Boo Run: The Monster Dash Long Run

The team got together for its first long run after the longer twenty miler on Oct 25. We were fortunate to get free entries to the Monster Dash half marathon from Ameriprise Financial. So bright and not so early (thankfully the race only started at 8:45 AM) – Shelley, Kyle, Doobie, Anna, Janelle, Richard and Glen were joined by Becky, Jack and Joey at the start line. Becky, Jack and Joey were faithful to coach Shelley’s training program and had got another three miles under their belts before they ran the half marathon. The weather was really nice for running and there were a lot of runners in costume. We even had a Bolder Marathon Helsinki Alumni – Kate Diehn – run the 10 miler as Vice presidential Nominee Sarah Palin. Hopefully we will be ready for the big hills in Athens after getting past the little hills along the parkway.

Taste of Greece – Efharisto .. Parakala (that’s Thank You and Please)

The entire team came together for our last meeting before our trip. To get us in the spirit of things – we stuffed ourselves with lovely Greek food from a local Greek restaurant (no ouzo yet – we will have to wait till we get to Greece for that). We then had Karen from Adventure Vacations – our fearless trip planner – take us thru a day by day summary of our doings. I must say we were very excited and looked forward to our Greek experience. Then we had Leah (Ameleah) a former Bolder Options Mentor, who is Greek-American give us a little taste of Greek Culture and the language. By the time she was done we were able to say Nai, okhi, Efharisto and Parakala (that’s Yes, no, Thank you and Please). The runners had another treat coming their way – Patricia (Richards wife) who is masseuse had offered to give us all sports massages once we were done with the run. Ryan then handed out our smart running jerseys, road ids backpacks from Bolder Options and water bottles Adventure Vacations. We left with dreams of island cruises, delicious food, new and exciting places and culture … and Oh yes – the 26.2 miles we get to run.

20 Miler: Just a long run around town

Athens Training: We have had scheduled team runs led by Ryan Becky and Coach Shelly and this was it – the culmination of our training schedule – the run everyone feared – longer than we had run up till now – the twenty miler. The scheduled runs usually had a good turnout but today was exceptional in terms of attendance - Ryan, Glen. Laura, Doobie, Jack, Joey Bridget, Graham and Ann met up at the Harriet Lake bandshell and were introduced to the route – along the Grand Rounds and all the way back to the bandshell. We were very happy and thankful to see two of the Bolder Options interns Stephanie and Sarah who would support us on the run. We started running – most of us together making our way along the parkway and towards the river. 5 miles in we had our first water stop. While it was tough the company made it just that little bit easier. We ran up the river listening to Ryans stories made it a little more bearable. We had a few people hurting but no one was ready to quit. We kept looking forward to the citrus powerbars and the GU shots that we got at each or our rest stops. We headed thru downtown and up the huge Kenwood parkway hill – led by Jack who attacked the hills like he was running downhill. Getting back to the chain of lakes and it was getting a bit tougher, even then we kept true to the mapped route and were soon on the home stretch around Lake Calhoun. We got done around noon and soon headed home to rest our tired legs. Athens here we come !!!!!!!!!