Hood to Coast 7 Days Away: What's Ahead?

A week from today the journey from Mt. Hood to the Pacific Ocean begins. This has been quite an experience getting to this point. What is ahead though?

In a few days I will meet my team. Yup, I don't know my teammates. We are a group of folks from the Running Specialty Group(RSG), coming together to run this. We are from all over the country. At this point all I know are names, but soon I will know the people. I'm very much looking forward to meeting my team.

We are guests of Nike on this journey, so we will be spending time at the Nike Campus. I know a good many people who are very envious of this aspect of the trip. Nike is an iconic brand, with legendary athletes who have run for and represented them. So this is going to be a very interesting part of the trip. They have promised us all kinds of fun and learning experiences. I know what previous teams have done, but don't want to say in case it doesn't happen.

Then there is the race itself. This is going to be challenging, confusing, fun, nerve-wracking, exciting, and an amazing experience. At this point, I think I've watched the Hood to Coast documentary about 10 times since I knew I was running.

Friends and loved ones have asked how I feel about running so sooner after losing my dad. I see the race very differently now. I see it as an opportunity to get away from what I've been dealing with. Death has a way of consuming your life, and I think when the chance comes to not think about it, you take advantage of it. I know that my dad was very proud of the fact I won this contest to get to this point. Something to know though....he never really understood my running. He told me it wasn't something he would do. That's fine. Not everyone runs, nor do they have to understand why someone runs. When I finished my first half, he asked if I had won. I explained to him that I won in a bigger way than the race.

I'm also looking forward to being back in Oregon. If you have never been to Oregon, you need to get there. It is an stunningly beautiful state. I can't wait to see it up close for the 18+ miles of it I will be running.

7 days and counting....this is going to be good.

Charlie