Wyvern Running

Hippie Chick Half and quarter marathon. Champoeg State Park, (OR) May 12, 2007
The Hippie Chick half marathon is a double loop course in Champoeg, with a couple of out and back sections. It’s all asphalt and mostly asphalt trail. It’s very scenic with trees, there’s a nearby river and some of the trail crosses over water with a wooden bridge. We also run right by the campground, and that part is always fun as well. The sections of road were void of cars for most of the time. There was plenty of aid, water and Gleukos and Clif Shot. A lot of folks would say it was pretty much flat, but I am going to call parts of it “rolling” because there’s quite a bit of up and down. The quarter marathon is a single loop of this course. There are also kids races so the little ones can be involved. Lots of guys and dads out there were providing support and volunteering. And there was some yummy hot minestrone and mimosas waiting for us when we finished.

Race director Paula Harkin (www.runwithpaula.com) seems to have an IN with the folks in charge of the weather. The weather for the Hippie chick half marathon was PERFECT! The clouds stayed out until most of the chicks were finished and kept a cool ceiling above us. Later in the day as we were all resting and replenishing, we were grateful that the blustery showers hadn’t come earlier while we were out there running!

The Hippie Chick race is an all women’s event. I heard during the race that this is Oregon’s ONLY all women’s event. There were women of ALL ages in this one! The camaraderie of this event is one of the big draws. It’s an experience! They always have an awesome shirt and a really cute medal. Big thank yous to Paula and her army of volunteers for a really great womanspace experience! Oh yes, I do have pictures!

Comments Off on Hippie Chick Half and quarter marathon. Champoeg State Park, (OR) May 12, 2007

The New Jersey Shore Marathon and Half Marathon – April 29, 2007

Marathon day was surprisingly warm and clear. There were some thunderstorms and heavy rain on Friday, which scared us. On race day, it was fairly humid, but clear and not a drop of rain. It was probably a tad too warm for the full marathon. Lots of people were on the course. The marathon directors were telling us that there were approximately 6000 registered runners overall.

We’d decided to do the half this time. The full marathon is a double loop of the same course. We started right out front of the host hotel on a wooden boardwalk at a very reasonable 7:30 AM and found it just a little cool. It seemed a bit windy and the ocean view was incredible. Soon after we turned off and went along some roads and through neighborhoods. The scenery varied quite a bit. We went over some bridges and snaked our way through a very circuitous course. It had lots and lots of twists and turns. I don’t really mind that, as there always seems to be something new coming along. There was some entertainment along the way at a few spots to keep us pumped up. There are a few miles along Ocean Blvd that have some traffic, but we were pretty much protected by traffic cones.

We go back toward the boardwalk and run along side it for the last mile + and then finish right about where the start line was. The full marathon runners take a second loop. There was a pretty large showing from Team in Training (you guys ROCK!), and some of them were still finishing well past the 7 hr deadline with loads of that great TNT support.

About the hardware: I really like the medals for this race. They’re very interesting and attractive. Yup, there are definitely pictures!

This is a whole weekend of events with many children’s and family runs happening on Saturday. There is literally “something for everyone” at the Jersey Shore during the NJ Marathon Weekend!

Comments Off on The New Jersey Marathon (Long Branch, NJ – April 29, 2007)