Articles by Meg DuMez

About Meg DuMez (71 Articles)

Writer of stories. Organizer of lives. Advisor of academic journeys.

Run Oregon Bookshelf: I Can Do Hard Things: How Small Steps Equal Big Impact

January 6, 2019 // 1 Comment

Since I started running nine years ago, I have read about 40 books on running. My favorite style is what I call “autobiographies by nobodies.” What I mean is the stories by real world people who may be aiming to change their lives, but the [read more...]

Race Preview: 2019 Vancouver Lake Half Marathon and 4-mile (Only $35!)

January 5, 2019 // 0 Comments

The first time I participated in the Vancouver Lake Half Marathon it was for one simple reason: a $35 half marathon. Then some of the added bonuses kept this race on my radar for every winter. The Clark County Running Club has regular group runs [read more...]

Race Preview: 2019 Sweetheart Run (Sweet Home)

December 31, 2018 // 0 Comments

According to Pat Benatar, “Love is a Battlefield.” According to the Beatles, “All You Need is Love.” And according to Anna and Hans (aka two characters from Frozen), “Love is an Open Door.” No matter which of these philosophies you [read more...]

Race Preview: 2019 Worst Day of the Year Run (Troutdale)

December 24, 2018 // 0 Comments

The organizers behind the Worst Day of the Year Run know that it might be hard for you to think about running during the wet winter months, so they crafted a practically perfect 5K that includes a medal at the end. And as the website says; “of [read more...]

Race Preview: 2019 Winter Predictor (Eugene)

December 12, 2018 // 0 Comments

When I sign up for a 5K race, I know my PR, my average pace, and what I can do after a bleh week and I just need to get some movement in. Now if I signed up for a 6K race, all those numbers are a lot less certain. The Winter Predictor 6K and 13K [read more...]

Destination Runcation: 2019 Rock ‘n’ Roll Arizona (Phoenix, Scottsdale, & Tempe)

December 9, 2018 // 0 Comments

The Rock ‘n’ Roll series has become a major bucket list item for many runners. With bands lining the courses, well-designed medals and shirts, and a coordinated team of staff behind the scenes, it’s like Disneyland coming to you for the [read more...]

Race Preview: 2019 Polar Bear Run (Redmond)

December 6, 2018 // 0 Comments

According to scientists at Polar Bears International, polar bears are natural sprinters but only the little ones can run far distances before they overheat. Polar bear youth can run up to a mile and a half. That means, if you sign up for the Polar [read more...]

Race Preview: Mothership 4x4x48 (Portland)

December 3, 2018 // 0 Comments

As I look ahead to 2019, I’m trying to plan out my race calendar and fit everything together (plus keep going to that job that pays for all those races). Sometimes there is a gap where I just cannot find anything available that fits. This must be [read more...]

Race Preview: 2018 & 2019 First Run (Eugene)

November 27, 2018 // 0 Comments

Ever had one of these thoughts after crossing a finish line: • “That was so much fun. Too bad it’s over.” • “Wow, I could totally have done that better.” • “The race is over. Now what am I going to train for?” • “Last race of [read more...]

Race Preview: 2018 Resolution Relay: B.Y.O.B. Bring Your Own Baton (Boring)

November 25, 2018 // 0 Comments

January 1st is a magical time of year, full of possibility that this will be the year that that bad habit is broken, a long-time goal is achieved, and some nagging situation is finally left in the dust. For many, those plans in the new year include [read more...]

Race Recap: 2018 Race to Remember (Vancouver, WA)

November 18, 2018 // 0 Comments

Veterans Day 2018 was the 100-year anniversary of the Armistice Agreement that ended World War I, “the war to end all wars.” That agreement brought the end to 584 official days of battle, with 20 million lives lost around the globe. We celebrate [read more...]

Race Preview: 2018 Frozen Trail Run Fest (Eugene)

November 16, 2018 // 0 Comments

In their description of the Frozen Trail Run Fest, race organizers make it clear that this is a challenging event that is also, somehow, a lot of fun. Level 32 Racing has organized multiple distance options for athletes to take part in on Saturday [read more...]

Race Preview: 2018 Jingle Bell Run (Portland)

November 4, 2018 // 0 Comments

When the weather outside gets frightful, its essential to have fun reasons to get yourself out and moving. And with the Jingle Bell Run, you have a reason to get moving and a way to help others who might not be able to. This run / walk event [read more...]

