Oh man Hood to Coast is here and The Nest is PUMPED. This year, the HQ squad (Sally, Kristin, JJ, Christy, Dr Lesko plus Bob Lesko and Kerr as drivers) are teaming up with our friends at Every Mother Counts (Christy Turlington Burns, Clancy McCarty, Alex Newbold, Nick Newbold, Fain Sutter, Amy Sutter, and Kristen Kirkland) and doing a combined EMC/Oiselle Team. The mission: raise awareness about maternal health, and what we can all do to improve it! The method: run the "mother of all relays"...all 198 miles to support the cause, AND capture it on film. Yep, EMC is working with a film crew to chronicle the event - from our arrival in PDX and 12:30 start time to our finish Saturday afternoon at the beach. We're ready to rock, roll and relay! Even more so after we read our teammates bios...athleticism, humor, and a healthy love of cheeseburgers. It's gonna be gooooood! And even better if you connect with us along the way: #RunEMC (or the we-digress-in-the-nest #motherflockers) Last but not least, a big thank you to our sponsor-friends @ShowerPill @PickyBars and @NuunHydration for keeping us clean and fueled! 

Hope to see you at the shore!

xoxo
 

Meet the team below, from Leg 1 to Leg 12.

Fain Sutter @fainsutter
Founder and Chairman of GOS (Getting old Sucks). 40-ish year old, dad, wannabe 30 year old hipster. Started running marathons at age 30, only running them now to offset indulgent lifestyle. Married to one teammate, neighbors with another, and carpooled as a child with the sister-in-law of one our co-team leaders. Raised in the Pacific NW, now a 20 year, fully committed New Yorker.

Your pump up song: 5 Minutes of Funk, 12" Remix, Whodini
Must have post leg snack/treat: Tequila
Most excited for: Running the 1st leg
Most nervous for: Running the 1st leg
Your motivation (what you'll call to mind on that third leg): That I'll be done before the rest of my 11 teammates. Bragging rights.
Something your vanmates should know about you? I'm claustrophobic; I have 5 herniated discs in my neck and listen to a lot of Prince.
Do you know what you're getting into? Sadly, I do...

Nicolas Newbold @nicolasnewbold

Formerly employed at the Haus of Turly and contributed to the filming of NWNC and launch of EMC, Nick has been lured back into the world of maternal health by continuing to co-captain EMC's NYC marathon teams. Jack of all trades, king of none. Despite his many attempts to retire from organized running events, fear of missing out continues to keep Nick's shoes laced.

Pump up song: Fucked Up, "Generation"
Must have post leg snack/treat: Almond Croissant
Most Excited for: My instagram
Most nervous for: Everyone stuck in van #2 with my brother
Your motivation: Anything for a t-shirt...
Something your vanmates should know about you? I sleep with a retainer, still...
Do you know what you're getting into? the jury is still out...

Kristen Kirkland @kristenkirkland

Kristen Kirkland is the HR Director and Running Events Manager for Every Mother Counts, a job that perfectly combines her passions in life. She is also the mom of two little girls, Maya and Luna. Kristen has been a runner her entire life, running cross country in middle and high school and college and having completed 5 marathons.

Your pump up song: 99 Problems - Jay–Z
Must have post leg snack/treat: Blueberry, banana, almond butter smoothie
Most excited for: the whole experience, never done anything like this
Most nervous for: running in the middle of the night
Your motivation (what you'll call to mind on that third leg): my journey to working at EMC, to the opportunity to do this race – never in my wildest dreams…
Something your vanmates should know about you: I snore
Do you know what you're getting into? Not really, but that's the fun part. I know I will never forget this experience, and I can't wait.

Sarah Lesko @drlesko

Sarah Lesko loves to keep on her toes by juggling the roles of family doctor, wife of a hunk, mom of 3 boys, Corp Dev at Oiselle, Diamond League Nanny for Lauren Fleshman, and masters runner.

Your pump up song: 8 mile (lose yourself) Eminem
Must have post leg snack/treat: Picky bar, hummus, jerky
Most excited for: Van bonding, running free
Most nervous for: Getting injured or lost
Your motivation (what you'll call to mind on that third leg): Supporting mamas everywhere and hanging with my birds
Something your vanmates should know about you: I can do a quick Graston, ART, massage that will make you feel a lot better, just ask!
Do you know what you're getting into? No idea, I've never done a relay!

Sally Bergesen @oiselle_sally

Sally Bergesen is founder + CEO of Oiselle. She loves to make women happy through well-designed athletic apparel, and is doing her best to raise two strong and healthy girls, ages 14 and 10. This will be Sally's 6th Hood to Coast, so if the van gets lost, it's her fault.

Pump up song: 212, Azealia Banks; or Calm Like a Bomb, Rage Against the Machine
Must have post leg snack/treat: Garlic fries and anchovies
Most Excited for: Garlic fries and anchovies
Most nervous for: Staring at Christy Turlington Burns. Good thing I'm not in her van.
Your motivation: A Lauren Fleshman mantra; or maybe just Lauren Fleshman
Something your vanmates should know about you? "Hooker" is my term of endearment
Do you know what you're getting into? Don't think. Don't know. Just run.

Clancy McCarty @clancymccarty

Clancy is Manager of Special Projects at EMC and co-produced Christy’s film, “No Woman, No Cry” so she’s been around for a while. She started running after she experienced FOMO from watching Team EMC run the 2011 ING NYC Marathon. She decided to start training there and then and become a little obsessive (and competitive) and when the 2012 NYC marathon was canceled, she ran it anyway, only to wake up the next day unable to walk for 2 months.

