Get ready for the first of the three events in the 2015 Uberthons Oregon Half Marathon series--the Oregon Spring Half Marathon, at St. Josef's Winery! Last year's event was very hilly, but the route has been revised this year to be much flatter, and the 5k event is new for 2015. As before, there will be gigantic medals, and there will be Qdoba! I'm really looking forward to this event. There are only 90 spots remaining for the half, and 40 for the 5k, so sign up soon so you don't miss out :) 

Events:  Half and 5k, and a special 15k world-record attempt

Entry Fee:  $75.00 and $35

Start Time:  8:00 AM

Discount:  3-event discount

Parking:  Plenty

Swag:  4-inch 2015 Series medal, name engraved with lazer-black if registered by April 14 at noon.  Oregon Half apparel item

Location:  St. Josef's Winery is located 22 miles south of Portland, Oregon in the winery-rich Willamette Valley. St. Josef's award-winning vineyards host the Oregon Spring Half for the second year in a row. Set your PR at the Oregon Spring!

Post Party: For the second year in a row, Qdoba Mexican Grill caters the participants-only buffet in the St. Josef's banquet room and on the cobblestone courtyard area. Others may purchase the buffet when you register.  See Q & A's for Spring Marathon.

Previous recaps: 2014

Last year, wine was available for purchase. St. Josef's winery is really lovely, and it was fun to wander around afterwards and take pictures. For 2015, Uberthons is giving pins to the overall and age division winners, so be sure to stick around to claim yours! 

I've been so excited to do a recap of the 2015 Hop Hop Half, but have gotten delayed this week due to a major issue: my laptop is on it's last leg, you guys. :( It's made it seven years, but this week it's starting to look like it's not going to make it much longer, and I've been trying to get any photos or files off of it that I can! Anyway, ON TO THE MUCH-ANTICIPATED RECAP!

I LOVE doing the Hop Hop Half. I've participated in this race the past two years (every year since it started), and it has been SO much fun. Not only is it a well organized and very festive race, for me personally, there's something really kind of cool about having done a race every year since it started :)

Date: Saturday, April 4th, 2015

Events, times, prices: 
7:30am: 5K  $36-45
8:15am: Half Marathon  $60-85
9:15am-12pm: Post-race party, egg painting, food, music, and more!

Location: A vacant parking lot on Marine Drive; Portland OR

Number of runners: 1150

Beneficiary: Fanconi Anemia Research Fund, Inc

Swag: Big adorable medals, one Mimosa or beer (with souvenir champagne glass), Easter brunch snacks (including scrambled eggs on 1/2 croissant, cinnamon rolls, fruit, hardboiled eggs, more!), Easter Egg painting, costumes and more!

Course: The course is slightly different than last year. Both events are out-and-backs, on very flat paved paths. There were beautiful views of the Columbia River during most of the race!
CLICK HERE FOR GMAP of the HALF MARATHON course
CLICK HERE FOR GMAP of 5K COURSE

Results: Available here.

Past recaps: 2014, 2013 

Other notes: Bag check available, event entirely outdoors.

That morning was a bit cool and overcast--perfect race conditions, and we all were really hoping it would stay that way (anyone else run this race in 2014, when it started POURING and blowing sideways while a few half marathoners were sitll out there on the course?). My friends and I arrived just before 7:30 (when the 5k was about to start). Instead of being instructed to use the main parking lot, we were diverted into another parking lot a short distance away from the starting line, which I thought was odd because I was sure that the main parking lot wasn't full yet (and it wasn't). It seemed to just be the timing of when we arrived. We headed to the starting line area so we could scope everything out. It was really festive, with music going and activities all set up and ready to go. There were several vendor booths to peruse also. 

I ended up running with a group of four of my girlfriends, but I wasn't sure if I would be able to run the entire race with them because my right foot had been having issues. The half marathon consisted of a short out and back (passing by the start/finish line), before heading out on another out and back along Marine Drive (with an extra, little out and back thrown in at the turnaround). The course was flat for the most part. That morning had just a slight breeze coming off of the river. I was pretty excited to run the race pain free.

After we finished the race and took a few pictures, we headed back into the post-race area. IT WAS SO FESTIVE! The Easter Bunny was hopping around taking pictures (ok, not literally, but that guy was PRETTY POPULAR), music was playing, raffle prizes were being given away, kids and adults were coloring eggs, people were riding in the beer chariot, and brunch and beer and mimosas were being served! Getting my stuff from bag check was super quick thanks to the attentive volunteers, and then I got a free quick stretch at a vendor booth. It was so fun. We definitely hung around for a long time afterwards, enjoying the festivities (thank goodness no rain!).

