Friday, July 30, 2010

The Oregonian Goes Running!



In case you didn't know, the Oregonian actually has a very good running section on their website. It's called "Run Oregon" - catchy right? Anyway, check it out here.

Let's race!


RACES FOR WEEK OF AUGUST 9th TO AUGUST 15th

August 13th / Friday Night Stampede 5k / Auburn, WA

August 14th / XTERRA Portland Sprint Off-Road Triathlon / Forest Grove, OR

August 14th / OCG - Olalla Lake 1500 and 800 Swims / Newport, OR

August 14th / R.A.T. Race Sprint Triathlon / Redmond, OR

August 14th / Crawfish Crawl 5k / Tualatin, OR

August 14th / Foster Kids 5k / Redmond, WA

August 14th / Run for the Light! 5 mile Run / Westport, WA

August 14th / Loggers' Jubilee 10k / Morton, WA

August 14th / Riley Run 5k / Mt. Vernon, WA

August 14th / Stilly Fun Run 5k / Arlington, WA

August 14th / Skamania County Fair 5k / Stevenson, WA

August 15th / Transcendence Ultra 12 Hour Endurance Run / Olympia, WA

Thursday, July 29, 2010

Max King Ate My New Article Like a Can of Spinach!



Yes, we've got a new article out there - in the August/September issue of RaceCenter NW magazine, to be precise. On the topic of Women-Only Races, to be even more precise.

And of course, the article is great. And there are a couple of other very readable and enjoyable articles in the issue.

But frankly I'm still shocked by the photo of superstar Oregon runner Max King in the issue (slightly different than the photo above, but no less muscular).

Max King is a man among boys.

Max King is who I want to be when I grow up.

Max King could take Chuck Norris.

I mean, really, that guy just doesn't look like someone that can run a 1:03 Half-Marathon. Just proves you don't have to be a skinny little wimpy runner-boy to be fast out there on the course.

Monday, July 26, 2010

How Many Races in Corvallis in 2011?


Well, there were about 20 in 2010...as far as I can tell.

As you know, if you read this or this, I've got a crazy idea to run every single race and triathlon in Corvallis in 2011. Looks like it will be about 20-25 races. Not bad.

Some stats:

-12 races are 5k's or have a 5k plus another distance.
-Two triathlons - both sprints.
-Absolutely no races, in 2010 anyway, between June 6th and August 22nd. Seems odd, but half the town (the OSU students) are gone in the summer, so maybe it makes sense.
-One Ultra, although it has a 15k option if I want to be a wimp.
-In September and October, there are races in 6 straight weekends.

I like it. I'm feeling it.

Let's do it!

Saturday, July 24, 2010

Chasin' Skirts!


This Skirt Chaser thing sounds very, very fun! I tried to talk the wife into running it, but she's got to work...who cares about work?!?

Anyway, the Vancouver Skirt Chaser 5k is coming up. Check it out - women get a three minute headstart on the men. Overall winner, man or woman, gets $500 cash!

It sounds like a great time for mid-pack runners as well. Catch up to your girlfriend...or wife...or that hottie you were checking out at the start line!

Let's race!

