PDX Sparrow: Jim O'Connell Will Run Coast to Hood to Coast for ...

Start spreading the news! My charity just put together this great blog for the Portland Sparrow Clubs. Have a look. Jim O'Connell
PDX Sparrow: Jim O'Connell Will Run Coast to Hood to Coast for ...: "The 2011 Ultralords are a team of 9 Portland runners who will be running a round trip Coast - Hood to Coast this summer! On August 25 they ..."

But seriously, folks...

Pardon my silliness from the other day, or not. This is a serious endeavor we are undertaking, and yet without a healthy dose of levity it will be just a death march, and who wants that?

With all sincerity, however, I am extremely appreciative of those encouraging us and also those supporting our efforts, including our sponsors Portland Running Company and Dave’s Killer Bread (and I hope to soon add another to that list). I’d also like to send a shout out to our gracious race volunteers Christine Starnes, Frank Allaert and Rachel Crowley, who will give up a part of their weekend for us. Kudos to Brenda Parrish who upgraded the logo she designed for the original UltraLords 6x6 team from 2007. And thanks to all those who’ve already made generous contributions to our charities or might soon be considering it. And the rest of you out there reading about us, or cheering us on, or who will be willing to give us your seat on the bus that Monday after the event…

I’m happy to report that the HTC Race Committee, especially Bob Foote and Jude Hubber, seem more than tolerant of our undertaking so far. It is my intent to ensure that they do not regret that. After all, following our 200-mile warm-up jog, they are pulling out all the stops, including inviting more than 1,000 other teams for us to chase after and celebrate with on the way west. I know, they were going to do that anyway, but still…

And I can’t forget my tremendous teammates, without whom none of this would be possible. They are preparing very hard. In fact they train so much they have no time to answer my emails, which makes sorting through the logistics that much more challenging. (A few thoughts on logistics in my next post.) These are good guys (not one career politician among them) and talented (not game show talented, although I suppose I shouldn’t rule it out; not sideshow talented, although you have to be a little odd to be an UltraLord; just dedicated, resilient and impressive maturing athletes who also still have to work for a living) and fun to be around, and yes  - seriously - I still expect to feel that way after sharing a vehicle with them for 50+ straight hours.

Steve

A few words from the captain

Greetings! Little by little the word is getting out to our friends, our coworkers, and the community at large that the UltraLords team exists and that we have ambitious plans for Hood to Coast weekend. We definitely appreciate all the kind words (“Are you kidding? That’s just crazy! What is wrong with you guys?”) as well as the demonstrations of enthusiasm and support for what we will be doing and the causes we will be benefitting. What will really be interesting is to see what happens when we tell our families… no, I’m kidding, most of them probably know by now.

If you are wondering why we are doing this, join the club. I only know why I am doing it, or at least the excuses I’m using (looking to shake things up after 26 consecutive years of HTC; try something unprecedented as a motivation to boost my training and halt the downward slide in performance occurring at age 55; create an opportunity to help out some charities and get more people than just my great running buddies to embrace the excitement that is team relay running). So last fall I innocently make a suggestion, float an idea, express a possibility, and before I know it all these other guys are straining hamstrings trying to get in on the action. Then when I explained it better they all bolted for the exit, and eventually I found these other dudes to make the dream a reality… maybe they still don’t understand what is going to happen. And that’s fine as long as they make it through all 8 rotations before it all sinks in.

Steve

Thanks to our Sponsors!

A special shout out to Dave and Paula Harkin of Portland Running company and Kaysea Mourlas of Dave's Killer Breads for helping our team out with uniforms and food. We really appreciate the support. Those of us that can are planning on helping out at the Crawfish Crawl on August 13th. See you there.
Jim O'Connell

Welcome to our Blog!

Thank you for visiting our new blog. We are just getting started with the electronic networking and will be starting up a Facebook page as well. 


Who Are the Ultralords?
      We are a group of runners primarily based in Portland that will be running a unique Coast to Hood to Coast relay. Our team will be starting at Seaside on Thursday and running back to Mt. Hood tracing the relay route. When we arrive at Timberline we will turn around and complete the actual relay with all of the other teams. 


A Little History:
Our team is made up of a core group from The Standard Company that created the Ultralord team in 2007 as a group of 6 (a team is usually 12)  that ran the Hood to Coast Relay. Four members of that team dreamed up this unique challenge and managed to talk some fellow runners into joining them. 


An Extra Share of Giving Too!


In addition to the extra mileage, each member of the team has chosen an organization to sponsor. Our goal is to raise public awareness and hopefully some extra funding for these groups. You can learn more about each organization by clicking on the links listed in the upper right of this blog. 

Team Members and Charitable Organization:

Steve Strauss                   Oregon Food Bank

Mike Flanigan                 Multiple Sclerosis Association 

Kevin Flanigan                Multiple Sclerosis Association

Mark Anderson               Boys and Girls Aid

Todd Peterson                 Goose Hollow Family Shelter

Lance Dayton                 Children's Cancer Association

Jim O'Connell                  Sparrow Clubs

David Bryant                   Pray America

Joe Dudman                     Nature Conservancy