Welcome to Issue #272
by Rachel Brandes
Quote of the Week
“A strong woman looks a challenge in the eye and gives it a wink.”
– Gina Carey
Feline Tomfoolery
with Brady & Belichick
Dear Humans,
This week’s photo is an oldie when we still had furniture in the apartment. Yes, our human started giving away the furniture months ago once the decision to move to Utah was made. The couch, human? Really?
Around three weeks until we live in Utah. We hope she allows us to have furniture again.
Much Love, Brady (left) & Belichick (right)
Brady & Belichick are Rachel’s adorable felines. These two cute boys turned two on May 4, 2025.
Random Photo of the Week
Hello, Mr. Bee… This photo was taken in the early morning in a friend’s yard as the bee slept. Who knew? Photo by Rachel.
Mental Health Minute
Bee Kind
This fun image was found on an Instagram account called happinessproject. Rachel is rarely on social media but does check out this account from time to time. Who doesn’t love positive messages? Being kind to oneself if so important. Have you ever walked past a mirror and given yourself a compliment, out loud? Try it. Odds are, you will smile.
Unleashed at Stadium Bowl
Please note, several photos in the is story were downloaded from the official race site and taken by a number of photographers at the event. Thank you to Stephen Dunlap, Twinny Alipio, Tim Rote, Matthew Ahola, Tiffany Lam, Stephen Shimshock, Phillip Vitela and Darryl Roundy for sharing your photos of the event.
Collective Suffering
On Sunday, August 3, 2025, Rachel crossed off one of the last things she wanted to do in Washington and finally participated in the Unleashed at Stadium Bowl event. This would be the event’s 15th year. Unleashed has been on her radar for several years, but her body never felt ready with one injury after another. This event has participants running the Stadium High School stairs, the one lap option is a total of 1,628 stairs and the two lap option 3,256 stairs.
Her body definitely did not feel ready this year but with her upcoming move to Utah, this could be her last opportunity, and she wasn’t going to waste it. She would at least try.
What is Unleashed at Stadium Bowl all about? Watch the short video below featuring event coordinator, Brian Nelson, from a prior year event, to hear the details.
To learn more about the Kindred Souls Foundation, click the link below.
This is No 1999 Romantic Comedy
Who remembers the 1999 movie 10 Things I Hate about You? You know, the romantic comedy featuring Julia Stiles and Heath Ledger and the scene where Ledger professes his love for Stiles on the stairs of a high school stadium. This is where Unleashed at Stadium Bowl takes place. Stadium Bowl is located in the Stadium District of Tacoma, Washington with stunning views of Commencement Bay and Puget Sound. The adjacent high school is quite remarkable, too.
“It’s a Puke Fest”
When race coordinator, Brian Nelson, began recruiting by visiting local clubs, he visited the Tacoma Run Club. Rachel was so excited to finally try it out that she signed up right there and then.
Brian’s excitement for the event was palpable, which made it all the more appealing. She will never forget what he said that day, “It’s a puke fest. Not everybody will puke, but every year somebody will puke.” Who doesn’t want to sign up after hearing that?
Of note, on that Sunday, Rachel did not puke and did not witness anyone puke but believes 100% that somebody did puke.
Like-Minded People
Rachel finds it refreshing to know there are plenty of other people out there that enjoy the idea of putting themselves through tough things and actually thriving on the discomfort. She was excited to see Coach Blake from Orangetheory Fitness and so many friends from Tacoma Run Club. By the way, that massive building in the background… that is Stadium High School.
Stretching is Essential
Revive Hot Yoga was on hand for the event providing an instructor-led (thanks, Katie!) stretch prior to the event. Revive Hot Yoga is Rachel’s favorite yoga studio. She highly recommends locals check out this studio. Click the link to learn more: Revive Yoga Co.
Ready, Set, Go
When it was time to get things started, participants were asked to gather in line based on their anticipated speed. Rachel immediately went to the end and found herself in good company.
Groups of three were started at intervals to avoid too much congestion on the stairs, as well as to assist in accurate timing. This also allowed participants waiting to watch starters as they raced up and down the stairs right next to them. This was not intimidating, at all. No? Well… okay, it was very intimidating and oddly exciting. Either way, it was fun to cheer on fellow run club members as they dominated the stairs.
One Lap, Two Laps, 11 Laps
Wait, 11 laps? We will get to that in a moment. In total, 272 participants opted for the one lap race and 83 opted for two laps. There would also be what is called the Heroes Race in which firefighters, law enforcement and military would run one lap wearing 40-pound (men) or 20-pound (women) vests. There would be 39 participants in the Heroes Race.
While running one lap with a 40 or 20-pound vest is impressive, nothing was more impressive than to watch Dr. Annie Thiessen, DVM run 11 laps that day. That would be 17,908 steps. Why would someone do 11 laps? For the love of animals.
Dr. Thiessen is the Medical Director the Kindred Souls Foundation, and the 11 laps was to raise awareness and money for the medical fund. After Googling Dr. Thiessen, Rachel found herself in a never-ending collection of impressive and fascinating information. Here is another one to add to the list, 11 laps at Stadium Bowl and she did it in an impressive 2 hours 56 minutes and 28 seconds. Simply incredible.
Pictured above is Dr. Annie Thiessen celebrating with race coordinator, Brian Nelson.
A Few Fun Statistics
When Rachel went into this, she wasn’t sure her body would allow her to make it up one row of steps. Too many injuries as of late. She was pleasantly surprised by her ability to finish without pain.
How did she do? Finish time, 26 minutes 40 seconds. To put things into perspective, the one lap winner finished in 10 minutes 33 seconds. The two lap winner finished in 26 minutes 26 seconds and the Heroes Race winner finished one lap in 13 minutes 47 seconds.
A Welcome Assist
Rachel’s legs had never felt more like jelly on the last few down rows. She recalls pausing before heading down the last out of fear that she may take a tumble if her legs gave out.
Just as she headed down that set of stairs, fellow run club member, Jordan, began climbing back up onto the course. Rachel’s focus was now on Jordan rather than her wobbly legs. He began giving her encouragement and ran the rest of the way with her giving her much needed guidance. She sure needed it at that point, as she felt completely discombobulated.
Jordan must have seen it on her face and knew she needed the assist to get through the finish line. She was extremely grateful to him for jumping back on the course, especially after he had just finished with an 18 minute 44 second lap of his own.
Of note, they did not plan ahead to match their outfits that day, but didn’t it work out great for the photo? Thanks again, Jordan, for bringing her to the finish line with a smile.
Let’s Not Forget…
Rachel is not only appreciative to Jordan, but to the amazing volunteers along the course, the sponsors, both corporate and individual sponsors for making the event possible and Brian Nelson for starting such a great event in the first place.
Let’s not forget Rachel’s friend, Bill Le, pictured below, who came to support Rachel’s efforts. As Rachel made her way around that stadium, she could hear Bill cheering her on. She honestly believes hearing his voice cheering her on gave the boosts she needed.
Bill and Rachel enjoyed a post-event brunch before Rachel headed home for some much-needed rest. As Rachel puts some finishing touches on this story a week later, she is still a bit sore. It turns out 1,628 steps is no joke.
To learn more about Unleashed at Stadium Bowl, visit the link below. Until next time, be well.
