McMillanElite :: Brianna Torres

I've been lucky because my instructors and my coaches have all been really supportive of what I'm trying to accomplish. Greg and Tracy have been great, encouraging me as an athlete and as a person. Jordan and Andrew C. even volunteered to star in one of my films. So it's a good feeling to know my friends are behind me on this.

I'm ready to go back to Chicago where I ran my first marathon and qualified for the Olympic Trials two years ago. Coming off of last week's races, where the team did so well, it just makes me that much more excited to race. I'm looking forward to lining up at the start next to my buddy Paige. It feels like we've been through so much. We've logged many a mile over the trails in Flagstaff and it feels like I've known her for much longer than four months. Thinking about the starting line, I'm not nervous because I know Paige will be right there. Just like in long runs. Just like in workouts. We've done the work. Now all we can do, is all we can do.

Later. Brianna.

While friends perform on the biggest stage half a world away, it's "make it work time" here on the mountain (and yes I am a huge Project Runway fan). Friday about half the team participated in physiological testing through the High Altitude Training Center, administered by Jack Daniels (only half the team because the treadmill broke during Jordan's test. We've all had fun teasing Jordan about but it really wasn't his fault. No, really it wasn't). I felt so lucky to be Jack Daniel's lab rat. Jack is great to be around because any attribute that would be a disadvantage in running, Jack knows of an exception because he's tested so many runners over the years. We were all a little nervous for the test since none of us had taken it before. But Jack was very calming, explained everything to us and answered all of our questions. It'll be a great benchmark for our fitness and it will also give us a better indication of training paces at altitude. He explained it is less about the numbers and more about doing the best you can with what you've got.

Lindsay arrived this week bringing the womens team up to four girls. Lindsay is a great addition to the team. I've gotten to know her over the past year when she would come to visit and I was really happy when she decided to join our team. Now I have three unique, intelligent, talented women that I am happy to call my teammates.

Paige and I are super excited to start racing in a few weeks at the New Haven 20k championships and then Chicago Marathon. It's been great having Paige to do all this arduous training with. The training is so rigorous and I'd be lying if I said I didn't like that a bit. But when it gets to be a grind, knowing that someone is right there next to you working just as hard as you are, and pushing you to be better and tougher, doesn't necessarily make the work easier, but it makes it worthwhile. That's what Paige does for me. That's what my teammates and coaches do for me. They give this work a little more purpose and meaning. And they make me laugh. What more could I ask for?

Alright. I'm going to bed. I'm exhausted.

Brianna

Angus in his Texas attire

Middle is back from his honeymoon. And we're all happy he and Casey are here full-time. Greg and Tracy hosted a Texas-themed Flagstaff wedding party for them with all the fixin's (as I imagine they say in Texas, yeah? no?): bar-b-que, baked beans, desserts, etc. Anyway, you get the picture. It was a good time and I left stuffed.

Now I have a regular training partner in Paige Higgins and that's pretty nice. We seem to compliment each other well. Since she's trained alone for so long, she's had to be very focused. So she brings that to practice. It's nice to have a sense of purpose injected into my runs while still being able to talk and enjoy the training. Paige helps to keep me mindful of the pace since I can very easily get lost in the beautiful scenery of Flagstaff. And I think I help keep her a little calmer and relaxed as well. A good balance. We both have our sights set on the Chicago Marathon so it's nice to be training with someone who knows exactly what you're going through day in and day out.

Mount Elden Peak - 9,300 ft.

Paige, Middle, Trent and I are the fall marathon crew and we had one of our marathon-specific training runs up Mt. Elden. I've heard about epic runs and people forging the 10k course from top to bottom, to reach the peak at 9300 ft. No problem. Yeah right. I could barely sleep the night before. The run was very hard, but not necessarily because we were pressing, but because we climbed 2600 ft. I felt a huge sense of accomplishment when I reached the top and the view was amazing.

