It was this journey to that first marathon that changed my life and turned me into a runner. We called ourselves the Rockin’ Mamas.

First Marathon training and race- the start of my journey VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

The “Rockin’ Mamas” ran again in August 2009 at America’s Finest City.  This time we had a big group. Training for this race was the first time I was able to use my RRCA training.  I scheduled and mapped out the long runs for the group and helped coach these amazing women to the finish line.  For a couple of them, it was their first half marathon!

		America's Finest City Half Marathon-my first coaching experience VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

My running journey also became a journey into the blogging world. I started this blog at the beginning of my training for my first marathon in order to document my journey.  What I never counted on was how powerful the blogging network really is. I have been fortunate to connect with many inspiring and helpful female bloggers.  I had the opportunity to meet several of them over the past couple of years at various events or during vacations. Several of them I now consider friends.  I have met Alissa (Runners Balancing Act), Alice (Heffer Blog), Irene (Magazine Smiles), Jill (JillWillRun), Penny (Planet Ynnep Running), Aron (Runner’s Rambles) and Danica (Chic Runner).  I have also connected with so many others via Twitter, Facebook and DailyMile.  How lucky am I to not only have friends where I live, but all over the country- all because of running. Who knows, maybe some of my blogger friends will be on the Nuun team with me!

		Blogger Friends I have met VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

In 2009, we moved from San Diego to Orange County, California. I was lucky enough to meet a mom at my son’s school who was beginning her own running journey. The two of us were able to build a great neighborhood running group.  Kelly is very active in her church and had new people coming with us each week.  I brought in runners I met in various places and soon we had a great group of runners.  Here is where I felt like I was able to help and inspire other runners the most.  I wrote training plans, ran at slower paces to get runners’ confidence up as they built strength and paced them in races. The group started out as women who were somewhat nervous about starting their running journey.  Now, they jump at the chance to run a half marathon or trail race.  I am incredibly proud.

Anaheim Hills Running Group-on their own running journeys VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

Some people say that running 200 miles with eleven other people in a van is crazy. I am definitely not afraid of crazy things when it comes to running. Just ask anyone…

		Crazy things I do while running... VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

In conclusion… I believe I am the perfect addition to the Nuun Hood to Coast team. I am a team player who draws energy from the dynamic of other female runners. I love to write about my running adventures and post pictures of the highlights and lowlights.  Oh, and I am not afraid of the lowlights.  The crazier the better!


Please go to Nuun’s Facebook page and give me a shout out—let them know that you think I should make the team.  It probably wouldn’t hurt for you to comment here and wish me a little luck.  This means you too, lurkers!  I know you’re out there. 


Happy Running….