Review: Biggest Loser Run Walk

What: Biggest Loser Run Walk 
Where: Everett, Washington
When: Oct. 12, 2014
Distance: 5K

This race has been on my bucket list since the 2013 one in Seattle. Just one I wanted to do.
So when they announced this year's race, I quickly signed up and announced to a couple of my friends up north that I was planning on making the trip for this event.

Lucky for me that a month or so before the race, my friends agreed to do it with me. It's always so much fun when you do it with friends.

My friend, B, and I went to packet pickup the day before. We really weren't sure many people the race would draw so we figured it would be our best bet. Plus, they said there was a race expo to check out.
Packet pickup was seamless, although, unfortunately, a volunteer had given my number out to someone else so I had to get a different number. Ask me how I know? Yeah. After the race I was checking out the results and saw my name (and hometown) and assigned race number ... and certainly not the time I completed in it. Someone had used my original bib. That disappointed me as we were supposed to show photo ID to pick up our numbers, which I did.

The expo was pretty tiny with a handful of vendors and a lot of talks. We didn't stick around any of talks, but we did quick tour of the booths. Enjoyed some some juice and bread samples.

On Race Day, we arrived at the location. We were told it was $2 to park, but we ended up finding a free parking spot and didn't have to pay. And bonus! We pretty much were parked right by the finish/start line.
My friend, P, had to pick up his packet that morning. It was a quick process, although there was a problem. They didn't have his requested shirt size, but they made it right by letting him pick out a different apparel item. Much appreciated.

The course itself was flat and fast and out and back. On a scale of 1 to 5 for difficulty, I'd rank it a 1. Not strenuous at all.
The course took us on a street right across from the Everett docks. We never left that street. We went up a ramp and then turned around and went our way back.

About halfway into the race, we were met by blaring music and by Biggest Loser contestant (and super nice guy) Jackson Carter. Jackson was super nice, giving high 5s and posing for pictures. There was also a water stop near by.

We were pretty slow to complete our 5K. So we were at the end of the pack of the 5k'rs but a bit ahead of most of the half marathoners. Bikers escorted the quickest half marathoners, telling us they were approaching so we could move to the side of the road for them and not worry about getting run over.

We made it to finish line and each received a finisher's medal, as well as water, a banana and bagel.

What we got:
A T-shirt, a nap sack (complete with some goodies, including vitamins, coupons and a few snacks) and a Finisher's Medal. There was one for the 5K and a special location-specific one for the Half Marathon.
We also had the opportunity to meet and get our pictures taken with a couple folks, who had appeared on the Biggest Loser show. At this race were Jackie and Dan Evans, Vinny Hickerson and Jackson.

Final thoughts:
It was a fun event. Definitely a super friendly race with nice folks. And definitely one that anyone could do... whether you've done a ton of races or are just doing your first one.
I'd consider doing this one again, although I'd love to do one that's closer to me than this one was.

Review: Harvest Hay Half

What: Harvest Half Half
Where: Battle Ground, Wash.

When: July 20, 2014

Distance: Family race - 2 miles

I started signing up for these races just over a year ago. I've done more than 30, but this is the first one from Get Bold Events that I've taken part in.  They did not disappoint. 

I had originally planned this as part of a super race weekend with friends and family. We had planned to take part in the 8 Track Hustle (different promoter) the day before in Portland and then get up early and take part in a Harvest Half Hay race the next morning. 

Unfortunately, the 8 Track Hustle was cancelled so our big race weekend plans fell apart.

Had I known that would happen, I would have signed up for a longer distance.

I ended up doing this race with my aunt (an experienced half marathoner) and my uncle (a newbie). 

The course was flat and fast. I mean, it's not often you get to do a 2 mile course. But it was a pleasant walk, taking us through the Battle Ground Center. The nice thing was we didn't join up with the folks running the longer distances. Being one who goes slow, I always worry about being in their way when they want to the end.

What we got:

Each of us came home with an amazing medal. Everyone who took part in the family race received a medal. (T-shirts were available for purchase for an additional fee. Folks who took part in the longer distances received T-shirts as part of their registration.)

We were so surprised to also receive a goodie bag (filled with samples, a few magazines and a some pamphlets on other races) when we picked up our numbers. We were also treated to free pancakes and a free beer (post race). Thanks, Get Bold Events.

Final thoughts:

I wish I'd signed up for a longer distance. Next year, I think I might sign up for the 8K. 

Review: Red White and Blues

What: Red White and Blues
Where: Downtown Portland

When: July 6, 2014

Distance: 5K

I go slow so it's always a concern for me if I'm going to go too slow to fall within race time limits. So when I saw this race had a 10K, I figured it was a safe bet for me to do the 5k.

This race coincided with the Waterfront Blues festival so it started at the festival, went down and up the waterfront, across the river over the Burnside Bridge, next to the river and then back over the Hawthorne Bridge, where it ended at the festival.
The course was (mostly) flat, outside of crossing over the bridges.

I really enjoyed the course. I mean, it's good any time you can race in the daytime next to the water.
Everything went well, except just before the Hawthorne Bridge,  I stumbled on a sidewalk crack. I managed to catch myself, escaping injury. But I will admit that I felt some strong pain in my foot for a couple days afterwards.

At the end of the race, we were treated to some blues at the festival.

I think I took this picture about 8:30 a.m. ;)

What we got:

We received a t-shirt with our entry fee, as well as a goodie bag. We also received a really cool medal at the finish line, irregardless of how far we ran.

I must say that is probably one of my favorite race medals I've received!

Our race bibs included a ticket for a free beer or non-alcoholic beverage and free bottle of water.
I had heard some folks complain that they were limited to one bottle of water. Since I was wearing a water pack, it wasn't an issue for me. It was a hot day thought so I totally understood where they were coming from.

Final thoughts:
I can't wait to do this one again next year!

Welcome!

Hi there!
Welcome to PDX Walk Run Fun!
My name is Teri, and I've started this blog as way to review the 5k, 10K and other races in the Portland area (and occasionally on the road) that I've taken part in.

I took part in my first 5k in June 2013.
It was slow. And it was messy. It was a color run.
And truth be known, I was in pain for a few days afterwards.
But there was something about taking part in that race (and completing it) that sparked a fire.
I've been taking part in them ever since.
I have been asked a few times why I do these things?
People are quick to assume on I am on some crazy health kick.
Yes, it is a benefit of doing this. But that's really a small part of it.
But I do it because... dang it... it is fun. It allows me to recharge in solitude. Think of nothing else for a bit and experience the sheer satisfaction completing a race.
I never thought I'd say that before my first one. But here I am. I'm going to keep doing these. I really enjoy them.
So I hope you will stop by periodically and hear what I have to say. And if I see you at a race (I'm usually the slow one), be sure to say hi!