Linda Gailey

So you want to know a little more about me? Besides being in love with running, swimming, cycling and dance. . .I am in love with being a wife, mom of 6 wonderful kids, 16 grandkids, being a friend and sister. Both of my parents have been gone for a while. My mom passed away when I was 20 and my dad when I was 40 so I guess I am an orphan of sorts.

The reasons I love challenging myself physically? I don’t know for sure, I just know I love pushing myself to the limit and finding out I can go a little further. I am not a champion of anything, just slow and steady like the tortoise in the story of “Tortoise and the Hare”.

Another defining element of my life is my membership in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. My activity in the church has taught me how to overcome the curse of being painfully shy by accepting callings to serve in leadership positions, speak in public, prepare and present lessons to students spanning from age 4 to 84, plan and prepare meals for 50 or more, organize activities for 100 + people, work with youth, work with the elderly and list could go on and on. Most of all I have learned that we are all of infinite worth and as such we should treat each other with kindness, respect and love.

I am looking forward to our relay in August, all the hard work, giggles, crazy moments and the camaraderie. Look out Spokane, here comes Team Shiny Penny Syndrome!

8 Miler!!!

We did it again! What a great morning to run 8 miles! Thanks ladies for rolling out of bed early to run (on a Saturday!). The relay is getting closer and the runs are getting longer, but it makes it alot better to have us all together. We missed those of you who couldn't be there with us! And great job ladies!

Shelli Spratling

Next up - returning for her second year is an avid runner (just ask her brain). She thinks about running, dreams of running, buys running shoes and running clothes, and if she ever starts running as much as she thinks about it, she'll make some running shoe manufacturer very happy!! ;D I am Shelli, mother to four great kids, five if we count spouses. I gave up the working world to stay home with my first baby and now that my last baby is 12 I have entered back into the work force. However, it's working for a family law office. It's very detailed and full of sorrow so being able to run has helped out the levels of frustration of getting back into the work force and learning how to beat out the stupidity in the world. I would like to thank my husband for his support, especially when the brown truck brings yet another pair of running shoes and when our anniversary happens to fall at the same time as the relay. I would like to thank my kids for their love, support, and living off ramen noodles so that Mom can use the grocery money for yet another pair of running shoes. (Okay, it's not THAT bad!) ;P I would like to thank the members of the Shiny Penny Team who make this a learning, growing, and fun experience. I couldn't do it without each and every one of you!! So lets slip on those shoes, double knot the laces, and get out there!!!

Lee Ann Donovan

My name is Lee Ann Donovan and I am one of the what you would call run for fun runners (not so avid). I started about two years ago running and found that I enjoyed it mainly to loose weight then got with the Shiny Penny girls and really enjoyed our first Spokane to Sandpoint run and hope to be apart of the tradition every year we go. I also teach ZUMBA and really enjoy teaching this fun energetic dance class. My family consists of two daughters and a son. My oldest Patti Jo who also is one of the Shiny Penny's is getting married this summer so she is not going to be running with us but is going to drive the van (so she will be there in spirit and laughing at us or with us), Jaylee is the middle child and is on the High School Rythmic Mode Dance team for the first year, and then my son Jesse is busy with baseball (GO 11-12 year old All-Stars) I am cheering for all teams in Pendleton too ecspecially 10-11 year olds since we have two runners with sons on that team (Austin Zaugg and Tyler Chichester), football, and basketball.

Some of my other hobbies are reading, doing puzzles and enjoying spending time with my family. I work also at Westcorp Mortgage Group as a real estate loan officer, but you wouldn't know it because I am busy running, doing ZUMBA and chasing my kids in whatever sport or event they happen to be in. I want to thank John and my family for supporting my hobbies and hope to run for many more years. GO SHINY PENNY BOOTCAMP!!!!!!

Dodge Car?!

We've all played dodge ball as a child but lets face it all this training has reminded us that we aren't children anymore. This past weekend I had a family reunion in Wallowa. Saturday morning my sister-in-law and I set our alarms and got up semi early (6:30 a.m.) to go for a run. We headed out on a beautiful morning for a great run. We soon discovered that like every where else, if you aren't on four wheels the other four wheeled vehicles don't want you in their "space". I found the loose gravel on the side of the road and even while on all "fours" the car didn't get out of "MY SPACE". Once again....new pair of shoes scuffed!! My hand and arm will heal but those scuffs are PERMANENT! I hope the car that put me in the ditch was headed to the ER to have a baby!! Other wise strong words like "poop poop head" are coming to mind!

First training day with doubles

It is creeping up on us. Our race is only 9 weeks away and our training is on the down hill side. Only 8 weeks left! We have to do our 1st double today. 2 miles in the morning and 2 miles in the evening and it only gets more intense from here on out! Let's go get 'em Shiny Pennies!!!!!

Looks Aren't Everything

This money may be battered, bruised, and not much to look at but it's all the same to us....totally awesome! It doesn't matter if it's a penny or a dollar, we get so excited when we find money. When I was running today I kept thinking it be awesome to find a hundred dollar bill! Needless to say I didn't find a hundred dollar bill, but I was still tickled pink to find a beat up old dime and penny (the other money came from Thursday's run).

