INSIDE Fall Running Shoe Guide
October November December 2015
FALL
FITNESS
CROSS TRAIN LIKE A PRO
Running in the Alps Spotlight: Salem, OR Run Through the Holidays Oregon’s Stephanie Howe en route to winning this year’s prestigious Western States 100-mile Endurance Run in June.
TEAMING UP
TO MAKE SOMEDAY TODAY
YOU CAN FIND CURES FOR BLOOD CANCERS NOT SOMEDAY, BUT TODAY. Join Team In Training for an event in 2016: Lavaman Waikoloa Triathlon I April 10 Eugene Marathon I May 1 America’s Most Beautiful Bike Ride I June 5 Rock ‘N’ Roll San Diego I June 5 Grandma’s Marathon I June 18
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EUGENE, OREGON. TRACKTOWN USA. BOWERMAN AND PREFONTAINE. INNOVATION AND INGENUITY. THE BIRTHPLACE OF MODERN RUNNING. AND HOME OF THE 10TH EDITION OF THE EUGENE MARATHON. EXPERIENCE ALL THE HISTORY, EXCITEMENT AND CAMARADERIE AS YOU RUN IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF LEGENDS AT THE 2016 EUGENE MARATHON. WHAT STARTED AS A WAY TO CAPTURE THE ENTHUSIASM OF A COMMUNITY STEEPED IN MYTHICAL ATHLETES AND THE
TRADITION OF RUNNING HAS, OVER THE LAST AND
JOGGING
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COME FROM ALL 50 STATES AND FROM EXPERIENCE
ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME
A
HOME. WHAT BETTER TIME FOR YOU TO TAKE
10 YEARS, IGNITED THE PASSION OF RUNNING AMERICA AND ACROSS THE WORLD. THEY AS FAR AWAY AS EUROPE AND ASIA TO PILGRIMAGE TO THEIR SPORT’S REVERED YOUR OWN
JOURNEY THAN DURING THE
EUGENE MARATHON’S 10TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION? SLATED FOR MAY 1—THE SAME WEEKEND AS THE FIRST EUGENE MARATHON 10 YEARS AGO—YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS THIS VERY SPECIAL EVENT AS WE MARK A DECADE OF PERSONAL
ACHIEVEMENTS, COMMUNITY SOLIDARITY AND UNFORGETTABLE TIMES IN TRACKTOWN USA. ENJOY A FULL WEEKEND OF FUN AND FAMILY-FRIENDLY
FESTIVITIES
LEADING
UP TO THE MARATHON AS WE HONOR AND CELEBRATE EVERYTHING RUNNING. FEATURING ENTERTAINMENT, SPECIAL GUESTS, A HEALTH AND
FITNESS EXPO AND MUCH MORE, THE 10TH EDITION OF THE EUGENE MARATHON IS THE MECCA FOR RUNNING ENTHUSIASTS. WHETHER YOU’RE A FIRST-TIME MARATHONER OR A SEASONED
VETERAN, YOU WON’T FIND A BETTER RACE DESTINATION IN 2016 THAN THE 10TH EDITION OF THE EUGENE MARATHON. NAMED “A PERFECT RACE” BY RUNNER’S WORLD MAGAZINE, YOU’LL ENJOY A SCENIC, ITS FLAT ROUTE AS IT PASSES THROUGH THAT
CRISSCROSS
THE
BOSTON MARATHON,
PICTURESQUE
THE OLYMPIC
WHETHER YOU’RE RUNNING THE FULL, HALF, THE FINISH LINE TAPE IN FRONT OF CHEERING
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WILLAMETTE RIVER. QUALIFY FOR THE TRIALS OR SET A NEW PERSONAL BEST. AND 5K OR THE KIDS’ DUCK DASH, YOU’LL BREAK
FANS ON THE LEGENDARY TRACK INSIDE HISTORIC HAYWARD FIELD – ONE OF THE WORLD’S MOST
REVERED TRACK AND FIELD VENUES. RUNNING IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF LEGENDS, INDEED. JOIN US FOR A CELEBRATION OF HUMAN WILL, DETERMINATION AND TRIUMPH THIS SPRING DURING THE 10TH RUNNING OF THE EUGENE MARATHON. AND MAKE YOUR OWN UNFORGETTABLE HISTORY.
Start
With the holiday season just around the corner, RaceCenter contributing writer Scott Lommers examines the popularity of holiday-themed events across the Northwest in this issue – page 28.
4
ARTHRITIS FOUNDATION October/November/December 2015 racecenter.com
Table of Contents
FEATURES 26
SPOTLIGHT: SALEM, OREGON Shannah Werner
28
GIVING THANKS
Thanksgiving is the single biggest running day of the year — but why? Scott Lommers
ENDURANCE SPORTS MEDIA GROUP
32
FALL SHOE GUIDE Mwangi Gitahi
34
TRAIL TESTED Jenny Willden
DEPARTMENTS & COLUMNS 8
FROM THE EDITOR
10
BRIEFS
20
FUEL
22
MAXIMUS
24
THE DIRT
36
EVENT CALENDAR
Stephanie Howe, MS Max King Jeff Browning
6
October/November/December 2015 racecenter.com
ON THE COVER: Some of the best off-road running of the year can be found on the thousands of miles of trails throughout the pacific northwest during the fall and winter months. PHOTO: GLENN TACHIYAMA PHOTOGRAPHY ABOVE LEFT: The Brooks Glycerin 13 is one of a number of shoes profiled in the Endurance Sports Media Group Spring Shoe Guide in this issue – page 32. PHOTO: BROOKS ABOVE RIGHT: The fall cross country season is upon us, and once again we tasked Max King with putting his thoughts about this running discipline into writing. In this edition, Max examines how teams make cross country so unique, and also profiles several standout groups in the region – page 22. PHOTO: NATE WYETH
B E N D, OREGON
Find your next adventure at visitbend.com
Peterson Ridge Trail | Photo by Nate Wyeth
It’s where you go to play!
From the Editor
Controlling Balance My running career started in college. This led me into the sport of triathlon, and eventually competitive cycling. During that span of 20 years, I got married and had two kids - Madeline and Grace (twins, age 10). Between soccer practices, tournaments, ski lessons, dance and art camps, I’ve slowly watched my “training” evolve into more of a fitness regimen, while trying to balance work and family life. and the challenges that I’ve faced over the years in search of it. Like many of my sporty cohorts, I’m a very goal-oriented person. But that “never say die” attitude can sometimes seem to push the balance out of my life. Case in point: you want to run a sub-three-hour marathon? Run more. You want to qualify to compete in the Ironman World Champs in Hawaii?
D Boswell Photography
So often in my column, I’ve written about finding balance,
Log massive training hours and make the sport of triathlon your life. Ironically, you can do all of these things and the wheels can still fall off the bus on race day, which can leave you feeling dejected and in search of conquering that elusive goal you’ve set in front of you. Believe me, I’ve been there. Dusting yourself off and stepping back into the ring is probably the hardest, yet most rewarding part of the cycle. Unfortunately, that drive has also been known to tip the scales out of balance for me. For many years I had wanted to take a surf lesson, but for some reason I just kept putting it off. During a family vacation this summer, I decided it was time to pull the trigger and learn to “ride” on the chilly waters off the Oregon Coast. I’m not sure if it was the sense of not being in control, or being overwhelmed by the feeling I got floating on a board in the ocean, but it seems like the balance I’ve searched for actually found me. No phones, no exploding inbox, just waves and the anticipation of another set rolling in from the horizon. Of course, my experience on a surfboard was far from idyllic at all times. Get tossed by a curling wave in the ocean and you quickly find out that you’re not the one in control. My takeaway: maybe we have to let go of control to find balance? As we head into the cooler days of fall and the darker days of the winter months ahead, we will be working hard on compiling our annual Event Guide which will be released in January. Until then, go dabble in cross country, or get muddy and eat french fries at a cyclocross race. It’s all good stuff, and part of the seasonal cycle of endurance sports here in the Pacific Northwest. See you at the races! Warm Regards, Brook Gardner brook@racecenter.com
Available at your local run speciality store. ©2015 New Balance Athletic Shoe, Inc. - 15-08775
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October/November/December 2015 racecenter.com
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Briefs
October/November/December 2015 Volume 23, Issue 5 P.O. Box 2370 Bend, OR 97709 PHONE (541) 617-0885 FAX (541) 610-1636 EMAIL brook@racecenter.com WEB racecenter.com
EDITOR Brook Gardner COPY EDITOR Adnan Kadir GRAPHIC DESIGN Goodeye Creative ART DIRECTOR Jeff Browning PUBLISHER Brook Gardner ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Brook Gardner
Contributing Writers Chris Bagg, Jeff Browning, Dave Campbell, Craig Dean, Tim Dooley, Matt Hart, Stephanie Howe, MS, Adnan
The Kaiser Permanente Napa Valley Marathon returns to wine country on March 6, 2016. PHOTO: Arturo Ramos
Kadir, Max King, David Laney, Paul Lieto, Ruggero Loda, Scott Lommers, Richard Lorenz, Jonathan Marcus, Brian
Napa Valley Marathon
O’Connor, Shannah Werner, Jenny Willden
Destination runners should look no further than Northern California and the alluring rolling hills and vineyards of the Napa Valley. The 38th running of the Kaiser Permanente Napa Valley Marathon will be held on Sunday, March 6, 2016. The race hosts approximately 3,000 runners and sold out quickly in 2015. Participants run along the Silverado Trail past acres of perfectly symmetrical vineyards and world-renowned wineries while taking in views of the Mayacamas Mountains to the west and Stag’s Leap Palisades to the east. Finishers are treated to hot showers, massages, hot soup and rolls, and entertained by a local jazz band. The post-race festivities include a 12:30 p.m. awards ceremony where the male and female winners receive their weight in premium Napa Valley wine.
Contributing Photographers Andy Atkinson, Dina Boswell, Dan Campbell, Steve Dipaola, Win Goodbody, Pat Malach, Ben Moon, Tim Moxey, Brian Penrose, Evan Pilchik, Tyler Roemer, Victah Sailer, Glenn Tachiyama, Bob Woodward
The entire contents of this magazine are Copyright 2015 RaceCenter Northwest magazine. RaceCenter Northwest magazine is a Trademark of RaceCenter LLC. All rights reserved. The contents, in whole or in part, may not be reproduced in any manner without written permission from the publisher. RaceCenter Northwest is published five times a year and is available through paid subscription, newsstands and specialty stores in Oregon, Washington, Montana, and Idaho. Editorial Submissions. Unsolicited materials are welcome and will be considered for publication. The publisher assumes no responsibility for errors, omissions or any unsolicited materials submitted. RaceCenter NW magazine will not be held responsible for returning submitted materials. Please contact us for additional submission guidelines. Annual Subscription. $12 / $18 (2 years). To subscribe, send payment to address above. Please include current address and phone. Subscriptions are also available online at racecenter.com. Subscriber Services. Your satisfaction is very important to us. RaceCenter NW magazine is sent out USPS bulk mail and WILL NOT be automatically forwarded to a new address. For questions regarding your subscription and all address changes, please contact us promptly. You can mail your change of address to us at: P.O. Box 2370, Bend, OR 97709. Media Partners. Friends of Forest Park, Oregon Bicycle Racing Association, and USATF Oregon.
