By: Virginia Fenstermaker
RUNNERS: FIVE REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD HAVE A RELAY ON YOUR ROSTER
Whether you are just getting started in your running journey or have thousands of miles in your soles, consider a team relay to add dimension to your running program this year! Here are five reasons why you should get a team together and signed up for your next relay – particularly a Gorgeous Series Relay:

1. Fire up the joy of running. Relays are filled with the moments and reasons we began running in the first place. From beautiful scenery and interesting routes to amazing people and notable medals, relays offer the best of the running experience. Whatever your “why” is for running – odds are that a relay will deliver a powerful reminder of what running means to you.  
2. Relay energy. There is something extra special about the relay experience as compared to typical races. The vibe is so supportive for both first-time and long-time runners, and seriously focused on fun with all the relay traditions, including decorating the van, matching team outfits/costumes, music blasting at exchanges and a pint poured at the finish line to celebrate. Relays are filled with endless high fives and smiles that keep you fired up long after the day is over.
3. Team spirit. While we often focus on our individual running achievements day to day, a relay gives us the opportunity to go for bigger goals and bigger mileage as team – no matter your pace. That is why the team energy is heightened and cowbells become the standard sound throughout the race. Another perk of a relay is also that each runner should feel incredibly supported for their leg, with teams offering water and fuel strategically mid-run, grabbing gear as the runner sheds layers, and misting cool water on runners when the temperatures rise. Not to mention, teams support ALL runners, not just their own – which truly speaks to the spirit of relays.
4. Scenic experiences. Relays can take us to new spectacular and often remote places that we would otherwise not experience as a runner. In fact, the Gorgeous Series delivers some of the most beautiful relays in the PNW, including Mount Hood, the Oregon coastline, and the Gorge – with memorable views on each leg. The team banter after crossing the finish line is often centered on the stunning sites and pictures captured on course! 
5. Personal Bests. Given the mentioned points above, it’s not surprising that relays are filled with runner “personal bests” that are driven by joy, adrenaline, team support and inspiring routes. There is nothing more powerful than watching a friend or family member accomplish their goals after weeks of training, except perhaps when you crush you own goals!

In short, as you plan your training and race program, make sure to add a team relay to your schedule! You don’t want to miss the opportunities it brings to your running – beautiful adventures with new routes, team camaraderie that brings out the best, and achieving some serious goals with laughter and fun along the way. Grab your friends and family and get your team signed up!
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Nikki Mueller is an AFAA certified group fitness trainer, personal trainer, and an RRCA certified running coach. She’s also a Gorgeous Guru, and she has offered to share her most frequently asked questions from runners - and the answers!

“What do you eat before you run?”
This is easily the question I get asked the most as a coach and unfortunately, it’s not a question that has a great answer because we are ALL different. I personally like to eat one of the following before a long run: 1.) Peanut butter on whole wheat toast, 2.) Grape Nuts with bananas or blueberries in Greek yogurt or 3.) Oatmeal with peanut butter and berries. And always coffee. Always. However, one of my best friends, a really fast runner, can’t STAND peanut butter before a run because she burps it up for hours afterwards. Another runner friend eats sardines before a big race and I shudder to think about even the smell of that in the morning let alone the taste. 

So the answer to this question is always .. Experiment. And NOT the day of an important benchmark run or race. Try eating an hour before a run and try to go for something that will stick with you for awhile.. peanut butter, oatmeal, maybe some chia seeds and avocado on whole wheat toast. See how it goes. 

Sometimes things change too. As I entered my 40’s, I found I needed more time between breakfast and running than I did in my 20’s. At minimum, I need at least an hour and half now. And quite honestly, I ALWAYS take some toilet paper with me on a long run and sometimes it really comes in handy. TMI, but still helpful information. 

Most importantly, DO eat something. You wouldn’t go on a road trip without filling your tank with gas right? Why would your body be any different? You need calories. 

“What do you eat WHILE you run and how often?”
For shorter runs (for example, a 5k distance,) I’d say most people don’t really need to worry about fueling, but if you’re going to be out there pounding the pavement or the trail for an hour or longer, you need to think about eating something so you don’t bonk. The tricky thing about nutrition and running is that you often don’t feel hungry when you actually need to start consuming calories. By the time your brain catches up to your body, sometimes you are actually feeling light-headed and/or sluggish. In my opinion, the longer you will be out there, the earlier you should start fueling. Again, this is about experimentation. When I’ve run ultra distances that will take me several hours to complete, I start eating 30 to 40 minutes into the run and just a little at a time every hour or so. If I’m going to be out for 2 hours, I’ll fuel a bit at the 1 hour mark and I’m fine until I’m done. 

As far as WHAT to eat, I used to use a lot of gels and GU and Shot Bloks and those work great for many people. They are super portable and convenient and portion controlled. After I got into trail running, I found a lot of trail races had REAL food at aid stations and I now prefer things like pretzels, goldfish crackers, oranges, trail mix, and bananas. At the Portland Marathon last year, I had one too many GU’s and though I got in my calories, I spend almost 3 miles feeling like I was going to throw up all over the course because they just didn’t agree with my stomach and I was craving salt. I do tend to carry salt tablets with me on long runs now too, because you lose a lot in your sweat while you run and it makes sense that you’d want to replace it. Again, everyone is different. I have one friend who swears by Wheat Thins. I like making energy bites from the Shalane Flannagan cookbook “Run Fast. Cook Fast. Eat Slow.” 

