Hood to Coast Year Four

On Friday we embark on an epic journey from Mount Hood to Seaside, Oregon.  200 miles of blood, sweat and chafe stick.

From here...

...to here.

Epic.  So epic.

Hood to Coast 2012 will mark my fourth journey with our infamous office team of misfit runners and half-wit nut jobs.  Misfit runners because starting year one, there was hardly a runner among us.  Three years later, I believe some of us have earned the right to associate as runners...even if we're still misfits.

And I say half-wit nut jobs because anyone with more than half a brain wouldn't put themselves through the grueling test of endurance Hood to Coast presents.  We are by no means a fast team, but that may make our journey all the more impressive.  While the winners of Hood to Coast 2012 may finish in 22 hours, our team will be out pounding the pavement and churning the gravel for close to 34 hours.  The endurance to persevere and the willpower to finish on a team pacing 10 minute miles is no less impressive than a team pacing 6:20's.

Excited.  Amazed.  Anxious.  Enthusiastic.  Nervous.  Happy.  A plethora of emotions to experience through the anticipation leading up to the event, on race day itself, and through the week following. 

Excited to get out there and put our training to use and spend quality time with great friends.  Amazed that Hood to Coast 2012 is already here.  Anxious about my leadership and remaining responsibilities as captain of my first Hood to Coast team.  Enthusiastic towards our chances of nailing our official estimated finish time and receiving an invitation to compete next year.  Nervous about personal performance and living up to the standards and expectations I set of myself.  Happy that I'm willing and able to participate in The Mother of All Relays.

So bring it on.  Bring on the early start.  Bring on the running.  Bring on the dirty porta-potties.  Bring on the chafing.  Bring on the weather.  Bring on the hardships.  Bring it all on.  Because I know, no matter what, the thing remembered most about any Hood to Coast experience is overcoming all and having a blast.

I'll see you on the beach!

xoxo,
ShavedGolf


P.S. Follow the team's progress, for as long as we have cell reception, on Twitter: @ShavedGolf.