Got a relay race coming up?  Make packing simple with this list.  Stop stressing about what to pack and focus on the running!

During the run:

• Running tops (long, short or tank - depends on the weather)
• Running bottoms (tights or shorts - depends on the weather)
• Undergarments - sports bra, undies
• Shoes - trail and/or road shoes (these are pretty important!)
• Socks
• Hat
• Reflective vest
• Sunglasses
• Sunscreen
• Gloves
• Watch (heart rate monitor if you use one)
• BodyGlide!!!!

Between runs:

• Change of clothes (something warm and comfy)
• Flip flops (let those toes breath)
• Swimsuit
• Rain jacket (hopefully you don't need)

Food & Fuel:

• Water (lots of it) and other sports drinks
• Food for before running, during running and after running

Personal Items:

• Toiletries (toothbrush/paste, hair brush, soap, chapstick, shampoo, face cloth, etc)
• Towel
• Toilet paper
• First aid kit

Everything else:

• Sleeping bag/pillow/blanket
• Alarm clock (if your watch doesn't have one)
• Camera (a picture is worth a thousand words)
• Flashlight or headlamp
• $ and ID

Good luck!

Join the Corvallis Knights and HOTV Runners for the 3rd Annual Out to the Ballgame 5k! Walk or run the 5k course through the OSU campus, and finish at home plate at Coleman Field.  The event fee is just $15, and includes entry to the Knights game.  Plus you get to finish crossing (or sliding) home plate at OSU's famous Coleman Field.

I'll be working at the registration table so come say 'Hi'!  I'll be the one in this awesome shirt.

The Western States Endurance 100 Mile Run is this weekend, June 25-26. One of the oldest and most difficult trail runs in the country, the 100 mile (yeah, I said 100 miles!!!) race starts at Squaw Valley, California, and finishes at Auburn, California.  Good luck to all the amazing (and a bit crazy) runners participating!!!

Before I became a runner I didn't believe that people actually ran marathons (26.2).  I couldn't fathom people running that far!  But once I started running, a marathon seemed like something I could do.  Since then I have done 3 marathons and have my sites on many more.

When I was training for my first marathon, I remember my husband asking me if I would ever run a race longer than a marathon.  I responded, "No way! That's crazy!".  And here I am training for my first ultra marathon (50K) coming up in September (McKenzie River Ultra).

Yup, I'm crazy.  It just seems like the next logical step.  The next level. What is after this one?  I have no idea, but I'm not ruling out anything.

I watched the trailer to Running Madness (a documentary that follows the Western States 100) and I have to admit I was intrigued.  I'm just saying....