What's Next?

With the Shamrock Run behind us, it's time to start thinking about what the next great event will be to keep my running momentum alive. I write this as I sit with a glass of Korbel Rouge Champagne, so possibly I'm feeling a bit over-ambitious but will regain my senses as soon as the champagne wears off.

So what's next? I've been thinking about this for a few days. My girlfriend Tanya wants to run in a 10k the day after her graduation party (doesn't sound like the best timing for running a 10k......no?). Ross has been sniffing around the Bridge to Brews 10k site, although it seems a little too ambitious, considering it's right around the corner on the 18th of April. I'm thinking of something with more of a view for the next run (even more motivation). Although maybe that's a bit over zealous. I'd run straight to the first swim up bar I could find.

Believe my new goal is going to be to beat my previous 5k times and just get a bit faster before moving on to the torture of going longer distances. The first 5k will be easy to beat, considering we were passed by giant running beers. I'll beat those Guinnesses next year for sure. Sara and I are committed to the Doggie Dash - which is only 2.5 miles, so it should be do-able with our beasts in tow. Kooper is gearing up for it already.

There's not a lack of 5k's to choose from, whether it's in Bend or Portland or anywhere in between. On my list this summer will be the Pacific Crest 5k which is close to home in Sunriver, which works out very well, considering I can keep running to Sunriver Resort and the spa when the race is over. Bonus. Shortly thereafter, the Deschutes Dash 5k comes down the pipeline, and that looks like a must-do event.

If all goes well, an 8k by the end of summer would probably be a realistic goal. Next year I plan on doing the Cascade Lakes Relay, providing I can find 8 - 10 more folks who embrace my insanity and agree. More R&D required. Getting off my butt is also required. So is getting past my lameness of blowing off running when I know I should -- instead of drinking champagne. But, let's face it, champagne is so much more fun.

Onward & upward. Let the training begin...I mean continue. I'll toast to that.

Shamrock Run - Portland

It started out as a rather harrowing morning when the alarm clock rung out and shook me into reality. It was a cold, sunless Sunday with the wind whipping the rain in every direction. The morning progressively got better when I found an awaiting text message on my phone from my fellow 5k runner Sara that said, "Dude - it's pouring rain. I can't run in this." After a bit of persuasion, okay, a lot of persuasion and a promise of coffee that wasn't fulfilled, I coaxed her into coming downtown to the starting point of the race to make a decision on whether or not we'd partake in this year's Shamrock Run. It was still two hours away.

Driving downtown, I thought for sure no one would show up for this event. I mean, who would be insane enough to put themselves through the sideways blowing, freezing rain to run -- on purpose? We picked up the t-shirts yesterday (my motivation for running, anyway). But when I parked the car and started to walk to towards the park where the participants were gathering, there were people everywhere -- dressed up in their best St. Patrick's Day garb, some with strollers and kids in tow, others with giant beer hats on their heads and lots and lots of green. Yes, Portlanders are die hards, apparently. It didn't seem like the weather had deterred anyone from venturing out.

And here we are -- three of the some 20,000 runners that braved the weather to run. That's my co-worker Ross in the smart, shiny yellow jacket (he is the only 'die hard' of the group, by the way) and Ms. Sara, 5k neophyte and reluctant rain runner. Trust me when I say, that smile is all fake as she was not pleased to be out in the elements...can't you tell? I'm the only dork wearing an ear bud (note to self: remove all visible gadgets before photos).

With the thought of victory beers at the finish line in mind, we lined up with everyone else and prepared for take off. It was a sea of people. As we stood there waiting for the signal, it started to pour rain and when the horn finally blew to kick off the race, the crowd took off -- into a walk that is. Congestion prevented anyone from really moving too quickly. After a while the wall of people spread out a bit and we were able to break into a slow jog, but the vast amount of bodies was difficult to maneuver. Our go was slow but, eventually, we were making decent time around the streets of Portland. I learned that the one thing the treadmill doesn't really prepare you for is the little fact of life called "hills." And yes, there were a couple of hills in this 5k, but Sara decided she would only run downhill, so that kind of took care of that factor.

On the approach to the final turn heading to the home stretch, we were actually passed by a giant running Guinness. And there he goes..... I attempted to catch up with him but he was simply too fast for me and not even a giant running beer could get Sara to initiate a chase.

We finally crossed the finish line and migrated our drowned rat selves to the tent that had the reward for all of our hard work of the morning -- the post-run beer. Leave it to the city of Portland to have a beer company as a sponsor of what should otherwise be a healthy event -- it doesn't get much better than that. The 9 a.m. post-run breakfast beers were definitely well needed and well deserved. My Nike+ said we burned off 355 calories running the 5k and common sense said we consumed 355 calories of dark beer afterwards. Easy come/ easy go, apparently.

This time, Sara's smile was the real deal - happy it was over and beer in hand. The only thing that could have been better would have been a space heater and dry clothes -- it really was freezing out there. And finally, hours after the 5k has long been over, the sun has finally made an appearance.

All in all, 2009's first 5k run was quite a success and I'm feeling a little rugged for having completed it under the circumstances. It should make for future Spring and Summer runs a jog in the park -- literally.

Next.....? Stay tuned.

Back in the Saddle

With the Shamrock run being slightly over a week and a half away, the countdown to successfully crossing the finish line on my first 5k of the year is rapidly approaching. Tonight when I jumped on the treadmill after a couple of weeks hiatus, I felt like the girl who showed up to class where there was a pop quiz and I hadn't read the material. 

Taking two weeks off for things such as snow and injuries, etc., should be expected - I mean, sh*t happens, as we all know. But never again - it's just too hard to get back into the groove once it's lost. And let me tell you, my groove is not only lost, it has most definitely left the building, maybe even the country.  If it's gone somewhere warm with a swim-up bar I might actually try a little harder to find it - wherever it may have wandered off to.

The words "swim up bar" insinuate the two most frightening words of Summer: Bathing Suit. We might be easing our way into Spring, but in a few short months, it will officially be bathing suit weather. Stores are already putting them front and center as a constant reminder of what's coming down the pipeline. Not to mention, time flies when you're unprepared. And you can't really show up at a swim up bar without a bathing suit

(unless you're at one of those kind of resorts - the ones I won't be frequenting, no matter what -- or if you are fortunate enough to have a swim-up bar in your own backyard). These little tidbits of impending doom (or to avoid being confused with a scene out of Free Willy as I grab my drink and swim away) should be ample motivation, if nothing else, to stay on track, re-find my groove and embrace it, even when it's not always convenient to do so. Come to think of it, if I don't get back on track (and quickly -- I mean, where the heck did January and February go???), I might scare innocent by-standers while in a bathing suit, and heaven forbid I give up swim-up bars.  This is rapidly becoming a matter of public safety and needs immediate attention.

With this in mind, I'm going to go pin a bikini up on the wall here to remind me every single day that, inevitably, time will move forward (quickly at that) and before we know it - summer will be here. You guys will thank me later for it. Two months and counting.....and I will not be showing up in one of those bathing suits with the little skirts.