Uberthons  Luckython Giveaway going on right now! A winner will be chosen on Wednesday March 9th for the March 12th Race!  Don't miss out! Enter to WIN and share today!

 

-----------> You can also REGISTER for Luckython HERE <------

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Luckython Preview ~ March 12, 2016

~ Register for Luckython 5k, 10k, 15k, or Kidathon  HERE! ~

Some friends who joined me for Luckython a couple years ago! 

For the last three years, my husband and I have had a special St. Patrick's Day weekend.  We start with the Uberthons Luckython and end it with Shamrock in Portland.  Today I want to tell you about what goes on at Ubertons Luckython! 

Erika and I showing off our Uberthons swag '15

Luckython is held every year at The Reserve Golf Club in Aloha, OR.  The race is ran on the paved path that weaves in and out of the golf course.  The Reserve closes down half of the golf course, just for the runners.  No need to be worried about getting hit with a golf ball or ran over by a golf cart!  It's a very safe, off road course.  This is my favorite 5k every year.  I'm thinking about running the 10k for '16. 

Race day is Saturday March 12th. 

Race time: 8:00 am and 9:00 am

Potato bar opens at 8:30 am

Kidathon and kids mile run is at 10:00 am

Kids Race!  So fun to watch! 

What to expect at the race! 


~All asphalt or concrete off road path
 ~Potato bar for all participants

~Awesome belt-buckle medals
~Music
~Cool flags and banners
~Plenty of water
~Lots of GREEN
~Tons of FUN

Luckython offers a 5k, 10k, 15k, 15k relay, Kids timed mile and Kidathon.

It's the year of the Belt-buckle medal! 

Prices:

5k: $30.00

10k:  $35.00

15k: $40.00

15k Relay (3 people teams): $30.00 per person

Kids timed mile: $10.00

Kidathon 1/4-1/2 non-timed fun race: FREE

All races include a finishers medal with registration expect the Kidathon.  You may purchase your child a medal for $10.00

Hope you can join me for this super fun St. Patrick's event!

~ Register and get more information HERE! ~

Find Uberthons on facebook here!

Find The Oregon Marathon (part of Uberthons) here!

Find Uberthons on Instagram here!

Follow me on facebook at ZaoFit here! 

Don't forget, Uberthons has some really cool running shirts, socks and scarves for sale at every race!

  

