Monday, January 20, 2014

San Diego 50 Race Recap - 2014

by Rachel

It's hard to know where to start. I finished a 50 mile race. I probably did about the least possible amount of training that I thought necessary to finish - and it worked! This post may ramble and jump around - it's hard to wrap my brain around it all.

Sunday, September 8, 2013

Big Kahuna Triathlon 2013 - 70.3 Race Recap



My original plan for this year was to re-race the Orangeman Triathlon - but something went awry with the Orangeman's planning and they ended up having to cancel the race. I was already in the midst of training for the race when I got the notice, and it took me less than a day to decide what to do about it.

I have been eyeing the Big Kahuna Triathlon for awhile now - I'd never been to Santa Cruz, and I thought it would be really cool to do a race up there, by Big Sur. It happened to be on the same day as Orangeman (before it got cancelled), so that made it really easy to transition to thinking about this new race.

Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Book Review of The Summit Seeker by Vanessa Runs

My book review of Vanessa Runs book The Summit Seeker



I remember the first time I ever saw Vanessa - it was on a training run for the Noble Canyon 50k. Her and Robert had on Kilts and colorful shirts from INKnBURN. The other thing I noticed was that she was wearing some sort of sandals. I now know since getting to know her that they were Luna Sandals. But for me as a new trail runner, I had no clue about barefoot running or anything else for that matter. I do remember she looked happy up there in her element and you could tell she was happy to be there.

Over the last few years I've gotten to know her a bit better and through knowing her, I've grown as a writer and as a runner. It's a great thing when you meet someone and they can help you grow in certain areas you never thought you could. Vanessa is that type of person and her book is that type of book.

Vanessa's book is more than a book about herself, or running, it's about all of us as humans on this planet exploring our possibilities. Her truth pours out in beautifully written words that put you in a trance and takes you on her journey through life. Her writing captivates you to turn each page as if it was your own life flying by in front of you. You can feel her pain and her joy in each word she writes.

She didn't dwell about her hardships of her life - she kicked off her shoes and started running to her new life, the one she was creating for herself and those that would love her for her. She was trapped inside a black hole waiting to be released into the world to explore every mountain she seeks figuratively and literally.


Vanessa writes like she runs - pursuing freedom, love and joy at every summit she seeks.

Monday, March 4, 2013

YU30 Challenge - Video Recap

by Rachel

Now that we're done with the YumUniverse 30-Day Plant-Powerful Challenge, there is one more piece to complete the challenge. We had to create a 2-minute video about our YU30 experience, and post it up on the internet.

http://www.yumuniverse.com/yu30-plant-powerful-challenge/videos/