Race recap: 2016 ORRC Best Dam Run

Laura Morrison (PRC singlet), blogger Kelly Barten, and Nancy Fisher before the race. Photo by Abby Meek.

Despite low clouds early in the morning, the 2016 Best Dam Run was run under mainly sunny skies on Saturday, September 24. A popular race for those looking for a fast 10k, the course is primarily downhill with a very gentle decline that is almost hard to notice most of the time. There’s one uphill, which I had been told “wasn’t too bad,” but I thought it was a pretty serious hill. Even so, the final mile after the hill was primarily downhill/flat, and I ran almost a full five minutes faster than my goal time.

The course, even with the hill, is great. The quality of the course is reason enough to sign up for this race. You run along the Clackamas River and, of course, the dam on a closed road for five miles and then you run through a large parking area and up the driveway … this is the hill. From there, flaggers stop traffic so you can cross the highway and then run on the shoulder into town. It’s not an incredibly wide shoulder, so passing other participants in some places required either waiting until there were no vehicles coming from behind you or stepping into the gravel on the ditch side. The approach to town feels long but once you’re back in Estacada, it’s only three long-ish blocks and one very short block to the finish. Continue reading →

Races that support our schools – Previews of the 2016 Salem Academy Runs the Capitol (Salem) and EOU Homecoming Run (La Grande)

Photo from EOU Homecoming Run

On October 22nd, two different schools will be hosting a race. One with a nostalgic theme and the other with the purpose of helping students take an educational trip. Continue reading →

What Run Oregon is Wearing: PRISMSPORT

Company: PRISMSPORT

Products:

Description:

PRISMSPORT was launched in 2013 by Emily Vitale and Lori Florio. Tired of dark shades — boring colors + uninspired combinations, we didn’t want to just look good exercising, we wanted our activewear to perform well, too. We began with a single pattern and our fresh take on performance wear was an instant hit.

PRISMSPORT is now a full range of women’s workout clothes that let you workout + walk out in prints + solid styles that reference trends, but are never trendy. All prints pass the all-important PRISMSPORT thigh test: every pattern must flatter. Today, we sweat, live + laugh in print — we #LIVEINPRISM. Continue reading →

Race Preview: 2016 OHSU Harvest Hustle 5k (Portland)

Since the Tillikum Crossing bridge has opened last year, I have looked forward to walking or running across it to see the beautiful river and city skyline. Now, for the first time in its history, a Portland road race will make the new bridge part of its course. The Harvest Hustle 5k takes place on Saturday, October 22, and it is a fundraiser for the OHSU Institute on Development and Disability. During registration, you will be able to allocate your registration funds to a choice of four programs that help children with disabilities: Camp Odakoda, Camp More, Go Baby Go, and the CDRC Hearing Aid Bank. You can also submit additional donations to the program of your choice. Continue reading →

What Run Oregon is Wearing: Fourlaps

Company: Fourlaps

Fourlaps is a New York-based brand that creates functional athletic apparel.

We founded this company with a core belief: that high-quality, well-designed athletic apparel should be within reach.

Every item is deliberately styled (think pops of energetic color) and built to fit your life (read: iPhone-friendly pockets). Whether you’re going for a run on the Westside Highway, hopping on a Citibike, or playing a game of pickup basketball, Fourlaps is right there with you.

Product: I received the Smash Tee (pictured to the right) and the Bolt Shorts. The tech shirt is 100% polyester, while the shorts are 84% polyester/16% spandex. Available sizes range from S to XL, and retail prices are $49.50.

Impressions: Let’s start with the shirt. It’s all synthetic fabric, but it has the feel of a knitted shirt. I tested the medium size, and the fit was true. If I lift my arms parallel to the ground, the fabric around the armpits gets a little tight. (For reference, I’m 5’10” and on the thin side.) Moisture wicking seemed adequate, although it was cool both times I ran in the shirt, so I didn’t generate a huge amount of sweat. The color of the shirt seems a little darker than in the picture, but still very bold. Note that the top and bottom borders of that black strip have a thicker line of stitching that you can feel on the outside and inside of the shirt, but I did not notice any chaffing resulting from it, nor did it bother me while running.

Bolt Shorts

Perhaps because of the spandex, the shorts had a different feel, more on the slick side (I happen to like that for running shorts). Again, I tested medium, which fit me snugly without the need to tie the drawstrings. These shorts contain an interior boxer lining – advertised as anti-microbial – which means it’s sort of obligatory to go commando. I found the shorts quite comfortable and lightweight, and as always, I appreciate running shorts that have regular pockets – as opposed to those little pouches on the inside waistband.

Southern Oregon Small Race Previews: 2016 Spud Run 5-miler (Merrill) & South Slough Trail and Treat (Coos Bay)

With a name like Spud Run and a theme of “Tater Nation”, it’s got to be good,right? This 5 mile event is Saturday (October 14, 2016) staple in the 79th annual Klamath Basin Potato Festival – which takes place in the Klamath Basin’s small city close to the Oregon/California border. The 2010 Census listed the population of Merrill as less than 1000, but the festival almost doubles the population over the weekend.

There is minimal info about the run itself, aside from the fact that it runs through the entire town. We were unable to find a registration link, so I think you should plan on showing up early and trying to find the registration table. There is lots of info about the festival though – which seems pretty awesome. Continue reading →

Make A Day Of It: Harborview Inn & RV Park

Harborview Inn & RV Park A Fisherman’s Paradise

If you are not already familiar with Garibaldi and nearby Rockaway Beach, the area is rural and beautiful. Garibaldi is a small port town of about 1,000 people moored in northern Tillamook Bay. With the motel and RV Park located a mere 100 feet from the boat launch on the marina, the location is perfect for those wishing to explore and enjoy some wildlife watching or book a charter and try your hand at fishing. Although I fear being a bit sea sick with these land legs o’mine, I enjoyed window shopping and dining in both Gatibaldi and Rockaway beach. Continue reading →