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October/November/December 2015 racecenter.com
Dubbed, “The Biggest Little Marathon in the West,” by various publications over the years, the race has also been named among the “Top Ten Marathons in the World,” worth traveling for by Forbes Travel and American Express Destinations in 2012 and 2013. It was also voted the 2012 “Road Race of the Year” by the Road Runners Club of America. The race records for the Napa Valley Marathon’s point-to-point, USA Track & Field certified, 26.2 mile course are held by Dick Beardsley (2:16:20, 1987) and Devon Crosby-Helms (2:39:37, 2012). Many marathoners of all abilities are lured to the Napa Valley Marathon by the prospect of setting a personal record on the race’s relatively fast and beautiful course through the world-famous Napa Valley wine growing region. The course has remained exactly the same since the event’s inaugural running in 1979. Run / 03.06.2016 www.napavalleymarathon.org
Briefs Cross Country Racing On Tap Team Red Lizard, a non-profit running club based in Portland, Oregon, is again organizing the Fall Stumptown Cross. Stumptown Cross is a series of fun, competitive cross country races for runners of all ages and abilities. This year five races comprise the series, with distances ranging from 5-10K. Get off the road and head out to test yourself in the grass, hills, and mud.
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Columbia Crossing 16501 SE Mill Plain Blvd., Vancouver Vancouver 8101 NE Parkway Dr. #6, Vancouver
12
Race #1: September 26th at Portland Meadows Race #2: October 10th at Lents Park Race #3: October 31st at Gabriel Park
competitive for all rider experience levels. Races are typically short lap courses ridden for a specific duration of time. Cross Revolution races run 30, 40, 45, and 60 minutes in length depending on rider category and ability. Arlington Cross............................. September 27th Swan Cross...........................................October 4th Sprinker Cross....................................October 11th Cross is Back at the Tac...................... October 31st Cross the Frontier.............................November 8th Claw Cross......................................November 29th Cyclocross / Series www.cross-revolution.com
Race #4: November 7th at Pier Park (USATF Oregon State XC Championships) Race #5: November 21st at Fernhill Park (USATF Regional XC Championships) Run / Series www.redlizardrunning.com/ cross-country-series
Oregon’s Cyclocross Scene Showing Its Depth Oregon is chock full of cross racing starting in late August and running into the early winter months. The Twilight Cyclocross Series kicks off August 18th and runs Tuesday nights through September, hosting seven events. The Portland Trophy Cup kicks off its six-race series Tuesday, September 1st, and runs every Tuesday night through October 6th. The fiverace MBSEF Thrilla Cyclocross Series in Bend starts September 2nd, and continues each Wednesday through September. The Grand Prix Rhonda Mazza is a series comprised of five independently run races. This series starts September 5th and finishes up on October 3rd. Once again, Oregon will host one of the country’s largest cross series, the eight-race River City Bicycles Cross Crusade series. Racing begins the weekend of October 10th and finishes up November 15th, with races in Portland, Hillsboro, Bend, and Barton, Oregon. The Halloween Cyclocross Crusade, two of the eight days of racing, will be in Bend again for 2015. Start thinking about your costume if you plan on racing this highly popular series happening October 31st and November 1st. To find more details on these races and others, visit www.obra.org Cyclocross / Series www.crosscrusade.com, www.obra.org
Washington’s Cross Revolution The Cross Revolution Race Series kicks off September 27th with Arlington Cross. The sixrace series includes events at Arlington Municipal Airport, Swan Creek County Park, Sprinker Recreational Center, North Seatac Park, Frontier Park and Enumclaw. Cyclocross racing is fun and
October/November/December 2015 racecenter.com OR RaceCenter locations_1114.indd 1 12/9/14 4:02 PM
Race Director Sherri McMillan often participates in the races she produces each year including the Girlfriends Run for a Cure, slated for October 11 in Vancouver, WA. PHOTO: © 2012 Evan Pilchik Photography
Run for a Cure with the Gals The 9th Annual Girlfriends Run for a Cure, in Vancouver, Washington, is a quarter marathon and a half marathon designed specifically for women to get together to raise funds for Breast Cancer Research, Care, Treatment & a Cure. Over the last 8 years they’ve raised nearly $350,000. The event was started to honor and support Joleen Skarberg, who was diagnosed with Breast Cancer but continues to run the race every year with her daughters, sisters, nieces, cousins, and girlfriends. This walking and running event is designed specifically for women and includes women’s technical shirts, cool medals, chocolate, massages, and firemen waiting at the finish line. Run / 10.11.2015 www.whyracingevents.com
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Briefs Getting Dirty in Detroit Detroit Lake plays host to a 6-mile muddy mess of a race catering to those who like things dirty. Participants will experience mud, rocks, water crossings, hills, trails, stumps and amazing scenery all taking place on the lake bottom. Detroit Lake sits east of Salem on Highway 22, an easy drive from both Central Oregon and the Willamette Valley. You will be a filthy mess after this event so plan to wear clothing and shoes you don’t mind ruining. Run / 10.10.2015 www.runwildadventures.com
Molalla River Trail Race Adds A Half Marathon This year the Molalla River Trail Race features a newly added Half Marathon. The route has 1,500 feet of elevation gain and uses the north trails for the first half before flowing into the 10K course on the southern trails. Participants can also choose a 5K run/walk or 10K run option. The races are run on challenging 100% trail routes, running along the Molalla River Corridor. The beautiful multi-use trail system sits West of Table Rock Wilderness area, which has miles of trails, as well as, amazing views of the Cascade Range. Be prepared for some monster hills, possible dirty conditions, and just maybe a Bigfoot sighting. Run / 10.17.2015 www.molallarunningclub.com/ molalla-river-trail-race
Happy Girls Run Trails The Happy Girls Run Sisters half marathon is the trail version of the popular Happy Girls Run in Bend. The course takes racers through singletrack dirt trails, rolling hills and forest areas of the picturesque Peterson Ridge Trail System just outside of Sisters. The half marathon is a point-topoint trail run. There is also a 5K road race that winds through scenic downtown Sisters on roads and paved trails, ending by Three Creeks Brewery. Run / 10.24.2015 www.happygirlsrunsisters.com
Run Like Hell Looking for a festive run to kick off Halloween? Join thousands of costume-clad runners as they hit the streets of Portland, Oregon, on October 25th. The Run Like Hell, back for year 13, consists of a half marathon, 10K, 5K, and kids half-miler. The theme for this year is “under the big top”, so don your big red shoes and painted smiles. Runners can expect a technical t-shirt, beers, tasty food, and live music at the post race party. Run / 10.25.2015 www.terrapinevents.com
Night of the Running Dead Night of the Running Dead is an urban adventure run through the streets of Bellingham, Washington,
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on October 30th. Runners will attempt to make their way from ground zero, at Asian Brewing Company, to each of three checkpoints along a 5K course route, then back to the start without getting caught by designated Zombies. Zombies will be coming from all directions trying to infect runners. Dress as a zombie, or whatever you like awards will be given for the best costume. Run / 10.30.2015 www.databarevents.com
Autumn Trails Eugene The fifth event in the annual “Run Big Trail Series”, organized by Level 32 Racing, takes place Sunday, November 8th, in Eugene, Oregon. The four course options run along established trails and adopt the distance of that particular trail’s route. There will be 3.5-mile, 6-mile, 10-mile, and 16-mile options. Each of the races start and finish at Frank Kinney Park. All begin with a loop on the Rexius Trail and climb up the Amazon Headwaters Trail. Run / 11.08.2015 www.level32racing.com
Tiger Mountains Grand Ridge Trail Runs Issaquah, Washington’s, Grand Ridge Regional Park will be the epicenter for the November 14th Grand Ridge Trail Races. There will be a 5 Mile, Half-Marathon, Marathon, and 50K Trail Run. All courses, beginning at Grand Ridge Trailhead, start on a wide double track and head north into the hills on the beautiful, and newly developed, singletrack
The Molalla River Trail Race debuted in 2014 and will feature a limited entry half marathon for this year’s edition. PHOTO: Sandy Branch
trails. Runners can expect fully stocked aid stations and a post-race feast. Grand Ridge Regional Park is located just across I-90 from Tiger Mountain. Run / 11.14.2015 www.evergreentrailruns.com
Cheadle Challenge Adventure Run The Lebanon Community Foundation, in partnership with the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Greater Santiam, will be hosting the 5th running of the Cheadle Challenge Adventure Run on November 14, at Cheadle Lake Park in Lebanon, Oregon. The 3.5-mile course, which meanders along paved biking/walking trails by the lake, off-road dirt and gravel trails, will include a wide variety of obstacles and nuisances to keep participants on their toes. Runners can expect to get down and dirty as they traverse the Super Swamp, Frightful Forest, Snake Trees, Wonder Walls, Franklin Peak, Leap of Flame, Nuisance Acres, and more. The Challenge will offer two family friendly heats again this year where parents can participate with their children (as young as 8). Proceeds from the event benefit the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Greater Santiam and the Lebanon Community Foundation which continues to develop Cheadle Lake Park as an asset for the growing community. Adventure Run / 11.14.2015 www.cheadlechallenge.com
Briefs
Oregon Mid-Valley Road Race on Turkey Day Earn the afternoon’s Turkey and stuffing by burning some calories at the Oregon Mid-Valley Road Race Thanksgiving morning. Organized by the Mid-Valley Lions Club, the chip-timed event raises funds to help meet growing medical needs in the Mid-Valley, and supports local service organization community projects. There are four events to choose from: the 5.2-mile Scenic Challenge Run, the 3.75-mile To Hill and Back Run, a 2.5-mile Walk, and a one-third-mile Little OMRR Kids Dash. There will be a King and Queen of the Hill Competition for those wishing to be awarded some cash and prizes. Mid-Valley Lions provide free vision and hearing assistance, health screenings, youth outreach activities, local, national and international disaster relief and international efforts to prevent blindness. Run / 11.26.2015 www.omroadrace.org
The Mustache Dache for Movember Grow some lip fur and join thousands of other facial hair-clad runners as they participate in the Mustache Dache this Fall. The Mustache Dache is a national mustache-themed 5K running series with three stops in the Pacific Northwest. The first PNW event in Seattle occurs November 8th, followed by a stop in Portland on November 14th, then Corvallis on December 5th. Taking place primarily during the month of November, the national series helps Movember, a global men’s health charity, raise funds toward combating prostate and testicular cancer. All participants receive a t-shirt and mustache finisher’s medal, plus access to post-race festivities. Run / 11.08.2015 Seattle, 11.14.2015 Portland, 12.05.2015 Corvallis www.mustachedache.com
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October/November/December 2015 racecenter.com
This year’s Holiday Half and 5K will start and finish at the Adidas North America Campus in North Portland. PHOTO: Courtesy Foot Traffic
Shellburg Falls Trail Run Staying fit through the winter is often as simple as putting something on the calendar to keep one honest and focused during the cooler months when training is more difficult. On December 5th, Run Wild Adventures will host a 5.2-mile trail run at Oregon’s Shellburg Falls. The course should be challenging as there is significant elevation gain over the very scenic single track trail that traverses around, and behind, Shellburg Falls. Weather depending, participants should expect muddy and possibly icy conditions on the course. Note, there will be no aid station on this short course so runners will need to carry whatever is needed. Run / 12.05.2015 www.runwildadventures.com
Holiday Half and 5K Portland residents can run into the holiday spirit with a half marathon and 5K this December. The out-and-back course starts and finishes at the Adidas North America Campus and winds along Willamette Blvd. The flat and scenic route is fully completed in North Portland, so runners can be sure to experience a unique event. The historic St. John’s Bridge, the beautiful University of Portland campus, and panoramic views of Downtown Portland from the bluff of Willamette Blvd., are just a few of the highlights seen from the course. Upon finishing, the race participants can treat themselves to a craft seasonal brew, hearty holiday soup, hot chocolate, oatmeal, eggnog, and other goodies. Run / 12.13.2015 www.foottraffic.us
Briefs
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The Arthritis Foundation will once again bring the Jingle Bell Run to the streets of cities across the country this holiday season, with seven stops throughout the Northwest in December. PHOTO: Arthritis Foundation
Jingle All the Way Be a part of the Nation’s largest holiday 5K series and help fight arthritis. Whether you’re staying in the Pacific Northwest for the winter holiday or traveling to other parts of the country, you’ll likely be able to find a Jingle Bell Run on the local calendar. Events are scattered across the States including New York, Montana, Colorado, Texas, Florida, as well as Oregon and Washington. Anyone can participate in this festive run or walk event. Visit the Foundation’s website to create a team and help raise funds to find a cure. More than $1M has been raised to date.
