Race Review "37th Ashland 4th of July Run 10K"

Hi Friends,

First I have to admit that I love running in Oregon so my reviews from this state usually come with a bit of bias. But even with the favoritism I still loved this run this year and will probably make a point of returning every year.

The 4th of July run in Ashland was my first timed and organized race last year (and in all my running). This year it was just a really fun run I was looking forward to all year. Very well organized and inexpensive, it is a great way to start off the July 4th holiday. The race starts at 7:45 am on main street right in front of the Ashland Library. No fancy timing chips or blow up arches here, this is a small town run that is full of charm instead of high tech.

After the gun sounds, we ran down Main Street past the beautiful city center and then a sharp right turn down Oak Street and from there you just keep running down hill. When you finally get to the bottom, you join up with the Bear Creek Greenway and run along some beautiful homes and farms. The Bear Creek runs all along this part of your run and it is all green and beautiful and well, just a bit like heaven.

Somewhere around mile 4 of this 6 mile run, you start getting back into the little town of Ashland and you start climbing again.  From the stories I have heard, there were a lot more hills in past runs but they have been done away with in favor of this scenic and a bit less scary run. I like it the way it is now.

As you get to mile 5 you see what you think is the final turn towards the finish line. But wait ... you turn right instead of left and then left again.  Sneaky little adjustment or maybe just mean? Neither really it just sets you up for an amazing run down the entirety of main street with the streets lined with people getting ready for the 4th of July Parade. It is actually really cool and the folks on the sidewalks actually make noise and offer encouragement to all the runners as they pass bye.

One of my favorite things about this race is the tremendous spirit of fun that organizer John Cornet has. He will be the one waiting for you on Main Street telling you to "kick it up a notch" or "you are not going to let him/her beat you!" He is one of those people you would just love to sit down over a pizza and chat with for a couple of hours. Or maybe he is the guy you want to be your coach. Either way he is priceless. This run would not be as great without him.

When you finish you come down thru chutes made from the hurdles they use at the local high school and some red, white and blue flags. Then you get a great a ribbon (this years was blue) and a t-shirt.  You will also feel like a million bucks and a sense of zen because there is an amazing spirit that dwells here in Ashland. It is like the weight of the World has never stopped here. There is a sweet calm here.

If you get a chance why not meet me here next year on the 4th of July and we can share 6 miles in Heaven.

Here is my run as recorded on Runkeeper ...    Ashland 4th of July 10K

My "Team in Training" Experience. Would I do it again ...

Hi Friends,

Finally getting around to following up the Eugene Marathon experience with a short discussion about the whole Team in Training part of the run.

After first deciding that I really wanted to run my first marathon in Eugene, I  then looked at all the different ways to register. They included the easy, pay your fee and then find a room and run route, or something new to me, Team in Training. So I looked into Team in Training just to see if it was something that appealed to me. Team in Training is a arm of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. They raise money to help find a cure for blood cancers and to help support folks that already have it.

I filled out a on-line form and in a day or so I got a email back from Team in Training. It seemed that there were no local (Reno) chapters of the team but they would see who was organizing for the Eugene Marathon and get back to me.Another couple days past and I got a call from Kelsey, she was in the offices in Oregon and was spearheading the whole group training and raising funds for the Eugene Marathon. Kelsey explained that the team was well underway training but I was welcome to join and train in what TNT calls Flex Training. I would not have a live coach to talk to or meet with, but I would follow his training plan via email. I would also contact a mentor to help me get going on fund raising. I thought it over and signed up. I was going to run my first marathon in Eugene on April 28th.

I was already training for a marathon on my own and with my running group but checked in with the flex coach to get his feedback. His training plan was along the same lines I was already on, but he did think I should cut back on my running miles to avoid an injury.

I got a couple emails from my mentors but that stopped after a while as they indicated they were pretty busy. After a while my contact with them ended as I guess they just got busy with other projects.

Kelsey was an amazing contact for TNT, she was always available to answer one of my newbie questions or clear up a concern. She was worth the cost to register alone. Full of energy and encouragement. She also kept me posted as the race got closer regarding all the where and whens.

The hardest part of going the Team in Training route was the fund raising. Now that I got that out of the way...  I needed to raise $1500.00 to fulfill my obligation to the team and I succeeded and was able to add a couple extra bucks to the total too. I think you need to be pretty much a self starter if to reach your goal or you might be starting with a handicap. It might be different if you get plugged into a local group that actually meets and trains together. There you would have more support from the rest of the team. I started on my own after reading through some online materials and was able to get my own idea of what I needed to do. Team in Training does give you some blog space where you can jot down thoughts to share that might inspire others to donate. Then you share the web address with your friends and they can hit the donate button and you are on your way. I used the TNT page at first but soon realized it was not going to be as effective as just starting a blogger blog and buying a domain that would make it more fun and easier too for folks to find. GoDaddy had this domain www.rundonrun.com for about $15.00 and the blogger page was free from Google. I had my shingle hung out and I was heading to Eugene.

