Krissy Strachan's Staging Area

First trail race. We had a beautiful sunny day, but the day before it rained buckets. Lots of mud and puddles, mostly up and down single track trail. I think for every step up, I took one back in a slide and slide downhill more times than I can count. It was unique. Aside from the beginning, I was mostly alone. Only 2 aid stations, but I brought my own liquids and a guy dressed as a taco gave me a gel (wish it was a taco!). I knew it would be difficult. Running 25 K isn’t the challenge for me, but trying not to fall and injure myself is. I also don’t have a device to know how many miles I ran or my pace, so because I ran mostly alone I didn’t know where I was or how I was doing. I felt super pumped when I heard someone blasting Lizzo and saw they were dressed as a flamingo and a chicken at a dance party. It really helped me get that second wind. The last few miles I swore I’d never do this again…but now I am dreaming of doing the 50k. No medal, but I don’t care. I love that I got tech socks and a beanie as they are actually useful, the tech shirt was optional
and I am glad I got it because it’s cool. Minestrone, cookies and beer relieved my pain. Volunteers and staff were super supportive. Photographer hiding in the woods to scare you as he take an awesome free photo. I loved it. Good times.

This was my first marathon and I thought it would be the only one I would do but I had so much fun, it’s going to be a yearly thing for me. Very happy to have pacers and a huge energetic crowd to cheer me on the entire way. Aid stations galore, many neighborhoods I had yet to see ( I live here), bridge crossings and perfect weather. I made sure to read the race website and study the course map due to trains and streetcars. I also familiarized myself with the course signage so I would know what to look for in directions and mile markers. The race organizers could have chosen brighter colors for the signs (they were white and blue) as some runners did not see them. Excellent electronic tracking for pace and overall finishing times, broken down into several segments so your family/friends could follow where you were and met you on the course for cheering. Tons of photos you get to download for free! Beer, doughnuts, ice cream, pizza…Cool tech shirt and medal as well. I can’t wait to do it again next year.

I specifically decided to do this one due to it being billed as a flat course for a PR. It was flat, mostly on a bike path along the river, out and back. There is a road just opposite the river, but due to the embankment most of the time I could not see the cars. I enjoyed looking out on the water and birds and the flat course let me concentrate on trying to best my first half marathon. Runners do have to cross Colombia Blvd, in which they do stop runners for traffic, but I got lucky both ways and was not stopped. Due to not checking the course myself and not being able to hear the announcer, I thought I was finished and sprinted, but was told I needed to keep running and go to another turn around. Oops. For some reason the 5k, 10k and half all started at the same time, so by the time I was finished most people were gone (just under 2 hours). They did have beer/cider/kombucha and make pancakes which were awesome.

I love the Portland Trailblazers, so when I found out about this race I had to go. It’s right in the Rose Quarter with full Blazer pride on display. Free Blazer swag, great t-shirt and everyone gets a fresh cut rose. The course goes over a bridge and into downtown, out and back. I went out a little too fast due to the beginning having a slight decline and the incline coming back made me slow down. I guess I was a too excited. This was one of those races that my family enjoyed staying at and enjoying the atmosphere for some time.

This is a fun way to get into the holiday spirit. Easy course with plenty of folks dressed up in holiday cheer. It’s always cold during this time of year, but that’s what the hot soup is for! I have done this race twice and both times I got a long sleeve technical shirt that I can actually use for running! Lot’s of people stay and hang out afterwords and enjoy the morning. I will probably do this every year if I can.

It’s on the beach, so sand and wind can be a factor in the difficulty. It’s late in the afternoon (no getting up early!), so you will actually want to drink some beer afterwards. Fort George Brewery is a sponsor and they really have the best beer in the PNW. It’s a small race for a great cause benefiting hospice care. Everyone is very helpful and ready to cheer all runners on. Running on the beach was really beautiful and so different than any other race I have done. Weather permitting they have a bonfire, sandwiches are given out and plenty of beer to go around. I got a long sleeve t-shirt and since I won the female division I got a medal and technical shirt as well. If you are on the Oregon coast in early September, try running on the beach for a great cause. I missed this year due to another half marathon and missed last year due to an injury. I definitely am hoping to do this next year again.