So things are in full-swing here in Flagstaff. Thursday bagel runs have resumed. Our running population keeps fluctuating as runners leave in prep for the Trials and Olympics and others arrive to move here or do summer training stints. The nice thing is that the tone is set for a friendly, relaxed atmosphere and that seems to keep everyone happy and training well. Well I'm off to dinner. Paige is making some potpies that I am very much looking forward to and then tomorrow it's back to the grindstone. I can't wait.

Entry #35 Week of April 28, 2008 by Brianna Torres Since April 20th at approximately 10:44 am EST I am a feather adrift in the wind. My life was completely planned up to the Womens Olympic Marathon Trials. Every run, workout, race, meal. All a structured path that led to the biggest race of my life, thus far. Sitting in the technical meeting in the ballroom of the Sheraton, I got a little choked up. Maybe because it was the first moment I had to stop and take in where I was: among all these female athletes each with a different path to the Trials. All working so hard to get there. It doesn't matter how talented you are, a marathon is hard work. Maybe it was all the work and sacrifice I put in and it was finally here. It was definitely a goal realized to qualify for the Trials and I think that was the first moment I had to sit and take it all in. Riding the escalator out of the subway into the Boston streets I could feel this giddiness rising inside me and the energy of the city, of the Trials and of the Boston Marathon. All I could think was "I'm here. I'm here!"

One of the things that was so cool was having the women I train with in Flagstaff there. Michelle, Alvina Begay and I (the locals) had all really bonded with our new visiting training partners, Desiree Ficker, Molly Taber, Chris Lundy and Jen DeRego. Even though we all have different sponsors I felt like we were a little unit of our own, doing long runs together and hanging out. I made shirts for the aforementioned women training in Flagstaff with a big F on the front for Flagstaff in the Boston Red Sox font to give a nod to the city. We started calling ourselves Team F and we felt like a team.

The morning of the trials Michelle, Greg and I walked to the designated waiting room before they bring us out to the start on Boylston. We got in, sat down and waited for the rest of our posse. As everyone showed up, I felt more and more at ease. On the warm-up, it was so nice to have everyone together. Molly was making us laugh and we were all in good spirits. It was such a difference from my first marathon in Chicago where I was flying solo the entire time. This made me realize that this experience is so much better when shared. Sure there is the element of personal fulfillment, but when you have your friends there, it makes it so much more enjoyable. Even on the course, we had a good-sized Flagstaff contingent there. It just felt like all our people were there for us. On the bridge my friends Weldon, Robert and Bruce chanted "Bri! Bri! Bri!" really just making me laugh as I headed back towards Boylston Street. Turning that corner, down the historic finish of the Boston Marathon it was amazing to just see the streets packed with people screaming and cheering. I have never been in a race with more crowd support.

The city of Boston is incredible when it comes to supporting running. Continuing on down Boylston, the athletes run under a huge American flag big enough to cover my house. For that whole middle lap of the course, after halfway, I was literally smiling and laughing. It was such a cool experience. I was so happy that I had gotten to the half-way point and felt good, since I struggled a bit in the first half. I told myself to just get to half-way and believe I'll feel better and I did. I had prepared myself to expect to feel good and bad and know that that's part of it. I also kept repeating a line from one of my favorite movies growing up, The Neverending Story: "I will not die easily. I am a warrior". During the hard parts I wasn't so smiley, but I did keep pressing and keep trying. It wasn't as fast as I wanted to run, but I did PR so I'm happy with that. This was only my second marathon and I really feel like I've learned so much from it and can run faster.

Everyone has to sacrifice some thing to train for a marathon. Also it seems those closest to people training for a marathon end up sacrificing as well. In my case, no one sacrificed more than my best friend and husband Carlos. As an athlete himself, he understands what is necessary to succeed and supports me in so many ways. After the race, sitting in the tent, tired and in pain I thought "I just want Carlos." It seems like we had both been working towards this moment for a long time and I'm so glad he was there to share it with me. Of course no one does this alone. So many people contributed to me being at the Trials. I am very grateful to my friends and family and my Flagstaff family that lent so much support. I feel very lucky to have these people in my life.

