First Week of Spring?

Well, unofficially, that is. Judging by the number of runs this weekend anyway, I'm going to OFFICIALLY declare this weekend the First Weekend of Spring! (trademark pending). So get off the treadmill and get out there.

Oh, the photo is from a immigration policy protest...but look at them run! (Photo by Mr. Wright at Flickr.com - thanks)

March 1 / Oregon State University Spring Sprint 5k / Corvallis, OR

March 1 / Run For Luck 10k, 5k and 1 mile / Lacey, WA

March 1 / Honeywagon Runs 13.1 and 4 mile / Everson, WA

March 1 / Snake River Canyon Half-Marathon / Pullman, WA

March 1 / Lacamas Park 5 Mile / Camas, WA

March 2 / Red Lizard Five Miler / Lake Oswego, OR

Slim pickings...

Wow...we visited the 'rents last weekend over in the beautiful Yakima Valley. Well, certain parts of it can be beautiful anyway. Other parts...not so much. But it all looked pretty good on Saturday and Sunday because the sun was out and the temps were up to about 60! Holy moly guacamole! It was so nice, Jen and I headed into Wapato and did a few laps around the track at Dan Doornink Field at Wapato High School. Ah, the old stomping grounds. When I circle that track I can't help but think back to the "glory" days running the mile for the Wapato Track Team (yes, I put quotes around "glory" and yes, they called it the "mile" back then). Man, I was an Oscar Mayer Weiner back then. Going around that track, I had painful flashbacks about just dying on the final lap of the mile in meets. Getting old isn't all bad...I usually have more kick at the end of runs...and even when I can't kick, I don't really care! It's good to be a Master!

This may be the lightest weekend of the entire year. There just are not many runs out there right now. Next week looks better, so hit the Smelt Run, then come back next week and check the much longer list.

February 23rd / Skagit Symphony's Smelt Run 10k and 5k / LaConner, WA

February 23rd / Fort Steilacoom Running Club Resolution Run #3 15k and 15 mile / Tacoma, WA


Photo is another shot of me running in the summer heat of Southern California. Man, I am jonesing for summer.

Is it Spring yet?

I don't know about your running venue of choice, but the Skagit Valley has been wet, wet, wet. I'm just about sick of the rain. And though I'm a big fan of the treadmill, there's nothing like a short-sleeve run in the sunshine. Not to mention the article on the front page of the Seattle Times Wednesday morning: Is the NW Lack of Sun Making Us Sick? See!?!? This is what I'm taking about! Let's go, Spring!

Hey, if you need a race this weekend, why don't you try out the 1st Annual Live, Love, Run at Point Defiance Park in Tacoma. Not only does it meander through the most beautiful section of Tacoma, but it's a benefit for Bobby Goddard, who is battling cancer. Head over to the website and check out the story. Helping out people and running at the same time...that's what it's all about.

February 16th / Live, Love, Run 4 and 2 mile / Tacoma, WA

February 17th / Springwater Cruise Run 10k and 5k / Gresham, OR

February 17th / Orcas Island 50k and 25k / Moran State Park, WA

Arrrgghhh....

Timing, or lack thereof, is everything. I just, JUST, had my indoor triathlon article published and what do I receive in the mail from my very own athletic club, just down the way? That's correct, a notice that they'll be having their very first indoor triathlon in April. DOH! Ah well...if you're in the area, give it a try. I'm not even sure they're allowing the public or just members, but give them a call and find out. Riverside Health Club in Mt. Vernon, WA. Tell 'em Scott sent ya.

OK, but that's in April, you say. What about this weekend, you say. I'm glad you asked, because the lineup is actually pretty strong this weekend.

February 9th / Two for the Road 5k / Bellingham, WA

February 9th / Friendship Run and Tot Trot 5k / Lakewood, WA

February 9th / Sweetheart Run 4 mile / Lewiston, ID

February 10th / Truffle Shuffle 4 mile / Eugene, OR

February 10th / Valentine Marathon, 1/2, 10 mile, 10k, 5k, and 1 mile! / Olympia, WA

February 10th / Road Runner Sports Love 'em or Leave 'em Valentine's Day Dash 5k / Seattle, WA

The latest word...

Here it is, the most recent article from the Scott Lommers Article Writing Company. Not only is it a classic article that you need to read, like, right now, but it also comes from within the one, single running magazine of the year that you MUST own! The FEB/MAR issue of RaceCenter Northwest Magazine contains the 2008 Event Guide, which lists every single race in the Northwest for 2008. Runs, Triathlons, Bike Rides and Races, and Relays. Not only that, but it has the Tri NW Rankings for 2008...somehow I was left off the list. Not sure what happened there. And last but not least, they have a picture of "Jami" from last year's Portland Marathon...and she's cute! So what more do you want? Get out there and spend your 2.95, or 3.95, or whatever it costs (I don't know, I usually wait for a month and get mine from the "free pile" at my local running store, but you, YOU, need to get out there and spend your money). This is a good one.

Oh yeah, then go out and compete in one of the 10 indoor triathlons that I list in my article on indoor triathlons. They're all good too.