Review: 2015 Rum Run

What: 2015 Rum Run from Energy Events
Where: Tualatin Commons
When: May 24, 2015
Distance: 5K

Just returned from the 2015 Rum Run. 
I hadn't planned to take part in this event, but the stars aligned (aka: my weekend was free and I had a free race coming to me after volunteering a couple times for Energy Events) so I decided to give a go.
The race started and ended at Tualatin Commons, which (1) is a great place to start with a pretty waterway smack dab in the middle of the Commons and (2) lots of parking. 
The race course took us just up the way from the Commons and to Cook Park and back.
What I dug was it was a really scenic and pretty course. Lots of vegetation, water and just nice stuff to look at it as you made your way through the course. Much of the course was paved, although there were a few spots in Cook Park where we went onto the trail. I'd say maybe 20% (if that) is how much trail racing we did to pavement racing.
The course didn't have a lot of hills or elevation. It was mostly flat. 
Of course, me being slow (and OK with it) was at the back of the pack. :) No worries. For me, it's about getting it down... not trying to be first.
My one frustration was it was bit crowded on the paved part of the course at times. Because I'm usually toward the end, I end up going slow. However I found myself wanting to pass a few of my fellow walkers at one point and couldn't for some time because there were runners 2 and 3 up heading back to the finish line, making it a challenge to actually make a quick pass. Not the end of the world, but passing a fellow racer is something I rarely experience at my slow speed. 
There was also a quick racer with stroller (coming the opposite direction who wasn't paying attention) that veered clear onto the right side of the path where I was. I ended up jumping off the trail quickly to avoid being hit and quickly not back on. Not the end of the world, but a bit startling for a second! ;) 
Overall, I actually love out and back courses like this. It's fun to cheer on those who are faster.... and seeing familiar faces of people I see time and time again at the races. And, bonus, I got to see my friend and her hubster too on their return trip to the Finish Line! It was great to give my friend a high 5!

Me and a friend at the start line!

The course ended near where it began in the Tualatin Commons. Our names were called out as we crossed the Finish Line and we were handed Finisher's Medals, which serve double duty as really, really, really big Kracken Rum bottle openers. 
There were a number of vendors and tents at the finish line with some samples and freebies and some items for sale. And, of course, there was the alcohol area. Each of us received a ticket for Mojito and a beer attached to our bibs.
The lines for drinks after the race were a bit long. I had planned to guzzle (... just putting it out there...) down a Mojito after the race. (I had handed off my beer ticket to a friend before the race because I only had one drink in me.) I ended up at the back of the line (about 20 back) and waited about 10 minutes. The line did not move so I decided my Mojito could wait until another day and handed my ticket for it to someone else and headed home.

What we got:
At packet pick-up, we received a Rum Run shirt and a bag with several handouts about upcoming races and one about a local store that carries Kracken Rum, a Clif Bar , a sample of Speed Stick and a package of Belvita bars. Our bibs had tickets for a free Kracken Spiced Rum Mojito and beer after the race. Also, at the Finish Line, we received a finisher's medal (a huge bottle opener)! 

The Finisher's Medal for the 2015 Rum Run

Final thoughts:
I'd do this race again without hesitation. It was just a pleasant race with really nice scenery. Few hills too, which this slow girl likes a lot. Energy Events always puts on a good, well-organized and fun event. I'm pretty sure I'll sign up right away to do it again next year. And the medal was just icing on the cake! Thank you, Energy Events!

Review: 2015 Doggie Dash

What: Doggie Dash (for the Oregon Humane Society)
Where: Portland, Oregon
When: May 9, 2015
Distance: 5K and 1 1/2 miles

Just returned from my annual trek with M to the Doggie Dash, a fun walking and running event for canines and their humane companions. :)  It benefits the Oregon Humane Society.
I took part in this event with M, a small but mighty fluffy little dog, last year. It wore him out for two to three days, resulting in me deciding that it would an annual event for us both.
This is not a timed event and is fairly relaxed. There really are just thousands of dogs and people, walking (and running) around Portland's waterfront during the event.
They offer two distances - a traditional 5k that goes around the river and a shorter distance that keeps you on one side.
Because of my companions limitations (plus his abundance of fur ... and a fairly warm day), we opted for the shorter distance.

One of my favorite parts about the event is they hold a Doggie Dash Fair of sorts as part of the day each year. This is great opportunity for dogs to socialize and meet new friends. My canine partner's philosophy this year? Leave no rear unsniffed! ;) He exchanged sniffs with so many other dogs and was so, so happy. That was made the day totally worth it. And he even instigated playing with a few dogs, which usually it's other dogs instigating the playing with him. That was just great!
There are always a ton of great samples to pick up during the fair, as well as cool stuff to purchase. 

This picture doesn't show it all, but we came home with a bunch of foods, treats and goodies for M to try. He even got a few toys, a traveling water bowl and  K-9 seatbelt. We also received some treats and catnip to give to the neighbor kitties. Their owners were thrilled. 
A huge thank you to the generous vendors... and to the Oregon Humane Society for putting on such a fun event!
I definitely look forward to taking part in this event again with my canine buddy!