Race Recap: 2018 Columbia Gorge Marathon (Hood River)

October 26, 2018 // 0 Comments

The Columbia Gorge Marathon declares itself to be “The most scenic marathon in the country”, which you have got to admit is a pretty high expectation when there are marathons all over the United States. As a first-time finisher of the race this [read more...]

Race Preview: 2018 ORRC Turkey Trot at the Zoo (Portland)

October 26, 2018 // 0 Comments

Typically, Thanksgiving Day is all about the turkey. But how about this year, you go see some elephants first? And some hippos, meerkats, and flamingos of course. The Columbia Bank / ORRC Turkey Trot gives you that chance by taking you on a [read more...]

Race Recap: Team Run Oregon at the Inaugural 2018 Hood To Coast High Desert (part 2)

October 16, 2018 // 0 Comments

After all the Run Oregon team experienced for the first half of the Hood To Coast High Desert Relay, it was hard to believe we still had another leg (or in Drew’s case, 2 more legs) to go. That 4:00AM start time was wearing on all of us a bit [read more...]

Race Recap: Team Run Oregon at the Inaugural 2018 Hood To Coast High Desert (part 1)

October 13, 2018 // 0 Comments

On October 6th, 2018, the inaugural 2018 Hood To Coast- High Desert Relay occurred. According to Jude Hubber, the CEO of Hood To Coast, people had been requesting this relay for a long time, and it finally became a reality in one of the most [read more...]

Race Preview: 2018 Grants Pass Marathon (Half, 10k, & 5k)

October 10, 2018 // 0 Comments

The calendar declares its October and finally the temperature is in that beloved range where I can pull on a hooded sweatshirt after my run. I love this time of year and all of the racing options in it. One race I just learned about this year [read more...]

Race Preview: 2018 Duck vs. Beaver Rivalry Run (Tualatin)

October 9, 2018 // 0 Comments

When I lived in Western Pennsylvania, football was easy: I was living in Steeler country. But when I moved to Oregon, that clarity was gone. Was I a Duck? Was I a Beaver? The rivalry is real, even for those of us who have no idea if its football, [read more...]

What Run Oregon is Wearing: ZUNGLE Music Sunglasses

October 8, 2018 // 0 Comments

When I put on my Zungle the first time, I felt like I had been transported into the future promised in the Back to the Future movies. Instead of going for a run, I wondered if I could find a hoverboard or flying car to try out. In the simplest [read more...]

Race Recap: 2018 Boring Half Marathon

September 24, 2018 // 0 Comments

Sunday, September 16th was the fifth-annual Boring Marathon event, and the fifth time I’ve gotten to line up at the starting line for the half marathon race. Though I should be clearer that the event includes multiple races: Boring Marathon, Half [read more...]

Race Preview: 2018 Columbia Gorge Marathon (Hood River)

September 22, 2018 // 0 Comments

As fires ravaged through the Columbia Gorge, there were many who worried that this beloved area would never be the same. That the trails, campgrounds, and waterfalls would be lost for a generation. And while there is still recovery in process, there [read more...]

Race Preview: 2018 Great Pumpkin Run (Corvallis)

September 17, 2018 // 0 Comments

I absolutely loved Halloween as a kid. Dressing up. Getting candy. Staying up way past my bedtime. It was fantastic. The tragedy was wearing that perfect costume just one time before it went back into the closet. If only I had known about running [read more...]

Race Preview: The Rogue Run 2018 (Central Point)

September 14, 2018 // 0 Comments

Sometimes great things come to those who wait. And The Rogue Run this October promises to be one of those times. Originally scheduled for September, race directors had to reschedule the event due to local forest fires. But clear skies area ahead for [read more...]

Race Preview: 2018 Oregon Women’s Half Marathon & 5K (Eugene)

September 9, 2018 // 0 Comments

CELEBRATING & EMPOWERING WOMEN YES, MEN CAN PARTICIPATE, TOO! The race leadership from Pink Buffalo Racing are skilled at putting on an event that is more than just a race, it is a weekend adventure. And the Oregon’s Women’s Half Marathon [read more...]

Race Preview: 2018 Tigard K9-5K (Tigard)

September 5, 2018 // 0 Comments

If you think your best friend is better than someone else’s best friend, then this is the race for you. Well, as long as your best friend is a dog. The 5th annual Tigard K9-5K event includes awards for the first, second, and third place human [read more...]