Uberthons Winter Half ~ Oregon Half Marathon Series ~ Race Review

~~~ Register for the Series HERE! ~~~

Saturday January 23rd was the first race of the 2016 Oregon Half Marathon Series, the Uberthons Winter Half! 

It's the year of the Belt Buckle!

The Winter Half took place at The Reserve Vineyards and Golf Club in Aloha, OR.

Registration Prices:

Half Marathon $75 (limited to 350 people)

The awesome Winter Half shirt!

Quarter Marathon $45 (limited to 80 people)
5k $38 (limited to 70 people)

All races were open to runners and walkers (3.5 hour limit)

Register for the Oregon Half Marathon Series and save $50.00. You will also get lots of VIP treatment at all of the races...check that out here!

        ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Saturday morning was a little chilly, but not bad for "Oregon Winter!"  Low 40's with a light mist.  I call that, perfect running weather!

Our race director Darwin!

 Darwin did a great job starting the race with a staggered start.  I started at the end of the first group.  I was worried about feeling blocked in since we were on a golf course, but I didn't feel blocked in at all. There was plenty of

 room.  We ran the South and North sides of the golf course.  Some small rollers with plenty of flat spots on a nice paved path that twisted through the golf course.  As I ran along I saw a few people I knew and talked to them.  As we got in a few miles you could see other runners all over the golf course because of the twists and turns.  It was a beautiful neon rainbow of runners!

The halfway point and the finish line!

It began to rain pretty hard!  We ran the course two time for the half marathon.  The first time around there were a few large puddles that were pretty easy to avoid.  I ran through the starting line to start my second loop and looked up at my halfway time and was pleasantly surprised. I haven't done any heavy training for several months so I wasn't sure how today would go!

My friend Ruth!

This time around I was expecting it to be pretty boring, but it wasn't.  I found myself just counting down the last six miles and enjoying the group I was running with.  Often for the second half of a half marathon, there are spots of loneliness.  Not today, there was always a runner by me.  It made the time tick away faster!  The puddles had grown, as the rain had picked up a lot!  It got to the point of just stomping through the puddles because it didn't matter anymore.  We were all soaked! At mile 12, there was a huge puddle!  I jumped right in...lol!  It wasn't that bad, but it was a big puddle!  I came around the the finish and was pleased with my time.  I managed 1st in my age group and got to run with some really awesome people!

I changed into some dry clothes and joined my husband and daughter for hot soup and rolls in the finish tent!  Uberthons had a couple nice tall heaters to warm up by and plenty of covered seating.

I'm looking forward to the rest of the Uberthons Half Series! Don't miss out, check them out today! Would love to meet you at the next Uberthons event!

My husband Jerry!  2nd in age group, 2nd masters finisher! 

Check out Uberthons here.
Find Uberthons on facebook here
 and Oregon Half Marathon Series here.
Follow Uberthons on Instagram here.

Follow me at ZaoFit, I would love to hear your running story!

REVEL Big Cottonwood Marathon

REVEL Big Cotton Marathon!  Marathon number 9.  One like no other!

This year Jerry and I had our 20th anniversary!  We decided we would celebrate big, with a marathon!  The marathon we chose wasn't just any marathon, it was out of state, talked about as "fast" and the hope for both of us to get our BQ (Boston Qualifier).

We flew out of Portland Thursday September 10th.  The flight went very smooth and we arrived with plenty of time to check out the city and the marathon course!  The marathon started on Guardsman Pass.  

We drove up to Guardsman's Pass the day before the race. The drive up here was awesome!  It's exactly as the REVEL Big Cottonwood web-site explained it.  The 5% downgrade and gorgeous canyon cliffs.  It was going to be an awesome marathon, I was positive of it! 

Saturday morning came, and we were up at 3:15 am (2:15 Oregon time)!!!  Our hotel was only about .75 miles from the finish line, also where we get on the shuttle bus.  We chose to walk/run there as a warm up rather than drive three blocks.  It was warm, about 60 degrees and well lite with street lights for being the middle of the night.  Others were out, heading to the buses as well.  As we walked along the sidewalk, every sprinkler known to man seemed to be on.  As I took a turn up onto a parking lot, Jerry headed down, onto a sidewalk that had a very large step down.  I didn't want to twist my ankle.  He didn't twist his ankle but he did step into six inches of sprinkler water and totally soaked his shoe/sock!  There was no time to go back to the hotel at this point so we just kept going!  I didn't say much, there wasn't any way to fix this.  What a bummer to have to sit with soggy feet for a two hours before running a marathon!

We rode up the dark mountain on a bus jammed with other marathon runners.  We were in the back of the bus on a twisty rode with cliffs.  I just put my head down and tried to rest and not get car sick!