So for now I'm on downtime. My legs feel pretty good. I know this is due to the help of my friends Phil Wharton and Dr. John Ball. Immediately after the race I asked Carlos to take me to Phil's room where he and his dad Jim and his friend Jimmy had it all set-up for us Flagstaff ladies to start our recovery. He gave me a light stretch and some massage, fed me some miso soup and stuck me in the ice bath. I took two days off and felt so much better. I went to see my friend John Ball about some residual soreness and he fixed me all up with his usual combo of ART and Graston and I feel good to go. I'm starting to think about whats next for me. Doing things like taking road trips with friends, eating cheeseburgers and milkshakes (since I usually don't mix calcium and iron to keep my iron levels up), chips and nachos. Crazy, I know, but as Sloane says from Ferris Bueller's Day Off "Sooner or later, everyone goes to the zoo." So I'm a feather adrift in the wind and that's fine with me for the moment.

Entry #26 Week of February 11, 2008 by Brianna Torres Since my last blog, the McMillan Elite womens team is now two strong: Michelle and me (yeah!). Brett, Jordan and Mike Hanlon all raced USATF Cross Country Championships this weekend in San Diego. Middle is visiting the future wifey and I've been bouncing between Phoenix and Flagstaff for a while now. After the Houston Half-Marathon, I stayed in Phoenix to hang out with my dad before and after his surgery. The procedure went well as is his recovery. So I got some warm sea level training in Phoenix, hung out with my family and came back, eager to train with my new teammate Michelle. Unfortunately Michelle had a run-in with some ice and later that week I did as well.

I fell for first time this winter. I've come to realize ice is the enemy and I must guard against it. The fall left me a little banged up and irritated my already strained hip flexor. The next few days were pretty frustrating because the ice and the hills only served to irritate my strain. So I went back to the place of no hills and no ice, my home in Phoenix. Winter in the desert really is beautiful. Most days were in the 60's and sunny. Staying on soft, flat surfaces did the trick (along with a few office visits to my friend, Dr. John Ball) and I was able to get rid of my strain. So back I went to Flagstaff ready to resume training with the team. I met them this Thursday morning at the Cooper house. It was the kind of snowy day that gets me to invent gear in my head. I was thinking I needed some sort of beanie or hat that covered my ears, with a bill and eye shield to keep the snow off my face and out of my eyes. I'll go ahead and add some flashing lights for visibility and while I'm at it I'll have it play "The Chills" by Peter Bjorn and John on loop. If anyone reading this is interested in going into business and manufacturing some of these blinking, singing soft helmets, give me a call. Anyway, I digress. On this run I nearly fell twice. Afterwards Greg suggested I go back to Phoenix until this snow storm passes to avoid getting injured before the trials. I agreed and now I'm back once again in the desert. I had a good workout Friday at Boulder Creek High in Anthem, followed by dinner at my parents (thanks Mom!) and a great long run today from the ASU track with Carlos and our friend Howie.

It's nice to have the flexibility to jump between Phoenix and Flagstaff (only 2 hours apart) and find the ideal training environment. That being said, I am hoping the ice melts very soon (like tomorrow) so I can get back to training with my team and everyone in Flagstaff can stay upright.

Later.

Bri.

Entry #18 Week of December 17, 2007 by Brianna Torres The Week in Review This week had a certain momentum to it as we all prepared for our trips home for the holidays while still hitting our training at full throttle. Monday, Amy and I hosted a send-off run and breakfast for Michelle Gallagher at our house. Michelle was in town visiting Flagstaff over the weekend. Lauren Fleshman and Alicia Shay joined us along with Lauren's husband and Alicia's college roommates. It was a beautiful morning and the snow sparkled when the sun hit it. Trina came over and made waffles while we ran. This is very typical of Trina, always taking care of us. I don't know if it's been announced yet but Trina is officially on the McMillan Elite staff as one of our coaches. Aside from being a highly decorated and accomplished runner in her own right, it's the person that Trina is that makes her such a great addition. Needless to say, the waffles were delicious.

