Michigan Ele's Race - Race Day Report

Submitted by Heather Slawinski @Rocksicle_Lover

I apologize that this report is so late. Summer is just a crazy time of year!!! I ran in a 5K called Ele's Race in Okemos, Michigan on 7/22/12. Ele's Race supports Ele's Place which is a nonprofit, community-based organization dedicated to creating awareness of and support for grieving children and their families. Through peer support group programs, Ele’s Place helps children to cope with the death or life-threatening illness of a parent, sibling or other close family member or friend. Ele's Race is a larger race in the local area and has been very successful in raising funds for their organziation. This year there were more than 1,400 people in attendance.

 Because I'm not a famous actor like SOME people ;) I decided to honor my #run3rd dedications by making a shirt with all of the dedications listed. I just got a plain white tank top and used permanent markers and went to work! Once I was done and put it on, I felt SO PROUD to be running in honor of so many important causes and people. It really did give me an extra boost of energy for the day. I shared the shirt on Facebook and some of the people who are honored on the shirt saw it and were very touched to see their cause featured.

Carlsbad Lagoon Day race report

Sean with bearded lizard Lincoln. Photo by Hayne Palmour, nctimes.com

Submitted by Sean Astin @SeanAstin

While the Carlsbad Lagoon Run is still in its infancy (the July 22 race was the second) and not accredited, we had a ball. There was a spirit of adventure among the few brave souls who showed up early to set up the event. I enjoyed helping to set out cones for the start line and lift up the finish banner.

It was quite toasty when we got started, and the 3.5 mile run was essentially up hill until the last 2/10ths of a mile, where a welcome breeze picked up. I was greeted by stalwart #run3rders Leah, Merv and family at the Finish Line. The race times weren't official, but I think I finished around 33+ minutes, a stark reminder that my achilles injury and the few extra resulting pounds have had an appreciable impact on my speed and endurance. I am looking forward to living by example and slowly and steadily rebuilding my strength, stamina and overall fitness as a march inexorably toward the 50 mile everest in late november.

#Run3rd for the 2012 Olympics!

@evelienh in London at the 2012 Olympics in her #run3rd hat!

Oxnard Salsa Dash 10K race report

Submitted by Heather Stewart @captainstewie

I’m going to start this way: I’m a runner. Since I started running in late 2010 not a week has gone by that I haven’t gone for at least ONE run.

That is, until I went to Ireland.

I ran the Clontarf Half Marathon on July 7th and proceeded to not run AT ALL until the Salsa Dash 10K two weeks later.

My body is paying for it.

Oxnard, California throws a “Salsa Festival” each year. It’s the 4th weekend of July. To kick it off, they have the Salsa Dash which benefits the Lymphoma and Leukemia Society through Team in Training on the 3rd Saturday of July. (I wish they did it all the same weekend!)

Original #Run3rd song!

Sarah Moore (@astinland) wrote this amazing original song for the #run3rd movement. Music by Larosity on Youtube. Lyrics and more about the song on SeanAstinZone.com.

Clontarf Half Marathon Race Report from Dublin!

Submitted by Heather Stewart, @captainstewie

Running the World

Clontarf Half Marathon

Dublin, Ireland 7/7/2012

Never in my wildest dreams did I think my passion for running would take me all over the world. Let’s be honest, if you had asked me a year and a half ago if I wanted to go for a run I would have laughed in your face. I’ve said it a hundred times: running has changed my life and it now it’s given me the chance of a lifetime.

My friend, Nicole, is at University College Dublin finishing her MBA. When she left for school, I made the goal to come and visit her and see Ireland (and flirt with cute red-headed boys with sexy accents). She discovered a love of running while living in Dublin and signed up for some races. I decided that I wouldn’t feel as guilty taking a long vacation if I threw a half marathon in there (it’s how my wacky brain works) so I did the research.

Lo and behold, there was a half marathon that Nicole and our friend Sara could do… ON MY BIRTHDAY… IN DUBLIN!

Los Gatos Jungle Run Race Report!

Submitted by Lupe Steele @LupeSteele

"If the hill has its own name, then it's probably a pretty tough hill." —Marty Stern

Ruby, Lupe and "Sister" enjoy post-race mimosas!

The Jungle Run 10K/½ Marathon in Los Gatos, California was my second #Run3rd event. The event has a reputation for being challenging because of its “hilly” terrain. The run lived up to its reputation and gave me a run for my money (literally). I was joined by my partner in crime “Sister” (aka Mari) who had twice completed this run roughly 10 years ago. We were also joined by my younger sister Ruby, who had never participated in a run before. She was slightly reluctant to participate for fear she wouldn’t measure up. She agreed to join after we promised to provide Mimosas followed by Mani/Pedi’s after the race. She was pleased to learn that a percentage of the proceeds went to the Leukemia/Lymphoma Society. Both sisters also had the opportunity to read through the #Run3rd tweets and found all the dedications uplifting. Thank you to all who tweeted your dedications and sent messages of encouragement and support they were all much appreciated!

Vibha Bay Area Dream Mile Race Report

Submitted by Lupe Steele @LupeSteele

June 10, 2012 was my first official #Run3rd event. It took place in San Jose, California on a beautiful perfect sunny day. The temperature at start time was 64 degrees. The sun was out. The birds were chirping and the geese… oh the geese! There were geese. Did I mention my fear of birds? Oh yes, I fear them and they love to taunt me. We don’t have the best kind of relationship. I fear them and they in turn like to chase me. Nevertheless, I put my fear aside in order to participate in this run.