PNW Dates/Locations: 8.3 OZ OF PURE CUSHION AND MOMENTUM BOLSTERING ROCKER. THE CLIFTON 2. LET’S GO .
December 5..............................................Bend, OR December 5.................................... Burlington, WA December 5.................................Port Orchard, WA December 5........................................Spokane, WA December 6........................................ Portland, OR December 12................................. Bellingham, WA December 13.........................................Seattle, WA Run / Series www.arthritis.org/jbr
The Women’s Guide to Triathlon HOKAONEONE.COM
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October/November/December 2015 racecenter.com
Female triathletes looking for a resource specific to their needs can find answers to their questions in the newly published book by USA Triathlon, The Women’s Guide to Triathlon. To assist the
growing number of female triathletes, USA Triathlon, the national governing body for the sport of triathlon in the United States, has created a resource packed with top training techniques by 20 of the sport’s top female coaches and athletes, including Siri Lindley, Sarah Haskins, Sage Rountree, Melissa Stockwell, and Gale Bernhardt. The Women’s Guide to Triathlon presents female-specific thinking on training, technique, and equipment. Topics include gearing up with power meters and GPS, triathlon-specific strength training, fueling, mental training, event-specific training, injury prevention, training through various life stages, and balancing training demands with motherhood and family life. * From the Editor: Brenda Barrera has been a contributing writer for RaceCenter Northwest Magazine on and off over the past 12 years. She was a contributor to this new book, and we congratulate her on her accomplishments, both in sport of triathlon and in the field of journalism.
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Cross Training: It’s Not What You Think
Cross country skiing opportunities abound in the Northwest and the activity not only provides a great excuse to get outdoors in the winter, but one of the most challenging cross training workouts available. PHOTO: Tyler Roemer
STEPHANIE M. HOWE, MS
The word “cross train” has long been syn-
I visited the local pool to actually (gasp)
exercise, one should perform that exercise.
onymous with the word “injury,” meaning we
swim. As I walked in, a man immediately ap-
Thus, to become a better cyclist, you need to
only cross train as a means to stay in shape
proached and asked if I was here to pool run.
ride your bicycle. You can’t lift weights every
when injured. Although cross training activi-
When I responded “No,” he replied “All the
day and expect to become a better cyclist.
ties may be useful when injured, it’s the not
injured runners come here to pool run.” Huh.
There is a fine line, however. Another key train-
So what is cross training then? Well, it’s
ing principle is recovery. We benefit from all the
really any sport or activity other than your
hard work when we rest and allow our bodies
When I say the word cross train, what im-
main sport. We tend to think really narrow-
to adapt. Cross training can be used as a way
ages flash in front of your eyes? For most, it
mindedly: pool running, elliptical, spin class,
to be active, yet give the body a break from
conjures up some sort of indoor cardio ma-
AlterG treadmill, etc. Although all of those
the normal wear and tear of training.
chine or pool running. Fun. The truth is cross
are options (and sometimes good ones), we
Recently I had a conversation with my physi-
training can be an enjoyable activity, not just
are not just limited to those few activities.
cal therapist about my training. We discussed
something you are forced to do because you
One great thing about many cross training
cross training and how often I include it as part
can’t run. The definition of cross training is:
activities is that they can be done outdoors.
of my training. I confessed that I hadn’t done
the only time we should think about including different activities as part of a training plan.
training in two or more sports in order to improve fitness and performance, especially in a main sport. In no place does it mention the words “injury,” “gym equipment,” or “boring.” Cross training should NOT be used as a way to run without running, but it often is. Recently,
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How to Incorporate Cross Training Specificity is an important principle of training for any sport. The principle of specificity emphasizes that to become better at a particular
it as regularly as in the past. He encouraged me to add it back in as part of my weekly routine to help prevent the wear and tear on my body. For anyone training seriously for a particular sport, being told to do less is a little hard to hear. He, of course, was right.
To add cross training to part of your weekly routine, first consider the reason. Are you just trying to mix it up? Are you injured? Recovering? This should be your first consideration for choosing an activity. For cross training with an injury, something non-load bearing or low impact is ideal. The next consideration should be the goal of the activity. What are you trying to accomplish? An easy, light workout? A strength workout? Flexibility? The goal of the activity will also help you choose what’s right for your body that day. Don’t get too reliant on one or two forms of cross training, as the beauty is the abil-
About the Author
The Pacific Northwest not only hosts the largest cyclocross series in the country (the River City Bicycles Cross Crusade), but probably has the highest concentration of CX events happening throughout the U.S. in any one region. These races provide a great opportunity to test fitness and cross-train throughout the fall. PHOTO: Matt Howie
Glenn Tachiyama Photography
ity to mix it up and be spontaneous. •
Stephanie Howe, a nordic skier turned trail runner, enjoys racing distances from 50K up to 100 miles. Stephanie splits her time between racing as an elite runner on The North Face team, working as a coach and sports nutritionist, and putting the finishing touches on a doctoral program in Nutrition & Exercise Physiology at Oregon State University. You can learn more about Stephanie on her blog at stephaniemariehowe. blogspot.com and about her coaching and nutrition at www.endurancebystephanie.com.
Cross Training Ideas How adventurous are you feeling? Simple, Tried, and True 4 Mountain or Road Biking 4 Strength Training 4 Yoga 4 Elliptical 4 Swimming 4 Hiking Thinking Outside the Box 4 Kayaking 4 Running Stairs 4 Nordic or Alpine Skiing 4 Soccer 4 Tennis 4 Group Fitness Classes 4 Plyometrics 4 Dancing Pushing your Comfort Level 4 Cyclocross 4 Backcountry skiing 4 Orienteering/adventure racing 4 Acrobatics 4 Climbing 4 Martial Arts 4 Mountaineering
When Seconds Count .com Event Registration
October/November/December 2015 racecenter.com
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Maximus
Cross Country: Why having a team can make all the difference MAX KING
The hearty folks of the Pacific Northwest know how to do cross country. It was about 10 years ago that I got back into competitive running and the first race circuit I hit was the annual northwest cross country circuit. It wasn’t big, it wasn’t all that organized, but it was some of the most fun I would have racing all year. Waking up in the back of my 1995 Toyota pickup, windows fogged, a cool fall dampness you can only get in the Northwest, I would lower the tailgate and roll out of my sleeping bag to wander over to the registration table where Kevin Foreman, the RD for the X-Dog XC Races Series would be taking money in his Carhartt jacket and, if it was a good morning, probably have a beer cracked already. After a quick warm up, the starting gun would crack and we’d be off, all 100 or so harriers, running recklessly over a stretch of grass, mud, and rocks that had been marked out as the course that morning. “I still remember a race held at a gravel pit in Barton Park” recalls Torrey Lindbo, a long time member of Team Red Lizard, “It started out down a steep rocky hill and at the bottom of the hill Max wiped out hard right in front of me. I hurdled over him and thought to myself “This is it, my chance to win one of these races.” Part of what makes the sport of XC so great are the stories and relationships you gain through competing against and alongside one another, then reminiscing about past exploits at a local pub. To this day, I still race against Torrey in the annual Stumptown XC Series in Portland, and I consider him and many others I’ve met through cross country good friends. Cross country has always been an integral part of the race calendar for those of us that run in the Northwest. A key to that XC lineage and lasting tradition are the running clubs that provide the heart and soul of each team. Cross country is the only running event that is truly a team sport. That team aspect is what sets it apart and allows a special bond to form between individual and club - a feeling of camaraderie and inclusiveness. Lifelong friends are made, couches are shared, and we run through the mud together. Some clubs have come and gone from
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the Northwest scene. The ones that have a cross country tradition tend to be the ones that stick around because they’ve created that bond between its members through cross country. A few of the Northwest clubs are perennial fixtures year after year at cross country races around the region, and many contribute in more than just participation. I wanted to highlight those clubs here as we move into cross country season and hopefully inspire you to join a team and come race some cross country, to experience what it’s like to run a race as a team and meet new friends you’ll have for life.
Team Red Lizard Team Red Lizard out of Portland is a relative newcomer in Northwest clubs. It was started just over 10 years ago, but from the get-go its roots were tied to cross country through and through. “Early on it (XC) was a real rallying point for the club. XC gave the club something to rally around besides beer and good company” says Stumptown XC Race Director Jacob Buckmaster. Kevin Foreman started it as a cross country team that eventually led into his X-Dog race series. I remember coming to the start line of many Portland races I would be the lone Central Oregon runner in a sea of Red Lizards. After the two parted ways, Team Red Lizard became a non-profit club and has been integral in restarting the Portland cross country scene through it’s popular Stumptown Cross series each fall. The Lizards, as they’re commonly called, send full teams to the popular USATF Club Cross Country Championships each year. You can find a schedule of this year’s Photos From Top to Bottom: Author Max King strides toward the finish line of the 2013 USATF National Club Cross Country Championships on a course he helped design. The red, black and white singlets of Team Red Lizard (TRL) are visible across the region at many races throughout the year. The club also hosts the Stumptown XC Series, one of the Northwest’s largest series of cross country races, each year. Joseph Gray of Club Northwest won the 2013 USATF National Club Cross Country Championships in Bend, OR. The namesake of the Bowerman Track Club (previously the Bowerman Athletic Club) should tell you all you need to know about this club and its cross country heritage. ALL PHOTOS: BroFoto
October/November/December 2015 racecenter.com
Club Northwest We’ve hosted countless USATF Cross Country National Championships here in the Northwest between Portland, Eugene, Seattle, Spokane, and Bend, but no club has been more integral in fostering both the high performance cross country scene and youth cross country participation over the years than Club Northwest. Arguably the club with the longest cross country history, in existence since 1972 with over 150 very active members, sending teams in many divisions to USATF Club Nationals each year. This club continues to host great meets during the fall like the Sun Dodger Classic on the famous Green Lake Park course, the site of one of my very first USATF Junior Olympic meets back in high school. Its quirky cross country history goes back far enough for some of its members that they can remember traveling on no budget with team members sleeping in a coffee shop the night before the meet, while others were couch surfing on Pat Porter’s floor prior to the 1990 USA Cross Country Championships. “XC is the glue that gives our team a sense of connection and camaraderie” says Ed Haywood, Club Northwest’s President. You can find a schedule of Club Northwest races at www.clubnorthwest.org.