Since my last blog, Amy and I have added two new roommates: Roger Cahill and Aaron Aguayo, making our house the Sun Devil House. I have a lot of respect for those two. They're really hard workers and are just up here living the dream like the rest of us. Whether their slap-boxing each other, teaching us the Soulja Boy dance or just making us laugh in the kitchen, they're always keeping us entertained. There's a lot of love in the Sun Devil House, especially come burrito night.

Wednesday night the team met at Greg & Tracy's for a stretch and strengthening workshop by Phil Wharton. I've been working with Phil pretty regularly since the summer. I was worried when I moved up to Flagstaff that there might not be anyone to put me back together if I fell apart. But Phil has helped keep me in one piece so it's been great. He trains with the runners a lot so he knows what's going on with all of us. Flagstaff is really lucky to have him.

Earlier that day, Brett, Jordan, Mike Hanlon, Middle, Greg and I all went down to Camp Verde for a workout. Our mission for the day was to run our 5k loop (you can see the course in our video section) plus one mile at goal pace in prep for our upcoming ½ marathon in Houston. Everyone had a really good workout and even ran a little under goal pace for the 4.1 mile course. Martin said he even had a good workout at home in Ireland.

When I came home my roommates Roger and Amy said they also had good workouts. So we all did a celebratory happy dance in the kitchen in honor of workouts that you can feel good about. We've all been up here for about 4 months or so and little by little, the training is finally clicking. When you first come up to altitude you have a headache, you can't breathe as easy on runs and naps are so easily taken. So it feels great when you adapt and runs begin to feel better. Progress is good.

Friday, Natalie Harlan from the High Altitude Training Center picked me up and I had lunch at the Tiger Table at Thomas Elementary School in Flagstaff. The kids earn their way to the Tiger Table by doing good deeds, being respectful and the like. They asked me about running and marveled at how long a marathon is. "Almost from Flagstaff to Williams, AZ" their principle told them. I asked them about their favorite ice cream flavor, snow angels and snow ball fights. We then had brownies and good times were had by all.

I'm happy to announce that starting next year in January, I won't be the only woman on the McMillan Elite team. Michelle Gallagher, the youngest woman to qualify for the 2008 Olympic Marathon Trials, will be joining us. And it's not a moment too soon. Around the guys, I was starting to feel like one of the little people from that old movie Darby O'Gill and the Little People. Welcome to the team Michelle!

I was unsure of how I'd like the cold, being from Phoenix. But I have to admit, I'm learning about the beauty of winter in the mountains. There is a Finnish saying that goes something like, "There is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothes." We have great equipment since adidas hooks us up with awesome gear. And Flagstaff is just a really beautiful place.

One of my second runs this week was on Shultz Pass Road as the sun set with snowy woods on each side. I felt like I was running through Robert Frost's poem Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening:

The woods are lovely, dark and deep.

But I have promises to keep,

And miles to go before I sleep,

And miles to go before I sleep.

It's easy to get swept away by the beauty of this place, but I often remind myself why I moved to Flagstaff. There is so much work ahead of me for the Olympic Trials. But it's work that I am excited about. I have to be one of the luckiest people to get to wake up, be with friends and move toward my goals day by day. I may be a long shot on paper to make the Olympic team, but the thing I like to remind myself is, I've got a shot. And that's really all anyone can ask for.

Happy Holidays and Free Martin Fagan.