We joined 100's of other runners at the top, it was 50 degrees with low humidity! The race director (RD) told us it's the warmest it's ever been for this race, 20 degrees warmer than last year. 

Between 6:15 am and 6:40 am, we were asked to move out to the road, the starting line!  It was now almost completely daylight.  The RD gave a few directions and started us promptly at 6:45 am.

Start

6:45:25AM

0.0

00:00.00

0.0

349

116 F

31 F35-39

My goal was a Sub 3:40, so I placed myself nicely between the 3:35 and 3:40 pace groups.  I started my Garmin but as the race started, my watch hadn't found satellite reception yet.  This wasn't a big deal to me, I wasn't going to watch my pace this time, simply go off "feel" and stay with my pace groups.  The watch was going to just be for looking back at my "fast spits" on that crazy mountain. 

The first three miles were very steep and I was flying!  I went faster than I had planned, but felt like I was holding back, felt calm, felt like it was going to happen today, and maybe even faster than I thought!  I was having a blast, enjoying every minute of it!

Mile three came to an end.  As we got to the bottom of the first major downgrade, we had a one mile loop to go around before heading back down the mountain.  

As I started up this slightly up-hill fourth mile, I suddenly felt like I couldn't get air.  It was a odd feeling, like someone was taking my energy away.  I was running at 9,700 feet instead of my Dallas, OR 325 feet elevation!  Oh my goodness!  I felt like I had a half of a lung and that half wasn't working!  I suffered through that mile, even walked a sec to catch my breath.  I fell behind the two pace groups I was running with!

I didn't think it was over, I sucked it up after mile four and started down the mountain again, into mile five.  My watch still hadn't connected to satellite so I just turned it off.  As I ran into mile seven, I was back with the 3:35 pace group running a pretty steep downgrade.  The weather was nice.  Felt about 55, sun was out and very low humidity.  There were plenty of people all around me.  Everyone seemed to be doing just fine, like me!

I started to notice lots of people had white stuff on them.  I didn't think much of it, but did notice and wondered what it was.  Looked kind of like a powder but I knew it wasn't powder.

About mile eight I started to have a few issues like the breathing problems again.  It would come and go, depending on the grade of the road/my effort in keeping pace.  I also was coming up on an aid station and knew I had to stop and use the "honey bucket."  I was so annoyed.

I went passed the 8.5 mile mark, knowing it was recording my pace for my friends following me on-line.  I was clocked at 1:09:04 (8:07 pace).  

Mile 8.5

7:54:29AM

8.5

1:09:04.00

8:07

8.5

1:09:04.00

8:07

535

202 F

61 F35-39

My goal for that check point was 1:08.  I was pretty much on track.

After that, I took my break at the honey bucket (it's not as sweet as it sounds) and went on.  I was now behind my pace group again but in hopes of catching back up, like I did before.  

The half way point 

I was having a difficult time catching back up.  I hadn't given up yet, but was slightly discouraged as I continued to struggle with my breathing and the stomach issues that started about mile 8.  I had to stop at the next 3 aid stations to use the honey pot.  That's 4 stops for 1 marathon!  This had never happened to me and was upsetting.

 My four stops went something like this...

stop 1)  mile 9, honey pot stop, coughing fit and was offered water and candy.  No thanks on the candy! Slightly annoyed for having to stop.

stop 2) mile 11, honey pot stop, coughing fit and offered a gel, no thanks on the gel...gag!!!! More annoyed for having to stop.

stop 3)  mile 13, surprisingly a sub 2 hour half at this point. 

Half Way

8:39:20AM

13.1

1:53:55.19

8:41

4.6

44:51.18

9:45

763

346 F

94 F35-39

Another honey pot stop and as my tired, sore broken body stepped into that honey pot, the pot rocked forward because unknown to me, was on crooked ground!  I almost screamed but had no energy to scream.  Thankfully, I was able to brace myself from going over, did my business and got back out on course.  I was offered fruit and was tempted, but passed.  My stomach hurt like someone was taking a spatula to my insides. This happened one other time, it's no fun.

Stop 4) mile 15, my last and final honey pot stop, thank goodness!!!!! I was STARVING!  Came out and saw a bowl of pretzels.  I took only one pretzel, knowing food could make the next 11 miles horrible!  The pretzel took the hunger pains away and my stomach began to feel better.  There was a medical station at this water stop. I was so tempted to end this marathon now.  All it would take was to hobble over and say 

"I don't feel good, help me". 

I kept going!

I had about four miles left on that mountain and now was feeling very sorry for myself.  I was ready for this downhill to end.  My quads hurt so bad.  They were tight and I needed to slow my pace down as I continued running down.  It was heartbreaking to feel myself getting weaker as I moved on.

As I got closer to town, I saw the out-and-back turn!  Finally!!!!  The mountain was over!  We would still have hills to run up and down, but no more mountain.  In town, it was warm.  In the 80s now with eight miles to go! On this out-and-back I originally thought I would be able to see Jerry.  I was so far behind my goal pace at this time, I didn't think it would happen!  