I really had a great time, and I think my only suggestion is that I think it would be nice if the 5k started after the half marathon, so that they finished closer to the same time, instead of most of the 5k-ers being finished before the half marathon even started (my friend running the 5k finished in time to see me head to the starting line).  I heard quite a few other runners express the same thought. The price is a smidge higher than some other half marathons, but this event sells out, and you can see why.

Everything else was really awesome. In particular, I did appreciate that even if you registered late (after March 3), you still received an event t-shirt--it was just a regular cotton t-shirt instead of a tech t-shirt (I'm actually more excited about the cotton one anyway since I can use it on my t-shirt quilt!). I also loved the quantity and quality of volunteers--they were absolutely plentiful and fabulous! Additionally, there were lots and lots of police officers helping to stop traffic, allowing runners to safely cross. I'm very impressed with the quality of this event, and definitely planning on registering for year four, 2016 :)

Train with Energy starts THIS SUNDAY, January 11th! This first kickoff session will be FREE, so if you want to check it out, be sure to stop by :) Plan on showing up around 8:00 am at Torque Coffee in Downtown Vancouver, and the run will start around 8:30-8:45 am. You can stop by to chat with Ron and the Train with Energy trainees, and/or enjoy the group run!

About Coach Ronald Homer

• Ron email
• RRCA Certified Run Coach
• 30+ years of running
• Logged nearly 100,000 miles including marathons & ultra-marathons
• 2 time Boston Qualifier
  
  

There are people who are amazing athletes, but are not very good at coaching; and there are people who are great at coaching, but not the most skilled athlete. But Coach Ron excels at both running and coaching. He's very knowledgeable, helpful and an amazing runner.

What does the Train with Energy plan include? Coach Ron will evaluate your current running routine and goals via a survey, and create a customized training plan for you--plans typically include weekly long runs for the Train with Energy group on Sundays, and track workouts with other local runners on Tuesdays. The Train with Energy package also includes a training tech t-shirt, as well as discounts on up to five Energy Events races.

It does feel like a lot of money. And to be honest, I didn't think I needed a coach when I was training for the 2014 Vancouver USA Marathon--after all, I had done three other marathons without a coach. But after working with Ron to better understand the program, I was hooked. I felt more confident about my training, I PR'd by almost 30 minutes, and I recovered much faster than I had after my other marathons! The quality of the coaching is definitely worth the price.

Just the training itself, it comes out to $23/month for the full marathon training program, and $30/month for the half marathon training program. That's just a few lattes a month! It's not that expensive considering you'll someone who will help you prepare for a marathon or a half marathon, and will hold you accountable for your training--and that's not even looking at the other perks (shirt, discounts, etc)!

Register here for Train with Energy! If you register, please mention that I referred you! It helps build my street cred ;)

Current VUM full marathon price $85.00; Current VUM half marathon price $65.00
Full marathon training = 6 months; Half marathon training = 3 months. 

Even though my body was exhausted, and I would end up running one of my slowest half marathons of 2014, the Girlfriends Run for a Cure Half Marathon was SO MUCH FUN. 

On Sunday I ran my 40th race of 2014, the Energy Events Champoeg Half Marathon! I had a really tough time due to the heat, and ran slower that I'd planned, but it's really a nicely done event and it was nice to run somewhere new.  Can't complain about the beer or sweet medal either! Check out the official race recap on the Energy Events Blog!

Northwest Personal Training's 8th Annual Girlfriends Run for a Cure is LESS THAN ONE MONTH AWAY! This will be my fourth year participating in this wonderful and inspiring event, and I have to say that it's truly one of my favorites. Over the past seven years, they have raised over $300,000 dollars and inspired thousands of women. I am so excited that they've added some really neat things to this year's event :D

Race name: Girlfriends Run for a Cure

Date and time: Sunday, October 12th, 2014 @ 9:00am

Events and price:
Half or quarter marathon (women-only) $80
Pink Brigade Guys--one of 50 philanthropic men who agree to pay, sponsor someone or raise a minimum of $500 to register and run Girlfriends Run for a Cure
Kids marathon $30 

Location: Northwest Personal Training; 1011 Broadway; Vancouver, WA

Number of runners: Capped at 3000 

Beneficiary: Susan G Komen for the Cure; The Children's Center

Swag: Women's-cut tech shirts; a necklace placed on you by a fireman; chocolate; cupcakes; massages; post-race food, beverages; goodie bags; AND MORE!

Course: A 6.55 mile (Quarter Marathon) or 13.1 mile (Half Marathon) mostly flat and scenic course traveling along historic Officer’s Row, Fort Vancouver, the Columbian Riverfront and more.