I hit everyone I knew up via Facebook and Twitter as I documented my training and running adventures every few days on Run Don Run. I could see the hit counter I installed recording visits and knew folks were interested in what I was doing. And all over Run Don Run was information about TNT and donating. If you are planning on going the Team in Training route let me know if you need any help with this.

Months past and I was on my way to Eugene... And what a culture shock. I am pretty quiet and mostly run alone on the streets so my first experience with this rowdy group from Portland and parts unknown was at first interesting and then totally exciting. They went around giving high fives and shouting "Go Team!" everywhere they went. See another TNT runner in the lobby "Go Team."  Run into another TNT runner in the mall ... "Go Team!" You might be starting to get the picture by now. But they were fun and they were all totally onboard with the concert of making a difference by running and raising a few dollars while they were at it.

Then reality finally caught up with me when I went to the team meal the night before the marathon. It really hits home when you look into the eyes of a young girl with cancer and hear her Mom tell the story about how her little girl at 5 years old learning about what cancer does. I can tell you that made all the difference in the World to me. I was so happy to have been a part of this "Team" and the effort each runner had put in to raise money and change lives. I wish I had heard this on the first day. It might have changed the way I talked to people about what I was doing. Or not, I really don't know.

Marathon day we did everything as a team. We rode to the race as a team, took team photo's and all during the race there was someone next to you asking how you were doing and if you needed anything at all. After the race there was more support in the form of ice bath in a kiddie pool and a couple friends from the team took photo's for me of me in front of coolio things I wanted to be seen in front of.

So would I run with Team in Training again? YOU BET I WOULD!!!

Go Team!

My Eugene Marathon Adventure 'The Finish Line Video'

Hi Friends,

I finally found the finish line video for the 2013 Eugene Marathon and was able to cut my little snippet out so I can go back and relive it anytime I want.

Thought I would share it here just in case you missed it the first time too.

My Eugene Marathon Adventure "Finally Race Day"

Hi Friends,

Finally it is race day. Well actually race day was April 28th but it has taken me a couple weeks to get this multi part story finished. You see it sometimes takes a while for me to germinate an idea worth sharing, and this adventure was so big it is just now starting to sink in.

I was up early on race day. The Team in Training group was getting together for last minute instructions (smile, don't get lost, don't miss the bus etc.) and one last team photo. The busses picked us up at the hotel at 5:30 am and dropped us off right at the Start line. Wow, that was easy!

My first real start line. I wandered over to corral D and just took it all in. When our group arrived there were only a few hundred people waiting and I watched as more and more racers made their way to their respective corrals. It was fun to watch as runners of all sizes and shapes made their way to the start line and got ready for the starters gun. To say I was nervous was an understatement. I think my Garmin noted my pulse as about 170 just before the start, but it quickly returned to normal as we made the first turn.

My plan was to stay with the pacer for a 4:30 time so I would have less to worry about during the run. And there was so much to take in, it almost took my breath away. First I was amazed how beautiful Eugene was. It had been about 30 years between visits and I knew I loved visiting, but still the beauty of this town is breathtaking. I also enjoyed everyone that came out to cheer the runners on. Some of the most memorable folks we ran past were the Ridgeline Montessori ukulele band. They were amazing and were one of the first cheer stations that really made me smile. Bravo!
I loved the aid stations that offered a half a banana that were served by volunteers dresses in gorilla suits. All the bands that offered musical pick me ups along the route were fun too. Thanks to all, even if I don't remember exactly where you were or what type of music you played.

At the point that the half marathon runners turned back towards the finish line,  we turned right and headed down the most beautiful path. We found ourselves completely surrounded by trees with green grass and trails everywhere. It was awesome! I was so busy just checking out the surroundings and trying to take it all in, in no time at all I was completely out of range of the 4:30 pacer. Actually I had passed him sometime back but never saw him again. He must have run passes me at a restroom stop as I was about 15 minutes behind him at the finish.

We crossed the Willamette River twice, what an experience. We were warned that at about mile 18 we would be running past our Hotel. We were also cautioned about stopping to take a break or even worse a nap. I didn't but I did remember that the bed was pretty comfy the night before. Oh well, we were headed back towards the Finish line and the excitement was really starting to build. As we got nearer the finish we passed Autzen Stadium the home of the Oregon Ducks football team. Very coolio place and one of the prettiest stadiums I have ever seen. And from what I hear they are pretty proud of their sports teams around here.

At mile 22 I decided to give Brenda a call. It seemed a bit odd to get out my cell phone to make a call during a race, but just felt it was the thing to do then. And it turned out it was just the right thing to do ...
Brenda asked how I was doing and I told her I was a bit tired. Then she asked where I was and I mentioned I was just passing mile 22. When she said, just 4 miles to go, it finally started to sink in. I was just 4 miles from the finish and I was going to be a marathon finisher. We finished our call with me feeling pretty excited about the finish line.


A few more turns and then there it was, Haywood Feild,  Track Town USA! I was going to finish my first marathon and I was going to finish in the same stadium that hosted the Olympic trials.  I entered the stadium a bit overcome by the whole experience with my name being announced over the loud speakers. It was the thrill of a lifetime, a feeling I hope to be able to replicate again with all my my races. I crossed the finish line and got a beautiful medal to remember the day with.