RACES FOR WEEK OF AUGUST 2nd TO AUGUST 8th

August 5th / YMCA Y-Not Super-Sprint Triathlon / Boise, ID

August 7th / Homer's Classic 8k / Silverton, OR

August 7th / Run to the Border 5k / Blaine, WA

August 7th / Skirt Chaser 5k / Vancouver, WA

August 7th / Pasta Dash 10k and 5k / Olympia, WA

August 7th / Stormy 100 mile and 50 mile Ultras / Squamish, BC

August 7th / Whidbey Island Sprint Triathlon / Langley, WA

August 7th / Coeur d'Alene Olympic Triathlon / Coeur d'Alene, ID

August 7th / Moxee Hop Festival 5k / Moxee, WA

August 7th / Arlington River and Rails 10k and 5k / Arlington, WA

August 7th / Tacoma Narrows Half-Marathon / Tacoma, WA

August 7th / Emmett's Most Excellent Olympic and Sprint Triathons / Emmett, ID

August 7th / Pioneer Days 5k / Seattle, WA

August 7th / Mt. Ashland Hill Climb 13.3 mile Run / Ashland, OR

August 7th / Race for the Homeless 10k and 5k / Vancouver, WA

August 7th / Empowerment Day 10k and 5k / Gladstone, OR

August 7th / Olalla Lake Off-Road Sprint Triathlon / Newport, OR

August 7th / Summit Challenge 7k / Springfield, OR

August 7th / Lake Samish Sprint Triathlon / Bellingham, WA

August 7th / Grand Ridge 50k, Half-Marathon and 5 mile runs / Issaquah, WA

August 8th / Bridging the Gap Fund Run 10k and 5k / Tigard, OR

August 8th / Walnut Grove Sprint Triathlon / Langley, BC

August 8th / Harvest Thunder Sprint Triathlon / Great Falls, MT

August 8th / Footzone 5k / Redmond, WA

August 8th / Haulin' Aspen Trail Marathon, Half-Marathon, and 8 mile / Bend, OR

August 8th / Lake Samish Open Water 1.5 mile and 5k swims / Bellingham, WA

Thursday, July 22, 2010

Energy Bar Review - Zone Perfect


Well, it's finally gotten to that point.

When the energy bar section at the local Fred Meyer only covered 59% of the total shelf space of the entire grocery section, I figured, "Nah, I don't need to bother talking about these things...probably just a passing fad."

But today, my friends, the local Fred Meyer Health Section Shelf Restocking Lackey jammed one more box of Energy Bars onto the shelf (probably the 167th variety of Clif Bar) and BAM! We're over 60%.

So I think we need to discuss this energy bar thing.

Therefore, from here out, at totally random intervals due to my shopping schedule and patience, the R's will put on a blindfold, walk through the Energy Bar aisle, and stick the tail on a random bar.

Then review it.

And today's bar is: Zone Perfect Double Dark Chocolate!

I don't know, apparently this bar follows the Zone Diet (although Wikipedia says I don't have to capitalize it...zone diet), which is a 40-30-30 split of carbs, protein, and fat in a person's daily diet.

I understand the 30% fat thing - this damn bar has 25% of your daily saturated fat...yikes! It does also has quite a bit of protein, from the soy nuggets, I guess. And it says it all natural, but I count 53 ingredients, and that's before you get to the added vitamins and minerals. Yes, 53!

Whatever. I don't believe in any Zone Diet or any other diet with a capitalized name that starts with a A or a Z. Or pretty much any letter in between.

But I do believe in the taste of this baby! Damn, it's good! I guess that's what happens when you put five grams of saturated fat in there - yummy! If you like chocolate, this would make a good dessert bar for you. Energy bar? I don't know about that, but at least you'll bonk happy!

Let's give it 6 bonkers! That would be 9 for the taste and 3 for the fat content. Yeah, that's 12...divide by two...that's 6...that's what I said, smart guy!

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

We're Talking Serious Watts Here!


Check out the watts from Oregon's own Chris Horner! The Oregonian has been posting the numbers from Horner's power meter during the Tour de France - and they're unbelievable. It's not so much the speed - although it's incredible. And it's not so much the watt power - although it's utterly fantastic.

It's the fact that he's putting out that speed and power...while riding four or five hours or more nearly every single day for the last two weeks!

Just amazing.

Sunday, July 18, 2010

Mary Tyler Moore, David Duchovny...and Me!


It's like one of those comic-page puzzles - which one of these items doesn't fit?

Well, they all fit now! Because all three - Mary, David, and me - are currently pescetarians. Those two, for who knows how long, and me for all of four days now. Woot!

What is a "pescetarian," you ask? Well, here's the scoop, but to put it simply, it's a vegetarian that also eats fish. No beef, no chicken, no pork.

I've always had issues with the diet side of serious running training. I just like eating. I think this will help me limit the crap I eat while still letting me eat enough food that I enjoy. To me, that's the key to not ending up "cheating" on your diet plan after the first week.

Wish me luck!

Let's race!

