Good Samaritan Challenge Race Review!

And PR, baby!

OK, so stop number 19 on the EPIC 2011 quest for greatness, or at least, goodness! The Good Samaritan Challenge 12k and 5k. I've been trying hard to man-up and take the longer distance whenever possible, which meant I'd be running the 12k for this one.

And for the first time in four years, the race started with no rain in the recent past or future. So under dry skies, about 30 or 40 of us lined up in Sunset Park and toed the start line. The course had a slightly different start than when I last ran it two years ago. This year, we ran what has to be the oddest starting quarter mile I've ever done in a race. From the paved path in Sunset Park that heads out to the softball fields, we ran out toward the parking lot, took a quick right after about 100 yards, turned another sharp right after about 30 more seconds, moved past the playground and waiting 5k'ers, and circled back onto the path that we just left minutes before.

Yes, the first two minutes of the race was the herd running in a small circle! Odd.

But then we were out and on the course that I remember from 2009.

This race is tough in that there are so few runners, it's difficult to find someone, anyone, to run with, especially if you're looking for someone with a similar pace. By mile two, I had passed a couple of people that went out too fast and fell behind a woman about 15 seconds in front of me. I would eventually pass her, but that's it. I wouldn't get by anyone else, and no one passed me. It's just that kind of race.

So after the 6H Trail Half Marathon from last week, you could hardly call this one hilly, but it does have some ups and downs and one short, but very steep, hill in Philomath.

I knew that if I could slog up that hill without stopping to walk, I'd have a good chance to PR. Since I had one previous 12k finish in my entire life, that's not saying much, but at 44, you take any PR you can get. I caught the woman in front of me just before the top of the hill and tried to put a little quick distance between us going down the other side - there's nothing worse than getting re-passed just after making a good pass.

It's nice coming out of Philomath on this course because then we get on the bike path that goes right by my house, which I've run, literally, hundreds of times, and I know exactly what's coming the rest of the way.

I could see from my splits that I was going to be close to pulling it off in under an hour, but I just didn't quite make it. Still, I hit the finish line in 1:01:17, over six minutes faster than I ran the same race two years ago. So that's a PR I'm very proud of. Plus, I got the first place blue ribbon in my age group. Of course, I may well have been the only one in my age group, but hardware is hardware. You never turn it down!

Next week, the EPIC train rolls on at the Corvallis Fall Festival 10k and 5k. I'm running the 10k there and I'll be looking for my second PR in as many weeks! I need to bring it in under 50:41, so if you see me out there, cheer me on!

Forgetting a Bad Race

Sometimes it's better not to remember.

For instance, this weekend is the Good Samaritan Challenge 12k. I ran this race once before, back in 2009, and vaguely remembered it as "sort of hilly, but not too bad." Yeah, I should have stopped there. Instead, I thought, "Hmmm...," yes, I actually thought "Hmmmm..." Then I went back and checked if I had written a post on the R's about the race. And indeed I had.

And lo, it seems the race was much more hillier than I thought. Much, much more hillierer.

Here, read it for yourself...

So, the Good Samaritan Challenge 12k. Well, that's what I ran...there was also a 5k.

Let's see what the brochure has to say: "The 5k and 12k courses start and finish on 45th Street between Sunset and Starker Arts Park. The 5k course is mostly flat with one short but steep hill challenge about half way. The 12k covers the same route as the 5k for approximately two miles, before continuing on toward Philomath where the 12k participants will be challenged by Neabeack Hill."

Now I've been around, and I realize most race directors would tell you that a race up Mt. Hood would be "short, but steep" and a race up Mt. Everest would be "challenging," so I felt prepared for what was ahead of me at the start line.

Still, about 3/4 through the race, I realized, "Wow, this mother is challenging!"

But back to the start...

A brave and hardy 20 or so people lined up for the start of the 12k in Starker Arts Park. That's what happens to a small race when there's a driving rain coming down an hour before the start time - you don't get many day of race registrations. The weather at the start was nice though; overcast and cool, but not raining. Better yet, Starker Arts Park is about two minutes from the apartment - I walked over to the start line!

Since there was a very small crowd of runners and a 5k that started right after the 12k, I knew that everyone in the 12k would be a "real" runner and I'd be finishing toward the back of the pack. No problem there. I really just wanted to have a good, strong race as I barrel toward the Cowtown Half-Marathon that I'm not nearly prepared for...if I ran anything under a 1:15, I would be happy enough. Slow but steady was the order of the day.

And we're off!

I immediately drifted to the back of a very short line of runners as we headed off down Country Club Drive. There were maybe one or two runners behind me and a few in front of me that were only going slightly faster than me, so I settled in to my pace and waited for the first mile marker, so I could adjust if needed.

The clouds were making it pretty humid, but the lack of sun was actually nice and the first mile-marker came up fast: 8:30. Hmmm, not bad, but I was looking more for nines. I wasn't sure I could hang with 8:30 on a "challenging" course. I throttled back just a touch and came to the first hill. Ah, this must be the "short, but steep" guy here. I hit it pretty good and the top came up fast. That wasn't so bad. I was feeling good about that first uphill - I was right over that baby.

