Race Preview: The Oregon Marathon and The Oregon Half Marathon

Join me on September 13th as I tackle the beautiful country side in the Willamette Valley for 13.1 miles... or pass me by on your way with 26.2 miles!

Either way, this course sounds like it will be breath taking.  Uberthons does not disappoint with their heavy duty (and heavy) medals, extremely accurate timing and well thought out courses.

Both courses will travel through the Gallon House Bridge.  I'm going to pack my camera just for that and hope to bribe someone to take my photo.  

Both the half and full marathon are described as "mostly flat or downhill" for 9 miles.  And the total elevation from highest point to lowest point (for the full marathon course) is 169.39 feet.

Ice cold watermelon will be available at the aid station at the halfway point (or the finish for the half marathon distance) at the Mt. Angel High School.

The full marathon will then climb about 109 ft over 6 miles and then travel a mile through a local vineyard and a mile of hard packed gravel.  Don't worry, it's described as hard packed and only for one mile.  However, you'll face a hard packed gravel road again from mile 18-19.  This sounds like a good opportunity for tired feet to try out a new terrain.

Total ascent for the full marathon is just short of 600 ft.  (This is the total of all the little inclines, hills, etc. added on top of each other.)   This sounds like a great course and I wish I was a little more prepared for a full.  Maybe next year?  ;)

There will be cold showers available for race finishers at Mt. Angel high school (leave your clothes on!  This is outside in the football field...) and changing rooms inside the school to get into warm, dry clothes before boarding the free shuttle back to the start line and the festivities.

For those wanting a warm shower, that is available for $2 at the local YMCA as well as changing stalls.  

After you are all cleaned up and dry, you are ready to go relax and enjoy some brews and brats at the Mt. Angel Oktoberfest.

Here's the rundown!

When:  Sat. Sept. 13th, 2014.  Start time is 7:30am
Finish by: 10:45am half marathon or half way point for full marathon and 2pm for full marathon distance (14.9mm)

Where:  Mt. Angel, Oregon.  Start line is in front of Glockenspiel Restaurant.

Packet Pickup:  Fri. Sept. 12th, 2014 from 2pm-8pm at The Grand Hotel in Tigard, Oregon.

Cost: Check out the registration page.  If you join a team of 10 or more people, you will save $5.  (Might I tempt you to join my "Moms Run This Town" team?) There are also different fees if you'd like to do a relay team or register for a certain distance as an individual.

Oregon Marathon (and half marathon) website HERE
Oregon Marathon facebook page HERE

Register HERE

Race Preview: Get a Clue Scavenger Race on June 14th

Race Preview:
This Saturday, June 14th is the "Get a Clue" Scavenger race.  

I don't know what to expect... but the "racecourse" is described as somewhere between 3 to 6 miles.   That's because it'll be determined by however each team (between two to five people) interpret the clues and which locations they choose to go to first.

So far, the hints and teasers on the facebook page post photos either as a "challenge teaser" or a "clue hint".  I think (and could be wrong) that this means a clue will be able to be located somewhere about town where the item is located and the challenge teaser is an idea of some task we will have to perform before we can move on.

...but the clock is ticking!  Get done as much as you can in the allotted time and maybe your team will get to take home one of these:

Will I see you there?  Here's the challenge teasers and the clue hints I've pulled from their facebook page.  I may be missing some, or their numbering was off... but this was all I could find.  Wish me luck on my adventure this weekend!  I am such a bling obsessed person...  I hope I can win one.   I don't know Canby, Or at all and will have some serious competition.

Get A Clue challenge teaser #1

Get A Clue Challenge teaser #2: Will you be seeing stars?

Get A Clue Challenge teaser #3: Anyone know what this is?

Get A Clue hint #1: Keep your eyes open for this guy!

Get A Clue hint #2: Watch for the pink flamingo on race day!

Don't get caught just hanging around! Get registered for Get A Clue - Scavenger Race! And keep an eye out for this little guy on race day. (Hint #4)

Get A Clue hint #5: Hey, Cupcake! Keep an eye out for this on race day.

Get A Clue hint #6: Don't let the Creepy Bunny hop away!

Get A Clue hint #7: Where will Marni Mannequin be this year? She's waiting to see your team!

Intrigued?
Date:  Sat. June 14th, 2014

Time: 9:30am- 11:30am

Location:  Horning Hall at Clackamas County Event Center.  694 NE 4th ave. Canby, Or

Registration Fee:  $30 until June 11th and then $35 at day of registration.  (Subtract $5 for kids 12yrd and under). 

