5.28.2013

The Green Girl is a Superhero

The Green Girl is proud to announce she is a member of Superhero Events' Team Superhero.

I channeled my inner superhero back in April and applied to be a Superhero Ambassador.

A couple of weeks later, I discovered I had been selected by the Superhero Events Super Crew.

As a member of Team Superhero, my responsibilities are the following:
  • Complete at least 10 endurance events during the year
  • Spread the word about Superhero Events through social media
  • Distribute flyers in my hometown
  • Volunteer at Superhero events

I also received an official Team Superhero singlet.

I am looking forward to representing Superhero Events and Team Superhero.

I am going to wear a costume for the first time at the Costume Party Run in July.

Another one of my Superhero duties is to share some Superhero Event discount codes:

Awesome 80's Run

Saturday, August 24th, 2013 - Pasadena
Saturday, November 2nd, 2013 - San Diego
Sunday, November 17th, 2013 - San Francisco

10% off with code AMBASSADOR72


Hollywood Half Marathon
Saturday, April 5th, 2014
$10 off half marathon with code AMBASSADOR72
$5 off 5k/10k with code STAR

Costume Party Run
Sunday, July 6th, 2014
$10 off half marathon with code AMBASSADOR72
$5 off 5k with code FUNRUN5
All Costume Party Run Half Marathon finishers will receive a cool 6" 45 record medal with a real disco ball in the center.

5.25.2013

Running for Angels Virtual Summer Race Giveaway

The Green Girl participated in the inaugural Running for Angels Race Series Running For Angels Virtual 5k last month.

The Running For Angels 5k race benefited the Foundation For Angelman Syndrome Therapeutics to help fund important research for treatment for Angelman Syndrome.

Angelman Syndrome is a genetic disorder. Characteristic features of this condition include developmental delay, speech impairment, and problems with movement and balance (ataxia).

Angels have a happy demeanor and laugh easily. While Angels cannot speak, they do have much to say.

Many angels also suffer from epilepsy. The seizures can be debilitating and, in some cases, even fatal.

The next event in the Running for Angels Race Series will be a Running for Angels Summer Race the week of August 25th. Participants will have the option to complete a 5k, 10k, half marathon, full marathon, or team marathon.

For the full and half marathon, participants be given the entire week to complete the distance and will have the option to tun it all at once, or a little each day. The team marathon will consist of groups of 4 and the group will collectively run 26.2 miles.

If you would to enter to win a free race entry into the Running for Angels Summer Race for a distance of your choice, 'Like' Running for Angels Virtual Race Series on Facebook and let me know you 'Liked' it with a reply to this post.

Bonus Entries:
  • 'Like' Angel Runners on Facebook and let me know with a reply to this post
  • Blog about this giveaway and let me know with a reply to this post
  • Share this giveaway on Facebook and let me know with a reply to this post
  • Tweet about this giveaway and let me know with a reply to this post

The deadline to enter is Sunday, June 2nd at midnight Pacific Time. The winner will be announced on Monday, June 3rd.

Running for Angels Virtual 5k Race Report

The Green Girl participated in the Running for Angels Virtual 5k on Sunday, April 21, 2013.

The Running For Angels 5k race benefited the Foundation For Angelman Syndrome Therapeutics to help fund important research for treatment for Angelman Syndrome.

Running for Angels Virtual 5k at Hermosa Beach Plaza
Angelman Syndrome is a genetic disorder. Characteristic features of this condition include developmental delay, speech impairment, and problems with movement and balance (ataxia).

Angels have a happy demeanor and laugh easily. While Angels cannot speak, they do have much to say.

Running for Angels Virtual 5k at Hermosa Beach Pier
Many angels also suffer from epilepsy. The seizures can be debilitating and, in some cases, even fatal.

A virtual race is a sporting event where everyone sets their own course and runs or walks their own race wherever they happen to be on the planet.

The Green Girl's Running for Angels Virtual 5k Medal
You sign up online and run your race on the scheduled date. If you cannot run on that day, you may run it on a day that works for you.

After completing my virtual 5k in Hermosa Beach, I received a Running for Angels 5k Virtual Race medal and technical race shirt in the mail from the race director, Timothy Misiak.

The Green Girl's Running for Angels Virtual 5k Technical Race Shirt
I love how virtual races allow runners in disparate geographic locations to come together for a common cause.

I am looking forward to participating in future Running for Angels Virtual events.

5.02.2013

The Green Girl's Ragnar So Cal Race Report

The Green Girl participated in her second Ragnar So Cal with team 'Happy Endings'.

The 193 mile Ragnar So Cal course was divided into 36 legs of varying difficulty and distances between 3-11 miles, with designed exchange points. The teams consisted of 6-12 individuals split evenly into two vans.

For teams of 12, Van 1 contains runners 1-6 and Van 2 contains runners 7-12. Van 1 Runner #1 begins at the starting line. Once the race starts, Van 1 goes to the first exchange point where runner #2 will prepare to run. Runners from Van 1 continue to run in order up to exchange point 6; this is the first major exchange in the race.
At exchange 6, Van 2 should be waiting. At this point, runner #6 from Van 1 will hand the slap bracelet off to runner #7 from Van 2. Then, Van 2 continues along the race course rotating runners until the next major exchange point, exchange 12, where they will hand off to Van 1 again. This pattern continues until the Finish.