As I looked around, almost everyone I looked at going both ways were taking walk breaks.  Everyone around me seemed to be struggling.  I would run and pass a few, then have to stop and walk, then the others would do the same.  This went on until the finish line.  I've never seen so many walking with 8 miles left to run.  

About mile 19 I looked across the road and there was Jerry!!!!  He was at about mile 22.  He waved to me and I started bawling uncontrollably.  I thought he was too far behind as I quickly did the math in my head to make his goal.  He was also walking, but he was smiling and looked happy.  After he passed, I did the math again and realized he still had about 30 minute left.  Then I cried cause I thought he could do it!  Then I cried again cause he was going to make it and I wasn't.  What a big mess I was!  It was ridiculous.  

It continued to heat up.  This messed with my brain a bit because with the lower humility, it didn't feel quite as hot, but it was hot.  In higher elevation your sweat evaporates much faster.  I think that's why I was seeing all the "white powder stuff" on runners. Everyone was a salty mess. The elevations change was also causing me to have coughing fits off and on during the marathon.  You can read more about the effects of running in higher altitude here and here.  

Finally I came to the turn-a-round.  Only about 5.5 miles to go!  I can do this!  Lots of people were being picked up by medical.  I saw runners sitting on the side of the road with someone over them waiting to be picked up.  I saw a person being taken off on a stretcher.  Another being loading into a medical jeep and being offered pretzels and water.

I got out of that out-and-back stretch and started down the hill into town and the "finish line"

About 5k (3.1) miles to go! 

5K To Go

10:46:20AM

23.1

4:00:55.06

10:25

10.0

2:06:59.87

12:41

960

469 F

116 F35-39

I was way behind goal time now.  

Jerry, looking strong on that hill! 

I was seeing flashes of light as I ran down the middle of the main road.  This scared me a little but I never felt like I was going to pass out.  The last 5k we had traffic going up the hill and down the hill on both sides of us.  We were coned off, safely down the center of the road.  Police were directing traffic and keeping the runners safe.  It was the slowest 5k ever, but I did finally finish.   With about .25 left to go a lady rolled down her window and asked me if I knew how far this traffic detour/jam was?  "only a block or two more", I gladly told her!  I could see that very large 26 mile marker and I knew the end was near! 

I crossed that finish line and Jerry was waiting for me! I said, "did you do it?"  He said, "no, not even close" 

I stood there and bawled on Jerry's shoulder for what seemed like forever.  I said, "that was horrible, horrible"  

Finish

11:28:14AM

26.2

4:42:49.10

10:47

3.1

41:54.03

13:30

981

487 F

117 F35-39

I then begin to sweat really really bad, I wiped my neck and got a handful of salt. I was sweating so bad my contact rolled up into the back of my eyeball.  Then I started crying again, and told Jerry if I

Jerry on the left, finishing strong

touch my eye I will get sick.  I was in four honey pots!  I had no choice.  I tried to hide but there was nowhere to go.  I stuck my finger in my eye and put my contact back in place and hoped for the best.  I told Jerry, "I need to sit down"  He said, "good idea"

We sat for a long time!

Finally, the finish line!

Finally we decided to go to the pizza table and they had just handed out the LAST piece!  I turned to the other food table and took a plain bagel.  The lady told me to take as many bananas as I wanted.  "Take a whole bundle of them she said"  I didn't want a banana, I wanted pizza!  I had to carry myself back to the hotel, I don't need any extra bananas to carry!  I did take that iced towel with me along with my huge awesome medal at the finish line.  The iced towel was a life saver.  It got me cooled down.  My lips were very chapped and hurt.  I wanted to eat.

Jerry and I headed back to the hotel, both hungry!  In Utah there seems to be food on every corner.  More so, than anywhere I've been.  A runners dream! We came to Chick-fil-A and that was it!  We ordered chicken and a shake and sat in the wonderful air conditioned restaurant. The workers asked about the marathon and I thanked them for having food for us!  The owner joined us for most of our meal.  He seemed very pleased to have Oregon marathoners

Eating food at Chick-fil-A

 in his restaurant.  Chick-fil-A is coming to Oregon!  The owner told us!  In fact, Chick-fil-A had to change a bunch of recycling rules in order to get into Oregon!  Be on the lookout! 

We made it back to the hotel, glad we were there a couple more days to rest and see some of the sights and eat more food!  

As I share with you some bad stuff I went through, please laugh with me!  I realized when we were at Salt Lake, Airport standing in line with 100's of others that this was not the marathon I thought it was.  Jerry and I both wore our Marathon shirts to the airport and it brings a lot of questions!  "Did you run the half or the full?"  People who had run the half, or from the area were very impressed when we said, "the full."  Two guys were trying to sell me their "awesome" product that would help my running performance.  A local guy laughed at Jerry and me when he found out we came to get our BQ!  He said, "not on that mountain." He was very nice and was in no way making fun of us.  It was really fun talking to all of these people.  Made standing in line, not so bad!  

