P.F. Chang’s
Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon

Jenny and Rich with John the Penguin (middle).

Phoenix-January 9. From the minute we could see the countryside from the plane, I knew that this would be a very different race. Where were the hills, sharp ascents, and high-bridge approaches? Nothing like the Portland Marathon which is the only other marathon I had done. Although Phoenix resides in a large desert area, the landscape was very lush in most areas.

Saturday morning we attended the race expo. The expo had the usual vendors and information booths. In the very large vendor area for the race sponsor you could find a full variety of race apparel and lots and lots of items with the P.F. Chang emblem affixed. I was able to buy a disposable camera there which was good since I had forgotten to pack one.

We spent some time at John Bingham’s (The Penguin) booth. His books are very inspirational for my husband, Rich. For years, Rich had said, “I can’t run.” After reading John’s books, his attitude toward running changed. He is not a speedster but has found the joy of running.

My race morning routine remained the same. No need to change anything just because we were away from home. The marathon race start was at 7:40am. That was a little later than I’m used to but not enough to make a difference.

We traveled by bus to the start area in the pitch-black darkness. All the other passengers were quietly talking about the course or their race strategy and still others were just trying to sleep a little longer. Once off the bus, we waited in long lines for porta potties only to find out that if we had headed away from the bus area and closer to the start area there were many more porta potties without lines.

The marathoners started an hour ahead of the half marathoners. There were twice as many half marathoners than full marathoners in this race. The temperature at the start was a very comfortable 52 degrees with overcast sky. Many of the participants were bundled up in their disposable outerwear. I was in a singlet and very comfortable — that comes from being acclimated to Portland temperatures. The marathon course had been changed for this year to eliminate a ascent up a street near Camelback Mountain. Can you imagine the Portland Marathon without Harrison Street or without the St. John’s Bridge? The race course was flat with only an overpass approach to provide any noticeable elevation change.

There was great crowd support and the bands (rock, country, mariachi, blues) of all types along the way. There was only one long stretch from mile 23 to 25 that was sparse without any food, water, or crowd support. That’s when you really needed to pull from within to make it to the finish. During those last miles, I talked to others around me. That seemed to really help to shrink the distance. The day stayed overcast for most of my race. The sun did shine brightly for about two hours then went back behind the clouds at the finish.

If you have the chance to do this race, do it. The area is scenic with lots to see and do. The race with 29,000 total participants is something to behold.

Phoenix, nice place to visit, but for us it’s too flat and too far from the ocean. Logon to www.rnraz.com for more information.
— Jenny F.

Go Red for Women
Kickoff Event

Portland-February 4. The American Heart Association (AHA) launched its 2005 campaign with a community event that
was open to everyone. February 4 is National Wear Red Day and everyone was dressed in red. Go Red for Women was presented by Legacy Health System and is AHA’s campaign to educate women about heart disease, the number-one killer of women, and to empower women to take steps to lower their risk. With more than a dozen healthy vendors present women gathered to taste healthy foods, get a chair massage, check out some new walking shoes, have their blood pressure taken as well as cholesterol checked and of course pick up the latest issue of Walk About magazine. This event was well attended by more than 1,000 women in a sea of red. Logon to www.americanheart.org for more information.

Pre-Super Bowl
10k AVA Walk

Portland-February 5. This annual event held at McMenamin’s Kennedy School was well attended. The day remained dry until the afternoon. Well over 300 walkers and their dogs from points all over Oregon and Washington began the walk from the McMenamin’s starting point and walked throughout the Alberta Arts District, past quaint coffee shops and into historic Irvington district and then back to Kennedy School for a warm lunch and to get reaquainted with old pals. So the next time you are looking for a fun, noncompetive 10k, join the many Volkssport walks listed on www.ava.org.