Team Happy Endings Van 1 at the Ragnar So Cal 2013 Starting Line
All the race costs were shared evenly among the 12 Happy Endings runners. The total out-of-pocket for each teammate was $255.

This covered the $1,560 team registration, both van rentals (including post-race car washes), gas money, and a food/beverage fund.

Ragnar So Cal Course Map
Team Happy Endings comprised Sole Runners and friends of Sole Runners:
  1. Babak - Legs: 1, 13, 25
  2. Sarah (Team Captain)- Legs: 2, 14, 26
  3. John- Legs: 3, 15, 27
  4. Mary - Legs: 4, 16, 28
  5. Krishna - Legs: 5, 17, 29
  6. Scott - Legs: 6, 18, 30
  7. Russ - Legs: 7, 19, 31
  8. Kathleen - Legs: 8, 20, 32
  9. Billie - Legs: 9, 21, 33
  10. Kate -Legs: 10, 22, 34
  11. Paul - Legs: 11, 23, 35
  12. Suze- Legs: 12, 24, 36
Prior to the relay, each team plugged their respective 10k paces into a Ragnar calculator and the results determined the start and estimated finish time.

Ragnar So Cal Safety Check
Happy Endings's official pace was a 10:51 minute mile (all teams must average an 11:00 minute mile or less). We were assigned a 5:00 am race start and our estimated finish was 7:30 pm the following evening.

Team Happy Endings arrived at the Ragnar So Cal Starting Line in Huntington Beach at 4:00 am for the requisite safety check with our respective headlamps, reflective vests, and flashing lights.

Ragnar So Cal Ragmag
After the team safety inspection and briefing, we received our bibs, van magnet, copy of the official Ragmag which contained runner and van route information, and a pair of reflective flags for street crossing.

Just before 5:00 am, our first runner, Babak, lined up at the first wave Start. We all cheered Babak on and then headed back to the van to drive to the first exchange.

Our strategy was to text the group when we had a mile to go so the next runner would be prepared for the hand-off.

Ragnar So Cal Leg 4 along the Santa Ana River Trail
Runners 1 through 3 completed their legs and before I knew it, it was time for me to run.

Leg 4 took me along the Santa Ana River Trail.

Tallying up roadkills on the side of the team van are a Ragnar tradition and each hash indicates a runner you passed. After a total of zero roadkills last year, I was determined to make at least one.

Green Ragnar Jacket
I stayed off the pavement and ran on the dirt shoulder. Unfortunately, my legs were heavy and I struggled to run.

I managed to make my first roadkill when I slowly shuffled past a girl who had slowed down to text. Hey, a roadkill is a roadkill, right?

Exchange 6 was the first major exchange where Van 1 handed off to Van 2. I stopped at the makeshift Ragnar store and purchased a green jacket before our van headed off to get some lunch.

The Green Girl in a green tutu
I was looking forward to my second leg because I love running at night.

Leg 16 followed city streets, weaved through a residential neighborhood, and then led us runners through the Fallbrook Golf course sprinkler system. In the darkness, it was difficult to dodge the spraying water so I just focused on my footing.

At one point, the course went off onto the grass but I got confused and continued to follow the path. When I spotted blinking lights in the distance up on what appeared to be a mountain, I turned around and darted across the damp lawn.

Instead of a dirt trail, the ground was loose like sand. As I ran uphill, my feet sunk slightly with each step.

Team Happy Endings at Exchange 18 at Welk Resorts & Spa
Team Happy Endings had completed our share of the night legs when we did the hand-off at Exchange 18 at Welk Resorts & Spa in Escondido, just south of San Diego.

Unfortunately, our 3rd runner, John, had fallen on his night run and his right wrist was hurting him.

Injured Happy Endings team member, John
Like a trooper, John completed his final leg. A visit to the doctor the next day would reveal he'd fractured his wrist.

Our van had gotten about 2 hours of shut eye in the Welk Resorts parking lot when Van 1 called us to let us know their last runner had taken off and we needed to head to the next major exchange.

Happy Endings Van 1
In a daze, we somehow managed to navigate to Exchange 24 and Babak headed out for his final leg.

Leg 28 was my final run. It was sunny and warm by this time. The route was mostly uphill so I instinctively leaned into the incline and jogged at an even pace.

The view from Exchange 30 at Torrey Pines Gliderport
Our van exhaled a collective sigh of relief when we reached Exchange 30 and we handed off to Van 2 for the last time.

We stopped at the nearby Gaslamp District for some lunch before we headed to the Finish Line at the Embarcadero Marina Park South.

Team Happy Endings
After my last team, 12 peas in a pod, placed 3rd from last the year before, I'm pleased to report Team Happy Endings finished 366th out of 646 teams.

I want to thank all of my fellow Happy Endings teammates for another successful Ragnar Relay!
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