Lacamas Lake 1/2 Marathon

Yesterday was the Lacamas Lake 1/2 Marathon. It was the culmination of much training and planning in this preparation phase for the Marine Corps Marathon. The course was difficult due to elevation changes - total climbs were over 3,000 feet with 4 pretty tough and steep hills. (Amazing what your GPS watch tells you).

We had many friends participating in the race and are starting to see familiar faces at each race as we do more of them. Runners are a very interesting and supportive community. Thanks to Denise's sister Sheri for helping with the boys all week as we ramped up our training, Saturday while we rested and Sunday while we were at the race. They were there at the finish line as I came across and for Denise and for Mom.

I finished 94th out of 635 (top 15%) at 1:47:43 a PR by 8:16! Thrilled about that even though my goal time was 1:45:00. Denise in her first 1/2 marathon ran a 2:19:41 and Mom came in at 3:57:56 in the walk portion of the event. Bill and Vickie Fouch did the four mile run with their son's Jack and Luke running together as a family. Patti Lindstrom did the walk with Mom. Dee Dee Brabec did her first half marathon and ran the first 4 miles with Denise. Curt Frazier ran a good race in 2:09 and thought the course designer was a sadist.

All in all this was a total blast but it was the hardest 1/2 I have run due to temperature and course. Looking forward to one or two more as part of the marathon preparation. This week doesn't get any easier with a 6 mile tempo run tomorrow and another 6 miles of interval work on Thursday followed by a 20 mile run on Sunday morning before church. Somewhere in there I will mix in another 25 miles of bike riding. For those keeping track the total training since registration is now 508.75 miles of running.

Since last post we did high school camp in Tygh Valley Oregon for about 12o students and staff where I drove our boat about 7 hours per day. Was able to get in a few runs during the week and two good bike rides. It was quite hot and the boating was fun but exhausting being out in the heat. The day after we returned Sheri and her two sons arrived and stayed through yesterday at the race. We had a great visit with them and my sons really love their aunt and cousins.

I have added many names to the training shirt and will post a full list once I figure out how to do so. Most recently are my friend Dave Anderson and the daughter of some friends from high school and college - Marissa Huddleston. She just celebrated her 1 year anniversary from her marrow transplant this past week.

Life isn't slowing down any time soon but I will be more diligent with posts. Have a great week.