my alarm went off at 5:05 am on sunday morning. a few minutes later i got a text from julianne saying: “ladies! it’s totally pouring. please don’t come!!! seriously…” i checked the forecast for napa and it was rain… all day long.
a few minutes later i was texting and talking to the other ROHO girls who were all together. there was no way we were not going, plus knowing julianne was going to be out running a marathon in the rain, we knew she would need our support more than ever.
i picked all the girls up at 6am. kristin gave us our new amazing ROHO shirts to wear (i don’t have the pic, but once i get it i will post it) and we loaded into the car and hit the road. it rained the whole way there, but there was no traffic and we made it to our first stop easily. we were at around the 7.5 mark and got to see the leaders come through. all the runners were already soaking wet, but all were still in good spirits. we were armed with a cowbell, lots of horns and some amazing signs the girls made. i think maritza had the best sign ever, and really had SO much crowd response, it was great! everyone was smiling, waving and thanking us for being out there.
the crowd favorite sign… i cannot tell you how many people said
“i’ll see you at the finish line” it was great
julianne looking strong and happy just before mile 8
after we saw julianne, we made our way to our next stop. we set up camp just before mile 16 this time. it was still raining, so the melting signs were left in the car so they could be salvaged for the finish. we were out there with our bells and horns and voices though! a lot of the runner’s remembered us from our first stop and continued to smile and thank us.
our last stop was about a half mile from the finish. the end of the course winds through residential neighborhoods and then finishes at the high school. we found a great spot, where there weren’t too many people, but we knew the runner’s would need a final boost. we pulled out all the stops this time… signs, bells, horns, boom box, we had it all, and we were loud and very annoying. my favorite quote from the day was kristin who said “i am annoyed at the sound of my own voice”. this was definitely an eventful spot…
after we had just set up camp at our spot and most of us had our backs to the runners, maritza said “that’s dean!” we all turn around and saw him as he was passing, and i yelled “dean!” and he raised his fist in the air! we were all very excited, but bummed that we hadn’t seen him earlier, both at this spot and in the race.
one man came and talked to us and told us his wife was running this marathon for her 15th time AND it was her birthday. so of course we would sing to her. he signaled to us when she was coming by and she got a serenade from the ROHO’s to send her to the finish.
i have never seen so many shirts with streams of blood down the front. those poor guys there are many men out there in pain today from that.
maritza also got taken up on her sign a few times as runner’s passed on their way to the finish. everyone seriously looooved her sign
then we spotted julianne!! she looked amazing and we went crazy for her! i took a video of her passing by… its a little bouncy as we were all jumping around but you can get the effect of what the ROHOs sound like when we cheer together.
CONGRATS to julianne for marathon #7!!! she did amazing, in the rain and all!
i always love spectating, it just makes me want to get out there and run a marathon! the runners out there were amazing, they had great attitudes and gave us so many smiles. it was totally worth being out in the rain for them. i really want to try to smile more in my upcoming races… smiling in general makes you feel good, so i bet smiling while running makes you feel even better! plus it gives a little reward to those people out there cheering, which is not an easy job.
Love it! You guys are so awesome And you’re right, spectating can be such a blast. I did it once last year and I really need to do it again – I love to see the runners’ reaction
Did I miss something? Why did guys have blood running down their shirts? I read it twice, still don’t get it. What great signs. I need to pay attention to spectators the next time I do a road race. Nice support you provided for more than just your girlfriend.
Omg, awesome job you guys. The video made me laugh and cry for some reason… I guess it brings back all the emotion from previous races. Plus, I remember those cowbells. I love it!! Especially the kisses and the Happy Birthday song. You guys are the best. Congrats to Julianne!!
Looks like you guys had a great time, rain and all! It’s so great that you have such a good group of girlfriends who are all into running. What a wonderful support system!
Awwwwhhh you guys are the BEST cheerleaders EVER!! ;D ;D I swear I’m going to do a race that you all are cheerleading at. I want some of that ROHO love!
What great friends you all are! I could have used some of your sunshine yesterday during the Gasparilla marathon. The 20+ mph wind and rain really and the lack of spectators really broke my spirits. I could have used some smiley faces to care me through to the finish line.
Spectators really do mean a lot to long distance runners. You have inspired me to return the favor some day.
