Lupe's San Francisco Marathon race report

Submitted by Lupe Steele @LupeSteele

My thoughts on the San Francisco Marathon

Each run has its own special experience and meaning.  It is common to feel a little queasy about each race.  That has been the way most of my races have played out over the past 6 years. This race was different. This time it was about the experience and I was going to be open to whatever came my way. To my surprise, I had an absolutely perfect morning in the City by the Bay.

I was particularly tickled by the realization that Sean Astin would be participating in the race. This was my event; it was in my area and I wanted my fellow #Run3rders to have a wonderful time. For our fearless leader, it was a 26.2 race against the hills of San Francisco. While I didn’t want to admit it, I was a bit nervous. I wanted him to enjoy his time in San Francisco as much as I’ve always enjoyed SF growing up.

Lupe's Race to the Row report

Submitted by Lupe Steele @LupeSteele

I wasn’t really supposed to run in Race To The Row 408K; it was a last minute decision. My sister and her in-laws were participating in the event and she asked if I could join. In addition to doing pretty much whatever my big sister tells me to do, I figured it would only be fair to run with her and her in-laws since she’d be joining me for the Hollywood Half in April. The Race To The Row started at the HP Pavilion (where the San Jose Sharks play) and it ended in Santana Row, an upscale shopping/residential area of San Jose that’s made to look like a gorgeous and elegant town in Paris… with a Gucci, Best Buy and Wahoo Fish Tacos.

Lupe's Neverland Race Report

Submitted by Lupe Steele @LupeSteele

A year to the day after Sean came up with his goal and mission statement for #Run3rd, I found myself enjoying the ambiance and relishing in the grandiose splendor of Disneyland. Over the past year we have created a movement that has become global, and I’ve created wonderful bonds with those who share the #Run3rd vision. It was only fitting that our movement would be celebrating its one year anniversary at the Happiest Place on Earth. And before you could say “supercalifragilisticexpialidocious,” the happy just kept on coming when I learned that Sean Astin, our Captain of Captains, would also be running in the Neverland 5K and the TinkerBell Half Marathon.

Fortuitously, the run was also scheduled on my 38th birthday, which was the reason I initially chose to run the Neverland 5K. My 6 year old son, who enjoys running around in circles and straight lines, would get the chance to take his running show on the road and run alongside his mommy at Disneyland. Not bad for a birthday weekend if I say so myself.

Throughout the week, the #Run3rd community submitted such touching dedications, comments, and wishes. It was an honor to run on behalf of everyone’s contributions. It was a wonderful feeling knowing the whole #Run3rd community has ran hundreds and hundreds of miles to support each other.  A feeling of unity for the causes of others is a touching reminder of our enduring human kindness.

Sandy Hook Virtual 5K race reports

On Saturday, December 29, 2012, most of the Team #Run3rd Captains took part in the Sandy Hook Virtual 5K, one of several running events being held to support the Newtown CT community after the terrible shootings at the Sandy Hook Elementary School.

Sean Astin, Andrea Barber, Christina Boulard, Tony Conticello, Heidi Corrado, Sarah Diamond, Michael Hornsby, Linda Iroff, Laura Lawson, Heather Slawinski, Lupe Steele, Heather Stewart and Cheyanne Witte all participated. Some of us did it a day early (Linda, to avoid impending snow), some a day late (Sarah, after recovering from a bout of vertigo), and when Christina and Cheyanne were unable to run due to sick child and unexpected surgery, respectively, in true Team #run3rd spirit, Heather Stewart added their miles to hers!

Here are reports from some of the captains.

Turkey Trot race report

Submitted by Lupe Steele @LupeSteele

The eighth annual Applied Materials Silicon Valley Turkey Trot drew a record breaking crowd of just shy of 25,000 participants on a beautifully brisk Thanksgiving morning in downtown San Jose. The event raised raised $750,000 for charity plus an additional $500,000 from an anonymous technology company CEO.  The target charities were The Second Harvest Food Bank, The Housing Trust and Children's Health Initiative. The Silicon Valley Turkey Trot brought out families from near and far some decked out in their wacky costumes or Turkey Hats.

San Jose Rock N Rock Half Marathon race report

Submitted by Lupe Steele @LupeSteele

The San Jose Rock and Roll Marathon was held on October 7, 2012—it was a beautiful Sunday morning with a high of about 68 degrees. It was the perfect morning to conquer my 3rd Rock and Roll ½ Marathon.

I knew the drill, I had done it twice before. Got up, got the necessary breakfast in, said goodbye to the sleeping boys and I was off before the sun was up. By the time I made it to the HP Pavilion (home of the hockey team San Jose Sharks), the sun was up. You could feel the energy as fellow runners put on their bibs, snacked on a bagel,  counted all their belongings and jogged over to the start line. As I made my way to the start, the thought of possibly doing a 5 mile run raced through my head as this was not an option that was provided in prior years. This year marked the 1st time that the Mini Marathon was introduced. It was comforting to know that should something wrong occur, there was an option for me to veer to the right and end my run early. However, a part of me knew that I would take my time and do what I was set out to do and run, walk or crawl, I would complete my half.

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.