I came around the next corner and realized why I felt so good...there was the "short, but steep" hill still coming up! Yep, that's why you should always run the course beforehand. Ah well...

Oof, that one was "steep," and I'll reserve judgement on the "short" until I see the rest of the hills on the course. After we split from the 5k course at mile two, we hit a nice, long flat stretch as we headed into Philomath. Unfortunately, it didn't last long. Yowza, where did these hills come from!?! I thought these Philomath people liked the flat country so their cows could wander around without getting tired.

Coming up to the top of the first part of a very long hill, I looked over to my right and checked out my plot if I couldn't make it to the top. Nice spot for a cemetery - nothing like pondering your morality while you're struggling up a steep hill. Then we hit a few switchbacks on our way up a very steep road through a nice neighborhood of Philomath. Made it to the summit and the mile five marker and water station, where a volunteer told me "you're almost there!" Yeah, well unfortunately, I know my metric system and five miles sure isn't almost there for a 12k.

Nice view of the church steeple as we came back down from the highlands into Philomath and then suddenly we were on the paved running trail that goes between Corvallis and Philomath. Hey, this is the trail I run all the time - it goes right by our apartment. Suddenly in familiar territory and knowing exactly that we had two small hills left, then a nice flat stretch to the finish, I nuzzled behind the only two runners in my view. After getting over the the hills, I gave a slight (very slight) burst and moved in front of the two and tried to remember how to close to the finish.

I somehow stayed ahead of them and hit the line at 1:07:51 for a 9:05 pace.

Hey, that's about what I was looking for and I felt pretty good the whole way through, even though I could have used a Sherpa at the four-mile marker...

At least it's something to build on as I head to Sacramento for what looks to be an extremely flat Half.

Oh yeah, I took 2nd place in my age-group...but for all I know there may have only been two of us.

OK, I know you're thinking, "that doesn't look cloudy and overcast to me - that looks like Phoenix!" Hey, I didn't stop during the run to take photos! Those were taken the day after - not a cloud in the sky.

So now I haven't forgotten how hilly the race was. Now I remember.

I should have left well enough alone.

See you at the race!

Race T-Shirt Review!

So the Good Samaritan Challenge 12k T-Shirt from last weeks race...I like it. It's a nice heavy material, it's a decent shade of blue, it's got a fair art design. What's not to like?

And for those "too good for cotton" runners out there that complain about all non-tech shirts - what is your problem? Don't you people ever do anything but run? Don't you mow the lawn? Play basketball? Go to the mall with the kids? There's nothing wrong with a cotton t-shirt every once in a while.

I give it a solid "B".

Let's race.

RACES FOR WEEK OF OCTOBER 5th TO OCTOBER 11th

October 10th / Domestic Violence Awareness 10k and 5k / Salem, OR

October 10th / ORRC Blue Lake 15k and 5k / Troutdale, OR

October 10th / Hoquiam Invite Open 5k / Hoquiam, WA

October 10th / Frontier Round-Up 5k / Graham, WA

October 10th / Bill Hamilton Memorial Street Strut 5k / Edmonds, WA

October 11th / Gresham Jazz Runs Half-Marathon, 10k and 5k / Gresham, OR

October 11th / Hack n Dash 5k (sort of) / Junction City, OR (Speed Golf! Run a 5k and golf at the same time!)

October 11th / Runningshoes.com Offroad Sprint Duathlon / Bellingham, WA

October 11th / Run Vera Run 5k! / Seattle, WA

October 11th / Sun City Half-Marathon and 5k / Yakima, WA

October 11th / Royal Victoria Marathon, Half-Marathon and 8k / Victoria, B.C.

October 11th / Spokane Marathon, Half-Marathon and 5 Mile / Spokane, WA

October 11th / Haunted Hustle 10k and 5k / Puyallup, WA

October 11th / Bog Jog 10k and 5k / Grayland, WA

October 11th / Great Columbia Crossing 10k / Astoria, OR

This. I do not need.

Two weeks from the Sacramento Cowtown Half-Marathon. The first day of Fall...with the Corvallis weather in the 90's. Fresh off a strong outing in the Good Samaritan Challenge 12k.

And I'm sitting at home in my PJ's because I've got a brutal cold.

Sigh.


For the record, I hate these "cat wuz" things...but I'm too sick to find something better.

I Invited My Sherpa to the Race...

So, the Good Samaritan Challenge 12k. Well, that's what I ran...there was also a 5k.

Let's see what the brochure has to say: "The 5k and 12k courses start and finish on 45th Street between Sunset and Starker Arts Park. The 5k course is mostly flat with one short but steep hill challenge about half way. The 12k covers the same route as the 5k for approximately two miles, before continuing on toward Philomath where the 12k participants will be challenged by Neabeack Hill."

Now I've been around, and I realize most race directors would tell you that a race up Mt. Hood would be "short, but steep" and a race up Mt. Everest would be "challenging," so I felt prepared for what was ahead of me at the start line.

Still, about 3/4 through the race, I realized, "Wow, this mother is challenging!"

But back to the start...