Championships. Whether you’re a youth or an adult, keep an eye out for the BTC at your local race and follow them at www.bowermantc. com.
Central Oregon Running Klub That’s Klub with a K. Back in 1976, the founders felt that CORK just worked better than CORC and it’s been spelled that way ever since. My home club at this point in time, it has recently stepped up to carry the torch of cross country by developing a strong and committed youth program, hosting the USATF Club Cross Country Championships in 2013. It will also be hosting the USATF National Cross Country Championships in 2016 and 2017, bringing the highest level of cross country racing back to the Northwest. While it’s been around a long time, it wasn’t until the youth development program was started in 2005 by Doug Lange that it started to weave its way back into the fabric of the Northwest cross country scene. We’ve continued down that path by creating a team culture between adults and youth, and a strong volunteer corps that creates the opportunities needed to keep it going. Keep an eye out for the USATF National Cross Country Championships coming to Bend in February 2016 by checking out www.
centraloregonrunningklub.org. There are many more teams out there that I didn’t mention that are continuing the cross country culture one muddy step at a time through organizing races, fostering youth programs, and getting out there to race. “Running is an individual sport, but XC is all about team” says Cook. The team is what makes cross country unique and the reason why you’ll find “fast” friends whenever and wherever you race. My own history with cross country goes back two decades. Running for the Southern Oregon Sizzlers at the time, one of my first USATF Junior Olympic meets in high school was at Green Lake Park in Seattle, and it quickly became one of my favorite courses. I have been fortunate to compete for and against many teams in the Northwest on a wide variety of different courses from fast and flat golf courses to muddy technical gravel pits. No one knows how to do cross country quite like the Northwest. •
About the Author Max lives and trains in Bend, OR. He races for the Salomon Trail team but is sharpening up his spikes for the coming cross country season and looking forward to getting a little muddy.
Kelvin Trautman Photography
Stumptown XC races at www.redlizardrunning.com/cross-country-series.
Bowerman Track Club The namesake of the Bowerman Track Club should tell you all you need to know about this club and its cross country heritage. Bill Bowerman obviously has a few ties to running and cross country in particular. While it’s a fairly new club started in 2003, you could say that it has some built in history. It initially started as a men’s and women’s squad that quickly led to a strong youth development club that is now over 150 youth strong. It has grown over the past 12 years to encompass a very strong youth program with USATF Junior Olympic National Champions, a strong adult cross country presence around the Northwest, and the recent addition of the professional arm of the program. This includes Jerry Schumacher’s group, including U.S. cross country champions Shalane Flanagan and Chris Derrick. Showing their cross country roots however, Chris Cook, the BTC team director, places last year’s girls team championship at the USATF Junior Olympic National meet at the top of their long list of accomplishments. It’s common to see BTC at the local Stumptown XC races, State, Regional, and National Junior Olympic meets, as well as big meets like USATF Club and National Cross Country
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CLUBSPORT OREGON 18120 SW Lower Boones Ferry Road | Tigard OR 97224 October/November/December 2015 racecenter.com
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The Dirt
Macchiato for Motivation: Trail Running in the Alps
Above Chamonix valley, the author training on the UTMB course in the French Alps with 15,781 ft. Mont Blanc massif shrouded in clouds in the background. PHOTO: Jeff Browning
JEFF BROWNING
Standing behind barricades you’d see
entire Mont Blanc massif in an aesthetically
the French border into Vallorcine before a
on TV in the Tour de France, the crowd is six
pleasing — albeit extremely challenging —
gradual climb to Col des Montets and the
people deep on every side. The dividers give
105-mile loop.
final steep climb to La Tete Aux Vents. A short
us a pathway to run and keep the crowd
Starting in Chamonix’s city center and
traverse to La Flégére before finally bomb-
from pressing in on the runners. The mass is
working its way counterclockwise, the route
ing down gorgeous fir-canopied singletrack,
chanting, cheering and lounging from every
features 10 major climbs. After a quick jaunt
across Chalet la Floria’s packed mountain
available balcony, sipping wine — all waiting
of river pathway to the village of Les Houches,
patio (if you’re lucky enough to hit it during
for one thing — to see 2,500 runners on their
the course climbs over a ski resort and plum-
the day) and the final 2 miles into the streets
way to circumnavigating Mont Blanc over
mets into the cozy French towns of Saint
of Chamonix and ending where you started.
the next 46 hours.
Gervais and Les Contamines, before climbing
Cheering crowds greet you both day and
The French Alps village of Chamonix is
up and over the beautiful high alpine mead-
night over 30,000 feet of climbing and 105
nestled under the shadow of Mont Blanc’s
ows of Col du Bonhomme and Col de la
miles of technical, challenging terrain. Every
snow-covered, hulking 15,781 foot massif.
Segne and eventually dropping steeply into
little village along the way will be out in full
With more relief than Everest’s Base Camp to
Courmayeur, Italy. But wait — that’s not quite
force — spectating, drinking and cheering.
the summit of the world’s highest peak, it’s
halfway. Next, you’ll climb out of Courmayeur
It’s no wonder this event has become the
no wonder the Europeans chose Chamonix
and up over the Grand Col de Ferret before
premier ultra race in the world.
valley to stage this iconic race.
descending into Switzerland’s small village
If the UTMB’s 105 rugged miles don’t
The 13th Annual Ultra Tour du Mont Blanc —
of Les Fouly. Once in Switzerland, the course
suit your fancy, there are four other ultra
or the UTMB, as it’s more commonly known in
climbs up to Champex Lac, up and over
events — the OCC (53K), TDS (117K), CCC
Europe, mostly follows the famous TMB (Tour
the Bovine and down to Trient. Finally, you’ll
(100K), and the TDL — a crazy two-person
of Mont Blanc) trail and circumnavigates the
climb up to Catogne and back down across
event (yep, you run together) featuring a
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— good for all. The Europeans love the Alps, they love mountain sports, and they love their
Top Pacific NW at UTMB
endurance athletes. It’s contagious. As for my race, there’s not much to report except that it ended almost at quickly as it began. At 18K into the race, I rolled an ankle. I continued to hobble on for another 50K (hoping it would come around) before the ankle said no more and I limped the 5-mile descent into Courmayeur to drop (my first ever DNF). But the imprint that European ultrarunning, and more specifically, European mountain culture left on me was worth the trip. Mountain culture is so ingrained in the Alps culture. I was in Chamonix scouting and running for two weeks before the race and really got to experience this mountain culture firsthand. Everyone is moving, hiking, and simply getting out. The trails are packed, even on a rainy day. The number of people out hiking (technical, rocky) trails was dumbfounding.
self-supported race of 300KM over multiple
Families, grandmothers, older couples, young
days. Be warned, the terrain is tough and the
couples — it was inspiring to witness.
climbs are big. With all the events, the last
Coming from the U.S., where you get 1.5
week in August hosts more than 7,000 runners
miles past a trailhead and you’re alone, it
from more than 80 countries, and they con-
was all new to me. I was shocked at how
verge on Chamonix to create a race-crazed
deeply rooted outdoor leisure is in the Alps.
atmosphere that is unforgettable.
Instead of driving to the mall to shop and get-
Standing on the line with the UTMB theme
ting a Venti mocha to go, legions of people
song (an orchestra piece specifically created
hike 3 miles up a steep mountainside, have
for the event) echoing in your ears, you can’t
lunch, enjoy a glass of wine, sip a 6 ounce
help but be in awe and wish a little of this
coffee, enjoy the view, and hike back down.
would spill into the United States. The excite-
It’s what they do.
ment builds and thousands of people chant
They have hotels, hostels and refuges
the final 10-second countdown in French “…
along common, highly used routes. A ref-
trois, deux, une…” And we all surge forward
uge (or refugio) is a café or mountain chalet
trying not to trip or knock someone over — or
that has food, drink and possibly lodging
accidentally get your poles (stashed on your
along a trail. Usually accessed by a mountain
pack) tangled up with all the other runners.
road or top of a ski area lift system for supplies,
As I started my first European ultra race and
they are a little oasis in the clouds.
we weaved our way through the absolutely
One particularly rainy, socked-in day, we
packed Chamonix village, it occurred to me
were scouting a portion of the course out of
that ultramarathons and trail racing are a
Courmayeur. We climbed a muddy, steep
legit sport in Europe. Not just a silly little fringe
trail and out of the mist appeared a quaint
thing like it is in America, but a real sport. There
chalet. One of my seasoned European-
is media buzzing, a jumbo-tron in the city cen-
travelled companions asked, “Want a mac-
ter, live web coverage starting at 13 hours into
chiato?” My sentiment: Dude, I live in the
the race, helicopters hovering, filming, and
Pacific NW, what do you think?
Eurosport TV covers the whole thing.
The Pacific Northwest had a solid showing at Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc this year. The men’s race was a tight race for the coveted top 3 podium slots — with two Americans in contention. Ashland’s David Laney ran a smart race to come on strong the last 50K for the final podium spot. The men’s 2nd and 3rd place was up for grabs until the final nail-biting descent into Chamonix. Missoula’s Seth Swanson was trading 2nd and 3rd with Spain’s Louis Alberto Hernando the final 20 miles, before Hernando put the hammer down to drop Swanson on the final techical descent from La Flégére. Meanwhile, Laney laying it all on the line, caught Swanson on the same descent to grab the final podium spot in 21 hours and 59 minutes — only 2:25 behind Hernando in 2nd and edging out Swanson by a mere 28 seconds. In the women’s race, Bend’s Stephanie Howe ran a smart race and finished in the women’s top 10 for 8th place in 30 hours, 16 minutes.
We shook like wet dogs in the entry, stepped
When the race began over a decade
into a well-lit cozy, clean restaurant (also
ago, the first edition started at 5am (modeled
boasting 20 rooms), and stood at a curved
after U.S. races). The winner finished in the
and sculpted granite bar to order a coffee.
middle of the night. The next year, the race
As I stood there dripping — sipping my
management moved the start to evening to
6 ounce Italian macchiato — I reflected
allow winners to finish in the afternoon — at
on how the Euros have it figured out. Mix-
prime time, when the village is full and people
ing drinks, dining and outdoor excursion
are watching TV. Good for race advertisers,
to create outdoor habits — and ultimately
— outdoor lifestyle. No wonder they’re not overweight, and no wonder they get out so much. If America put a macchiato (or beer, or wine — whatever your “carrot” might be) at the top of a trail with a view, wouldn’t more people be fit? Probably. Is the sacrifice of a half percent of pristine forest worth the health of the people? After running around drinking coffee in the Alps for two weeks, let me say this: I’d vote for it. Giddyup. •
About the Author Jeff Browning’s 15-year DNF (Did Not Finish) streak is up. After nearly 100 ultras, a rolled ankle forced him to abandon the UTMB at mile 48. But there’s always next time. He hopes to be back in Chamonix in 2016 (with stronger ankles) to make amends with the other 57 miles of the course — and to drink a few cappuccinos along the way.
