3 5ks: Run Like Hell, Pumpkin Regatta and EA Sports

To kick start me getting back into shorter speedier runs and to celebrate my 39th birthday (ouch) I signed up for 5ks in 3 weeks.

Back on October 25th, I ran the Run Like Hell 5k in Portland. Last year I ran this race pacing James to a 5k PR so I knew it was a fast, fun course. I also had won an entry from the Run Oregon blog so a free race made it all the sweeter. I had a good day placing 3rd in my age group, 23rd out of 750 with a time of 19:13. James did another great run and shaved another 4 seconds off his PR...wahoo!

On October 31st, I ran the Tualatin Fit City Pumpkin Regatta 5k. Part of this course was on the courses we used for the Reason To Run Spring Burst and Catalyst Challenge so I was quite familiar with the layout. This was a low key race and I was a little disappointed with no race results or mile markers but otherwise was polished for a first year event. In the picture, to my right you can see the two Bowerman Athletic Club woman athletes who smoked me. I was first male and third overall in 19:14. (picture courtesy of Danial Payne Photography). I even got interviewed by someone with a TV camera..famous for 5 mins :-)

Today was the EA Sports Active 5k Challenge From what I understand, EA Sports, video game maker, was sponsoring these events nationwide to promote fitness. The Portland EA Sports 5k was free and anything that promotes fitness is cool in my books! Alan Rasmussen, founder of the upcoming NW Running League, stepped up to organize the Portland run. Have you signed up for the NW Running League?...you should! This course was more cross country and also had a nasty half mile stretch into the wind. How come the tailwinds never quite make up for the headwinds? I had hoped to get under 20 minutes once I saw the course but with bad math out on the run I ended with 20:14. Live and learn...all part of racing. Some good strong runners reminded me of the strength and speed word I have ahead...I was lucky if I was in the top ten.

Next weekend: Malibu marathon pacing Trisha to a PR and watching Jon and Lynsey complete their first one!!

Halloween 2009

Another Halloween is on the books.
Leah dressed as a vampire this year and became quite proficient at a great evil laugh.

Cole, well he came up with a costume all on his own: a protester. His protest sign reads: "No More Long Boring Speeches that Explain Nothing". Directed at parents, or teachers or politicians?? He is smartly sticking to "No comment".

Lots of candy, good time with friends and many, many laughs.

Catalyst Challenge 2009 Wrapup

On October 17th we had the inaugural running of the Catalyst Challenge 5k & 10k.

We have great weather and the fall colors of Cook and Tualatin parks added a nice touch to the event.

The race numbers:

• 155 registered runners
• 81 people finished the 5k
• 63 people finished the 10k
• Many first time racers came out to try the event
• We had the Rustvold family out running barefoot and pulling strollers and rickshaws.
• Amazing weather and great course
• More door prizes than should be allowed
• Approximately $4,000 was raised for the Catalyst Parnerships

The 10k results can be found here. The 5k results can be found here. The race day pictures from Evan Pilchik Photography are here.

Our sponsors, Club Sport Oregon, Cornerstone Chiropractic, Road Runner Sports, Clif Bar, Strands, Bear Naked Granola, Sledge Athletic Solutions, Gigi Fit, GNC, Print Sync Inc., Jamba Juice, Al's Garden Centers, Tualatin Haggen Food and Pharmacy, The Gardener's Choice and Banana Blossom Press were amazing and really helped us to put on a first class event.

We would also like to thank the Mary Woodward Ambassadors for coming our and helping to work the aid stations and direct the runners and walkers out on the course.

We look forward to seeing you for the next Catalyst Challenge in the Fall of 2010!

2009 Jog-a-Thon

Both Cole and Leah participated in their schools annual Jog-A-Thon on Friday October 2nd. Trisha and I volunteered and I got to still run with both kids. Cole hesitated when I asked if he wanted me to run with him...he is starting to worry about the cool factor ;-)

Cole and Leah did amazing with Cole running 24 laps (@ 3 miles) and Leah completing 27 laps. Cole had some gut cramps that slowed him down (too much water) but was good at keeping on moving even if he had a grimace on his face ;-)

The rain held off to just as the last group of kids finished their running and we finished taking down the temporary track field. Nice!