KRTT (Kids Run This Town) Summer Safari Color Run FAQ

Kids hate running? Do they refuse to run with you? Tired of them parked on the couch all day? Need to wear them out a little so YOU can nap on your couch for a while? Well your local chapter of MRTT has the cure for you! How about a run they want to do? A color run!

1.       When and Where

Tired of seeing this all day?! Make them run!

Saturday August 2 at Orange Terrace Community Park 20010 Orange Terrace Pkwy, Riverside, California 92508. Fun starts at 8:00 am.

2.       What to Expect

We will meet at the corner of Deercreek and Grove Community and walk the kiddos down to the Bunker Loop Trail where they will do a 1k out and back. Adult volunteers will happily throw non toxic colored cornstarch at them and maybe even hose them down with colored water. (Payback for your little couch “french fry”.)

3.       What to Wear

White of course! So they can show off how colorful they get. If you do it right, some of the color will stay on their clothes.

4.       Will there be medals?

Updated: Yes, they were out of stock but Tyree was able to order another set. They look a little different from the others, but the kiddos won't care. $5 each (swag included). You can send payment to Tyree at calltyree@calltyree.com via PayPal using the friends and family option.
 

5.       Do I need to register?

Yes please. In order to provide adequate support we need to have a head count. To register simply join the event you wish to attend, preferably in the Riverside MRTT chapter’s Facebook page.

6.       Is there a charge to run?

No the event is free but space is limited.

7.       What happens after the run?  

Informal pot luck picnic at the park’s water pad. Bring something to share.

8.       But I don’t have kids?!

No problem, bring your nieces, nephews, grandkids and even your neighbor’s kids. The more targets…oops I mean kids out there, the more fun it will be for the for the color throwing grownups…I mean kids.

Kitchen disaster? No way! Make her do the color run.

9.       Any other color related hot tips?

I found a pdf document put out by the Color Run folks. They suggest wearing swimming goggles if you want to keep the color out of eyes. To avoid coloring your hair, they recommend spraying your hair with a leave in conditioner before the race or covering it with a hat or a bandana. Lastly to get the color to wash out of hair and clothes, dust or shake off as much of the color as possible. Rinse your hair with cold water and wash your hair as you normally would. Oxiclean (or a similar product) will take out a lot of the color out of your clothes; but rinse them first and make sure you wash them separately. On light colored hair or clothing it might take a few washes to get all the color out. Your hair will probably be fine after a few washes, but your favorite white clothes might permanently bear a few rainbow marks. Remember, those spots of remaining color are a badge of honor and a permanent reminder of all the fun you and your kiddo(s) had. 

Scavenger Hunt Results

In case you are dying to find out, the scavenger hunt winners were announced at the July 12 Harford Springs trail run.

Runners that completed the route and found all the clues received an adorable certificate with a raffle ticket that is good for all three trail runs this summer.

Drum roll please, and the winners are:

Tyree

Vanessa

The clue that almost everyone missed, including me.

Cecilia

Sophia

Tammy

Maria

Dawn

Champagne

Everyone who completed the route received an entry into the grand prize drawing, which was a $15 Starbucks certificate (large enough to share with your team mates or even your favorite blogger…hint hint) and the proud winner of that was (another drum roll please) Maria.

By the way Maria, your team captain took your certificate and promised me that she will get it to you right after she stops at a Starbucks. She was a little fuzzy on the details.  She has an honest face, so we’re good. (Just kidding, I know she will get it to you.)

Another scavenger hunt is in the works for the fall. So stay tuned.

Your favorite blogger and Maria’s new best coffee drinking friend (right Maria?),

Cheryl

Chasing Vanessa Kline

Vanessa Kline

Not every middle to the back of the pack runner has a chance to run with an elite. Usually, if we’re lucky, we get to see them at the starting line. Or if we’re patient, at a meet and greet after a long wait in line. Last Tuesday on July 1 at Box Springs Mountain Park, we were given an opportunity to trail run with local running celebrity Vanessa Kline. Since 2012 Vanessa has run 33 marathons, 20 half-marathons and two 50-mile events. She started out as a track athlete in high school but stopped running when she started a family. After a 14 year break, she started running again and completed the San Diego Rock n’ Roll Marathon in a respectable time of 4:19. Crossing that finish line fueled her passion for running, and with extensive training she was able to qualify for Boston at the St. George Marathon in Utah. She crossed the Boston finish line in 3:39, a mere half hour before the bombs went off two blocks away from where she was standing. 

Q: When did you start running and why?

A: “I started running in January 2012 after having my 3rd child two months prior. I was overweight and none of my clothes would fit. I had been a runner in high school, but hadn't run for over 14 years so getting back out there was a big challenge. I didn't think I could commit to myself, so I signed up for the San Diego Rock 'N' Roll Marathon and went for my first run the very next day.

“I had never run a race longer than a 5k, but I was never the type to make things easy on myself, so a marathon it was! The first few months were hard, I was sucking wind and felt like I was going to die. There were days I wasn't motivated and my fiancé would literally push me out the door telling me, "Just go, you'll feel better!" He was right...after the first mile it really wasn't so bad. It was just getting through the first part of the run that was difficult. I cried on many of my runs, but I kept pushing through even when it sucked. Eventually running became something I wanted to do, not something I had to do.”



