The Women of Rock N Roll

It's no secret that the Rock N Roll series is my favorite to run.  Pick a race--any race--in the series, and you will have a good time.  The music, the course, the location...it sets this series apart from any other in which I have run.

While each race is unique in location, there are a few things that one can count on when running multiple races in the Rock N Roll series.  One of those consistencies is the staff that works each event.  For those of us who have the Tour Pass and are Hall of Fame members, seeing their faces on a regular basis when going to a new or even a familiar city is our anchor and our familiarity in a city where, sometimes, we are complete strangers and know no one.


As someone who travels for a living, I am used to being alone and introducing myself to others at work who share the same interests as I do, trying to generate a common bond so that we can meet up for the next show or event so that I won't be alone too often.  Travel is fun alone, but not on a regular basis.

De Moe and I celebrating our Hall of Fame banner

Running is different.  When you are a runner, you bond instantly with others with the ability to talk for hours with someone you have just met five minutes ago.  And when you arrive at a Rock N Roll event alone and see those familiar faces at the Expo, the starting line, or along the course, you know you really are never alone.  You are with family.

The past few years I have had the pleasure of bonding and developing friendships with several people who work for the Rock N Roll Series.  I look for them each time I race and miss them when they are not around.  A race just isn't the same without seeing them at some point along the weekend.

A few really have stood out over the years, and with all the changes happening within the Rock N Roll Series, I wanted to take a few minutes to highlight a few people who have make the past few years an incredible, irreplaceable experience for me...

So...without further ado, I present:

 The Women of Rock N Roll

Of course, the moment Kim and I get out of the Uber from ORD we are greeted by The Women of Rock N Roll

Lisa

Lisa helping people figure out
Race Day logistics

Known as the "Queen of Rock N Roll" back home in Vancouver, Lisa joined the team in February of 2014 as an Ambassador of Rock for Vancouver.  She can be found in the VIP Booth at the RnR Expos as well as the VIP Finish Experience at most events.

I asked Lisa what her favorite RnR was to run, and to no surprise, she said Vancouver.  While the RnR Series does not offer Vancouver as one of its Tour Stops now, she does hope that it will be added back into the series in the future.  Until then, her favorite RnR to run would have to be Seattle because of the time of year and the beauty of running in the Pacific Northwest along such a scenic course.

The frenzied look of a runner who just set a PR on the hills of
 San Francisco, met at the finish line by Lisa

When asked what her favorite RnR event to work is, without hesitation, she stated Nashville.  The Southern Charm, the politeness of the people, great food, and country music are enough to win her over.

I asked her why she loved working for RnR...as she teared up, she said:

"I love running and sharing my love of running with people.  I've never been prouder of working for a company that knows what to do and how to do it and gives each runner an exceptional experience."

I couldn't agree more.



Mindy

Mindy crowning me with the 2017
 Triple Marathon Challenge Medal

Mindy holds a position in Customer Loyalty and Service in National Promotions.  As Rock N Roll transitions from just marathons to the Ironman series, it is exciting to watch Mindy make the transition, also.

Mindy and Ryan, giving out Heavy Medals

Mindy is a Legacy at the Savannah Rock N Roll, meaning she ran the first race that RnR offered in Savannah and has participated in subsequent races since then.  I'm trying to talk her into doing the full with me this upcoming weekend, but I think she and I are both smart by staying with the half.

Mindy awarding Mitch with the Hall of Fame Medal

Mindy can usually be found at the main RnR booth at the Expo, but is more known to many of us as the woman who delivers us our coveted Heavy Medals at the designated tent at the finish line festivities.  Who doesn't love seeing her smiling face when receiving the 8-track or Gold Record?  I know I do!!  Can't wait for another Hall of Fame Medal in San Antonio!

Mindy's favorite race to run has been Nashville.  She loves the crowd support, "people EVERYWHERE cheering!"  And, as Lisa did, she loved Vancouver.

As far as her favorite event to work, it has to be Seattle for the beauty of the city, landscape and, without question, the FOOD.  "I wish we had a Pike Place where I live," she said.

Can anyone get enough chowder and crab after a race?  I think not.

Always a joy to see Mindy and Ryan at the Expo

Yinka

Did you know that Yinka speaks five languages??  FIVE!!!!

Never has there been a woman who understands
my love for bacon more than Yinka

Born in Sierra Leone and growing up in Minnesota via Ethiopia and Kenya, Yinka admits that she isn't a runner...YET!  I have a feeling that we may win her over and have her race for the first time very soon.  She also loves Nashville as her favorite event to work, primarily because of the music.


Yinka is the VIP Experience Manager for the Rock N Roll Events.  For a woman so young, her talents are ageless.  "Hospitality is my passion," she says.  I couldn't agree more.  You can tell when Yinka is managing a VIP event and when she is not....it's all in the details.

How I'm supposed to look after two
FULL MARATHONS in a week...

How I REALLY feel after running
Liverpool and San Diego in a week

When asked how she can relate to the runners because she does not race, she said, "Because I'm not a runner, this has been a very educational experience--learning about PRs and chafing and how important porto potties are in the mornings!"  YES!  She understands!

BACON!!!!!

Even if I've had a bad race, seeing her cheers me up right away.  Her smile and laughter are infectious and no matter how sore I am, I always make it a point to find her on race day to brighten my spirits.

The Power Duo of Lisa and Yinka in Virginia Beach

It was just announced that the Rock N Roll Tour Pass will be changing--dramatically.  For me to do the same amount of races that I have done over the past few years will cost me at least triple in registration fees alone.  I'm not sure that I will be able to participate in as many races as I would like to, which saddens me greatly.

Seeing these women--these wonderfully talented women--at least once a month and sometimes on back to back to back weekends in different time zones and even different countries has given me so much inspiration and love that I have no words to accurately sing their praises.  When I have no strength to run because I am mentally exhausted, they are there giving me a hug and a pat on the back to get up early and run the remix.  When my body is broken from flying 14-18 days a month for work, they are there to give me a bagel and bacon and the encouragement to not DNF--something I have never done which I credit to their encouragement.  And when I cross the Finish Line and set a new PR, they are there to catch me when I am shaking and dizzy, guiding me to where I need to go with my absolute, complete trust, because I know that they really care about me, the people who run with me, and the organization that they work for.

These three women. 

The Rock N Roll Series would never be complete without them.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you for the past years that we have known each other.  I love each of you more than I can put into words.

I'll see you on the course soon.