Brenda Mehling Cancer Fund Fight It Race Report

Submitted by Heather Stewart @captainstewie

Sometimes You Run a Race and Sometimes You “RUN” the Race

As many of you know I’m committed to community service. I’ve found a joy in helping nonprofits in my community and I learn so much by giving of my time.  Last year I was honored when I was asked to be on the Board of Directors of the Brenda Mehling Cancer Fund (BMCF). This organization was started by Brenda with the help of the Santa Clarita Valley Chapter of Junior Chamber International (The Jaycees) in 2001 to support cancer patients ages 18-40 as they undergo treatment. It provides services to meet daily needs that are not covered by insurance. Typical grants cover $500 worth of medical co-payments, rent, transportation, repairs and groceries.

Read the rest at Heather's blog, stRUNg out.

Laguna Hills Half Marathon Race Report

Submitted by Heather Stewart @captainstewie

On Monday May 28th, I had the honor in participating in the City of Laguna Hills Memorial Day Half Marathon. This race honors the United States Marine Corp Dark Horse Battalion. The City of Laguna Hills adopted the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, of the 1st Marine Division. This infantry battalion, nicknamed “DARKHORSE” is based out of Camp Pendleton, and $3 per race fee went to the 3/5 Support Committee.

A little background for this Battalion: The 3/5 were deployed to Helmand Province in the Fall of 2010. They were sent to the most dangerous place in Afghanistan: Sangin. Their task was to regain the Taliban stronghold, a notorious poppy growing region in a mountainous area north of Marja. The DARKHORSE Battalion lost 25 Marines during this deployment.

I’m addicted to running/racing and wanted to run 10 half marathons in 2012. This particular race made me feel like I was a part of something bigger than myself yesterday. (Isn’t that kind of what #Run3rd is all about?) Not only was the race for a great cause but it was so well organized by Renegade Racing!  I couldn’t have imagined a better race experience. The course was great too even though it was a little bit challenging!

My running buddies, Sue and Heather (aka “The Other Heather” aka “Ditto”) and I got to the race nice and early. The weather was beautiful—little overcast but warm enough for tank top running (which is awesome because it got HOT).  Immediately we noticed the Marines doing their warm ups. There were people of all ages wearing “DARKHORSE” shirts with the names of fallen soldiers. People were all decked out in red, white and blue. It was pretty awesome.

Here’s how it went:

Attention new walkers/runners!

Listening to runners talk is inspiring, isn't it? When Sean Astin talks so passionately about his runs, his excitement is contagious! It kinda makes you want to get out there and try running a 5k yourself, doesn't it? Well, what are you waiting for? Now is the time to try! You CAN do it!

A 5K is a race that equals 5 kilometers (or approximately 3.1 miles). In almost every local community, you can usually find a number of 5K races throughout the year. As #run3rd Team Captain, I have decided to run a local race called Ele's Race 5K Run/Walk in Okemos, Michigan. The race raises money for a healing center for grieving children. The race day is Sunday, July 22. I'm encouraging anyone who is interested to join me, no matter where you are in your walking/running experience! Let's #run3rd this!

To "join me", you do NOT have to join the same race in Okemos, Michigan. Just plan on doing a 5K race in your community around the same time! We'll train "together" and collect our #run3rd dedications as we train!

This is a link to a great couch to 5K program. If you start training now, you would have enough time to work your way up to a 5K by race day, even if you're starting from sitting around on the couch!! And this isn't the only couch to 5K program out there - there are many more. Just do a google search and pick your favorite! These programs do a wonderful job of easing you into running, so anyone can do it. If you prefer to plan on walking a 5K, that is great too! Whatever gets you out on that course is perfect!

If you want to follow me on Twitter @Rocksicle_Lover, I'll post updates on my trainings. I'm concurrently training for a half-marathon in September, so don't be surprised if you see me doing more miles than you on any given day. Stick to YOUR training program! I also have a blog where I post my experiences trying to get in shape. Over the next two months, I'm going to be focusing on the #run3rd race, so you can keep up on activites there too!

You can do this! #run3rd for taking a risk! #run3rd for living life to the fullest! #run3rd for your health!

I #run3rd for you!

Heather Slawinski
@Rocksicle_Lover

Santa Monica Classic race report

Submitted by Leah Gutierrez @Leahmari11 & Sean Astin @SeanAstin

Leah: When I chose the Santa Monica Classic for my first race as a Team #Run3rd captain, there were a few key considerations: (1) my husband had done this race a few years ago when he started running and said the course was a good one, plus it offered the option of doing either a 5K or 10K (great starter race); (2) It is significance for Sean Astin because it was in his birth city, plus the same organizers of this race were the ones who did the LA Marathon; and (3) timeliness—we had a whole month to get the word out about the race, invite racers to participate and get some #Run3rd dedications going.

Heal the Bay is the benefiting organization of this race. Anyone who enjoys going to the beach or uses water in some capacity in Los Angeles County benefits greatly from the work this organization does.

I thought it would be fun to give a dual perspective of how race day went, so below you'll read it from both Sean and Leah's points of view.