Registration site:  Click Here

Race Preview: The Inferno! Do you have what it takes?

Do you have a friend who is always getting you into "trouble"?

It all started a couple weeks ago, when I met up with some friends and wandered off to a local race expo.  It was a chance to see lots of great races at great prices and a chance to chat with some of the race directors to learn more about their events.  Many of the races I had not yet heard of...

One such race was "The Inferno".   Mariah was instantly up to the challenge and before I knew it... I'm somehow signed up too.  What the heck am I thinking?

The Inferno is an obstacle race that includes a distance swim within the course.  Race distances (after the swim) cover 13.1 miles and 25+ obstacles or a "smaller" 6 mile race with 15+ obstacles.  Don't be fooled that the shorter race distance will mean you are getting "off lightly".  This looks like an incredibly challenging event.

Can't swim?    Need to skip an obstacle?
Not to worry.  Safety is a priority.  In fact, if you come upon an obstacle that you can't safely complete, it's the recommendation of The Inferno that you skip the obstacle.  (But, to be eligible for any post-race awards, you must complete all obstacles.)   After accomplishing what you can (whether you were successful or not at every obstacle)... get yourself across the finish line and you can still qualify to receive a finishers medal.  And what is more amazing than after conquering challenges greater than those you've seen before, than to celebrate post race with a totally rad medal that will always remind you of your "beast mode"?  You can check out the beast of a medal on the webpage's slide show HERE.  

 I have to say, that I'm a wee bit scared (a lot).  A participant last year broke his arm in two places on the monkey bars.  To be fair, the racer finished and on top of those bad ass bragging rights, he's not daunted and super excited to participate again.... it just scares me, cause these are uber fit guys with rippling muscles.

I'm a flabby house wife and my weight training involves lifting kids in and out of shopping carts.

Do I have what it takes?

From the website:

The Inferno events are designed to test all round fitness and push you to your limits both physically and mentally. Long story short, you will NOT be able to roll off the couch and complete The Inferno. So do yourself a favor, Get Off Your Lazy Ass and train beforehand. 

There isn’t one workout that you can do that we can guarantee to get you 100% ready for the hell that will inevitably rain down on you during The Inferno; but some combination of Crossfit, Insanity, P90X, Asylum, Running and Weight Training will get you close enough to where you need to be!

One thing is for sure, my sole sisters get me into trouble... and by "trouble" I mean they challenge me to be better and do greater things that I might not have had the courage to try to accomplish with out them giving me that shove.

I won't likely learn how to swim in time for this event, but I had better figure out a training program!  Anyone want to volunteer to carry me across the monkey bars on their shoulders?  I'm really not joking.  

Come help me across those big obstacles or give me a cheer as you pass me by at this race!  Want to go?  I've been offered a race discount for 10% off:  MOMS10

Have you ever done an obstacle race?  Have any tips or pointers for training?  Let me know what you think of this bad boy...  Let's hope I'm not crying, crawling across the finish line (in pieces).  

Race Preview: The Color Run 2014 Kaleidoscope Tour

Race Preview:  The Color Run 2014 Kaleidoscope Tour! 

If you haven't tried The Color Run yet, now is your chance!  This race series is an untimed event that offers all runners, walkers and joggers of every fitness level a chance to enjoy a fun race environment and festive atmosphere.  It is events like these that allow me to drag my husband out onto the running scene too.  It is a great time for the whole family.  My husband doesn't feel the pressure of trying to keep up to my past race PRs and the kids absolutely love all the color!

To make events like this fun, here's a few tips:

* Leave the gps and timer at home.  Don't worry about the distance and how fast you can get it done.  This "race" is about the event. Do it with a group of friends and kick back and have fun.

* Wear all white.  The color will stick best if you wear cotton.

* Bring a camera (or your phone), but keep it in a ziplock bag.

* Color is dyed 100% food grade cornstarch, however it is not a terrible idea to consider a bandanna to cover your nose or goggles to cover your eyes.

2014 kicks off a brand new Kaleidoscope Tour!  And The Color Run has all sorts of great, colorful gear for participants too!  

That is a lot of swag!  A colorful event t-shirt, a color packet for the party at the finish line, headband, bracelet, temporary tattoo and a sling bag!  Nice!

Need more incentive?  I'm offering my blog readers a promo code to register. 

 To register for The Color Run, click on the link here (and use the discount code COLOR5OFF):  http://thecolorrun.com/events/

Use code: COLOR5OFF to save $5 on registration.  Be sure to type it in and not "cut and paste".