A Hood-to-Coaster for Life

197 Miles

12,000 Runners
3,500 Volunteers
28th Annual Year
Largest Relay in the World

Our entire Team
"Inlaws and Outlaws"

I'm obsessed! This past weekend Ben and I, along with a team of ten other people ran the Hood to Coast relay in Portland, aka "The Mother of all Relays" (no really, that's what it's called).
I'm convinced I will run this race many, many more times in the future. I'm also convinced we will live in Portland some day. I love everything about that city!

Our team started the race at 10:30am on Friday morning and finished at 4:00pm on Saturday. There was someone running from our team during that entire time. We each ran three legs, spaced anywhere between 8-12 hours apart, and covering anywhere between 15-20 miles total. We ran in the sun, in the rain, during the day, at night, in the cold, in the hot, through trees, down mountains, and finally ended at the beach. It was an unforgettable weekend.

We were lucky enough to run on our friend Chris' family team. His dad has run the Hood to Coast 20 consecutive years. He says this year was his last...but we'll see! I wouldn't put it past Romney to run again next year!

I love this video because it captures so much of the spirit of the race.

Thanks Burke family for letting us be a part of such an awesome event. And Katie...watch out...you are SO running with us next year!

What a week!

I may hate camping. A lot. But I sure do love these girls! It's a huge relief to have Girls Camp over with, but the reality that I won't be going to camp with them next summer is actually a little sad. Okay, maybe it's not the fact I won't be CAMPING with the YW, but the fact I won't BE with these crazy kids! They are just too fun. (In case you're wondering, I'm the one on the right who looks the exact same age as the 14 year olds!)

Let me clarify my dislike of camping. I have no problem with bugs or dirt of things of that nature. And I quite like a good camp fire now and again. It's the fact that I see no real reason to sleep in a tent and forgo a warm shower if I have a perfectly functioning shower and bed at home. Hence the reason I slept in the cabin while they YW slept in tents. Or why I only stayed one night out of four. I lucked out this year, big time!

Also, it was our anniversary in the middle of the week and camp just didn't seem like the best way to celebrate! Ben surprised me with a trip to Lake George, and let me tell you....it was such a beautiful place. I highly recommend it to anyone. We biked and tennised and beached and ate and lounged and loved just hanging out! Unfortunately we didn't document much...

(The ever predictable self portrait!)

Finally, I almost forgot...the COLDPLAY CONCERT! Words can't do it justice. You just have to go to one of their concerts. They are incredible live. What a great night.

We also got introduced to the band "Elbow" that night. Yes, they may have the weirdest name ever, but they actually played some pretty great stuff.

The concert was at the Saratoga Springs Performing Arts center which turned out to be a great venue. We had awesome lawn seats and were able to bring in all our own snacks, chairs and blankets. The weather was beautiful and the show was incredible. I would see them again in a heartbeat!