meet the team: Ken

If you want to hear Ken scream like a little girl, just hide on any portion of the Kent Trail where you'll find him running and push a skunk out onto the trail...and make sure you have the recording device ready. Ken runs to stay in shape - both physically and spiritually - he has always been a sprinter - in life and on the track - so running long distances has taught him how to pace himself, how to fight through the hard times and how to keep the end goal in mind. "Press on toward the prize" (Philippians 3:14) is always on his mind.

Running seriously for 2+ years, he has accomplished several 25K's, a marathon and now the ultimate: the MC200 relay. For Ken, prep is key for this relay (Ken is running in the 5th rotation - and his last run is his most grueling: 8.2 miles. He'll run a total of 31.5 miles over the six legs) so he has done the prep well: long runs for the base mileage and 3-a-days and 2-a-days this past week.

I'm looking to Ken for that comic relief and strong encouragement when we are all wasted mentally and physically. And, just for kicks, I hope we see at least one skunk over the 200 miles.

meet the team: Clint

Clint is the youngest member of the Ultra Baal-Out team, but that's what keeps us old guys challenged - young, strong, fast legs. His time in the U. S. Army gave him plenty of opportunities to run, but through the training for the MC200 he has run longer and further than ever before AND experienced some great running highs - along w blistered feet, chaffed nipples and Howard's magic potion drinks - all for the first time - yes the sign of a true runner!

He is serious about some running goals this year which include: run a sub 20 minute 5K, and finish a marathon - BUT let's keep our priorities straight, first he needs to run his six legs in the 4th rotation of the MC200 (total of 31.2 miles). What motivates Clint to keep running? it's an opportunity to pray, see the world in slow motion and of course hang out with some very inspiring teammates. I love this quote from Clint: "if you don't push your limits, they will push you, and with God there are no limits!"

Oiling the Machine

thanks to the sponsorship of Udo's Oil, we've all been "oiling the machine" for the past few months. I love Udo's Oil and have personally seen an incredible turn around in a nagging problem I've had for over a year with a tight IT Band - no longer bothering me since I've consistently been using Udo's 3-6-9 Blend. Check it out for yourself at http://www.udoerasmus.com/ or http://www.florahealth.com/

So what has Udo's Oil done for you? Have you tried it yet? This skeptic is a believer and a very vocal evangelist for what it has done for me.

All six members of the team were together today - and these happy faces are celebrating a wet but great River Bank Run last week (we all finished between 2:06 and 2:15) and a great 6.75 mile run this morning. Some have already started the 2 a day or 3 a day runs prepping for the big race which is only three weeks away. Look for individual stories from each team member in the coming days...