Lori Golze

I am eagerly anticipating my first Spokane-to-Sandpoint race, and my first opportunity to hang with the Shiny Pennies! I am currently working 12-hour days in India starting up a new chemical facility, and as such have a pretty poor race training schedule…did I mention that this race is not just for serious runners?! Other than overseas work and travel adventures, my husband Dan and I also enjoy kayaking, climbing, mountain biking, and back-country skiing. Originally from the mid-west, I've found my true home in the NW - a great base for these activities, as well as for meeting like-minded friends!

Wendy Wohlford

I am a new teammate this year for the S2S race. I am very excited to be a part of such a fun and welcoming group of women. Until I was asked if I would be interested in becoming a teammate I did not run at all. I definitely have a new respect for runners and am going to feel very accomplished after completing S2S!! I have one daughter who is the center of my life and who hopefully will be very proud of her mother at the end of this journey.

Wow I finally figured it out only took me a year.

I am computer illiterate and spelling too I am sure but thanks to Jan I am finally able to make comments and let you know I am alive.

LeeAnn

Answer Is?

The answer is.... A hacked of runner and a new key ring!

The question was... What do you get when you combine new (never tried them before) easy laces, and no place to put your key?

I am an avid user of shoe pockets. I love them, and they are super handy. I actually have two of them, but today I was running in a new pair of shoes, with a new pair of laces, and I didn't have my valet key (it's usually in my shoe pocket). So I had this big ol' honkin key that wouldn't fit in my running pants pocket. Like a genius I figured I'd just tie it to my shoe. That was a mistake. Not only are these laces good for keeping your shoes on snug, they are great for staying knotted too. When we were done I couldn't get my stupid key off my shoes. After several minutes trying in the parking lot, I got into my car to try again. Ya, didn't work, so I had to take my shoe off so I could start my car and drive home. Thankfully after a screw driver and some pliers I got my dang key off. Lesson learned from all this is don't put ANYTHING on your easy laces unless you don't want it to come off!

Not it!!!!

Witty they say, but I think I know the truth. Last Friday some of the Shiny Pennies (those that could attend) got together and had a hash out meeting. I was unable to attend as I was in Portland supporting my daughter. So I come back to an email and don't ask what all it said because I don't know yet, I saw "Shelli, we voted you to write up our introduction because you're witty"....WHAT!!! I think they played a game of "not it" and I wasn't there to yell "NOT IT!" So I would like to thank my fellow pennies for the sleepless night and horrible run this morning. Okay, I can't blame you for the horrible run but the sleepless night was in part due to my head spinning with panic and exercise adjectives.... So I decided I would write up a few and have you all vote or critique my thoughts.....NO red pens please! Staytuned!

Kelley Spencer

Kelley is a returning teammate from last year's S2S race. Kelley is a Pendleton transplant, originally from Pocatello, Idaho. She moved here in 1995 to attend BMCC where she had a full ride basketball scholarship. She met her husband, Brad Spencer, in 1996 and they have been happily married since 1999. Together Kelley and Brad have four kids, 3 girls and a boy. Both Kelley and Brad enjoying doing anything related to sports, and have found that running is something they enjoy and can do together. Kelley has participated in many athletic events, including triathlons and a marathon on own to 5 & 10 k's.

Jan Zaugg

I'M BACK!!! Ready to run S2S again. This event was a highlight of my summer and am ready to tackle it again. I love being active, and have participated in all sorts of events from triathlons and a marathon on down to 5K's. Though I love training and being active, my first priority is my family. I am a wife and mother of 3, and feel so blessed to have such a wonderful family. They are my biggest supporters and without them, none of my activities would be possible. I am fortunate enough to be able to stay home with my kids but have found that keeping up with them keeps me busier than when I was employed full time. Through all my trainings I have learned so much about myself and some valuable lessons. one I chose to live by is to "enjoy the journey" (whatever journey that might be). Sometimes things get hard but if you really look you can find good in any situation. That being said....let's get on with training and "enjoy the journey!

Reminiscing

I'm not usually a sentimental girl, in fact most people consider me a little distant and cool. However, as I began thinking about the race this year I couldn't help but feel a little sad over the fact that two of last years team members will not be running with us this year. Both of these wonderful women have other obligations that are far more important than a race. PJ is getting married, and Sarah has the unique opportunity to participate in a trek for youth that is done through our church. I think I can speak for the rest of the team when I say they will be greatly missed out there on the open roads, but they will most definitely be with us in spirit when we run this year. Sarah and PJ we love you, and you will always be a shiny sister! PJ good luck with all the wedding plans, and Sarah good luck with your training for the marathon. Go get em girls!! Keep checking in to see who will be running for these girls this year.

She's Official

Alright, it's official, she's been initiated, Wendy found her first shiny penny! I had just finished telling her that once she found her first road money she would be a "true" member of the team. It was not two steps later and there it was in all it's shining glory laying on the sidewalk in front of Roy Raley park. It was meant to be. Way to go Wendy, we are glad to have you part of the team this year!

Hello! ;)