Jeff Johnson
Training runs with perks. The author and friends taking a break from the August rain, 6 miles into a training run to enjoy a trail macchiato at Refugio Benotti on the Italian side of the UTMB course. PHOTO: Jeff Browning
David Laney spent nearly two weeks covering various parts of the UTMB course leading up to race day. PHOTO: David Laney
good for spectators, good for local businesses October/November/December 2015 racecenter.com
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Spotlight: Salem, OR SHANNAH WERNER
True or False: New York’s Central Park is larger (more acres) than the three parks in Salem, OR put together. Surprisingly, the answer is “False”. Between the 1200 acres on Minto Brown Island Park, Riverfront Park (23 acres) and Wallace Marine Park (114 acres), those three parks cover more acres than Central Park (843 acres). By the fall of 2016, two pedestrian bridges will connect all three parks and the east and west sides of Salem. The Peter Courtney Minto Island Bridge (currently under construction) crosses the Willamette River that splits the city east to west while connecting Minto Brown Island Park to Riverfront Park. To the north, the Union Street Railroad Pedestrian and Bicycle Bridge, a repurposed railroad bridge, connects Wallace Marine Park in West Salem to downtown on the east side of the river. The two bridges create an urban recreation area of more than 1300 acres. To the south of downtown and Willamette University is Bush’s Pasture Park, sitting on almost 91 acres. The park has a 1.3-mile bark dust trail loop for running as well as many paved paths for runners to create their own routes. The park is also home to the Willamette University Bearcats football, track and field and baseball teams. Further east of Salem is Silver Falls State Park (about 25 miles east on Highway 22) where visitors can run, walk or hike past amazing waterfalls on 25 miles of backcountry trails. On November 7-8, the Silver Falls Trail Runs features a 50K, Marathon, Half Marathon, and 7-miler. These races are completely sold out for 2015 and demand continues to be high for the event each year, set at this amazingly scenic state park.
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While Salem is not typically considered a running or bikingfriendly city, things are changing in the state’s capital. “The city of Salem and the communities throughout Marion and Polk Counties have embraced running events,” said Brian Chung, Sports and Events Sales Manager at Travel Salem. “They understand the economic impact of such events and are interested in hosting more running events.” The biggest running event of the year in downtown Salem is the High Street Hustle. This year’s event on August 15 had more than 1100 registrants for the 8K, 5K, and 1K Kids’ Fun Run. “Hosted by Gallagher Fitness Resources, New Balance, Salem Health, the City of Salem and over 50 local business sponsors, the inaugural High Street Hustle was a huge success,” said Susan Gallagher, co-race director. “Our goal was to create a signature community wellness event that would bring the citizens of Salem and the surrounding area together to raise money and awareness for heart disease prevention and education in Marion and Polk Counties. With a blend of 70’s silliness, costumes, and fun, we brought seasoned competitors and first-time event participants together to Hustle to Prevent Heart Disease.” Gallagher and her husband, John, founded Gallagher Fitness Resources, THE specialty running shoe store in Salem, in 1997. Since then, they have been the foundation for the running and walking community, offering running and walking clinics, expert shoe fittings, advice, and group runs. “Gallagher Fitness Resources bridges the gap between the seasoned competitive runner and the grass-roots beginner,” Susan said. “The free, family-friendly On Your Feet Friday series is in its 4th year. The Women’s Beginning Walking and Running Clinics and the
Above Top: Run Wild Adventures produces the incredibly popular Silver Falls Trail Runs each year, set at Silver Falls State Park, just east of Salem. PHOTO: Nine22 Photography
Facing Page + Photo Above: Artist rendering of the Peter Courtney Minto Island Bridge which will connect miles of running and walking trails to Salem’s core. PHOTO: Courtesy OBEC Consulting Engineers and GreenWorks
Above Bottom: The inaugural High Street Hustle took place on August 15 and was hugely popular, drawing over 1,100 participants in its first year. PHOTO: Susan Gallagher
Saturday Morning Running groups are in their 17th year. Competitive training opportunities like Team GFR Wednesday Night speed sessions have also been in place for over 18 years. Through all this, Salem’s running community has grown significantly.” The City of Salem also puts on a weekly “Stride 5K Series” on Saturday mornings at 9 a.m. at Minto Brown Park. The series is open to all abilities of runners and walkers who share a goal of being healthy and fit. Salem’s location in the Willamette Valley also makes it a prime spot for road biking. The Willamette Valley Scenic Bikeway passes through Salem as it comes down from Champoeg Park and continues to Albany via the Independence Bridge and the town of Jefferson. “Salem has added ‘sharrows’ through the downtown core area to accommodate cyclists,” said Chung, of the lane markings on streets where cyclists share the road with cars but which do not have specific bike lanes. While Salem is not typically a “destination” place for tourists, if you find yourself in the state capital, especially next spring when the trees are blossoming, make sure to check out the new pedestrian bridge over the Willamette River to Minto Brown Island. When you come back through downtown, grab a bite to eat at one of the coffee shops or local restaurants and then stop in at Gallagher Fitness Resources for some new running shoes or apparel before continuing north to the West Union Bridge up to Wallace Marine Park. •
Related Websites of Interest Gallagher Fitness Resources www.activesalem.com Willamette Valley Scenic Bikeway www.rideoregonride.com/road-routes/willamette-valley-scenic-bikeway Travel Salem www.travelsalem.com
Salem Area Events Stride 5K www.cityofsalem.net/recreation Silver Falls Trail Runs www.silverfallsmarathon.com High Street Hustle www.runsignup.com/Race/OR/Salem/HighStreetHustle Capital FC Half Marathon runsignup.com/Race/OR/SalemCapCityHalfMarathon Willamette Valley Marathon, Half & 10K www.irisfestival.com/runs Keizer Half Marathon & 10K www.irisfestival.com/runs Awesome 3000 www.skeducationfoundation.org/pagesawesome_3000 Volcano Half Marathon & 5K www.runwithpaula.com/volcano-half-marathon-5k Run Wild Adventures www.runwildadventures.com
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Giving Thanks Thanksgiving is the single biggest running day of the year — but why? SCOTT LOMMERS
There’s never been a holiday more known for gluttony, sloth and idleness than Thanksgiving. Food, of course, comes to mind first when someone brings up the topic of Thanksgiving. Food first. Always. Turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, and of course, pumpkin pie, are the headliners – all light, nourishing fare. Next up, the hours spent prone on the couch, wishing you hadn’t eaten quite so much turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy and pumpkin pie. Then there is the football; a great way to spend eight hours on the recliner, destroying any remaining leftovers and lamenting your fantasy football team. Finally, the fact that many people have the three days following Turkey Day to recover just adds to the notion that Thanksgiving is the day for abuse of the body, while the following three days are for the rehabilitation. Why then, are so many people out running races in the early morning hours of the holiday? Thanksgiving races are everywhere, and they’re packed with runners. What’s going on? Well, first the numbers. They don’t lie. According to Running USA,
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Thanksgiving Day race participants more than doubled in just a few recent years, from 400,000 racers in 2008 to 858,000 in 2012. The number of T-Day races in those years went from 290 in 2008 to 490 in 2012, which likely means growth was coming both from new races and the growth of already established races. Meanwhile, the other popular running holidays don’t even begin to approach the vast participant numbers seen on Thanksgiving. The Fourth of July, the second most popular holiday, drew about 250,000 participants in 2012 while New Year’s Day managed a mere 81,000 for the third slot. But again, why? What makes Thanksgiving such an overwhelmingly popular holiday on which to run? While rigorous scientific studies on such topics are difficult to find, one could make a few guesses.
The Date At the end of November, Thanksgiving stakes a fairly sparse time on the running calendar. For the most part, the big autumn races are done, and while Christmas races encroach closer every year, few of them actually back up into the month of November.
Other Holidays to Consider Some popular for running, some not so much…
New Year’s Day Resolution runs have been a staple on New Year’s Day for decades. It’s easy to fall off the sweets and treats wagon over the winter holidays, but the simple New Year’s resolution is always waiting to pull you back over to the healthy side. For a while, at least…
Valentine’s Day The 5K has never been quite as romantic as a box of chocolates, but Valentine’s Day does boast a few races looking for couples that run together. Really, this holiday should benefit from the same guilt-infused running mania as Thanksgiving – that dinner, the bottle of champagne, those chocolates… you’re going to need to work that off!
St. Patrick’s Day This has always been a hugely popular race day, all across the United States. Some of the biggest spring races in both Portland and Seattle celebrate the green-loving holiday. Even green beer can’t keep participants away from racing on Saint Patrick’s special day.
Easter A major holiday, no doubt, but Easter has never shown itself to be much of a running holiday. The religious origins of the holiday suggest many likely participants may head to church first thing in the morning instead of the race course. The fact that the quickly moving bunny has been co-opted into a holiday mascot hasn’t seemed to help the Easter running scene much.
Cinco de Mayo This holiday has been a major mover in the past few years. Much like St. Patrick’s Day, Cinco de Mayo is well known for beer and fun and running. Unlike St. Patrick’s Day, Cinco de Mayo is more likely to have warm temperatures and less likely to have rain. Maybe that’s why its becoming more and more popular as a racing holiday.
Facing Page + This Page (Left to Right): More people run on Thanksgiving Day than any other day of the year, and the reasons for this running binge are numerous, with family and time with loved ones playing a big role. PHOTO: Brian Penrose / Finishshots.com Holiday runs also tend to transcend age barriers, drawing both young and old to the start lines of the many holiday-themed events throughout the U.S. each year. PHOTO: Arthritis Foundation Let’s not forget the all-important fashion statement, and the excuse to break out the shirt you’ve been waiting all year to wear. PHOTO: Arthritis Foundation
Memorial Day Not a racing holiday per se, but let’s face it, any three-day weekend this close to summer will attract quite a few races. The past few years have also seen some actual Memorial Day-themed races pop up. There is absolutely nothing wrong with showing your respect to our veterans while also running a race.
Fourth of July Before Thanksgiving grew into the monster racing holiday it is today, Independence Day was the king of the hill. And why not? School is out, warm summer temps are in, parade and celebrations already draw people out of the house, and everyone needs to kill some daylight hours while waiting for fireworks. The Fourth has it all.
Labor Day
The Day The fact that Thanksgiving is always on a Thursday is definitely a plus for the racing crowd. As a mid-week race, even runners training for a different event have no problem tossing a quick 5K into their schedule. A Thursday run still leaves Saturday or Sunday free for a long-distance training or race effort.
Not a lot of action here, even with a usual three-day weekend. Maybe everyone is too busy getting ready to go back to school? There are races here and there, but there really should be more, as the weather is usually perfect and it would fit into many runners’ training plans as they head into longer races in the autumn.
Halloween Fairly popular, what with the opportunity to run in costume, but maybe too close to the more-established running holidays of T-Day and Christmas? It’s also hard to time races correctly, as the actual day of Halloween, the 31st of October, rarely falls on a Saturday that most Race Directors would prefer.
Christmas
The Family Factor Togetherness. Thanksgiving is well known as the holiday to celebrate with family. It seems many parents enjoy getting a jump start on that celebration by herding the whole family out of the house early and onto the race course. The kids are definitely out of school for the weekend and the parents likely have the day off work – there’s no excuse. Continued on Page 30
This is a huge running holiday, for sure. Well, actually, it’s more like five or six smaller running holidays. No one is holding a race on the actual day of Christmas, so that opens up the entire month of December (and lately, even late November) for Christmas, Jingle Bell and other winter holiday-themed runs. They’re just so spread out; it’s hard to define one particular day that would be the Christmas Running Holiday.
