One Spears Strong Step at a Time

By Shelby Spears
spears@spearsstrong.com

Run with confidence. 

Relax. 

Embrace the suck. 

Just keep pushing. 

Believe in yourself. Believe in your training. You're Spears Strong. 

These are just a few of the text messages I got from Jonathan while running the Hood to Coast relay this past weekend. It's one of the longest and largest relay races in the world and I could not imagine a better group of people to be experiencing it with for the first time. I had never done a relay before and was incredibly anxious leading up to it, more anxious than I had expected to be.

But the positivity and encouragement of our group was infectious. From helping teammates as soon as they finished their leg of the race by getting them water, helping them back to the van and walking them through a cool down to sharing food, taking turns driving and cracking jokes in the middle of the night ... there was no negativity ... only collaboration and teamwork. 

I could go on forever about the interesting stories, the chaos of the race and the experience of the runs but I think it's better told in photos. And if you want to hear more, come to the lab and ask our Spears Strongers how it went! The stories are endless and incredible. 

Above all, we want to thank everyone who participated in the One Spears Strong Step at a Time team and everyone who volunteered. We are so proud and thankful for such an amazing group and we are already planning for next year...