Vanessa with Riverside MRTT Members

Q: It takes a lot of training to run at an elite level, describe a typical training session or even a training week?

A: “As long as I am healthy, I am averaging 70-90 miles a week. I find I can run more without my body breaking down if I stay on trails, too many miles on the road really beats me up. I will cycle a few high 90 mile weeks and then bump it back for a week or two to let my body recover. I don't follow any specific training plans. I run road marathons often (sometimes two or three a month), but I am usually pacing them so I'm not running at 100%. Those runs are more for training.

“I also change my training depending on what race I have coming up. I am not really training for marathons right now, my actual races are the ultras. If I have a mountain race, I try to do most of my running in the mountains and on hills. If I have a road ultra, I will try to get on the road more.

http://www.runtahoe.com/content/triples

“It becomes a little tricky when I have two big races back to back. This year I'm running Lake Tahoe Super Triple the weekend of 9/13, then Kodiak 100 Miler the weekend of 9/20. Since I am already in training for AC100 on 8/2, I will keep mostly to the trails after that race and then add in some of my longer runs on the road. So for example: I might run 25 miles in the mountains and the following day another 20-25 miles on the road.”

http://www.ac100.com/

http://kodiak100.com/

Q: How did you find out about Moms Run this Town and what do you like about the group?

A: “I originally found out about the High Desert Chapter of MRTT after a friend had added me. There were several of us in another running group from the High Desert area. After MRTT found an administrator in our area the group blossomed. Soon I was added to other MRTT groups in the surrounding areas.

“I like the fact that there are runners of all shapes, sizes, and abilities. There is someone for EVERYONE to run with. Whether you are fast or slow doesn't matter. There is a ton of support in the MRTT groups, and I find it motivating when others tell me I'm motivating them.

“I love seeing people make progress. That is so satisfying to me when I see someone go from walking around the block to running their first race. I love seeing people improve themselves!”

Q: It looks like you have kids, how do you fit it all in?

A: “To fit all my running in I have a lot of support. My fiancé, mom, my sister and her husband all help watch my kids if I'm going to be gone. I also have a babysitter that my kids love for those times when family is not able to help. It literally takes a village.

“Sometimes it is hard because the distance I've chosen to participate in takes many training hours each week. I try to get my runs in (or at least start them) when everyone is still asleep. I am not really a morning person, but I think I've learned to become one. If I have to do my run at 2am before work I will. Whatever it takes!

“It is also a challenge because my fiancé Thomas Stokes is an athlete as well (a professional MMA fighter) so we are (pun intended) often "fighting" for training time. We try to be courteous and think of each other’s needs. We often cross train together (strength & conditioning) and that lets us push each other. Neither one of us wants to be beat so it can get quite competitive in our home gym!”

https://www.facebook.com/TommyHandsOfStoneStokes

Q: Any hints or tips for those just starting out?

A: “Get a good pair of shoes. My favorite running store is Fleet Feet Sports in Rancho Cucamonga. It is family owned and they really take care of their customers.

http://www.fleetfeetranchocucamonga.com/

“Start out slowly. Do not go from A-Z. Increase mileage by no more than 10% each week.

“Make sure you commit to yourself. If you can't, find a goal race and sign up for it or find a partner (MRTT is great for this). No one is going to do this for you, you have to do it for yourself. 

“Be flexible. Don't be afraid to run at night, early morning, on trail, with someone new, just get out there.

“Stay consistent. My rule is no more than 2 days off of running in a row (unless you are sick or injured). On the third day you start to lose fitness.”

If you are interested in reading more about Vanessa’s journey as a runner, here are a few links for you to check out:

https://www.facebook.com/vanessaklinelikeabeast

https://twitter.com/vanessajkline

http://instagram.com/vanessajkline

http://www.polarbottle.com/polar-bottle-sponsors-first-ultra-marathoner/

http://charitymiles.tumblr.com/post/55184151027/vanessa-kline

http://charitymiles.tumblr.com/post/60205183466/an-interview-with-vanessa-kline-marathon-runner

http://www.mathcs.citadel.edu/trautmand/stuff/bestfrequentmarathoners2013.htm

http://www.vvdailypress.com/article/20140607/SPORTS/140609851/13000/SPORTS?template=printart

http://www.vvdailypress.com/article/20140621/Sports/140629958

https://www.facebook.com/vvdailypressnews/posts/451792021579570

July 7 Updates to the Dirty Mother Runner Posts

We are getting close to our first run, so if you are not following Facebook closely I have updated the Dirty Mother Runner Summer Series 2014 *UPDATED INFORMATION* post. Loads of exciting information on swag bags and raffles. Check it out and make sure you comment or post on Facebook if you have any questions..
http://mrtt-riverside.blogspot.com/2014/05/dirty-mother-runner-summer-series-2014.html

Entries Due: Summer Running? Ready! Steady! SCAVENGER HUNT!

Entries for the MRTT Summer Scavenger Hunt are due this Thursday! So if you ran the route over the holiday weekend or plan on running it this week, make sure you email me your entry at keeperterrier@gmail.com so it can be tallied. Winners will be announced and entered into a grand prize drawing on Saturday July 12.