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Testimonials

Here are a few words from our SoleSisters!

All the extra "touches" were so wonderful, fun and creative!  The route was great, aid stations perfectly placed with wonderful volunteers full of enthusiasm and encouragement and the people of Wilsonville were just great with their support!

I have run (3) full marathons back in the early 90's, and then done a variety of races through the years.
But, I herniated my L5 disc 8+ years ago and haven't felt my 3 toes ever since that.  Needless to say,
BIG mileage isn't my norm anymore.

THIS, was a very special race for me because my daughter turned 13 in February, and she decided that she wanted to run this 13.1 mile race in her 13th year.  She didn't come out to train with me on a lot of the Saturday mornings because she needed her sleep and was busy with indoor soccer, then school track (by the way, she's a sprinter..not a distance runner).  Anyway, I told her she could set the pace
and neither one of us were really sure how she'd do...because she basically "winged it."
By mile 9, her arches were "killing her," and she was in tears (whoops, wrong shoes...how would we know, they'd never been tested like that before)  I told her to pray for God to carry her and said
Philippians 4:13 to her...I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. 
We fininshed in 2 1/2 hours, and ran almost the whole way...Yes, Footprints in the sand poem comes to mind! HE did strengthen and HE did carry!
THIS experience taught her so much about Gods Faithfulness to us, and faith in herself.  It taught her to follow through with a goal (even if you're not ready) and to FINISH STRONG!
 
YOUR event will forever remain a pivotal event in a teenagers life (and her moms/me).  Our teenagers face a lot of "forks in the road" as they discover and decide which direction they want to go.  I believe this experience helped her to believe she IS the Queen of the High Road because her Father is the King of Kings.  As Beth Moore has reminded us "we have a rich inheritance!"
 
Thank You, Thank You, Thank You Sisters in Christ, Sole Sisters, Queens of the Queens!
 
With a grateful heart,
In Him,
Julie Johnson and Jade Weiss (13 year old daughter)

From: Laurie Hieb
Sent: Sunday, May 23, 2010
Subject: Great Job!!!

Jules,
I just wanted to tell you how impressed I was by how well everything was organized and well run.  (pun intended.  :) )
From the tattoos to the water stations, it was obvious that a lot of work and thought went into everything.
I had a great time, thank you and GREAT JOB!!!!

Laurie Hieb
Executive Director
Oregon Newspaper Publishers Association

From: Toni Tracy
Sent: Monday, May 24, 2010
Subject: Re: Queen of the High Road

I want to tell all three of you, that I lovingly know the Lords strength. I found out Thursday morning that one of my best friends, the Lake Oswego Police Chief Dan Duncan, who I worked with and for over 23 years, definitely a true brother, had died (just two weeks after having lunch with him). I, of course, had a voice in my head saying, "No, no, you better not do the run on Saturday, you are too wore out emotionally."

Well, I chose not to listen to that voice and pull the strength the Lord gave me on Saturday morning, to crawl out of bed, after spending Friday night at Stanford's toasting our Lake Oswego buddy that died the day before his retirement party, and drinking two glasses of wine, and of course, having pasta. I got out there and never got in "the zone" but felt very accomplished to get to that finish line. The Lord has blessed me with many wonderful things in life, and one of them is my health. Something I never take for granted.

Thank you for organizing and having this event. Life is definitely a journey!

You three are awesome!
Toni Tracy

From: Nicole Wheeler
Sent: Monday, May 24, 2010
Subject: RE: Queen of the High Road

Ladies,
 
I just want to say thank you so much for all you did in putting this event together.  I thoroughly enjoyed myself and loved being out there with so many friendly faces.  Your efforts and hard work are greatly appreciated.

Nicole Wheeler

From: Shawn Roerig
Date: Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Subject: RE: Queen of the High Road

Ladies
I can’t thank you enough for providing this opportunity for success!
Cheryl and I had walked together and worked out at Bally’s for years, but were itching to step it up.  We saw the posters and decided to go for it.  We sat together with our calendars and mapped out the whole training routine , around our travel schedules (that’s what you get to do when your kids leave the home!!). we totally followed your plan, even the hill course into the ravine.  Our girlfriend, Vicki , joined us from Baker City, we often talked to her on the phone while we were running on Monday mornings!
We were prepared and we did it!  Two hours 40 minutes, a run walk plan that worked well for us. Loved being part of the whole thing.  Thanks again.

We were prepared for lines at check in and there were none.  We were thinking there would be lines at the potty’s and there were none.  Volunteers all along the route to cheer us on!  Wow, you guys thought of everything! Loved all the info on the website, loved getting a tiara!  Haven’t had one since I was Prom Princess! I hope the City was pleased with how well the event was run, so they’ll be happy to make it easy on you next year.  We want to do another, maybe later in the summer.
So, here I am, in my 55th year, and I finished my first ½ Marathon! (I also went Heli skiing in the Canadian Rockies!, not a bad year!)

Thanks again, Ladies and my He continue to bless you as you have blessed us by your efforts.
Shawn Roerig

From: Joanne Trese
Sent: Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Subject: Re: Queen of the High Road

Ladies, You are all very amazing!
 
