Tuesday, June 14, 2011

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.
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!
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!
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.
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…
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….

24 comments:

Jenna said...

YOU MUST run this race. im keeping my fingers crossed, girl! you will completely rock this race. thanks for all of your support over the years. love our AFC photos. warms my heart :) good luck!!!
xo, Jenna

Angel said...

Lisa, I hope you will be able to run as a member of the NUUN Hood to Coast team. You have inspired me to run from hundreds of miles away. It would be wonderful to run the same event. I'll be looking for you at Timberline and at the beach.

Abby said...

It is fate for you to run in this Nuun race! From your childhood, all roads have led and guided you to enjoy this tremendous opportunity and experience. Dream it and believe it!!

Anonymous said...

Thanks for continuing to inspire me to run! :)

Margot (fasterbunnyblog) said...

Great application! I think I am going for this as well...It sounds so fun - you'd be great for it !!!!

sign4kids said...

You are absolutely perfect for this Lisa!! The team would be so much better with you on it! You work hard, run hard, inspire people and deserve it!!

Janet B. said...

Oh Lisa! You HAVE to do this! :D

Jim said...

I personally think you deserve a place on the team. You are an inspiration and not just to women. Thank you, Lisa!!

Carole said...

Good luck, Lisa! I know you will do well!

kathy said...

Hood to Coast is so FUN! You would be a great team member! I know you would rock it - and not being a smelly sweater is a big plus! :)

Matthew said...

Good luck, Lisa! This sounds like a great opportunity as the HTC is, to many, the Holy Grail of relay races. I really hope you get it because I want to read your thoughts on the race. I ran the RAGNAR Relay last Nov. from Chattanooga to Nashville and I'm interested in comparing notes.

Jill Will Run said...

I want you to run the Hood to Coast with Team Nuun... especially if I get to be on it too! (And why oh why didn't we take a picture together? We're so silly!)

Christy @ My Dirt Road Anthem: A Runner's Blog said...

Good luck, this was an awesome and inspiring entry!! Hope you get on team Nuun

Lindsay said...

good luck!! i hope you are selected, you deserve it! :)

Karen said...

Good luck, Lisa! I hope you get chosen for the HTC team :-). I know you'd be a perfect fit.

Angela said...

Lisa, I sincerely hope you get on the team! This race is *right* up your alley.
Your blog posts and your zest for running were instrumental in my deciding to start running last fall. I had never run in my entire life. But my husband started running three years ago, and I would read your updates aloud to him and keep him posted on how you were doing. When I decided to run my first 5K, I knew I could do it because you run MARATHONS. Good luck!! :)

The Green Girl said...

Oooh, good luck, girl!

lisa banks said...

Lisa- you are a true mama of inspiration. I live reading your posts. I know you would be an amazing asset to the hood to coast team. They would be lucky to have you and the team would only benefit. You go girl!!

h2ojennifer said...

Lisa you would be such a perfect addition to this team. Infact I am kinda thinking team captain. Just saying!!! Hey Nuun grab this girl!!

Kristin said...

Good luck Lisa, hope you make the team! I know of a lot of bloggers applying, but it would be great to see someone in my AG make it! :)

Alissa said...

Good luck Lisa!!! If they don't pick you they're crazy :)

Southbaygirl said...

Lisa,

I think you'd be a fantastic addition to the relay team!!!! You gotta make it...who do we call????? :-)

Emma said...

Lisa ~ You are PERFECT for this race. Hope you make the team. You are an inspiration to many people.

kelly said...

LOVE this! NO WONDER they choose you! I'm just glad I get to tag along for the ride!

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