Pistol Colleen

If I am the first comment here, well, maybe I should be, for along with her husband and mother ( my wife) I know this lady better than most, having spent over ten years traveling port to port in an old wood sailboat with her.

Home schooled, she missed many things kids take for granted. Saturday movies, dates with girlfriends (and boys) and a circle of old friends to turn to.

Yet, she never complained at the constant movement, the daily chores to keep us all afloat , nor the need to have time alone now and then.

Second hand, I heard she once state "Monte never raised any wimps". True enough, she learned to row, swim and hike for a run ashore. She knew fear of nature's wrath when most her age were watching "big Bird".

I used to feel guilty at what I put her through, but she has developed a strength of character and a will to compete (againest competitors and the elements) that I could only wish for. Go get um, Col!!

Colleen would be a great canidate for this marathon. In the past she has shown strengt, endurance and a very positive attitude in the races and challenges she was in. We were so proud of her in the Global Extreme Challenge. When most people would have quite, she persisted and she won. We will be cheering her on if she is accepted.
Aunt Gini and Uncle Tom

I've know Colleen since we raced together in Primal Quest in 2004. I can tell everyone within shouting distance that if you don't crack a smile when racing, training or just driving the car with her - then you have a problem. Colleen has never failed to impress me with her fortitude and willingness to do what ever it takes to get the job done. I am with out a doubt a better person and, to a lesser degree, a racer because of my association with her. I read an earlier comment above about not being raised as a wimp- well she certainly isn't that. In fact thankfully I have not suffered her calling me a wimp yet and I am grateful for that. There was a special moment in Patagonia where Colleen and her kayak mate were submerged in almost freezing water after flipping their kayak for longer than most humans should ever have to endure. When the rescue ship arrived I'm not sure I have ever seen anyone spring that high before out of anything much less a water logged kayak. Yes, she is something special.

I can't think of a better candidate for this incredible adventure!!! Having competed with Colleen in two 10-day non-stop expedition races, I can say without a doubt that Colleen is at her best when conditions are at their worst (ie kayaking in Patagonia through 39 degree water and 60 mph wind gusts). She is a driven and inspiring person with an incredible outlook on life. While being one of the toughest competitors I know, she also has a soft side which makes every adventure with her a fun and memorable experience.

Also I believe Colleen would be a great ambassador for the Arctic environment, helping to increase awareness about the effects Global Warming is having on arctic wildlife, the ocean and the rest of the planet. As an environmental scientist who has seen the arctic firsthand, I would be very interested is assisting Colleen in this mission if she is selected.

Colleen is definately the total package and you oould not go wrong in choosing her for this incredible adventure. Go Colleen!

Rob Harsh
Team Fukawi
Team No Boundaries

From the time she was two and winning every tricycle race in the neighborhood I knew Colleen would be a competitive sports fanatic. While on the sailboat we would not be anchored 10 minutes before she was on her way ashore in the dingy with her basketball to find a game whether she spoke the language or not. When she was back in regular high school in her junior year and wanted to play basketball I tried to explain that basketball players were generally taller than 5 foot 3 but that did not deter her. She made the team and was on the starting lineup. After the real competitions began, the 24 hour mountain biking races, 4 person, six day adventure races I once again questioned her maternity and again checked the footprint on the birth certificate to make sure she was not somehow switched at birth and was really the child of some super athlete. I have never understood the constant need to compete but cannot be prouder of Colleen's accomplishments. However, my main joy comes from her ability to see humor in most all situations. I highly recommend Colleen and would even if she was not my daughter.

I think Colleen would be a great candidate for this Marathon!!! She has the will, want, attitude and the HEART to do great things!!

YOU GO GIRL!!!!

Colleen rocks! She lives at 11,000 feet where it's winter 8 months of the year; she's unstoppable and unflappable, and she's more fun than cows on ice. Don't take her up on the bet about whether she'll be smiling at the finish of this race--she will be. And she will be there at the finish....

If I were on your admission committee, Colleen would be an undeniable choice to take part in your race. She is the ultimate competitor and sportswoman. Colleen will bring to your race not only a superb athelete but a superb person! She is tough as they come and will also keep you cracking up long after other competitors have reached their limits. Go Col!

Colleen is the toughest person I know, and she's also laid back, modest, and genuinely nice and pleasant to be around to boot. Her racing and adventure experiences speak for themselves, but the important thing that Colleen can bring to this race is her great attitude and her experience as a mother who wants her child to inherit a world that is in as good shape as she is. Colleen will be able to share her unique and honest perspective with your visitors in a way that will lift their spirits while at the same time inspiring them to take action for a worthy cause. Colleen is your woman!

I've seen Colleen at numerous adventure races around the world, and she is always smiling, always positive, and always ready to go and she is usually waiting for me at the finish line. After racing against her for many years, I finally had the opportunity and pleasure of racing with her at the United States Adventure Racing Association national championships this past November where we finished 2nd place (Masters). She was a fantastic teammate and pleasure to race with and shared many great stories from her ER and non-profit work experiences during our race. She would be a great competitor in the North Pole marathon.

Having known Colleen for more than 15 years I am still constantly amazed at her incredible enthusiasm for life, whether it is working or playing. She can see the humor in almost any situation, even if it's walking home after working a 12 hour night shift in the ER, up her very steep road in thigh high snow, in thin cotton scrubs, beacuse her car couldn't make it up the hill. She keeps going under all conditions, continuing a mountain bike race after breaking her arm, then going to work afterwards. Then she'll say she did OK at the race. She loves a challenge, but is modest in her accomplishments. She goes out for a "quick cross country ski" for fun no matter the weather. Colleen is a competitor in all seasons. She has also always taken a serious interest in the environment, sharing her knowledge of "green friendly" information. Her wonderful Baby Tarn has only expanded on all her amazing qualities. She would be an incredile asset to any race.

I guess we should learn from this and try to be the same (or even better).