To say I loved this run would be an understatement. I send my thanks to everyone at Team in Training and all the volunteers that made gave of their time for days or weeks preparing for us to come run in Eugene. And thank you to the town of Eugene for being so open and accomodating as we ran through your streets. You helped us make memories that will last a lifetime.

And a special thank you to Brenda for putting up with my endless chatter about Eugene and running and marathons for months. It must have been like listening to a stranger ramble on about nothing in particular. Now we can talk about something you Love for at least a few weeks, until i star chattering about The California International Marathon.

Don

My Eugene Marathon Adventure "I Finally Get It"

Hi Friends,

So I made it to Eugene and checked in at the race expo.

From there I still had some time to kill before the hotel room was going to be ready. So I decided to wander around a bit and see a few of the sights I had been reading about. I put the location for "Pre's Trail" into the GPS and was on my way. Eugene was hopping as there was a baseball/softball game going on and the football team was having a Spring scrimmage. Oh and a little running race with about 9000 people running around town.

I made it to Pre's Trail and then stopped along the side of a beautiful narrow road to pay my respects to Steve Prefontaine at a spot called "Pre's Rock." It is the spot that he was hit while running in 1975. I brought along a little bit of Reno in the form of a shirt from Reno Running and Fitness and placed it on his marker.  After taking a few photo's and helping others capture the moment for their scrapbooks, I was off to see if my room was ready.

Having not been part of any activity as a member of Team in Training before I was curious to see just what was planned for the team dinner Saturday evening. I got checked in to my room and showered just in time to get my slow moving rear down to the conference room for dinner.

Whatever I had expected was thrown right out the window when I walked in on a group of adults dressed in every form of purple hat, wig or funny shirt. Yes there were cheer leaders greeting all of the runners as they made their way in the conference room. After first adjusting my expectations from that of a nice dinner and a few speakers, to a cheer filled and emotional evening, we were eating and laughing with others from all over the country. I guess I was a little apprehensive but finally got the big picture when Katie made her way with her Mom to say a few words.

Little Katie and her Mom, Robin told us about what it was like to learn that Katie now 7 had Cancer. She learned when she was 2 that she had Cancer and Robin told us what it has been like to live with her diagnosis. Reading her bio you are immediately heartbroken when you see on the line that says status of illness ...
"All available options have been used and have failed.  She is now listed as terminal and not getting any treatment at this time."

Oh, I finally get it. This is the reason I am here on this night. I needed to learn about this and understand that I am running not only for the medal at the end. And not just for the accomplishment of setting a goal and sticking with it. I am here because I needed to understand that this little girl, Katie has little chance of growing up unless something is done and a cure/treatment is found and very soon. I get it now. What I did may have made a difference. I did this race for Katie she was the super star.

Katie finally sat down and her Mom continued to tell about life with little Katie, and we all laughed and cried a bit and celebrated her being with us on this night to share her love. Thank you Katie and Robin and Team in Training for opening my eyes to this World I could not see without making this trip.

Off to bed we have a race to run in the morning.

Don

My Eugene Marathon Adventure Part 1 Getting There

Hi Friends,

On April 28th I finally became a Marathon runner when I finished the 2013 Eugene Marathon. But before running the race I had to get to Eugene and do all the things that need doing before the gun goes off.

Brenda and I left Reno on Thursday headed to our first stopping place in Medford, OR for a couple of nights. The weather was beautiful and the traffic was relatively light making the trip pretty uneventful. After a day resting in Medford, I left early Saturday morning for the trip to Eugene. To say i was excited would be an understatement. I felt like a kid that was waiting for Santa on Christmas Eve.

The highway to Eugene was so beautiful. Everything was so green and clean it really needed to be explored at a more leisurely pace. Time was not on my side this trip but I learned my lesson. Next time make it a real adventure and take some time to enjoy the drive without blowing through neat places along the way.

I made it t to Eugene in about 3 hours. Really it felt like less as I was so looking forward seeing Eugene again. Had it really been about 30 years between visits? The little town had grown up quite a bit but I could still see the town I explored as a you dude with my friend Chip Crouse.

My first stop was the expo to get my bib and my race tee.  I thought the expo was fun. To be honest this was my first expo and I was having a blast checking out all the neat booths with all kinds of products and services. My favorite booth was the one from The Oregon Track Club. They were staffed with fun and informed people at their large booth. They even took my picture in front of a photo that made it look like I was a finisher at the Olympic Trials in Haywood Field. It was way too cool.

While at the expo I saw a post of a Facebook friend, John Bouvier and he was ... he was standing in front of that same backdrop looking like he had just finished a big race. I sent him a text and was lucky enough to be able to shake his hand, share a couple stories and take a picture before we parted.

With the expo behind me, it was off to the Hotel and the Team in Training Dinner ....

Don

The Eugene Marathon ...

More to come as soon as I get my thoughts together.