Run Like Hell

Halloween is in the air and has been for the last week or so, and I'm also realizing that people really take it seriously out here. We headed down to the Run Like Hell 1/2 Marathon in downtown Portland, OR to celebrate Halloween by doing one of the things we love most: Running! I was able to discipline myself to only leisurely run a total of a couple miles as I took on the unfamiliar role of spectator and crew person for my wife Erica, and friends visiting from New York, Kara and Eric. I got a little workout and turned a few heads as I navigated around the course in my Vibram Five Fingers after driving to different locations.

It was a beautiful morning for running with temperatures near 50 and no prediction of rain. I

dropped Erica off close to the starting line where she met up with Kara and Eric. I was really proud of Erica because this would be her first half-marathon race, and I could imagine the butterflies she had fluttering around inside. Also, I have seen her diligently build her mileage and prepare herself for this race eluding injury, which has troubled her in the past. There would be days when Erica would tough it out through the rain to finish her training run, and others when she tackled the inclines on Leif Erikson Trail to prepare for the rolling course she would face on race day. She was R E A D Y !

The first time I saw the crew was about mile 2 or 3...and they were all smiling as the sun came up over the river. I hung back after they passed and got a few great pictures of people in costume.

I gotta give this guy some props...Fred Flintstone here ran 13.1 miles barefoot on concrete with his two children in the rickshaw behind. I think he won some award at the end! :0)

Pee Wee Herman....hahaaaa!

My personal favorite: Run DMC! These guys were bumpin' old school rap out of boom box the whole race!

Superheroes in downtown Portland! ;0)

Up until now Erica, Kara, and Eric were making it look "too easy!" They already covered more than half of the race and most of the difficult sections were behind them. At around mile 8.5 I parked the car and ran up to meet them and was greeted by a kiss flying through the air!

:0)

I was even able to run about a half mile with my sweetie...and she only told me to stop talking so much like twice! ;0)

From here I ran ahead to get some GU Chomps out of the car to pass off to big man Eric. I made the hand off and wished them well on their final climb and then descent to the finish. When I jumped in the car and turned it on there was a great upbeat song on the radio, so I rolled down all the windows and cranked it as I rode past them yelling, "WOOOOOOHOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!"

I made it down to the finish area and waited patiently for the threesome to make it down. It wasn't long before I saw the 6'7'' Eric with his wife Kara and my wife Erica. What a cool thing to see...although I didn't capture the best finishing photo!

They were given their well deserved medals and we were really surprised to find out that they were pure gold!

Congratulations the three of you, you made coach proud, and to all the others that Ran Like Hell!

It was great to get a different perspective at the races and it definitely was inspiration!

After close to five weeks completely off from running crewing for these guys was my entry way back into training. My leg that took a beating in 100 in the Hood is showing no signs of discomfort, although the other one is not feeling completely right...go figure. I'm definitely easing my way back and it has been so nice to be back out on the trails. I was going a little stir-crazy there for a second.

Sorry for the little hiatus from the blog but I seem to be re-charged now and anxious to see what's around the corner :0)

Happy Running!