What blessing it is for all of us to have you live in our community.  Thank you for organizing a fun and incredible event for us.  It was well organized and well executed.  I've done quite a few halfs last few years and this was one of the most specials ones.  I looked forward to seeing many of my friends in town every Saturday mornings and even got to know few that I've only said "hi" to in passing.  I thought I knew all the running routes possible in Wilsonville but you've shown me couple of new ones.  Let's not forget to mention the incredible string of good weather we've had for training and event days.  I knew we were blessed when the sun shined as we were finishing on Saturday.
 
Thank you, Queens of the High Road, from the bottom of my heart and soles!!
Joanne

From: Stacey Ackerman
Sent: Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Subject: Re: Queen of the High Road

Hi ladies,

My name is Stacey Ackerman.  I am a Christian, and attend Athey Creek.
Mom of two young boys (3 and 1) and new to running as of January.  I've been a "gym rat" throughout most of my life, but now with the little ones, I just don't have the free time to spend at the gym as much as I'd like to.  Running has been a great secondary form of exercise for me, and I've grown to LOVE it the last few months!  I found out about Sole Sisters and QHR through Brooke (spinning instructor) at Ballys.  She got me on the list serve and waiting list for the race.  Receiving these e-mails has been a tremendous blessing to me although I am unable to attend the Saturday trainings.  The insight, education, and encouragement is invaluable!  You ladies are awesome!  The race was a total BLAST, and so different from every other event I've done in the past because I really felt the Lord's presence in Wilsonville that day.  The prayers, and your contagious love for Jesus was seen, heard, and felt on that day!
I am glad to provide some feedback and thoughts that I hope you can find constructive as you're planning future events, and continuing on this journey.

First and foremost, the fact that the Lord is the focal point of what you ladies are doing is the thing that is the most attractive about this race and your mission.  It is truly AWESOME how bold you are in your faith, and how you are able to center this experience around God.  I will be praying for each of you, and for sole sisters that the spirit continues to guide you and that women can grow in their faith through this mission as well as their physical and mental health through exercise and fellowship.

The Christian music played was very inspiring and fun.

The food was awesome, and my friend Jess and I were pumped about the free Seattle's Best coffee :-)

Your smiles, energy, and enthusiasm were contagious.  The volunteers at the stations were motivating and positive.  That made the race so much more enjoyable.

The course was perfectly challenging.  Not too many hills, but not too easy either.  Wilsonville is great!

The price/cost... perfect!  I even think you could make it $25 and still have the same turnout.  That is very affordable :-)

Having people take pictures was really great!  More pics would have been good.

The Tiaras were very unique and fun.  Doing something different next year however would be cool... like a medal, pin, trophy, plaque, or certificate.

Technically speaking... I didn't think the markers were good at all.  It was hard at times to figure out where to turn, and there were a few moments when I was very confused, and fortunately saw people up ahead to follow that seemed to figure it out.  More clear signs with arrows, mile markers, and/or volunteers on the corners to point us in the right direction would be helpful.  Especially when you're "in the zone" and kind of spacing out.  Something more obvious would be great so you don't have to "think" about anything while on the course.

A clock/timer so that we know our exact time would have been good.

Bigger drink cups out on the course (like the green gatorade cups).  Dixie cups were fine for the gummys and pretzels though, but were too small for the water.  Gatorade or some kind of electrolyte replacement out on the course would also be something to consider(that's asking a lot, I know!).

Not exactly sure about the number of participants, etc, but I am SO thankful that I was able to get an e-mail that some spots opened up because I didn't get registered in time before it filled up.  I am so grateful that you were on top of the waiting list so that I could participate.  If there can be more spots next year, that would be great, or just  make it more clear and understandable how the waiting list process works.

Again... THANK YOU SO MUCH for providing this opportunity.  I will be praying for you all, and praying that the Lord continues to show His glory through QHR.

God bless you!!!
Stacey Ackerman

In February, my friend Janelle said she was doing the 1/2 marathon, Queen of the High Road.  Her friend, Helen had told her about it. I decided to train with Janelle and we walked on Weds and Saturdays (with the group).  Each time we were finished with a higher mileage I was amazed that my body did it.  I remember saying almost every week when we got back to the high school, "This is the farthest I've ever walked on purpose".  Janelle and I completed your 1/2 marathon last Saturday.  We surprised ourselves and were able to complete it in 3 hours, 20 minutes.  I expected closer to 4 hours.  We jogged a little because we were so revved up by all the people. 
 
So now because of you ladies, I am calling myself  'athletic'.  Funny, it's something I never thought I would associate with my me.  I'm a businesswoman, a mom, a wife, an MBA student...but never been athletic.  I've been looking for employment during this entire training time. I  believe working towards this 1/2 marathon goal has kept my spirits up.  It was so nice to see you ladies on Sat. mornings.  You look so healthy and happy. 
 
Now I'm planning to jog/run a 5 K in Portland with my husband in October.  I plan to jog the Queen of the High Road next year. 
 
You ladies have provided me with an opportunity to change my life.  It made it so easy with so many women around me that I knew from my son's school and neighborhood.  Saying thanks just isn't enough. 
 
I attached a few pics from the event.
 
God bless you,
Ruth Miller