Seattle Marathon/Half
This marathon is one your family should never miss. The half marathon was voted in the top 25 by Runner’s World magazine. This event is not only kid friendly but you can even bring the family dog. Booking your reservations at the Westin is not only recommended but it is also where the expo is held. You are downtown, near the famous Pike Place Market, and tons of shopping. The Westin not only welcomes dogs but it offers the pooch his own bed.

Then there is the Kids Run/Walk on Saturday before the marathon. This year there were 3,000 children completing the last 1.2 miles of the marathon.

The thought of walking a marathon at the end of November in Seattle conjures up visions of hours of sloshing through the wet and cold. This was so far from the truth! The weather couldn’t have cooperated more. Not only was it dry but it was clear and pleasant. The course has a few hairy hills but that is what makes marathons interesting. After finishing we were welcomed into the Recovery area with wonderful smells of Ivar’s clam chowder as well as the tables of fruit, Crispy Cream donuts, and more. This Thanksgiving weekend marathon is to never be missed if you’re looking for a great family vacation.

For more information on next years event visit; www.seattlemarathon.org

There are Turkey Trot’s held in just about every city. Portland holds its annual event at the zoo. At last count there were 1,433 participants for this 4-mile run/walk. Again the weather was unseasonable and warm and dry. There is a killer hill but all that is forgotten as you cruise the last mile through the zoo. Participants were given a chocolate turkey offered by Ja Civa Bakery and every 25th finisher received a pumpkin pie donated by Portland Running & Walking Company. So pick a Turkey Trot in your area and make it a family tradition.

For more information on next years event visit; www.orrc.net.

City of Trees Half Marathon, ID
Being from the Boise area, having family there, and having participated in the inaugural City of Trees two years ago, I went to Boise this weekend, planning to cheer, and possibly volunteer for the City of Trees Marathon/Half-marathon. At the expo I was checking things out when I noticed the finishers’ shirts. Even though I hadn’t done any training in a few months, I REALLY liked the half-marathon finishers’ shirt. I grabbed a brochure to find out what the registration fee was. I was ready to walk away, when Jeff (one of the race directors) walked up from behind and offered to waive the late fee. That sent me over the edge and I threw down my money.

When I got back to my dad’s house, I started realizing all the little things that I didn’t have with me, specifically Gus, gels, etc. I returned to the expo. While there, I also realized that I didn’t have any double layer socks and had to pick up a couple pairs of those too. Luckily I did have my shoes, running pants and a couple of Coolmax shirts.

Due to lack of recent training, my plan was to take it easy and not push myself. I wanted to be conservative, and try to finish comfortably. Well, that plan didn’t work so well! I started out at a brisk pace, partially because of the temperature (somewhere in the low 30s, with heavy fog, and very high humidity). I realized I was pulling 15-minute miles, and against my better judgment, decided to see how long I could keep that pace up. Around mile four I started to tire a bit, and realized that although I had been drinking, I hadn’t eaten anything (since my morning oatmeal) so I ate part of a Clif bar, part of a PowerBar, and a Vanilla Gu. As those hit my system, I noticed my pace starting to feel more comfortable, even though my quads had been talking to me for a bit. Around mile 7, my hamstrings were starting to talk to me, so I decided it was time to eat a little more. I made the push up the only real hill on the course, and realized that I was still in the ballpark of 15-minute miles, but I was hurting. I started trying to add in “run breaks” here and there, trying to let my “walking muscles” rest a little. I also took an electrolyte capsule and finished off my Clif bar. At mile 9, it was another Vanilla Gu, and about a mile later half of a banana and another electrolyte capsule. At mile 11, my right calf started cramping really bad, so I took one more electrolyte capsule and an Aleve. I was still averaging 15-minute miles and decided to push on. By some stroke of something (stupidity? insanity?) I managed to finish in 3:17:24 (15:03 miles), my third fastest half-marathon, out of seven!

What a wonderful post-race spread! Yep, I’m sore! But I like my shirt! Maybe this will be my incentive to get back

For more information on next years event visit; www.cityoftreesmarathon.com.

Red-Nosed RunDeer, OR

I got down to the World Trade Center, to encounter a big crowd of shivering people decked in really crazy holiday gear. Many people wore Santa hats, or weird variants on Santa hats, or reindeer antlers, or had some other holiday schtick. Many dogs were there, decked in fairy lights or antlers or adorable sweaters. I’m a bah-humbug kinda girl, so I was not expecting to enjoy this aspect of the race, but I did.

I had emailed the organizer to be sure that someone as slow as me would still have a finish line to cross, and he assured me that it would be so, so I had signed on for the 10k. I started at the back, and after about three or four blocks it was clear that I was going to be the last finisher. I’ve never been in a situation like this: In every other event, there are always people to beat or pace myself against. And not only was I last, but I was significantly behind the next person.

I thought, momentarily, about dropping out. Then I thought, who cares, really? Someone has to be last in every race, so why not me this time? I think of myself as a slow walker, and while I’d like to be racewalking at a 12 something minute/mile, I’m not there yet. I’ve always thought that racing is really a competition against myself — and now it’s time to really walk that talk.

I had a lot of support. Runners, going in the opposite direction, cheered me on, as did volunteers and motorists and random strangers. I felt great, and had an ear-to-ear grin for most of the distance.

Before I knew it, I was crossing the finish line. I raised my arms triumphantly and shouted, I’m the last one! I finished in 1:30:14, which is a 14:30 pace. Damn! May I just say, damn?

So, I finished last, and I totally enjoyed it, and I PRed. Who knew? — VeeJay

For more information on next years event visit; www.pmevents.com

Walk With an Olympian, OR

Racewalking technique training with two-time Olympian Philip Dunn (far right).

This free seminar held in the middle of the week at noon brought out racewalkers from all parts of Portland. Fifteen participants came to hear Philip Dunn speak, teach, and of course get their photo taken with this two-time Olympian. Even though Philip can walk faster than most people can run his method of teaching is unassuming. He makes you feel at ease no matter what your level of fitness. In the two hours he took out of his busy schedule we covered stretching, technique, and training tips. This was just a precursor for the 10th Annual NW Regional Racewalk Retreat presented by ERO-Fit & Associates, LLC held May 20-22. For more information logon to www.erofit.com.

Fury of the Falls, OR
I had a terrific time at the Fury of the Falls and also enjoyed the beautiful scenery along the way....it was awesome!

Even more important, I want to thank the organizers for the thoughtfulness in including and caring for their walkers in the event (we, too, are athletes). I have been in many events where walkers are tagged on
as an afterthought and not truly included as part of the “core” of the event. I loved the idea of beginning an hour prior to the runners and not feeling like I was in their way along the course. The volunteers placed along the trail to prevent wrong turns was also appreciated. I even enjoyed being one of the first ones in line for my pancakes. Usually the walkers are coming in after the runners and there isn't any food left. I was even in one race last fall (1/2 marathon) where the race organizers were taking down the finish line as we approached!! We aren't exactly slow-poke walkers, either, so you can imagine our disappointment. Anyway, enough said.

Thank you again for a terrific event....I loved the pancakes, the toasty fire at the picnic shelter, and the whole ambience (rain and all). I look forward to participating in one of your events in the near future. — Shannon