Review: 2016 Hop Hop Half

What: Hop Hop Half
Where: Portland
When: March 26, 2016
Distance: 5k (There was also a half marathon)

At the very last minute, I decided to do the Hop Hop Half, put on by Foot Traffic.
The. Very. Last. Minute.
It was at the urging of my running buddy (and maybe a little guilt that she was doing the half and I was doing nothing that day), that I decided to do the 5k.
I've wanted to do this one for a long time, but I'd been nervous about about time limits. Foot Traffic is really good about putting that information with their races s you know what to expect.
Time limits are ALWAYS in the back of my head. Hey, I am slow, people. There is nothing I hate more than being at the back of the pack and having a police car tail me as I finish. The extra pressure that adds just kind of freaks me out.
I shouldn't have been nervous at all for this one!
I was able to go slow and take my time. No added pressure of being tailed. YAY!  There was a friendly bicyclist who followed those of us in the back but there was no pressure at all to hurry it up. He knew we were all trying.

The 5K course was changed this year from previous years. Rather than the 5k heading up Marine Drive, we went the opposite direction. We went down 33rd. We turned down a street (I'm unsure of the name) but went up a trail and then turned out. It was a nice out and back jaunt. It was flat.
(By the way, my running "bunny" told me that our course was the same for the half marathoners. It was their first 5k... and then they shot up 33rd and toward Marine Drive.)
At the Finish Line, we were handed medals and water and energy drinks. 

What we got!
Everyone got a giant Easter Egg finisher's medal and a T-shirt.

We also received a Hop Hop Half glass (with Mimosa... yum!) and post race treats of scrambled eggs and a croissant, plus a cinnamon roll. There was also an Easter Egg decorating contest. We decorated our eggs at the very end and walked up and were each given complimentary bunny ears. That was fun!

Would I do it again?
You bet. I love the medal and sure enjoyed the atmosphere.

Review: 2016 Couve Clover Run

What: 2016 Couve Clover Run
Where: Vancouver
When: March 20, 2016
Distance: 3 mile (7 and 10 mile options were also available)

It is fair to say that most runners and walkers have bucket list items.
I have one too. Mine consists of races that just plain pique my interest. Maybe it's the gimmick, the location, what have you.
The Couve Clover Run was one of those "bucket list" races for me. There was something about it that sounded fun. Plus it was close to me and benefited the local community.

And gosh! The chance to dress up? Yep. I'm there! Wink!
It was my first time taking part in a race put on by the folks from WHY Racing Events.
Racers had the option of completing 3 miles, 7 miles or 10 miles. I selected the 3 mile option.
The race started promptly. Just prior to it, the organizers engaged the crowd with some stretching to music. Everyone seemed to have fun loosening up due to the pleasant nature of the stretch leader. I, myself, found myself thinking, "Is it really time to race? This is fun!"
The course route started in downtown Vancouver, went up Officer's Row, cut through the park and over the land bridge. If you were doing one of the longer distances, you went left and strolled down the Columbia River a bit. If you were like me, you went right.
We followed the river over a short distance to the Red Lion and then went north and worked our way back downtown.
I felt like it was a nice, friendly course. The only really significant incline was the land bridge over Highway 14.
As we worked our way toward the finish line, volunteers cheered us on along the way. There was also a fun group right before the finish line that held signs with inspirational phrases on them.
As we crossed the finish line, we received squeeze bottles of water, cans of coconut water and finisher's medals.
Not too long after the race, the folks from WHY Racing Events handed out age group medals and awards to top finishers. It was fun to hear how fast some of my fellow racers went. :) So speedy!

What we got!
Everyone got a finisher's medal and a T-shirt. There were also water bottles as you crossed the Finish Line for everyone.

The after race festivities featured lots of treats (fruit, soup, a Franz bread stick) and some other goodies. Also, the Main Event had Couve Clover Run glasses for the first 500 people to stop by. They'd fill up the glasses with beer for those 21+ and older.
Oh, and there was a costume contest. When I crossed the finish line, I was handed a bottle of Deschutes beer because they liked my costume! (Thank you! There was lots of hot glue and twine holding that rainbow together and on my head.)

Would I do it again?
Good heavens, yes! This was such a fun race. The course was really nice and the folks from WHY Racing Events were so friendly. They seemed to really care if we have a good time and were happy from the moment we arrived to when we left. It was just great.

Review: 2016 Luckython

What: 2016 Luckython
Where: Reserve Golf Course in Aloha
When: March 12, 2016
Distance: 5k

(Disclosure: Race Entry was comp'd, but words and thoughts are completely my own.)

Uberthons always puts on a good race and this was no exception.  

The 2016 Luckython once again was the Reserve Golf Course. I love this venue because (1) it's just totally nice, and (2) it's friendly to those who go fast and those who go slow.

 I had big plans to wear a costume, but with many days of rain leading up to race day (and rain expected on race day), I opted for the boring. I settled with an Irish-themed T-shirt and head band. The tutu and other Irish inspired custom pieces stayed home. (Insert: Sad Face... because costumes make it so much more fun, you know?!).

One cool thing about this year's race was the folks at Uberthons offered two start times - 8 a.m. and 9 a.m. I opted for the 8 a.m. time., just to have that extra time because I do go slow.

And this race proved to be an extra slow one for this girl. I'd been wrestling with some foot pains for awhile and have been taking lots efforts to get the foot back in a good place. 

I told myself for this race that it wasn't at all about time. It was just completing it... and not having a painful foot. 

So let's say that on both accounts, I was successful. But gosh it was slow going for me. I blame it all on my efforts to have a pain free foot but more my wimpiness at going through water puddles and slowing down at any sighting of even a spec of mud on the paved trail. As I said, wimpy girl is me!

The race course was completely paved, winding through the Reserve Golf Course. But it was a rainy (light) and windy day, resulting in water and some light mud in spots. I'm a wimp. I fully admit it. The thought of a face plant resulted in me really putting the brakes on and going really, really, really slow... and telling myself, "Self, let's just get this done. Don't fall. Just go. You can do it." Hee hee!

So it was slow. But I made it through the course, safe and sound... and face plant free (and also foot pain free).  And still had a good feeling at the end that I completed the course!  Can't beat that.

What we got:

A ticket to go through the Potato Bar after the race. Hello, baked potato goodness (+ fruit and water)!

And a finisher's medal. This year's finisher's medals from Uberthons are belt buckles too. You can wear them as a medal or use them as belt buckles. And if you are a speedy one, there pins for top finishers in all the age groups, as well as bonus medals for top overall finishers. 

Will I do it again?

You bet. Uberthons events are some of my favorites. I plan on taking part in them for a long time.