New Year’s Eve Too many Christmas runs in front of it and too many New Year’s Resolution runs behind it: New Year’s Eve is in a bit of a tough spot, date-wise. It is an experience to run a New Year’s Eve race that starts shortly before midnight on the 31st. There just aren’t a lot of opportunities to race at that time of day – you almost have to give it a try. Still, with many having to work the 31st, and with plans to celebrate on January 1st, New Year’s Eve races are usually the odd man out.
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Giving Thanks The Weather
The Traffic
Not the best time of year, but certainly not the worst in which to schedule a race. Thanksgiving usually hits before the weather gets truly awful. Cool and crisp is the normal standard. There’s always a possibility of rain but still, it doesn’t have the pounding heat of the number two racing holiday, the Fourth, nor the possibility of ice or snow that the number three, New Year’s Day, can bring.
While Thanksgiving has a horrible reputation for dire traffic, those fears are more accurately about the weekend as a whole, not precisely Thanksgiving Day. The traffic problems during the holiday weekend are focused on Wednesday night and any time on Sunday. In fact, most municipal government agencies would rather close a few city streets on Thanksgiving morning than on any Saturday or Sunday during the summer months. With that much going for it, it’s not difficult to see why Thanksgiving is the number one running holiday; and that probably won’t change anytime soon. Another trend in the running world may be helping drive Thanksgiving’s running growth, and may help sustain it: runner’s flock to big event races. As Thanksgiving races get more popular, and attract more racers, the effect will likely cascade. Runners love to run with lots of other runners. In today’s running world, bigger is usually better. Why fight it? Thanksgiving has become the most popular race day for a good reason…or many good reasons. Join the crowd and sign up for a T-Day race today. •
The Guilt Factor This one is strong. Thanksgiving is home to some of the most evil, calorie-laden foods ever devised by man. And most of us are weak enough to deny ourselves absolutely none of those foods. What better to assuage our guilt of overeating later in the day than burning a few hundred calories out on the race course first thing in the morning?
The 5K Holiday For whatever reason, Thanksgiving races are nearly universally a 5K distance. For Race Directors and participants both, a quick 5K just makes sense on a holiday where most have plans later in the day. Far from ruining the whole day or even the whole morning, T-Day 5Ks can be wrapped up, start to finish, in an hour.
Fundraise to CURE Arthritis!
5K Chip Timed Run or Fun Run/Walk · Costume Contest Children’s Run with the Elves · Strollers & Pets Welcomed* (*Most Events)
December 5 Bend, OR Burlington, WA Port Orchard, WA Spokane, WA
Register Online At
www.arthritis.org/jbr Nationally Sponsored By
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October/November/December 2015 racecenter.com
December 6 Portland, OR December 12 Bellingham, WA December 13 Seattle, WA
2016 Portland, Oregon
THE FIRST RUN OF THE NEW YEAR 5K RUN/WALK & 10K RUN Join us Thursday, December 31st, 2015 World Trade Center Plaza Downtown Portland Party and registration begin at 10 p.m. Race starts at Midnight.
Save the date and join us! A product i on of A A Spor t s, Lt d.
AA Sports is proud to benefit high school sports in the NW. For more information, visit:
aasportsltd.com/firstrun
Adidas ADIZERO BOSTON BOOST 6 WEIGHT: MEN’S 8.8 OZ. | WOMEN’S 7.3 OZ. CATEGORY: NEUTRAL / LIGHTWEIGHT PRICE: $120 WWW.ADIDAS.COM
Fall 2015
The Adidas Adizero Boston Boost 6 is a lightweight trainer designed for runners with a neutral foot strike. This version incorporates Adidas’ Boost foam technology and Continental rubber sole to create a smooth, fluid ride. It’s also designed with material adaptable to a wide range of temperatures which allows it to provide a comfortable ride in different climates. The shoe features a knit mesh upper, an updated feature from the previous versions, which is flexible and breathable and creates a snug, comfortable fit. The upper conforms to your foot and flexes as you step to prevent blisters. This shoe also runs true to size. It is an excellent option for runners looking for a lightweight, responsive trainer.
Shoe Guide
Asics GEL-NIMBUS 17
2015
WEIGHT: MEN’S 10.8 OZ. | WOMEN’S 8.8 OZ. CATEGORY: NEUTRAL / CUSHIONED PRICE: $150 WWW.ASICS.COM
The ASICS GEL-Nimbus 17 is designed for runners seeking a premium, neutral daily trainer that offers ample cushioning and reliability. With a newly-designed upper and updates to the midsole, the shoe is lighter and retains the cushioning runners have come to enjoy in the Nimbus. The GEL-Nimbus 17 also offers a secure fit along with a smooth, comfortable heel-to-toe transition. It is meant to handle the demands of higher mileage training.
MWANGI GITAHI, ENDURANCE SPORTS MEDIA GROUP
A few times a year, running shoe companies release their newest products and make updates to our favorite trainers, racers and trail shoes. This fall, runners can expect a continued emphasis on neutral trainers as well as trail offerings, where the overarching design principles emphasize lighter and more flexible materials for improved performance. Here are a few of our favorites from the newest batch of road and trail shoes, sure to add a spark to your training.
Brooks GLYCERIN 13 WEIGHT: MEN’S 11.3 OZ. | WOMEN’S 9.3 OZ. CATEGORY: NEUTRAL / CUSHIONED PRICE: $150 WWW.BROOKSRUNNING.COM
The Brooks Glycerin 13 continues its tradition of offering premium cushioning to runners. It is targeted for runners with a neutral gait, seeking a shoe which provides plush feel and delivers a smooth, responsive ride. The Super DNA midsole provides a plush ride while the Ideal Pressure Zones create a premium running experience by allowing uniform distribution of weight during ground contact. The improved seamless upper design, along with an updated midsole saddle, allows for a personalized, secure fit around the entire foot. The Glycerin 13 is Brooks’ top-of-the-line cushioned shoe, and for good reason. The updates to this latest version can be felt from the very first run. The Glycerin 13 maintains its plush ride and smooth transition while handling the rigors of high mileage training.
Hoka One One CLIFTON 2 ABOUT THE AUTHOR Mwangi Gitahi is a competitive runner, running coach and a self-proclaimed shoe geek who coordinates the team of reviewers at runningshoesguru.com and compiled the reviews for this guide. He aspires to be a lifelong runner and enjoys training in the many bike paths and trails of Rhode Island.
WEIGHT: MEN’S 8.3 OZ. | WOMEN’S 7.2 OZ. CATEGORY: NEUTRAL / LIGHTWEIGHT PRICE: $130 WWW.HOKAONEONE.COM
2015
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The Hoka One One Clifton 2 is an ultra lightweight shoe that provides an incredible amount of cushioning. The shoe features a no-sew speed frame upper and early stage meta rocker technology that makes the ride comfortable and smooth. The upper also features a padded tongue for greater comfort over the instep. Overall, the design of the Clifton 2 provides a newer, more refined version of the original and very popular Clifton 1. It is an incredible road running shoe for all distances.
October/November/December 2015 racecenter.com
Mizuno WAVE ENIGMA 5
New Balance VAZEE PACE
WEIGHT: MEN’S 10.9 OZ. | WOMEN’S 8.8 OZ. CATEGORY: NEUTRAL / CUSHIONED PRICE: $150 WWW.MIZUNOUSA.COM
WEIGHT: MEN’S 7.5 OZ. | WOMEN’S 6.5 OZ. CATEGORY: NEUTRAL / LIGHTWEIGHT PRICE: $110 WWW.NEWBALANCE.COM
The Mizuno Wave Enigma 5 features a more cushioned midsole utilizing two new foam types, the u4icX and u4ic, to go along with a new u-shape full-length parallel wave that helps evenly disperse the forces at foot strike and provide a responsive feel. Also updated is the sock liner, which provides a comfortable, chafe-free fit, protecting the foot without causing any blistering. The toe box provides a somewhat narrow fit and the sizing also runs small, at least a half or even a full size smaller than the previous version. The Wave Enigma 5 is designed for high mileage runners or runners who simply desire extra cushioning.
The New Balance Vazee Pace replaces the 890 series in the New Balance performance line. This neutral performance trainer uses New Balance’s REVlite foam technology on an 890 base, combined with the new Zante upper. The upper is seamless and extremely breathable, keeping your feet cool even during long runs in heat. Itt has overlays throughout to keep your foot locked in, and the redesigned Zante upper hugs the midfoot before opening up into a wide and roomy toe box. A slightly wider heel may lead to slipping for some, however. Weighing in at 7.5 oz with a 6mm heel drop, this shoe is meant for speed; but, it can take the beating of a traditional trainer. Under testing, the Vazee Pace handled 15-mile long runs just as well as it handled track repeats. Overall, it’s a good new addition to the performance neutral market.
Newton AHA II WEIGHT: MEN’S 7.4 OZ | WOMEN’S 6.3 OZ. CATEGORY: NEUTRAL / LIGHTWEIGHT PRICE: $110 WWW.NEWTONRUNNING.COM
The Newton Aha 2 features a lower-profile design than many of the brand’s previous models, and hits a happy medium between lightness and cushioning. Newton lowers its traditional forefoot lugs with the Aha as part of its newer ‘Gateway’ models, allowing newcomers an opportunity to ease into the added metatarsal support. The shoe encourages a quick transition through the gait cycle, provides a responsive ride, and can be used for daily training and distance racing equally well.
Nike LUNARGLIDE 7 WEIGHT: MEN’S 9.8 OZ. | WOMEN’S 7.9 OZ. CATEGORY: STABILITY PRICE: $125 WWW.NIKE.COM
The Nike LunarGlide 7 offers a reliable combination of stability and cushioning for mild to moderate overpronation. An upper that features both re-engineered mesh and Flyknit material combined with a dual-density midsole featuring reengineered Lunarlon foam offers a secure, personalized fit while delivering a smooth and supportive transition throughout a runner’s gait. The shoe remains lightweight and versatile for those runners who require mild to moderate stability in a lightweight, daily trainer without compromising performance.
Pearl Izumi E:MOTION ROAD N3 WEIGHT: MEN’S 11.7 OZ. | WOMEN’S 10.2 OZ. CATEGORY: NEUTRAL PRICE: $130 WWW.PEARLIZUMI.COM
The Pearl Izumi E: Motion Road N3 draws from the success of previous models in the E:Motion line, offering a road trainer with maximum cushioning. The shoe boasts a seamless upper, wide toe-box, and luxurious cushioning sufficient for the long haul. Neutral runners will appreciate the accommodating ride.
Skechers GORUN ULTRA ROAD
Saucony RIDE 8 WEIGHT: MEN’S 9.4 OZ. | WOMEN’S 8.5 OZ. CATEGORY: NEUTRAL / LIGHTWEIGHT PRICE: $120 WWW.SAUCONY.COM
The Saucony Ride 8 offers runners a good balance between cushioning and responsiveness. This shoe uses SSL (Saucony Super Light) EVA foam in the midsole which reduces the overall weight of the shoe while providing a decent amount of energy return with every stride. The upper features a finer mesh than that used in the Ride 7 and also features Saucony’s FlexFilm seamless overlay which gives the shoe some added strength and support. The RUNDRY moisturewicking lining does a decent job of wicking away moisture and is relatively plush in the heel cup. The Ride 8 is a durable trainer designed for both speed and for higher mileage.
