Pacific Crest

We went to Bend, actually Sun River, Oregon this past weekend because Andy and a bunch of our friends were participating in the Pacific Crest half-marathon.

This is not a new race to us.  We actually did the half-Ironman Tri (Andy) and Du (me) back in 2002 when we were crazy racing machines and a couple of other times after that as well.  It has been awhile since we did the race though.

Look how young we look after the race completion in 2002!

So we made the long trek to central Oregon for this lovely race as did a bunch of our “running group” friends.

I kept my desire to do a crazy race that I do not have time to train for at bay by going for an hour run in the morning on the race route before all of the races got started.  It kept me content enough such that I could support Andy without wanting to give Belén to one of the other trailing spouses and run the race as well.  I had actually mentioned to Andy a couple of weeks back that I could do the race too and his response was something to the effect of, “Have you ever just come to a race and supported me and not done the race yourself?”

“Sure, I have…  I went to Vegas when you did the marathon.”

“You ran the half-marathon.”

“I came to the Back Country Run last year and didn’t run.”

“You didn’t make it to the finish in time to see me finish.”  (To be fair, I didn’t wake up in time because I had been up part of the night breastfeeding and soothing the baby but he is right, we were late.)

“I know I have before, I just cannot think of one right now.”

So ya, he proved his point.  I am not good at being the trailing spouse.  When there is a race, I want to do it.  I recognize that perhaps (okay, definitely) I have been selfish in this regards while he is always 100% supportive of me when I do races and anything, for that matter.

This was the race for me to be supportive, so I got my running out of my system in the morning and Belén and I first watched the runners at the start of the race.  Look how fresh and happy everyone looks.

Next, we made it to the finish not only in time to see Andy finish but also all of our other friends running the race.

Lancer

Becca

Lindsay

Michelle

And in less than 2 hours, my all-star half-marathon better half, Andy!

I won’t mention that fact that he cannot walk now, we will just be proud of him and hope it is nothing serious.

My other companion besides Belén while waiting at the finish.  This biscotti was TO. DIE. FOR…especially with coffee.

AASports puts on a really great race series with over nine different races including two for the kids.  It is definitely worth the trip to Sun River, a resorty, woodsy area.  The only caveat is if you are doing the half-Ironman or half-Ironman duathlon the run is STINKIN’ (yes, a techincal term) HOT.  Even though you feel like you are in the mountains and there are pine trees everywhere, without fail that run is way too hot since it is past noon when you start the running portion of the multi-sport event.  That is one reason why everyone opted for the half marathon this year as it starts at 8:30am.

Congratulations runners!

Oh and our other running friend (hard-core running friend), Joelle, placed SEVENTH (woman) in the Western States 100 MILE RACE with a mere, 20 hours and 19 minutes time!  Unbelievable!

Do you see why it is easy for me to feel like a slacker?

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Tagged as: Bend, central Oregon, mint chocolate biscotti, Oregon, Pacific Crest Half Ironman, Pacific Crest Half-Marathon, race, Running, Sun River, trailing spouse