RACES FOR WEEK OF JULY 26th TO AUGUST 1st

July 31st / All Women's Sprint Triathlon and Duathlon / Fairview, OR

July 31st / Grizzly Marathon, Half-Marathon, 10k and 5k / Choteau, MT

July 31st / Beaverhead Y-Tri Sprint Triathlon / Dillon, MT

July 31st / Anacortes Art Dash Half-Marathon, 10k and 5k / Anacortes, WA

July 31st / Ellensburg Sprint Triathlon / Ellensburg, WA

July 31st / Federal Escape Olympic and Sprint Triathlons / Federal Way, WA

July 31st / Torchlight Run at Seafair 8k and 5k / Seattle, WA

August 1st / Troika Half-Iron Triathlon / Spokane, WA

August 1st / Whisky Dick Sprint Triathlon / Ellensburg, WA

August 1st / Wildwood Trail Run Marathon, Half-Marathon, and 10k / Portland, OR

August 1st / XTERRA Black Diamond Off Road Sprint Triathlon / Black Diamond, WA

August 1st / Mid-Summer Olympic and Sprint Triathlons / Fairview, OR


Thanks to Zazzle.com for the fishy t-shirt!

Friday, July 16, 2010

A Sponsor for Every Race in 2011?


Yep, still thinking about this. Running every single race, and triathlon, in Corvallis in 2011.

And what I'm thinking is...I need a sponsor! I mean , the expense isn't outragous, but it's there. And what a nice tie-in for a local shop - Buy Local...and Run Local! It's perfect!

I'm thinking maybe:
Five Star Sports,
or Northwest Multisports,
or, um...maybe...
Honey Bucket!

I mean, who wouldn't want to sponsor a middle of the pack runner and top of the heap blogger on an adventure like this?!?

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Zach Gingerich Racks Badwater!


No, not the guy from The Hangover - Zach Gingerich from Aurora, Illinois. That's your winner of the 2010 Badwater Ultra.

Check the results right here. Well, some of the poor folks are still running...good for them.

Well...better them than me anyway.

Monday, July 12, 2010

Tour de France Diary


Just a great read from The Oregonian - Bend's own Chris Horner, who is riding on the Radio Shack team with Lance himself, is doing an insightful daily dairy from the Tour de France. His latest entry discusses the events of Day 8, the day the ended with Lance saying "It's over!"

Check it out - it's good stuff.


Thanks to Daily Peloton for the photo of Chris.

Sunday, July 11, 2010

Bryce Canyon Half Marathon


I only wish I could say, "Go sign up before it's too late!" Unfortunately...it's too late. The race registration is closed for the Half and 5k coming up this weekend.

The only reason I bring it up at all is because the R's was just there on vacation - and I think it's the most beautiful National Park I've ever been to...and I've seen a bunch of them. To run a race through there would just be unbelievable.

Book it for 2011!

Let's race!

RACES FOR WEEK OF JULY 19th TO JULY 25th

July 24th / Lake Como Sprint Triathlon / Darby, MT

July 24th / REI Peak Challenge 10k and 5k / Eugene, OR

July 24th / Granite Man Sprint Trail Tri and 10 Mile Trail Run / Jacksonville, OR

July 24th / Manzanita Beach Run 10k and 5k / Manzanita, OR

July 24th / ORRC/Oregon Trail Series My Hood PCT 50 mile Trail Run / Mt Hood, OR

July 24th / Padden Duathlon - 1/3 Less Race / Bellingham, WA

July 24th / Bluegrass 5k / Stevenson, WA

July 24th / Samish Bay Bivalve Bash Low Tide Mud Run 250 yards (way harder than it sounds!) / Bow, WA

July 24th / Old Settlers 5k Run / Ferndale, WA

July 24th / Enumclaw Street Fair 5k / Enumclaw, WA

July 25th / XTERRA Wild Horse Creek Triathlon / Bozeman, MT

July 25th / Lacamas Lake Half Marathon and 4 mile run / Camas, WA

July 25th / Headwaters Half Iron Triathlon / Three Forks, MT

July 25th / Swedish SummeRun 10k and 5k / Seattle, WA

July 25th / Bowerman AC 5k / Beaverton, OR

July 25th / Original Bare Buns Fun Run 5k / Loon Lake, WA

July 25th / Heart of the Sound Sprint Triathlon / Vashon Island, WA

July 25th / Girlfriends and Dudes Sprint Triathlon / Vancouver, WA

Saturday, July 10, 2010

Best Running Song for July!