Man, you ROHOs sure do know how to have fun and make others feel good, even in pouring rain. Kudos to you for being out there and thanks for the awesome pics and video!
aw, great recap!!! it was sooo much fun!!! thank you again for driving I can’t see the video on my old crappy home comp, but tomorrow I am going to check it out at work fo sho!!!
Oh my goodness, you girls are a riot! What a supportive group you ROHOs are. Thanks for the photos, the video and your awesome spectator report. I seriously want to hire you girls for my next marathon, haha! Great job!
Ok, you just made me cry with your post. You guys are so amazing. I was so friggin exhausted and delirious at this point. As you can tell from my SLOW running! I loved “Run Ho Run”!!! LMAO! I have tears in my eyes as I type this. I OWE YOU GUYS BIG. Seriously, BIG time ROHO love. LOVe!!!! Who’s squeeky thing is that?? HILARIOUS!!
Seriously though, I WAS really sick of my own voice! Love that that was your favorite quote of the day! We need to hire/train some ROHO worthy cheerers for SD
I love how you all are such great supporters of each other – what a neat bond you all have!!! I’m sure she appreciated it and sounds like a fun day, even in the rain
you make standing out in the rain for hours sound like such a blast!! love the spectator-report and especially that you all went out to support your friend and all the other runners. we do know first hand how awesome some good fans can be!
after we saw julianne, we made our way to our next stop. we set up camp just before mile 16 this time. it was still raining, so the melting signs were left in the car so they could be salvaged for the finish. we were out there with our bells and horns and voices though! a lot of the runner’s remembered us from our first stop and continued to smile and thank us.
there are many men out there in pain today from that.
first? me?
ypu roho’s are great! i love the signs!yay for julianne
the friendship you ladies have and the shared love of running is amazing! Great job getting there in the rain to cheer on Julianne!
Nice job on supporting your friend, and all the other runners!
you guys are too darn cute. awesome job of supporting your friend in spite of crappy conditions. she’s a lucky gal to have friends like you guys!
You guys are awesome! Really terrific! I love your signs.
lol that sign is awesome. very clever
what the heck is up with the blood running down their shirts?!
You girls are awesome, I may have to fly the Rohos out for my next race:)
Love it! You guys are so awesome
And you’re right, spectating can be such a blast. I did it once last year and I really need to do it again – I love to see the runners’ reaction 
Did I miss something? Why did guys have blood running down their shirts? I read it twice, still don’t get it.
What great signs. I need to pay attention to spectators the next time I do a road race. Nice support you provided for more than just your girlfriend.
bloody nipples!! poor guys SO many had them.
Omg, awesome job you guys. The video made me laugh and cry for some reason… I guess it brings back all the emotion from previous races. Plus, I remember those cowbells.
I love it!! Especially the kisses and the Happy Birthday song. You guys are the best. 
Congrats to Julianne!!
You ladies are some of the BEST cheerleaders ever! Can I hire you for my name race? lol
Awesome signs!
Awesome!!!! I ran one of my best half marathons in the rain, so I know how that feels.
I loooooooooove those signs too. How cool are you guys for spectating!?!
YAY! This post is great, you girls are so fun and such good supporters.
Ahhh, bloody nipples make me so sad. Poor male runners in the rain!
I love how supportive all the ROHO’s were for not just Julianne, but everyone! That’s really sweet. This post made my day.
you guys are GREAT and so supportive of each other! those signs are the best!!!!!!! and the video is priceless!!!!!!!!!
Looks like you guys had a great time, rain and all! It’s so great that you have such a good group of girlfriends who are all into running. What a wonderful support system!
You guys are AWESOME for being out there! I'm sure every runner appreciated your love & cheers
You all are such an amazing supportive group! I wish I had a crew here like you all
Sounds like another fun day as a race spectator!
That’s really great of you guys to go out in the rain.. cool.
Aw, I got the chills. Spectators are so important and having you guys along the course must have meant the world to julianne!
Actually, that looks kinda fun.
Awwwwhhh you guys are the BEST cheerleaders EVER!! ;D ;D I swear I’m going to do a race that you all are cheerleading at. I want some of that ROHO love!
Nice job on the spectating!!! I’m sure everyone really appreciated your guys’ enthusiasm out there on a rainy day!
So nice of you all to show up in the rain, signs and all! You are an awesome bunch!
You guys are awesome!! What great friends. I am sure the other runners appreciated the cheering so much, especially on such a rainy day.
