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About Polk County itemizer observer. (Dallas, Or) 1992-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 31, 2016)
Polk County News Polk County Itemizer-Observer • August 31, 2016 7A Emergency plan lessons learned on Hood to Coast Mother of All Relays offers insight into managing stress and state of mind in less-than-optimal conditions By Jolene Guzman The Itemizer-Observer SEASIDE — I had an op- portunity to test some of the food and supplies in my emergency kit while running on a Hood to Coast Relay team last weekend. Hood to Coast, for those who don’t know, is a 199- mile relay run by teams of 12 traveling in two vans. The way it works is one van with six runners takes six legs while the other half of the team rests. Our team — not a fast one — had approximately six hours in between shifts to rest, shower and eat. We each ran three legs to- taling 15 to 20 miles. I ran leg eight, which con- sisted of a six-mile first leg in 95-degree heat; 5.75 miles in the cool and dark of the night, but, alas, it was mostly uphill; and finally a 4.2-mile last leg that should have been easy, but ended up being a delirious push be- cause of what came before it. I’m not complaining. Hood to Coast was a chal- lenge, but worth every tired step and every minute in a sweaty van. Due to circumstances that were out of my team’s con- trol, we didn’t get a lot of rest, so I didn’t get to use my sleeping bag and tent. I real- ly wish I had, because even a few hours of sleep on the ground would have been better than what I got — about 15 minutes of sleep in 36 hours. Again, I’m not complaining. That’s what I signed up for. On the food supplies side, I was pleasantly surprised on how well items like peanut butter and packaged tuna salad and crackers worked as race food. Those items provided plenty of protein and carbs to keep a body under stress going. They weren’t the only items I ate. I remember the heavenly flavor of pasta salad while resting a few hours at a volunteer’s home when the other half of my team ran the legs from downtown Portland to St. Helens. By the way, the vol- unteers and other support- ers on the course were awe- some. The encouragement — and water — they offered made the journey a little easier. The experience — my first time running the event — was a combination of exhila- ration and sleep-deprived psychotic episode. I once heard someone de- scribe it as “the best 24 hours of hell you’ll ever ex- perience.” Yep. That sums it up. Furniture Upholstery All types: for homes, offices, equip- ment. Also, repairs, RV cushions, slipcovers, High Quality since 1966 Stephen Winters Sewing 503-838-4999 or 503-375-9266 Emmy Joseph 440 E. St • Independence, OR 97351 www.winterssewing.com Serving Polk County 16yrs Week 14 • Whistle • Extra batteries for flash- lights and radio • Pry Bar Action Steps: Check with your children’s day care center or school about disaster plans and contacts. Source: The American Red Cross Disaster Preparedness Calendar. In some ways it was prob- ably not unlike the stress and physical challenge peo- ple would encounter if a wide-spread disaster did strike. Being physically drained and unable to sleep makes it a challenge to keep a good state of mind, which is important for your own sanity and for keeping the peace with your teammates. I found the food and water or Gatorade, even without sleep, was key to staying focused and in good spirits once the adrenaline of running wore off. If a days-long emergency situation were to arise, I will re m e m b e r t h a t l e s s o n learned on the Mother of Re- lays from Mt. Hood to Sea- side. And no, I didn’t see Kevin Hart along the way. Darn. Now, back to building that kit. LUCKIAMUTE DOMESTIC WATER COOPERATIVE BOARD MEETING Monday 7:00 p.m. September 12th 503-838-2075 Location: Business Office 8585 Suver Rd. • Monmouth Call us. The Itemizer Observer can help you expand your market share, and make your business more profitable. Call Heidi, Rachel or Karen at 503-623-2373. ADVERTISING THAT WORKS. A Pleasant Place to Buy or Sell Your RV CALL TODAY FOR A NO-CHARGE EvALuATiON. OPEN WEEK! A Y A 7 D S 9-6 • Sat 9-5 i Mon-Fr un 10-4 S Ruben 503-915-2080 Rick 503-437-5398 4075 NE Three Mile Lane, McMinnville, OR www.macrvsales.com Next to the Spruce Goose Aviation Museum macrvsales@gmail.com More 5 Y L N O o Weeks ! t Shop ers, 182 Academy St., Dallas (Corner of Main & Academy) Grow Featuring & Artisans General Vendors Producers County 10:00 am - 3:00 pm lk o P of ond! 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Sept 15 - Cherriots/CARTS – Outreach Sept 29 – City of Dallas – Community Development Vendors for the month of September: • Hot food vendors: Black Rock BBQ • Critelli Sweets & Eats • EL Pique General vendors: Akha Farm • Bermudez Family Farm • Birdsong Farm • Butterfly Flower Farm • Edie’s Design – Sept 1 ONLY • Good & Bready • Hound Boy Bakery • Karl’s Bat & Birdhouses • Massage by Ty • Megestic View Farm • Mo’s Dream Cream • Mrs. Sew & Sew • Republic Service • Rock Creek Organics • Rose Recycles • The Soap Store • Tony Diaz • Uniquely Done by Debbie • Unobtainium Food & Beverage • Wildcraft Herbarium • Wizart Illustration Facebook.com/bountymarket 503-623-2564 http://www.exploredallasoregon.org/bounty-market.html JOLENE GUZMAN/Itemizer-Observer The Hood to Coast Relay provided a chance to test some emergency supplies.