Please do yourself a favor and get some protein in no later than 20 minutes after a long run. I spent years worrying about the “before” and “during” parts of a run and not enough time on the “after” part and this is just as important! You want to recover well and live to run again, don’t you? And nothing tastes better than chocolate milk after a long run. Trust me! 

“What about hydration?”
Drink plenty of water no matter what. Lots of water!  Some people will tell you stories about hyponatremia (which is when someone drinks an excessive amount of water and gets very sick or could even die, yikes!) and though this does happen and the symptoms are actually very similar to dehydration, I would say cases of it are fairly rare. Most people don’t get enough water rather than too much. Water is the Holy Grail for runners. 

For longer runs, you need electrolytes. A lot of people love Nuun. Nuun is great because you can dilute it as much as you like, and I personally don’t like my electrolytes terribly sweet, especially if I am using GU or gels also. Gatorade has a lot of sugar in it, but some people think it works great for them. It used to be pretty much the only thing you’d find on a racecourse. I love Tailwind, as it’s claim is for “no gut bombs” and you can even buy it in an unflavored variety. There are many different hydration options now. Go to a running store and try a small portion of one to see if it works. If you are training for a specific race, find out what’s going to be on the course and start there.  

My advice on how much to drink and how often is very similar to what I’ve told you for nutrition. It depends on how long you are going to be out there, how hot it is, and how hard you are working. If I’m out for an hour, I generally don’t take water, but I fuel up before and after. If I’m out for longer, I bring it and start drinking at 45 minutes or an hour in and drink about every 30 minutes. 
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Some people will weigh themselves before a run and after to see how much their weight fluctuates. It’s not an exact science, but the theory is that if you weigh less after your run than you did at the beginning, you’re a bit dehydrated. If you’re heavier after, than you actually got a bit too much hydration. The goal is to weigh about the same before and after, so you can adjust through trial and error. I’ve never employed this method personally, but many elite runners do. Keep your urine a pale yellow and you’re good to go!!

More on Nikki’s classes and coaching at Healthy Girl Fitness LLC. Feel free to reach out to her at healthygirlpdx@gmail.com. 

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Giving back is part of the joy of running the Gorgeous Series, and is our responsibility as a member of the community. And, giving back is personally important to us. Traci’s first career was in affordable housing and homelessness, and Kerry volunteers hundreds of hours every year teaching kids and grown-ups how to climb and love the outdoors. 

We're so proud to share that to date, with the support of Gorgeous Runners, the Gorgeous Series has donated $56,723 to our community's fantastic nonprofits and schools. The Gorgeous Series makes donations to nonprofits in the communities where we run, does an annual winter clothing and gear drive, contributes raffle prizes to schools, and we love to share the story of these amazing groups with our runners and social media followers!

The Gorgeous Series partners with fantastic local nonprofits and schools to volunteer and raise money at the relays. Let us know if there are other groups we should meet! Current partners include - 

• JOIN is dedicated to supporting the efforts of homeless individuals and families to move off the streets and into permanent housing. 
• The Mazamas work to inspire everyone to love and protect the mountains through climbing, hiking, advocacy and more.
• Friends of the Columbia Gorge is the only nonprofit organization dedicated entirely to ensuring that the beautiful and wild Columbia Gorge remains a place apart, an unspoiled treasure for generations to come.
• American Cancer Society’s local Relay for Life teams, working to support those living with cancer and survivors in their communities, and to raise funds for the fight against cancer.
• Sherwood Youth Track Club provides track and field opportunities for athletes in 1st-8th grades.
• Yamhill Carlton Together Cares is creating opportunities to empower and strengthen their community.
• The South County Community Food Bank provides nutritious food to individuals and families that are food insecure in South Clatsop County.
• Oregon Shores works to protect the natural landscapes, ecosystems and communities of the region from the crest of the coastal mountains to the edge of the continental shelf, and to preserve public access to our public beaches. 
• Tillamook High's outstanding Cross Country team!

Giving back to runners – We’re runners. We like runners! Four of the relays started as a free preview before they were paid races. Every year we host over a dozen free runs with raffles and goodies in different parts of town so lots of people can participate. Our free pub run is on the last Wednesday of every month. In addition, free destination and partner runs are on other week nights or weekends, and often preview the Gorgeous courses. Find our upcoming free runs on our Facebook Events page and @imagorgeousrunner highlights. ​

Alexa Hasman, Owner and Coach at Fit Life and Gorgeous Guru

What you should do and not do when living the #vanlife during a relay race.
If you have never done a relay race, spending 12-36 hours in a van with 5 other smelly, sweaty people can be the most intimidating and stressful part of the race. After years of relay race experience and as a running coach I am here to breakdown how to survive, thrive and run well while experiencing the relay race van life.