A brave and hardy 20 or so people lined up for the start of the 12k in Starker Arts Park. That's what happens to a small race when there's a driving rain coming down an hour before the start time - you don't get many day of race registrations. The weather at the start was nice though; overcast and cool, but not raining. Better yet, Starker Arts Park is about two minutes from the apartment - I walked over to the start line!

Since there was a very small crowd of runners and a 5k that started right after the 12k, I knew that everyone in the 12k would be a "real" runner and I'd be finishing toward the back of the pack. No problem there. I really just wanted to have a good, strong race as I barrel toward the Cowtown Half-Marathon that I'm not nearly prepared for...if I ran anything under a 1:15, I would be happy enough. Slow but steady was the order of the day.

And we're off!

I immediately drifted to the back of a very short line of runners as we headed off down Country Club Drive. There were maybe one or two runners behind me and a few in front of me that were only going slightly faster than me, so I settled in to my pace and waited for the first mile marker, so I could adjust if needed.

The clouds were making it pretty humid, but the lack of sun was actually nice and the first mile-marker came up fast: 8:30. Hmmm, not bad, but I was looking more for nines. I wasn't sure I could hang with 8:30 on a "challenging" course. I throttled back just a touch and came to the first hill. Ah, this must be the "short, but steep" guy here. I hit it pretty good and the top came up fast. That wasn't so bad. I was feeling good about that first uphill - I was right over that baby.

I came around the next corner and realized why I felt so good...there was the "short, but steep" hill still coming up! Yep, that's why you should always run the course beforehand. Ah well...

Oof, that one was "steep," and I'll reserve judgement on the "short" until I see the rest of the hills on the course. After we split from the 5k course at mile two, we hit a nice, long flat stretch as we headed into Philomath. Unfortunately, it didn't last long. Yowza, where did these hills come from!?! I thought these Philomath people liked the flat country so their cows could wander around without getting tired.

Coming up to the top of the first part of a very long hill, I looked over to my right and checked out my plot if I couldn't make it to the top. Nice spot for a cemetery - nothing like pondering your morality while you're struggling up a steep hill. Then we hit a few switchbacks on our way up a very steep road through a nice neighborhood of Philomath. Made it to the summit and the mile five marker and water station, where a volunteer told me "you're almost there!" Yeah, well unfortunately, I know my metric system and five miles sure isn't almost there for a 12k.

Nice view of the church steeple as we came back down from the highlands into Philomath and then suddenly we were on the paved running trail that goes between Corvallis and Philomath. Hey, this is the trail I run all the time - it goes right by our apartment. Suddenly in familiar territory and knowing exactly that we had two small hills left, then a nice flat stretch to the finish, I nuzzled behind the only two runners in my view. After getting over the the hills, I gave a slight (very slight) burst and moved in front of the two and tried to remember how to close to the finish.

I somehow stayed ahead of them and hit the line at 1:07:51 for a 9:05 pace.

Hey, that's about what I was looking for and I felt pretty good the whole way through, even though I could have used a Sherpa at the four-mile marker...

At least it's something to build on as I head to Sacramento for what looks to be an extremely flat Half.

Oh yeah, I took 2nd place in my age-group...but for all I know there may have only been two of us.

OK, I know you're thinking, "that doesn't look cloudy and overcast to me - that looks like Phoenix!" Hey, I didn't stop during the run to take photos! Those were taken the day after - not a cloud in the sky.

Another Race in the Books for 2009!

Today was the day for the Good Samaritan Challenge 12k, my 6th race since April (3 triathlons and 3 road races). When you're an old man like me, it takes a while to round into shape and I came into 2009 in bad shape. But I'm starting to actually feel pretty good now. I felt strong, if not extremely fast, all the way to the end of the 12k. Race Report coming tomorrow!

Next up: the Sacramento Cowtown Half-Marathon on October 4th!

Let's race!

RACES FOR WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 28th TO OCTOBER 4th

October 3rd / Missoula All Women's 5k / Missoula, MT

October 3rd / Leavenworth Marathon and Half-Marathon / Leavenworth, WA

October 3rd / Soroptismist Intl. of Albany Run for a Life 5k / Albany, OR

October 3rd / Baker Lake 50k / Concrete, WA

October 3rd / Race for the End of Domestic Violence 10k and 5k / Bellingham, WA

October 3rd / Mighty Oaks Acorn 5k / Corvallis, OR

October 3rd / Walla Walla Crush 10k and 5k / Walla Walla, WA

October 3rd / Autumn Leaf Run 10k and 5k / Omak, WA

October 3rd / Clackamas YMCA Fun Run 5k / Happy Valley, OR

October 3rd / Habitat for Humanity Run/Walk/Ride 10k and 5k runs and 28 mile bike / McMinnville, OR

October 3rd / One Meal, One Hope 5k / Seattle, WA

October 3rd / Fallen Leaf Run for SIDS 5k / Spokane, WA

October 4th / Cougar Fun Run 10k and 5k / Echo, OR

October 4th / Rotary Run at Salmon Days 10k and 5k / Issaquah, WA

October 4th / Portland Marathon and 5 Mile run / Portland, OR

October 4th / Sacramento Cowtown Marathon and Half-Marathon / Sacramento, CA