Entry #10 Week of October 22, 2007 by Brianna Torres So I've been in Flagstaff since June now and it's starting to feel like my second home. My injury is finally a non-issue. The first week I was up here, I strained my calf. It may or may not have involved a trampoline. The strain affected my Achilles and I battled it all summer, going between my friend and chiropractor Dr. John Ball in Phoenix and Phil Wharton here in Flagstaff. With the combo of their treatments (Active Release Technique, Graston Technique, stretching, strengthening, massage and lots of icing), we finally got it under control. Going from the mountains to the desert so often for treatment, made it harder to adjust to running at altitude. Once I got to spend a solid month in Flagstaff, I started to breathe easier. Easy runs finally felt easy.

The injury made any fall marathon attempt a bad idea. I planned on running Chicago, which in hindsight, is probably a good thing that I couldn't run since the conditions were so poor. It would have been highly unlikely that I would have run the Olympic Trials "A" qualifying mark that I was seeking. So this allowed us to take a step back and examine my issues. Now we're focused on building a better runner through regular core work, getting my iron levels up and making my stride more efficient. An injury is never fun, but I would have never tried to correct these problems if it hadn't happened.

I've been doing steady state workouts now for about a month. So that is the new challenge: working out at altitude. But I can feel my body adapt week by week as I try to do all the little things like sleeping enough, eating well and cross-training on my days off. It seems to be working.

This Friday's workout was at Trina's loop. Lemon, Brett and Mike Hanlon ran an 8k time trial. Martin and Middle ran 9 laps on the 1.1 mile course as their steady state, while I did 7 laps (up two miles from last week). The loop's namesake (Trina Painter) even jumped in for 4.4 of the 7.7 mile workout. These long workouts are a challenge for me so it was great to have Trina there helping. I am really glad she's here.

One of the highlights of this week was talking to Sechrist Elementary School. It was their Red Ribbon Week. So Trina (who, along with her husband David, both work at Sechrist Elementary) wanted our team and the other professional runners (including Amy Hastings and Alvina Begay) to talk to the kids about the importance of not doing drugs. We ran a lap around the field with these kids and it was so funny to watch them charge with reckless abandon. Laughing, losing shoes, just having fun. Each of the professional runners said a few words about why drugs are a bad idea, followed by a Q&A session. They filed back into their classrooms, high-fiving us along the way. It pretty much made my day. Photos of the event can be seen on our Service page on this website.

Later on our new McMillan Elite team member arrived: Jordon Horn. We welcomed Jordon and his parents with a dinner at the boys’ condo, which, by the way, was cleaner than I had ever seen it, thanks to Lemon. It was great to sit down with everyone for a meal. We've all come from different places to live and train in Flagstaff leaving loved ones. And now we're starting to feel like a family.

Like any family we all have our quirks. Here's a quick list:

Brett tries to ruin every photograph he's in by making some sort of face.

Lemoncello likes all things lemon: lemon-honey drink, lemon bread, you get the idea.

Martin is growing his hair so he can comb it over like the models in the new Prada ads.

Middleton suggested that we carve pumpkins and now I know why: he's a champion pumpkin carver. He carved a haunted house with a ghost and a full moon. Free-hand. No template.

Mike Hanlon: so many of his quirks can only be viewed and are virtually indescribable. But he has a really funny way of describing things while playing the game Catchphrase.

Mike Smith is always talking about songs that break hearts. His heart or someone else's heart, I am not really sure.

Jordon is too new to be quirky. Other than the fact that he's from Rancho Cucamonga, which sounds like a city animated by Matt Groening creator of the Simpsons.

As for me, I hiccup at least once a day, but only one at a time. I can't help it and I don't know when it's going to happen. The boys are starting to notice. I think they used to think that I was just making random noises.

Other highlights this week:

1 trip to Baskin Robbins for pumpkin pie ice cream.

1 shipment of adidas Original shoes for the team for wandering around town.

2 hot chocolates from Late for the Train coffee shop made by Martin.

2 trips to Sedona: one to see Into the Wild (go see it) and the other for a Sunday long run at Beaver Creek Campground in the Coconino National Forest.