If you're interested in volunteering, please contact cindys@nwpersonaltraining.com

Lastly, I want to add that Coach Ron Homer is a Pink Brigade Guy raising money for Susan G Komen for the Cure! I'm so proud of him for doing this. If you are one of the next four donors to make a Pink Level donation of $100 on Coach Ron's GoFundMe Pink Brigade page, he will make you a customized three-month training plan AND also a customized medal holder! Any donation helps though--even $1.00!!! 

I'm very lucky to be able to work with Uberthons and participate in their events--their races tend to be on the smaller side, and encourage runners and walkers of all abilities, while still putting on a professional, good quality event. I had been looking forward to Uberthon's Oregon Marathon & Half Marathon because this year's event started/finished at Mt. Angel's Oktoberfest, and I had never been there! I also love the concept of a race that switches locations every year to highlight different parts of Oregon.

And then I heard about Cause+Event Portland. Cyndie and Amy are the amazing race directors, and I couldn't help but get excited about their event too! Their enthusiasm was pretty contagious. And I love that C+E benefits ANY 501(c)3 cause that a participant chooses! 

So there were two AMAZING but incredibly different races... and I wanted to be involved in both. So I decided to run the Oregon Half Marathon, while also doing the virtual Cause+Event race (unlike some virtual races, C+E allows any type of run/walk, whether it's outside, at another event, or on a treadmill!) Here I am, double-bibbing it. Party in the front, party in the back.

Race name: The Oregon Marathon & Half
Date and time: Saturday, September 13, 2014 @ 7:00 am
Events: Marathon, Half Marathon, Marathon Relay
Location: Mt. Angel, OR
Number of runners: 800
Beneficiary: N/A


Race name: Cause+Event Portland
Date and time: Saturday, September 13, 2014
Events: Half Marathon, 10k, 5k, Virtual race
Location: Bethany Village; Portland, OR
Number of runners: 500
Beneficiary: Any 501(c)3 of your choice! I chose Solemates.

The official race recap of Gateway to the Gorge Half Marathon is up on the Energy Events blog! It was a challenging race for sure, and made my legs a lot more tired than I had expected--the first half of the race had a lot of uphill. Still, a great event with a beautiful course, awesome friends (including Solemates volunteering at an aid station!), and I'm stoked to add another medal to my collection :)

Race name: Sunriver Marathon for a Cause

Date: Saturday August 30th & Sunday August 31st, 2014

Events: 
Saturday, August 30, 2014: Half Marathon, 5k, 10k, Kids Race
Sunday, August 31, 2014: Marathon, Half Marathon
$91 for the Half+Half challenge

Location: Sunriver Resort; Sunriver, OR

Number of runners: Fewer than 200 for each half marathon

Beneficiary: Oregon SW Washington Affiliate of Susan G Komen

Race name: Cause + Event Portland
Date and time: Saturday, September 13, 2014. Schedule of events available here.
Events and cost:
     The Hillaceous Half $70 ($30 directly to your cause + finisher medal)
     10k Run $30 ($15 directly to your cause)
     5k Run/Walk $30 ($15 directly to your cause)
     The Training Plan 20 $80 ($40 directly to your cause)
     Virtual Run $30 ($15 directly to your cause)
**This event will be wheelchair, stroller AND dog-friendly this year!!!
Location: Bethany Village Centre; 4708 NW Bethany Blvd; Portland, OR 97229
Course: The course will traverse the rolling hills of the Bethany neighborhood on paved park trails in Portland.
Number of runners: Capped at 1000. Less than 200 spots remaining as of 8/27/14!
Beneficiary: This unique events lets you choose any beneficiary, as long as they're a 501(c)3 charity registered with Guidestar!
Packet pickup: September 12, 2014 from 3pm-7pm. Location TBD.
Swag: AWESOME unisex Nike tech t-shirt, finishers medals for Hillaceous Half participants
Awards: Cause + Event Portland will award a special something for our overall first, second and third place winners, male/female, masters male/female and 39 and under male/female in the 5K,10K  and Half Marathon runs.
Post-race activities: There will be tons of sponsor and nonprofit booths at the expo, Hit Machine will be rocking out, 
Volunteers: If you'd like more info about volunteering, click here!

I was already committed to running the Uberthons Oregon Half Marathon on 9/13, but I just HAD to reach out to Cause+Event to partner with them this year! Race Directors Amy Ridenour Little and Cyndie Burke Pelto are amazing people who are passionate about supporting charities and about having an amazing event. They've raised an incredible amount of money and I truly appreciate their event's focus on being affordable, local, small and FUN.