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!  

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!