1 pumpkin carving ceremony with Flagstaff runners, hot apple cider and pumpkin pie.

Alright so that's it. I'm ready for my post-long run nap. Next week the team goes to New York City to support our teammate and friend Mike Smith in his personal test of will during the (take a breath) 2008 US Olympic Team Trials in the Men's Marathon. He should know, no matter the outcome, we're all really proud of him.

Entry #2 Week of August 27, 2007 by Brianna Torres My name is Brianna Torres. I hail from Phoenix and I am a total city girl, even if that city does have the occasional tumbleweed blowing through its streets. My life is there – my running stores Run AZ, my husband and best friend Carlos, my wonderful family and great friends. I left to start a new adventure. I have to admit leaving home is always really hard but this is an opportunity I could not pass up. If I really want to see how good of a runner I can be, I had to make this change. However, once I'm up here, in Flagstaff, it feels really good to be part of a team where everyone wants to see how good they can be. Not everyone gets a shot at their dreams. I am one of the lucky ones. My collegiate coach Mark Wet more told me that it's important to always plan new adventures. This is my latest adventure.

The Boys

Being a professional runner isn't easy. I've come to realize that you need help. Tracy and Greg McMillan supply that help. They provide the structure that makes our lives as professional runners easier. They find us housing, set up practices, workouts, travel plans and even feed us (Tracy is a great cook). Good people attract good people. Which is probably why I like the team so much. They're all really great guys and I'm happy to be part of this team. Over the summer I've gotten to know my teammates, and I'd just like to share a few things I've learned about them.

Mike Smith is the unofficial team captain and local Flagstaff heartthrob. I ran into a high school team this summer at a trailhead. The entire girls squad erupted into fits of girlish amusement upon confirmation that, indeed, Mike Smith was running on that trail. He moonlights as a superhero and is seriously stuck in the 80's. A great guy who goes out of his way to make everyone feel at home.

Green may be the perfect way to describe Mike Hanlon. He has never eaten the following items: an eggplant, plum or ramen. Yes ramen. He says he's more of a Mac n' Cheese guy. I believe him. He's a very smart guy and is just ready to dive in and get to work on being a great runner.

Brett Gotcher is very good at ping pong - all those years at Stanford cross country camp are really paying off. He also loves surfing and can speak Swahili. I think Brett is on a quest to create the perfect pancake. He is getting really fit and I can't wait to watch him race.

Andrew Middleton – the quiet one. So quiet in fact that he'll often be sitting among the group, while slyly having a cell phone conversation that no one can hear. It's amazing. At least his girlfriend can hear him. Although, she may have to use sonar to detect and decipher his soft, soft tones. Andrew is definitely the culinary champion of the group. It seems almost every time I see him he's cooking. I should take lessons from him.

Martin Fagan has 4 older sisters, is into 80's new wave music and desperately wants a dog. He has a way cool Irish accent and performs a very funny imitation of an American accent and he has many, many tattoos. One such tattoo looks like bats rapidly fleeing from a cave, though Martin is adamant they are birds, not bats. What do you think?

Plenty

So I am the only girl on the team, but there is no shortage of training partners for me. An incomplete list includes my roommate and Arizona State superstar Amy Hastings; Alvina Begay Olympic Trials Marathon Qualifier and former ASU teammate; master's runner and Arizona homegrown stud, Trina Painter; and the super fast, super nice Stanford Alum Alicia Shay nee Craig. I was impressed by the running community already established here and I have a feeling it's only going to get better.

Maybe Top 3

To dispel rumors: I am the sole female on the team, this is true, but I am not the biggest Harry Potter fan you will ever meet. Maybe that Mike Smith has ever met, but he obviously doesn't go to Wizard Rock concerts. I know at least two others who are way more ensconced in the world of wizards and magic than me: my good friend and American record holder Lisa Galaviz. (She ordered a Dobby magnet from eBay to decorate her cubicle at work.) Oh yeah, Dobby is a house elf at Hogwarts's for those of you who don't know. I'm not a Harry Potter dork, I swear! Aside from Lisa, there is my 13 year-old niece RickiLee. She is the one that told me about Wizard Rock, and has a Wizard Rock band herself. She is way too cool.