Food, Drinks and Gear:
You are going into a relay race and you are sharing one space among 6 people and a ton of running gear, clothes, shoes, blankets, pillows and food. Van space is small, in case you haven’t experienced it, and precious. 

My biggest tip for how to make sure you don’t over pack your van and end up sitting with mountains of gear surrounding you is to create a list of must-haves and have your team members sign up for what they want to bring. I make the list and post it in a team facebook group and everyone comments with what they want to bring and with anything extra and special they want to include (beef jerky is a popular add-on for my teams). Below I have an example list of items for you to get an idea from. Doing this ensures that you don’t end up with 65 bananas and 17 tubes of icy hot. 

Being A Good Van Mate:
Spending that much time with 5 other people when you are exhausted, sore and gross feeling can test your emotions. That is why it is very important to remember these things to make sure the relay is fun and everyone gets along.

1. Get out the van and help your runners get ready and cheer your other runner in.  Not only is this just the nice thing to do, but it also gets you moving around and keeping your muscles from locking up. But mostly, your teammates will appreciate it.
2. If you are feeling gassy, let your teammates know and if appropriate and available, leave the van to relieve yourself. No one wants to sit in extra stench.
3. Be kind. When you are tired, little things can get on your last nerve. Remember that everyone in the van is tired and everyone is doing their best job to be a great teammate. Kind words and actions go a long way to making the experience enjoyable.
4. Keep your space relatively in order. This just makes it easier as you are all swapping seats and looking for your long lost left shoe that things are easy to find and people have room to sit. 
5. Have fun!!!! Just enjoy your time! No one is winning Olympic medals here. Have fun and laugh at all the gross and weird things you experience together in the van. I can promise you will walk away knowing each other MUCH better!

 
Staying Healthy and Running Happy:
Being in a van after you just ran your heart out can be a sweaty and crampy experience. Knowing that you have to do it again in a few hours can be daunting as your legs tighten up and you feel muscles you didn’t even know existed. Being successful in relay racing means keeping your body healthy as you sit in the van. Here are my top tips for keeping your body functioning and working well.

1. Use a tiger tail or massage stick to roll out your muscles post-run as your van drives to the next exchange.
2. Every exchange get out, walk around and stretch.
3. Bring different shoes and socks to change into or even better, wear sandals between runs to let your feet air out.
4. Put your feet up when you can and when socially appropriate in the van.
5. Move and get your glutes and core activated before you run. Sitting directly prior to your run and hoping out just in time to run won’t do your body any favors. 

 
Relay running is an adventure with so many fun times and memories to be made. Remember to cherish this time and your ability to do this with all your awesome van mates. Have fun and happy relaying! 

If you need anyone one-on-one advice or want to train with our awesome groups, reach out to us at www.thefitlifepdx.com

​Winter has come to an end and Spring Break is wrapping up, which means that race season is upon us but how do we get back into running after maybe taking a break to avoid the cold and dark time of the year? This is a question that plagues runners all across the Pacific Northwest and as running coach, this is the season where I see a lot of people jump both feet in back into running and racing and often times getting injured or frustrated. Here are my pro tips on coming back to running in a healthy and strong way:

1. Start small- Whether you ran marathons previously or just casually ran, jumping back into running full force will set you up for injury and failure. Start small with easy, slow and short distances and slowly build upon it. This will allow your body to adjust and get stronger without compromising your bones, muscles and ligaments. 
2. Recover and stretch- As a runner, I know how hard both of these things are. Runners are typically go, go, go so when we are asked to slow down, it really doesn’t seem appealing. Why go slow when we can go FAST!? Well, going slow and recovering is just as important if not MORE important than going out there and hammering out the miles. Your body grows and gets stronger in the recovery stages. Take the time to stretch, take recovery days, take Epsom salt baths and drink lots of water. Your body will thank you and you will see the results of your hard runs a lot faster. 
3. Be kind to yourself- No runner has ever jumped back into running and had it feel easy. It isn’t easy when you are returning to something, no matter what level you previously ran at. It is going to be hard and it is going to be frustrating and that is part of the process. Be kind to yourself and patient, the results will come but they will not come over night. I hear so much self-deprecation from clients as they start back into a fitness routine. Being hard on yourself isn’t going to do anything good for you. Be easy on yourself and proud of the fact that you are getting out there and working on yourself. 
4. Don’t quit- As stated in the last point, it isn’t easy coming back to fitness but the one thing that will make it harder is quitting. So, do not give up yourself. Be confident and positive about your goals and keep your head up as you work towards them. You’ve got this!

Go out there and get your goals! The Gorgeous Series is cheering you on and we can’t wait to see you out on the relay courses this year! 

For more tips or advice on returning to running, feel free to message me at info@thefitlifepdx.com. 

Get more tips, strategies, coaching and encouragement from Alexa at Fit Life. Alexa coaches all abilities in groups and one-on-one. We love having people from Alexa's groups join us for group runs and relays - they are fun to run with, have such a positive attitude, and are fun to hang out with post-run, as well!