Exploring the Pacific Northwest

What a beautiful part of this country especially at this time of the year. Erica and I arrived in Portland, OR Monday morning with about four days to do basically whatever we wanted. While Erica scoped out yoga studios I zeroed in on some awesome trails.

Miles for the week: 67


Monday= 8 miles with a group from Niketown in downtown Portland running on The Waterfront Trail.
Tuesday= 7 miles through The Columbia Gorge's Angel's Rest trail.
Wednesday= 6 miles through Washington Park trails and Japanese Garden; lifted weights in evening
Thursday= 12 miles through Forest Park's Stone House Loop plus add-on.
Friday= Rest
Saturday= 17 miles running Iroquois Trails 100 course section 1 and 2 back to Gatherings (Jeremiah's).
Sunday= 17 miles running Iroquois Trails 100 course section 2 and 3 back to Gatherings.

Portland,Oregon, otherwise known as The City of Roses, is such a beautiful place and well known for running... I bought a waterproof trail guide that breaks down specific runs that can conveniently fit in your pocket. I found that Forest Park is the place to go running if you are in downtown Portland. There are like 30+ miles of well maintained trails on the outskirts of NW Portland. The Columbia Gorge area is a little bit of a drive but well worth it revealing stunning panoramic views of Mt. Hood.

Arriving back to Ithaca I was motivated to learn the 100 mile course better. I set out on on my own this weekend with fluids, fuel and trail descriptions to Virgil and Tuller Hill State Forest running/walking 34 miles of the course in two days. It's really starting to hit home how difficult (rewarding) this ultra is going to be. Ian sure did design a course that will demand loads of physical and mental toughness. There were times out there this weekend when I imagined how I will feel coming through after running many miles. It's definitely going to be an experience I will never forget.

Quote of the week: "We run, not because we think it is doing us good, but because we enjoy it and cannot help ourselves...The more restricted our society and work become, the more necessary it will be to find some outlet for this craving for freedom. No one can say, 'You must not run faster than this, or hump higher than that.' The human spirit is indomitable."- Sir Roger Bannister