And it's Fresh!

Which is amazing considering their last album came out...20 years ago!

Yeah, it's Devo. I mean, who else could it be? And the song, called "Fresh," is a great, great running song. Yes, two "greats" for this one!

Take it from someone that owned "Are We Not Men?" on vinyl and "Freedom of Choice" on cassette - this song gets back to Devo's roots. Right out of the chute, we get guitar, which was a mainstay of Devo's early music, but was sadly forgotten after a few albums. Also amazing, is that these guys are pretty much all AARP age, yet the song is fast, tight, and very suitable for running!

A few fresh live takes of the song:
On Kimmel!
On Colbert! (and without the silly masks, for some reason)
On Letterman!
At the Winter Olympics in Canadia! (again without the masks)

And if you're one of those people that came to the Devo party late, and never realized they were anything but a synthesizer band; please check out this clip from their early days. At about 2:30, they get going on a guitar jam like the band I remember from my childhood. Even more awesomer - Devo brings back the triple guitar attack for a version of "Secret Agent Man" at the Winter Olympics. Devo rocks!

Past Best Running Songs:
June: Saliva / "Your Disease"
May: Metric / "Gold Guns Girls"
April: OK Go / "This Too Shall Pass"
March: The Hours / "Ali In The Jungle"
February: Los Fabulosos Cadillacs / "El Matador"
January: White Rabbits / "Percussion Gun"
December: Deftones / "Knife Prty"
November: The Kooks / "Always Where I Need To Be"
October: At the Drive In / "One Armed Scissor"
September: Silversun Pickups / "Lazy Eye"
August: Joe Strummer and the Mescaleros / "Johnny Appleseed"
July: Deathray / "I Wanna Lose Control (Uh Oh)"
June: Raconteurs / "Salute Your Solution"
May: Tea Party / "Save Me"
April: Bloc Party / "Like Eating Glass"
Ever: The English Beat / "I Confess"

Friday, July 9, 2010

Ah, the cool, green Northwest


Yes, we're back! The R's is fresh from the blistering 104 degree temps of Las Vegas and is pleased as punch to be back to the cool, green, moderately temped Northwest!

Oh yeah, it was 98 degrees in Corvallis today.

Holy crap! I'm dying here!

Be smart out there - hydrate!

Let's race!

RACES FOR WEEK OF JULY 12th TO JULY 18th

July 17th / ChelanMan Long Course Tri, Olympic Tri, Half-Marathon, and 10k / Chelan, WA

July 17th / Deschutes Dash Olympic Triathlon, Olympic Duathlon, and 10k / Bend, OR

July 17th / Seaside Beach Run 10k and 5k / Seaside, OR

July 17th / Soaring Eagle 50k, Marathon, 10 mile, and 5 mile runs / Sammamish, WA

July 17th / Tiger Tri Sprint Triathlon / Colville, WA

July 17th / CHC 10k and 5k / Covington, WA

July 17th / KlaHaYa River Run 5 mile / Snohomish, WA

July 17th / Shoreline Run 10k / Richland, WA

July 17th / Sage's White Rose Memorial 5k / Newport, WA

July 17th / Bill Burby Inspirational 10k and 5k / Vashon Island, WA

July 18th / Benaroya Research Institute Sprint Triathlon at Seafair / Seattle, WA

July 18th / Steve Omi Memorial Open Water 1 mile swim / Coeur d'Alene, ID

July 18th / Deschutes Dash Sprint Triathlon, Sprint Duathlon, and 5k / Bend, OR

July 18th / ChelanMan Sprint Tri / Chelan, WA

Ah, the KlaHaYa Frog...gotta be the best race mascot out there.