Quick Recap of the Week

Monday: The team met at Buffalo Park in the afternoon for headshots and group photos. Tracy broke the news that she and Greg are having a boy!

Rock star photo shoot at Buffalo Park by photographer Josh Biggs

Tuesday: Mike Smith, Andrew and Martin hosted a dinner party at their condo. It was quite the spread, including chocolate dipped strawberries and homemade pizza among other goodies. Our team and many other local runners were in attendance. Brett's girlfriend Lindsay flew in for his birthday and we all got to meet her. Good times had by all.

Another beautiful day in Flagstaff. This is the view from Snowbowl ski area.

Wednesday: The boys had a morning workout at the NAU track. I ran with Alicia Shay, Lindsay and James Lander on the urban trail east of campus. James, formerly of Hansons, is in town from L.A. taking a break from Chiropractic school and checking out Flagstaff. Later that night, Mike Hanlon, James and I attempted to buy a ping pong table. Big 5 laughed at us after looking at my small car and said to come back with a truck. Foiled, but undeterred the boys returned the next day with David Painter's (Trina's husband) borrowed flatbed.

Thursday: Thursday mornings usually begin with the morning bagel run at Biff's Bagels downtown, with all the local runners who wish to wake up and run at 7:30. This Thursday was no exception for me. This was also a big day for Amy and me since we were finally getting internet and cable installed at our house. Internet is essential but neither of us have had cable for about four years. At night we went over to the Cooper house to celebrate Brett's birthday early and to christen the ping pong table. Epic battles ensued.

One of the epic ping pong battles at the Cooper House between Mike Hanlon and Roger Cahill.

Friday: Amy and I are already bored with the cable. Today Amy begins dog-sitting Cheyenne and G-ray. Cheyenne is a princess of a pug under the guardianship of Alicia and Ryan Shay. G-ray belongs to Ellen and Phil Wharton and is a very sweet, smart dog. Today a good chunk of the team, including Greg, Tracy, Mike Smith and Andrew Middleton travel to New Haven for the 20k U.S. Championships. Later, more team bonding at the Pay n' Take.

Cheyenne (yes that is a cigar-looking stick in her mouth) and G-Ray (right)

Saturday: College meet at Buffalo Park. Saw friends from the Valley (Phoenix) and old coaches. Roger Cahill, another former teammate and Arizona State alum, is in town for a training stint before the 5k Championships and is staying in Fasil's room at the condo. After the meet, unsure of what else to do Martin, Roger, Amy and I all went to the Coconino County Fair. Amy won a fish and gave it to Martin since he can't get a dog in the condo just yet. We ate Indian fry bread and took a very creepy black and white family portrait. Carlos arrived late to visit after closing up shop at Run AZ. It's nice to have him up here.

This is a picture of us holding up our family portrait (and Martin's fish) from the Coconino County Fair. It has a very creepy Twilight Zone feel to it. From left to right: me (Brianna), Martin, Roger and Amy.

Sunday: Morning long run at Waterline for everyone still in town: Amy, Martin, Mike Hanlon, Roger and James. Brett was in Sedona celebrating his birthday with his family and breathing easier at 4500 ft. Waterline starts at Schultz Pass Rd (8000 feet) and is gradually up the whole way. Really beautiful views made me wish I had my camera. Afterwards we refueled with chocolate milk and breakfast at Brandy's Restaurant and Bakery. I'm sure many naps followed. That night Carlos made dinner for Amy and I, which included his mom's fabulous meatballs with pasta and a salad. A great way to end the week.

Brianna Torres
McMillanElite Running Team
Flagstaff, AZ