It’s great that you all came out to support your friend like that. You guys are awesome!
What a great group of running friends you guys have!
You grils rock. The support you give to each other is awesome!
What wonderful support for Julianne and all the runners! Great job! All that cheering takes endurance, too.
You are SUCH a good spectator! It’s so nice of you to get up so early and watch other people run for so long.
You and the rest of the ROHO’s are wonderful for getting out there in the rain to cheer your fellow ROHO girl on.
What great friends you all are! I could have used some of your sunshine yesterday during the Gasparilla marathon. The 20+ mph wind and rain really and the lack of spectators really broke my spirits. I could have used some smiley faces to care me through to the finish line.
Spectators really do mean a lot to long distance runners. You have inspired me to return the favor some day.
You guys are amazing friends! That was way cool.
PRing as a spectathlete is pretty hard to do. You gals set the bar HIGH! Way to go!!!
I was thinking that there was no way I saw you guys because Julianne is so much faster than me but then i say the pictures and I think I did!!
You guys rock! That was a miserable day to be a spectator and you stuck it out to the end!
From me and every other runner at Napa THANK YOU!!
Those signs are awesome! What a great way to support your friend.
That is a great report! It’s exciting just reading about all the fun you had. You’re a super friend!
You guys rock! How wonderful to be such an inspiration for the runners under such dreary marathon conditions.
I wish I had a cool running club to support me with my races. You guys are awesome.
So nice of you gals to go out there and support your friend. I love the “kiss for PR” sign. Ana-Maria
My voice was hoarse and I needed major chapstick when I woke up this morning
It was a blast! Thanks for driving again!
I love it! You guys were loud! Those are the best cheerleaders. Julianne was sure lucky!
I hope the PDX’ers can live up to the spectating machine of the ROHO’s! We will sure try in Eugene!
LOL You guys are SO cute!!! I was super excited for Julianne just watching your video!
P
Man, you ROHOs sure do know how to have fun and make others feel good, even in pouring rain. Kudos to you for being out there and thanks for the awesome pics and video!
aw, great recap!!! it was sooo much fun!!! thank you again for driving
I can’t see the video on my old crappy home comp, but tomorrow I am going to check it out at work fo sho!!!
bloody nipples make me :___(
Awww, I seriously have tears in my eyes after watching that video! What great friends you all are! You’re lucky to have each other.
LOVE the signs! I want you guys at my next race! Come to DC March 21! LOL!
Oh my goodness, you girls are a riot! What a supportive group you ROHOs are. Thanks for the photos, the video and your awesome spectator report. I seriously want to hire you girls for my next marathon, haha! Great job!
You guys are awesome friends!
That’s great you all went and cheered in the rain! Love the signs, too.
What great spectators you all were!!! I’d love to have you out there cheering for me!!!
Ok, you just made me cry with your post. You guys are so amazing. I was so friggin exhausted and delirious at this point. As you can tell from my SLOW running! I loved “Run Ho Run”!!! LMAO! I have tears in my eyes as I type this. I OWE YOU GUYS BIG. Seriously, BIG time ROHO love. LOVe!!!! Who’s squeeky thing is that?? HILARIOUS!!
Love the signs and all of the annoying noise. You’re so fortunate to have a group of friends to support each other at races!
Omg I loved reading this post!! That is just the coolest. How lucky are you guys to have a fun, supportive group like that?
The kissing sign is very creative
Love it!!
seriuosly you guys are just wonderful! I love it!
Seriously though, I WAS really sick of my own voice! Love that that was your favorite quote of the day! We need to hire/train some ROHO worthy cheerers for SD
I love how you all are such great supporters of each other – what a neat bond you all have!!! I’m sure she appreciated it and sounds like a fun day, even in the rain
That was super fun! What a great idea to post someone in a race – I guess as participants we don’t get that chance. Fantastic!
Sounds like such a fun day despite the rain! I LOVE that kissing sign…I might have to steal the idea sometime!
sounds like fun! that was awesome you guys went out there. Love the video too!
I think I need to recruit you ladies for my next race! Y’all are truly awesome and dedicated spectators!! Loved the report!
you make standing out in the rain for hours sound like such a blast!! love the spectator-report and especially that you all went out to support your friend and all the other runners. we do know first hand how awesome some good fans can be!