Your pump up song: Upgrade You by Beyoncé and Jay-Z
Must have post leg snack/treat: banana and almond butter...but really a cheeseburger and beer
Most excited for: pulling an all nighter and feeling delirious
Most nervous for: running in the dark at 2:30am & potential injuries
Your motivation (what you'll call to mind on that third leg): the moms!
Something your vanmates should know about you: I can go 7 days without showering
Do you know what you're getting into? I’m trying not to think about it.

Amy Sutter @amysutter

Fain's wife and working mother of 2.  This is my second HTC.  The first was almost 20 years ago while employed at Microsoft and therefore the memories are a bit dim.  Hope to have a better run this time around which shouldn't  be too hard as long as I don't eat at Burger King again after my first leg.  Proud to be representing EMC and look forward to a quick visit with Mom and Dad at the finish.

Your pump up song:  fame by David Bowie mispronounced "fain"
Must have post leg snack/treat: Cronuts!!
Most excited for: the finish
Most nervous for: the certain injury my husband will have post race..
Your motivation (what you'll call to mind on that third leg): nice glass of wine
Something your vanmates should know about you: slow and steady wins the race...also I talk in my sleep
Do you know what you're getting into? Unfortunately yes and last time I was a naive 20 something yr old...

Christy Slye @ckslye

VP of Sales for Oiselle. Runs for the friendships, fitness, and fresh air of Northern California.

Your pump up song: Fearless Pink Floyd
Must have post leg snack/treat: A cheeseburger; is that possible?
Most excited for: the Showerpill
Most nervous for: getting lost on my legs...in the dark...in the woods.
Your motivation (what you'll call to mind on that third leg): maybe I really will get a cheeseburger
Something your vanmates should know about you: I will bring along TP, just in case! See the next question...
Do you know what you're getting into? yes, have been on a few 12 person/2 van relays

Alex Newbold @nubeefied

Alex Newbold works at an investment bank by day, and spends the rest of his time as co-captain of the Every Mother Counts marathon team along with his brother Nick. He took up running 6 years ago, and has since racked up 5 marathons, a dozen half-marathons, and 1 Reach the Beach relay. This will be his first hood to coast... Let’s just hope he keeps his clothes on.

Pump up song: Juice (Know The Ledge) - Eric B & Rakim
Must have post leg snack/treat: Vanilla Orgain Shakes
Most excited for: Scratching HTC off the to-do list and hearing Fain complain about how bad his quads hurt

Most nervous for: What lurks in the dark
Your motivation (what you'll call to mind on that third leg): A shower and that celebratory drink
Something your vanmates should know about you: It wasn’t me!
Do you know what you're getting into?  Ignorance is bliss.

Kristin Metcalf @oiselle_team

Oiselle racing team manager. She loves keeping track of and connecting all of the fabulous women representing and racing for Oiselle Team. Mother of 9 year old MacKenzie and wife of UW track/xc coach Greg. She was a high school xc/track coach for 15 years and always a life long runner!

Pump up Song: We Are Young - Fun
Post Leg Snack: Peanut Butter, Banana and Honey on a English Muffin
Most excited for: Hanging out with all the fabulous women on our EMC/Oiselle team!
Most nervous for: Not sleeping and then running
Your Motivation: Having a big juicy, yummy cheeseburger and beer afterwards
Vanmates should know about me: I tend to talk in my sleep...if I do sleep!
Do you know what you're getting into? I know that I am going to have a blast with everyone and run my butt off!

Jacquelyn Komen @jackelizabethk

Recent graduate from the University of Washington, Jacquelyn has been with Oiselle for a year and a half and recently joined the crew full time as a Social Media Specialist. She’s raced both in high school and collegiately and has continued to train and represent Oiselle. First time in a relay & first time Hood to Coastin!

Pump up song: Party in the USA by Miley Cyrus
Must have post leg snack/treat: PB&J + All in Almond Picky Bars
Most excited for: Living the van life: awesome new people, no sleep, crazy eating patterns, high mileage. Bring it on.
Most nervous for: Legs feeling stiff and tight after each run with no quick fix... @jasyoga I'm counting on you for this one (blog to come!)
Your motivation (what you'll call to mind on that third leg): Running side by side with team EMC. Their motivation for racing H2C is contagious and is a big encouragement to run fast and finish strong.
Something your vanmates should know about you: I'm 100% pulling an all nighter. Kooky-ness will kick in around 4am.
Do you know what you're getting into? Golly I hope so and I'm STOKED!

Christy Turlington Burns @Cturlington

Christy is the founder of Every Mother Counts and director/producer of “No Woman, No Cry”. She has always been a yogi, and when EMC was offered 10 spots in the 2011 ING Marathon, she gathered a team and ran her first marathon, and trained for the 2012 NYC Marathon.  Christy has 2 kids- Grace (9) and Finn (7).

Your pump up song: Martha Wainwright's rendition of "No Woman, No Cry"
Must have post leg snack/treat: banana with almond butter
Most excited for: escaping my non vacation (been inundated with visiting family for weeks)
Most nervous for: nothing, only excited!
Your motivation (what you'll call to mind on that third leg): easy, any mom approaching labor
Something your vanmates should know about you: I haven't been around non family members in WEEKS and they may get an ear full
Do you know what you're getting into? Nope, and I love it!