WEIGHT: MEN’S 10.4 OZ. | WOMEN’S 8.3 OZ. CATEGORY: NEUTRAL PRICE: $110 WWW.SKECHERS.COM
2015
The Skechers GORun Ultra Road is the newest, maximumcushion shoe released by the Skechers Performance Division. This shoe features Skechers Performance Resalyte material and is built in two pieces, which allows the shoe to have superior cushioning and also adds a layer of resiliency that gives the GORun Ultra Road a snappy response off the ground. A tight knit upper also provides a supportive fit without the use of unnecessary overlays. This upper is also roomy and easily accommodates a larger volume foot. The GoRun Ultra Road is good choice for a daily trainer or long distance mileage. October/November/December 2015 racecenter.com
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TRAIL
TESTED
The Best New Gear for Off-road Runs Jenny Willden
Brooks Pure Grit 4 The Grit’s a longtime off-road favorite, and the new edition’s smart updates like improved flexibility, underfoot rock shield, and a rounded heel to promote better alignment make it better than ever. We love the lightweight design and lugged outsole on demanding, technical terrain. | $120 | brooksrunning.com
Women Nathan VaporAiress Pack Designed for women, this seven-liter pack is far lighter than its predecessors with trail-friendly additions, such as an easy wipe-clean front pocket for storing empty gel wrappers, a front smartphone pocket, and shoulder load lifters to pull water and gear close. A two-liter bladder with hose is included, but front stashable bottles must be purchased separately. | $120 | nathansports.com
The North Face Isolite Jacket The second skin feel is our favorite feature of this wind- and water-resistant jacket. Stretch-paneled sides promote easy movement while running and FlashDry fabrication helps sweat dry fast. | $140 | thenorthface.com
LED Lenser Neo Headlamp For early morning and evening runs, this lightweight 90-lumen headlamp with a wide beam is an affordable way to light your path. Features a rear blinking light, too, so cyclists or runners coming from behind can spot you from a distance. | $25 | ledlenser.com
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Oiselle Flyte Long Sleeve This Seattle-based company built the Flyte to fit well without clinging, and its seamless construction prevents chafing. Pairs perfectly under a vest on cold days and has stay-fresh, anti-odor treatment. | $66 | oiselle.com
Nathan Halo Headlamp The first headlamp built for runners, this rechargeable light has down-angled LEDs to better light your path, and light settings hands can be changed fast by simply waving your hand in front of the lamp instead of fumbling with buttons. When running roads, the AutoStrobe keeps you safer by turning on a strobing light when it senses cars’ headlights. | $120 | nathansports.com
New Balance 910 v2 For rugged runs, choose this aggressive trail shoe with durable lugs and plenty of protection in a surprisingly lightweight package. Cushioning underfoot keep your feet from feeling worn out on long trails. | $110 | newbalance.com
Icebreaker Zone Shirt Merino wool’s natural thermoregulation properties make it ideal for any weather: it keeps you warm in the cold and cool in the heat. Add Merino mesh ventilation zones and flat lock seams and you have the ideal fall and winter running baselayer. Plus, it’s antimicrobial and odor free so you can get away with a few wears before washing. | $120 | icebreaker.com
Men
Nike Tech Tights Whether worn under shorts or on their own, these tights provide plenty of protection from the elements. Made of quick-dry fabric with one zip and one slit pocket. Mesh panels behind knees and elastic cuffs with zippered hems provide customizable ventilation. | $80 | nike.com
Ultimate Direction AK Race Vest 2.0 Whether running one or one hundred miles, this is your pack. Despite weighing just seven ounces, it’s packed with features: two smartphone pockets, two holstered 20-ounce bottles, two electrolyte or valuable pockets, and space for a 70-ounce reservoir. | $100 | ultimatedirection.com
About the Author
Jenny is the Managing Editor of Outdoor Sports Guide and a gear and grammar nut. When she’s not obsessing over proper comma usage, you’ll likely find her bagging peaks, running trails, or snowboarding in the mountains. Follow her adventures on Twitter @jennywillden and Instagram @jlwillden.
October/November/December 2015 racecenter.com
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Event Calendar
RUNS/WALKS LEAVENWORTH OKTOBERFEST MARATHON AND HALF-MARATHON; 13.1m, 26.2m; U.S. Fish Hatchery, Leavenworth, WA; www.teddriven.com/leavenworth-marathon 10/3 PORTLAND MARATHON KID’S FUN RUN & FESTIVAL; Kids; Portland, OR; www.portlandmarathon.org 10/4 THE GREAT PUMPKIN RACE Kids, 5K; Brookswood Meadow Plaza, Bend, OR; www.greatraceofbend.com 10/4 PORTLAND MARATHON 10K FAMILY WALK; 10K; Portland, OR; www.portlandmarathon.org 10/10 COSMO 7K / KIRKLAND - ALL LADIES RUN; 7K; Kirkland, WA; www.energyevents.com; > 10/10 ORRC BLUE LAKE 10K/5K RUN/WALK; 5K, 10K; Blue Lk Pk, Fairview, OR; www.orrc.net 10/11 GIRLFRIENDS RUN FOR A CURE QUARTER & HALF MARATHON; 10K, 13.1m; Northwest Personal Training, Vancouver, WA; www.nwpersonaltraining.com 10/11 GREAT COLUMBIA CROSSING 10K RUN/WALK; 10K; Astoria Megler Bridge, Astoria, OR; www.greatcolumbiacrossing.com 10/11 RACE FOR THE RESCUES PORTLAND; Kids, 1m, 5K, 10K; Portland Int’l Raceway, Portland, OR; www.racefortherescuespdx.org 10/17 MOLALLA RIVER TRAIL RACE 5K, 10K, 13.1m; Hardy Creek Trail Head, Molalla, OR; molallarunningclub.com/molalla-river-trail-race 10/17 NEWPORT BAY TO BREWS HALF MARATHON & 10K; 10K, 13.1m; Newport, OR; www.runwithpaula.com 10/18 HUMBOLDT REDWOODS MARATHON, HALF MARATHON & 5K; 5K, 13.1, 26.2m; Humboldt Redwoods St Pk, Weott, CA; www.redwoodsmarathon.org 10/3
10/18 LEAVENWORTH OKTOBERFEST PUMPKIN TRAIL RUNS; 8K, 10m; Leavenworth Ski Hill, Leavenworth, WA; www.runwenatchee.com 10/18 SD’S DOWN AND DIRTY HALF & 10K; 10K, 13.1m; Seventh Mtn Resort, Bend, OR; www.superfitproductions.com 10/24 HAPPY GIRLS RUN, SISTERS - TRAIL HALF MARATHON AND 5K; 5K, 13.1m; Sisters, OR; www.happygirlsrun.com/sisters 10/25 RUN LIKE HELL!; Kids, 5K, 10K, 13.1m; Pioneer Courthouse Sq, Portland, OR; www.terrapinevents.com; > 10/30 ZOMBIE RUN; 5K; Bend, OR; www.bendzombierun.com 10/31 RUN2SURVIVE 5K - ZOMBIE FEST; 5K; Blue Lk Pk, Fairview, OR; www.energyevents.com; > 111/7 4TH ANNUAL VETERAN’S DAY 5K & 10K; 5K, 10K; Soap Lake, WA; www.ulbfit.com 11/7 VETERANS DAY 5K RUN/WALK; Kids, 5K; Camp Withycombe, Clackamas, OR; www.htcraceseries.com 11/14 COLUMBIA CLASSIC; 10m; Battelle Campus, Richland, WA; www.3rrr.org 11/14 MUSTACHE DACHE 5K / PORTLAND; 5K; Big Al’s, Beaverton, OR; www.energyevents.com; > 11/21 HARVEST HUSTLE 1 MILE, 5K & 10K; 1m, 5K, 10K; Othello, WA; www.ulbfit.com 11/22 EWEB RUN TO STAY WARM; Kids, 5K, 10K, 13.1m; EWEB River Edge Plaza, Eugene, OR; www.eweb.org/runtostaywarm 11/26 OREGON MID VALLEY ROAD RACE; 2.5mW, 3.75m, 5.2m; Albany, OR; www.omroadrace.org; > 11/26 ORRC TURKEY TROT AT THE ZOO 4 MILE RUN/WALK; 4m; The Oregon Zoo, Portland, OR; www.orrc.net 11/26 TOFURKY TROT PASADENA; 5K; Rose Bowl Stadium, Pasadena, CA; www.tofurky.com 11/26 TOFURKY TROT PORTLAND; 5K; Oaks Pk, Portland, OR; www.tofurky.com 11/26 TURKEY DAY 5K AND 5 MILE RUN; 5K, 5m; Redmond Watershed, Redmond, WA; www.finishstrongevents.com
11/26 TURKEY ON THE RUN; Kids, 5K, 12K; Rotary Pk, Wenatchee, WA; www.runwenatchee.com 11/26 TURKEY TROT 5K; Kids, 5K; Mary S. Young Pk, West Linn, OR; www.htcraceseries.com 11/29 HOT BUTTERED RUN HALF MARATHON, 5K & KIDS KANDY KANE RACE; Kids, 5K, 12K, 13.1m; Esther Short Pk, Vancouver, WA; www.energyevents.com; > 12/5 BEND JINGLE BELL RUN/WALK; 5K; Downtown Bend, OR; www.arthritis.org/jbr 12/5 BURLINGTON JINGLE BELL RUN/WALK; 5K; Burlington, WA; www.arthritis.org/jbr 12/5 PORT ORCHARD JINGLE BELL RUN/WALK; 5K; Port Orchard, WA; www.arthritis.org/jbr 12/5 SPOKANE JINGLE BELL RUN/WALK; 5K; Riverfront Pk, Spokane, WA; www.arthritis.org/jbr 12/5 UGLY SWEATER CHRISTMAS RUN; 5K, 10K; Ridgefield, WA; www.runridgefield.com 12/5 WINTER SUN 10K; 10K; Moab, UT; www.moabhalfmarathon.com 12/6 PORTLAND JINGLE BELL RUN/WALK; 5K; World Trade Ctr, Downtown Portland, OR; www.arthritis.org/jbr 12/12 BELLINGHAM JINGLE BELL RUN/WALK; 5K; Downtown Bellingham, WA; www.arthritis.org/jbr 12/13 HOLIDAY HALF & 5K - PORTLAND; 5K, 13.1m; adidas North America Campus, Portland, OR; www.foottraffic.us/holiday; > 12/13 SEATTLE JINGLE BELL RUN/WALK; 5K; Westlake Ctr, Downtown Seattle, WA; www.arthritis.org/jbr
KEY > Events owned, managed or timed by AA Sports, Ltd.
1981-2016 Marathon Out The t Small re!” “The Bes “A Marath on Ge m.” From Mara thon Guid e.co m
Olympia, Washington
capitalcitymarathon.org 36
October/November/December 2015 racecenter.com
SUND AY MAY 1 th 5
2016
10/11 GIRLFRIENDS RUN FOR A CURE QUARTER & HALF MARATHON
12/31 THE FIRST RUN & WALK
The Girlfriends have raised nearly $350,000! The 9th Annual Girlfriends Run for a Cure is empower inspire designed specifically for women including a love hope RUN FOR A CURE faith beautiful, flat course, chocolate, massage, power endurecourage strength joy cupcakes and Firemen at the finish line!
Start your New Year right with an energizing 5K or 10K Run/Walk at Midnight on New Year’s Eve along the scenic waterfront in Downtown Portland!
