New Ink, New Races, and New Injuries...

I know, I know, I missed last weekends' races completely. And I apologize. You see, it was Spring Break for my son, so we packed into the Kia and headed down to Oregon for a little vacation. I know, you're thinking, "And..." plus "Kia? Did you make it out of Washington?" Well, I did actually have the ol' MacBook, but trying to blog in between the Burgerville with free WiFi and the Fred Meyer Deli with free WiFi was just too tough for me. Plus...plus! I somehow mangled my knee (I think it was from jumping into the pool at the downtown Portland Hilton...I thought it was deeper than that), and was unable to run, actually barely able to walk, which always puts me in a fine mood to talk about running.

But hey, it's better now, thanks for asking. I'm going to give it a couple more days, then start running again, so all is well.

Yes, that new RaceCenter there has not a little new ink, but a lot of new ink! I've got two new articles in the April issue of RaceCenter: Performance Testing for Athletes and Reaching for the Rings (a preview of the Women's Olympic Marathon Trials). When I first saw the cover, I was a bit worried. I saw a female runner on the cover with the name "Farrell" on her nametag, but it was the wrong "Ferrell"! You see, I wrote about Marlene Farrell of Leavenworth, in the Olympic Trials article, and that was NOT her. I couldn't believe it, because Brook Gardner, the editor of RaceCenter, just doesn't make mistakes (which I appreciate GREATLY, by the way). So anyhoo, after browsing through the magazine, I realized that the runner on the cover is Catherine Farrell, of Eugene, who is in the Olympic Trials in the 5k, not the marathon. That's what I get for doubting Brook.

Finally, races!

April 12 / Pear Blossom Run 10k and 5k / Medford, OR

April 12 / Hills for Humanity 5k / Portland, OR

April 12 / Trout Lake 5k, 10k, and Half Marathon / Trout Lake, WA

April 13 / Whidbey Island Marathon and Half Marathon / Whidbey Island, WA

Spring?

Yes, we're almost a full week into Spring now, and this morning we had...snow. Come on! Do we really need this? How about just a little sun. A little? Well, at least we're getting into the meaty part of the calendar for running. There are actually enough races most weekends now that I can pick and choose which ones I want to list instead of just running anything and everything I could find. So, without further ado:

March 28 and 29 / Snake River Sprint Triathlon / Lewiston, ID - Yes, it's actually on two days...they do the indoor swim on Friday night, then the outdoor bike and run on Saturday (your "T1" time won't look good in the results)

March 29 / Leif to Leif Fun Run 5k / Ballard, WA

March 29 / Birch Bay International Road Race 30k, 15k, and 5k / Birch Bay, WA

March 29 / Running of the Fools 10k / Longview, WA

The latest if not greatest...

The new article is just a short profile, but it's definitely worthy of a read. I interviewed Barbara Macklow, a 73 year old Bellingham, WA resident that broke the record of oldest runner to finish the JFK 50-miler in Washington DC. Yes, she's 73. Yes, she ran a 50 mile race. No, not kilometers...miles. I know. Crazy. When I'm 73, I don't plan on moving out of remote control range of the TV, so color me impressed. Go grab yourself the new issue of Northwest Runner and check it out.

Hey, put down the magazine for a second and go run a race this weekend.

March 22 / Ephrata Canal Caper 10k / Ephrata, WA

March 22 / Easter Sprint Duathlon / Olympia, WA

March 22 / Easter Marathon, 1/2 Marathon, 10 mile, 10k, 5k / Olympia, WA

The latest ink...

Here it is! The newest addition to the Lommers article family. This time we're discussing the famous Ski to Sea multi-sport relay race that starts at Mt. Baker and ends in Bellingham Bay in Fairhaven. In between those two points, you get Cross Country skiing, Downhill Skiing, Running, Road Biking, Canoeing (is that how you spell it?), Mountain Biking and, finally, Kayaking. It covers 85 miles...what the -?!?! Thanks a lot, Ski to Sea Race Committee. Right after I write an article about the race and title it "Eighty-Two Miles and Change," they adjust the course from 82.5 miles to 85 miles! Holy moly guacamole. Anyhoo, grab the new issue of Adventures NW Magazine and check out my article. And if you're not on a Ski to Sea team yet, what are you waiting for?

Out with the Old...

But for you they can be new! Yes, I'm clearing out some of the old training gear - it's spring time after all. So if you're looking for a warm water wetsuit or a very nice, and barely used, bike trainer, follow these here links:

Bike Trainer

Wetsuit



And now to the races! Not much going on in Oregon this weekend, but a few races in Washington, so let's run.

March 8 / Spring Forward 5k Run for Autism / Tacoma, WA

March 8 / Sunset Valley Loop 10 mile Fun Run and Relay / Anacortes, WA

March 8 / Salmon Creek 7.6 mile Run / Vancouver, WA

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.