The “Runner’s High” does crazy things to you. I’m not even talking about the kind you get while you’re running (because, let’s be honest, sometimes you’re not feeling all that grateful for your health when you’re gasping for breath while getting up that hill midrace.) I’m talking about when you finish your race and you’re hanging out with friends at the finish line and you’re thinking: “That was so Fun! Let’s do THAT again!”
Run With Paula races are especially dangerous because the vibe is fun and infectious. That’s how I ended up registering for the Tualatin River Run 5k. I had just finished the Winter 5k Series with friends and we didn’t want to fun to end.
I don’t regret my decision in the least. Surprisingly, I had never done this race, despite the fact that it’s fairly close to me and practically across the street from the gym I work at. It never quite fit into my schedule, but I love running around Brown’s Ferry Park and on the Tualatin River Greenway Path by the water and among the trees, so this was the year. We were also blessed with beautiful weather, which is not always the case in March around here.
Since I’m a distance runner with a weird compulsion to always add more miles to the small-ish distance races, I got out to Nyberg Woods Center an hour early to meet up with my friend Maia for pre-race miles. Thankfully, I have friends as crazy as I am and we took off without a real plan in mind. Parking was easy since it’s just one big strip mall and the PRC volunteers were out in full force to make sure everyone was where they were supposed to be.
It was a great morning and after looping around the area for about 45 minutes, we got in the porta potty line so we could get in race mode. The parking lot had a great staging area for packet pick up, food, and merchandise, and the trail where runners start is a short walk away.
After we got our business done, we headed down to the start chute but somehow ended up on the wrong side, so we watched Dave Harkin performing the National Anthem from the spectator side of the chute. Whoops!! We tried to sneak back over the start line without creating too much attention (sorry Paula and Dave!) and got into place for our race.
Paula’s races always feel like family. The runners, volunteers, and staff are all friendly and welcoming, and it really feels like everyone wants to be there. It doesn’t matter how old or slow you are, because there are smiles and encouragement for every single finisher, no matter what time you cross the line.
Me and Maia took off a little further back than we maybe should’ve, and there were some bottlenecks at the beginning, which is not at all surprising for a race that follows a paved trail. It was not hard at all to weave through the crowds a bit to get to a good pace we were comfortable with, and the views were lovely.
The out-and-back design of the course means you get to see both the fastest runners already coming back at the halfway point 7 ½ minutes into the race and the slower runners out there with their big smiles and happy faces just enjoying the beauty of the day. There were also so many adorable kids giving it their best effort, and it always fills my heart to see that.
The course takes runners in one direction on paved and gravel trails (plus a few sidewalks) before turning around and heading back toward the start line. However, once runners get back to where they started, they aren’t finished yet! They must run through the start line and keep going in the other direction, again along paved trails, before turning and heading back for a fun finish line celebration.
Paula is there waiting to give you a high five or a quick hug, but she’s also there to police foot traffic on both sides of the start/finish line. She’s always giving everything to all of her people, and yes, that includes you.
Maia and I stuck around awhile to cheer on runners as they came through on both sides, and it was inspiring to watch. Finally, we headed up to the parking lot for some coffee, food, and our finisher’s ribbons .. As it turned out we’d placed 2nd (Maia) and 3rd (me) in our division. I’m looking forward to the day I turn 50 and I’m not up against Maia in the same division for a couple of years (ha!)
Dave lead the raffle as usual and tossed loaves of Dave’s Killer Bread out into the crowd. Maia caught one, though I suspect Dave lobbed one at her to get her to shut up (love you, Maia!)
It was a really successful day and that “Runners High” got the best of me again when I got home. Yep, Helvetia Half, I’m coming for you!!