ON LF MARATH QUARTER & HA
10K, 13.1m; Northwest Personal Training, Vancouver, WA; www.nwpersonaltraining.com
5K, 10K; World Trade Ctr, Downtown, Portland, OR; www.aasportsltd.com/firstrun; > 2/6/16 USATF CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS 4K, 6K, 8K, 12K; Bend, OR; www.usatf.org 2/6/16 TRINIDAD TO CLAM BEACH RUN HONORING FORD HESS; 3m, 5.75m, 8.75m; Trinidad, CA; www.trinidadtoclambeach.com; > 2/14/16 HEART BREAKER HALF - 5K, 10K, HALF MARATHON 5K, 10K, 13.1m; Liberty HS, Hillsboro, OR; www.aasportsltd.com/heartbreaker; > 3/6/16 LINCOLN CITY HALF-MARATHON AND 10K 10K, 13.1m; Lincoln City, OR; www.getmeregistered.com 5/1/16 EUGENE MARATHON Kids, 5K, 13.1m, 26.2m; Hayward Field, Eugene, OR; www.eugenemarathon.com 5/15/16 CAPITAL CITY MARATHON; Kids, 5m, 13.1m, 26.2m; Olympia, WA; www.capitalcitymarathon.org; >
10/11 GoodLife Fitness Victoria Marathon; 8K, 13.1m, 26.2m; Victoria, BC; www.runvictoriamarathon.com 10/11 Snohomish River Run Half Marathon & 10K; 10K, 13.1m; Rotary Pk, Everett, WA; www.snohomishriverrun.com 10/17 RUNAWAY PUMPKIN HALF MARATHON 13.1m; Cheadle Lk Pk, Lebanon, OR; www.runawaypumpkinhalf.org 10/17 CITY OF TREES MARATHON & HALF MARATHON; 13.1m, 26.2m; Boise, ID; www.bluecirclesports.com 10/17 NEWPORT BAY TO BREWS HALF MARATHON & 10K; 10K, 13.1m; Newport, OR; www.runwithpaula.com 10/17 Elk Kings 25K/50K; 15m, 50K; Tilamook Forest Ctr, Tillamook, OR; www.gobeyondracing.com
10/18 HUMBOLDT REDWOODS MARATHON, HALF MARATHON & 5K
RELAYS 10/25 TRI-CITIES MARATHON AND MARATHON RELAY; 26.2m, Relay; Shilo Inn, Richland, WA; www.3rrr.org
HALF MARATHONS/ MARATHONS/ULTRAS 10/4
PORTLAND MARATHON & HALF MARATHON 13.1, 26.2m; Portland, OR; www.portlandmarathon.org
This spectacular course in Humboldt Redwoods State Park runs along the beautiful Avenue of the Giants, home to the world’s tallest trees. Paved, shaded and fast! 5K, 13.1, 26.2m; Humboldt Redwoods St Pk, Weott, CA; www.redwoodsmarathon.org
10/18 THE OTHER HALF; 13.1m; Moab, UT; www.moabhalfmarathon.com/otherhalf 10/18 Ft. Steilacoom 5K, 10K, Half-Marathon, Marathon and 50K Trail Run; 5K, 10K, 13.1m, 26.2m, 50K; Ft. Steilacoom Pk, Lakewood, WA; www.evergreentrailruns.com 10/24 HAPPY GIRLS RUN, SISTERS - TRAIL HALF MARATHON AND 5K; 5K, 13.1m; Sisters, OR; www.happygirlsrun.com/sisters 10/24 ORRC AUTUMN LEAVES 50K/50 MILE; 50K, 50m; Champoeg St Pk, St. Paul, OR; www.orrc.net
10/25 RUN LIKE HELL! Join over 5,000 runners and walkers as they dress up in costume and take over the streets of downtown Portland. This Halloween tradition features costume contests, beer, food, and live music! Kids, 5K, 10K, 13.1m; Pioneer Courthouse Sq, Portland, OR; www.terrapinevents.com; > 10/25 ROCK ‘N’ ROLL OASIS VANCOUVER HALF MARATHON; 10K, 13.1m; runrocknroll.competitor.com/vancouver 10/25 TRI-CITIES MARATHON AND MARATHON RELAY; 26.2m, Relay; Shilo Inn, Richland, WA; www.3rrr.org 10/25 Columbia Gorge Marathon and Half Marathon; 13.1m, 26.2m; Hood River, OR; www.columbiagorgemarathon.com 11/7 LITHIA LOOP TRAIL MARATHON; 26.2m; Lithia Pk, Ashland, OR; www.roguevalleyrunners.com 11/7 ZEITGEIST HALF MARATHON; 13.1m; Optimist Football Pk, Boise, ID; www.zhalfmarathon.com; > 11/7 Silver Falls Trail 50K Ultra, Marathon and 7 Mile; 7m, 26.2m, 50K; Silver Falls St Pk, Silverton, OR; www.silverfallsmarathon.com 11/8 Silver Falls Trail Half Marathon; 13.1m; Silver Falls St Pk, Silverton, OR; www.silverfallsmarathon.com 11/14 Grand Ridge 5M, Half-Marathon, Marathon and 50K Trail Run; 5m, 13.1m, 26.2m, 50K; Grand Ridge Pk, Issaquah, WA; www.evergreentrailruns.com
Dynamic Training Plans Tailored to YOU!
HALF MARATHON & 10K
8th annual Lincoln City Event Sunday, March 6, 2016
Wapiti Park, 2118 S. Drift Creek Road, Lincoln City
On the Central Oregon Coast!
Early start available for walkers!
www.getmeregistered.com
541.994.2131
Benefits the Lincoln City Recreation Department
www.velopro.bike October/November/December 2015 racecenter.com
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Event Calendar
11/22 EWEB RUN TO STAY WARM Half marathon, 10K, and 5K along the beautiful Willamette River in Eugene, OR. Flat, fast course fun for elite and novice runners and walkers alike. Kids, 5K, 10K, 13.1m; EWEB River Edge Plaza, Eugene, OR; www.eweb.org/runtostaywarm 11/15 ROCK ‘N’ ROLL LAS VEGAS; 5K (Sat), 10K, 13.1m, 26.2m; Las Vegas, NV; www.runrocknroll.com/las-vegas 11/29 AMICA INSURANCE SEATTLE MARATHON; Kids, 13.1m, 26.2m; Seattle Ctr, Seattle, WA; www.seattlemarathon.org 11/29 HOT BUTTERED RUN HALF MARATHON, 5K & KIDS KANDY KANE RACE; Kids, 5K, 12K, 13.1m; Esther Short Pk, Vancouver, WA; www.energyevents.com; > 12/6 CALIFORNIA INTERNATIONAL MARATHON; 26.2m Solo/Relay; Folsom Dam, Sacramento, CA; www.runcim.org 12/13 HOLIDAY HALF & 5K - PORTLAND; 5K, 13.1m; adidas North America Campus, Portland, OR; www.foottraffic.us/holiday; > 1/17/16 TRI-CITY MEDICAL CENTER CARLSBAD MARATHON & HALF; 13.1m, 26.2m; Carlsbad, CA; www.carlsbadmarathon.com
2/14/16 HEART BREAKER HALF – 5K, 10K, HALF MARATHON Enjoy a fun, heart-healthy event for the whole family. And because it’s the weekend of love, don’t forget to bring along friends and neighbors, too!
3/6/16 LINCOLN CITY HALF-MARATHON AND 10K 10K, 13.1m; Lincoln City, OR; www.getmeregistered.com 3/6/16 NAPA VALLEY MARATHON; 5K, 26.2m; Napa, CA; www.napavalleymarathon.org 3/20/16 OAKLAND RUNNING FESTIVAL Kids, 5K, 13.1m, 26.2m; Oakland, CA; www.oaklandmarathon.com 5/1/16 EUGENE MARATHON Kids, 5K, 13.1m, 26.2m; Hayward Field, Eugene, OR; www.eugenemarathon.com 5/15/16 CAPITAL CITY MARATHON; Kids, 5m, 13.1m, 26.2m; Olympia, WA; www.capitalcitymarathon.org; > 6/6/16 SUJA ROCK N ROLL SAN DIEGO MARATHON & 1/2 MARATHON; 13.1m, 26.2m; San Diego, CA; runrocknroll.competitor.com/san-diego
6/15/16 8TH ANNUAL WINDERMERE MARATHON & HALF MARATHON Small-Town Charm with Big-City Amenities! USATF Certified & Boston Qualifier! Scenic & Fast PR Course!
13.1m, 26.2m; Finish at Riverfront Park, Spokane, WA; www.windermeremarathon.com 7/10/16 MISSOULA MARATHON 1.2m Kids, 13.1m, 26.2m; Missoula, MT; www.missoulamarathon.org 7/16/16 CHELANMAN MULTISPORT WEEKEND 10K, 13.1m; Lakeside Pk, Chelan, WA; www.chelanman.com 10/9/16 PORTLAND MARATHON & HALF MARATHON 13.1, 26.2m; Portland, OR; www.portlandmarathon.org
MUD/OBSTACLE/MULTI-SPORT/ ADVENTURE RACING
5K, 10K, 13.1m; Liberty HS, Hillsboro, OR; www.aasportsltd.com/heartbreaker; >
TRIATHLONS/DUATHLONS 7/16/16 CHELANMAN MULTISPORT WEEKEND; Olympic Tri, Long Tri; Lakeside Pk, Chelan, WA; www.chelanman.com 7/17/16 CHELANMAN MULTISPORT WEEKEND; Youth Tri, Tri-a-Tri, Sprint Tri; Lakeside Pk, Chelan, WA; www.chelanman.com
CYCLING RACES 10/10 CROSS CRUSADE SERIES RACE 1; Cyclocross; Alpenrose Dairy; Portland, OR; www.crosscrusade.com 10/11 CROSS CRUSADE SERIES RACE 2; Cyclocross; Alpenrose Dairy; Portland, OR; www.crosscrusade.com 10/18 CROSS CRUSADE SERIES RACE 3; Cyclocross; Location TBD, OR; www.crosscrusade.com 10/31 CROSS CRUSADE SERIES RACE 4; Cyclocross; Deschutes Brewery, Old Mill District; Bend, OR; www.crosscrusade.com 11/1 CROSS CRUSADE SERIES RACE 5; Cyclocross; Deschutes Brewery, Old Mill District; Bend, OR; www.crosscrusade.com 11/8 CROSS CRUSADE SERIES RACE 6; Cyclocross; Barton Park; Barton, OR; www.crosscrusade.com 11/14 CROSS CRUSADE SERIES RACE 7; Cyclocross; Infield Course; Portland Int’l Raceway; Portland, OR; www.crosscrusade.com 11/15 CROSS CRUSADE SERIES RACE 8; Cyclocross; Infield Course; Portland Int’l Raceway; Portland, OR; www.crosscrusade.com
CYCLING TOURS/RIDES 10/3
THE KETTLE METTLE 100K+ Gravel Ride; Penticton to Kelowna, BC; www.kettlemettle.ca
KEY > Events owned, managed or timed by AA Sports, Ltd.
10/3
Pirate Plunder Adventure Race; Mud/Obstacle; Yakima, WA; www.pirateplunderrace.com 10/10 Detroit Lake Mud Run; 10K, Mud/Obstacle; Detroit Lk Rec Area, Detroit, OR; www.runwildadventures.com
MARKETPLACE
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October/November/December 2015 racecenter.com
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Q4 MARKETPLACE 2015 - 4 COLOR
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6th Annual
2016
Sunday, February 14th, 2016