This was the most emotional marathon I've ever run.  It funny how many emotions are involved when running a marathon.  You never know for sure how it's going to end up.  My emotions went something like this during my 4:42:49 hours of running...

I'm so excited...

This is amazing...

I got this...

I can't breath...

I got this...

Very annoyed, but grateful for honey pots...

I don't want food...

I want food...

Why am I cramping up already?...

I can't breath...

I'm fine...

I got this...

I can't do this...

I can just quit... 

It doesn't really matter...

I can't quit...

I'm thirsty..

Why are my lips so dry...

Get me off this mountain...

I love this mountain...

I hate this mountain...

It's hot...

I'm so embarrassed...

I don't even want my medal...

I don't even want my marathon shirt...

I don't want anyone to even look at me...

I think I am dying...

I got this...

I'm so slow...

I'm so embarrassed...

I'm going to finish...

This isn't so bad...

I'm never going to try for a BQ again...

....................The finish line................

Sob sob sob...

I love my finishers medal...

I want to wear it forever...

I can't believe how hard that was...

That was horrible...

That was crazy awesome...

I need food...

I'll try again for my BQ next July "in Oregon"

I ran in Utah representing Uberthons, The Oregon Marathon & Half.

Maybe you can join me July 16th on the Banks to Vernonia Trail for the 3rd annual Oregon Marathon.  They also offer a half marathon.

Follow me at ZaoFit and tell me your running story! 

Upcoming races!

The Dallas Hour September 27, 2015

Runaway Pumpkin Half October 17, 2015

Uberthons Halloweenathon 5k October 31, 2015

                               

 Run Wild Adventures 7 mile trail run November 7, 2015

Uberthons Turkeython 5k November 26, 2015

Uberthons Naughty or Niceathon 5k December 12, 2015

Uberthons Winter Half January 23, 2016

Roaring Run Half February 6th, 2016

The Roaring Run at Roaring River, Half Marathon Review 1/31/2015

Erika, Emily, and me (Julie)

The Roaring Run at Roaring River was held this year on Saturday January 31st at Roaring River Country Park, Scio, OR

They offered a Half Marathon, a 10k and a 5k.  

The half marathon started at 9:00 am or you could chose to start at 8:30 (early start).  

The Half started off at $30 if you registered by Dec 1st and gradually went up to $50.00 day of race.

The 10k started at 9:30 am.  It was $25 and went up to $45 if you waited till race day to register.

The 5k started at 10:00 and was $20.  It went up to $40 if you waited till race day.

There was special pricing for youth ages 7-18.  Any event started at only $7 (before Dec 1st) and went up to $30 the day of the race. 

Eric won 3rd in the 10k

Awards were promptly at 11:00 am.  There were age group winners who received 1st, 2nd and 3rd place ribbons.  There were fun prizes given out if your bib number was on a mile marker or if you guess the "theme" of the music playing at each mile maker.  The theme was "weather."  Whoever guessed got put into a drawing and a winner was picked.  They won an I pod shuffle.   My friends bib number was out on a mile maker.  They were giving out t-shirts but didn't have her size.  She ended up with a entry for next years race....nice, very very nice!!!!

The course was chip timed and the Half Marathon Course was USTF certified!

There was limited parking at the park so they offered parking at Lacomb School.  At least two buses were going back and forth (every 15 mins) before and after the race.  I parked at the school and road the shuttle to the park.  It was very cold that morning and the bus was nice and warm!

A bag check was offered near the finish line.

All finishers received a finishers medal and got to enjoy Dutch Bros. chocolate milk, a hot potato bar, orange slices and bagels. 

A big fire was burning keeping us cold runners warm after the race. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

My side of the race!

It was a very cold foggy morning.  It was colder than I expected it to be but I run better in colder weather, so maybe that's a plus!  My husband and I both were going to run the half marathon.  We parked at the school and rode the shuttle over to the park.  Our friends got there early and parked in the park.  The shuttle bus ride was a few miles.  We were dropped off in time to use the port a potties before taking off.

 Packet pick up was going on over near the finish line.  My friends had already picked up our packet, so we were good to go!  

9:00 am came quickly.  My friends Erika, John and Emily were also running the half with Jerry (my husband) and I.  

Eric was running the 10k a half hour later so he took all our extra layers back to the car before he started at 10.  It was so cold the tips of my toes felt frozen.

As soon as we started running I forgot about my cold toes.  We started on Fish Hatchery Road.  It was calm and beautiful.  We ran about 3/4 of a mile out, then ran back to where we started.  Then kept going out from there.  It was a very large loop course.  I was worried the short out-and-back may get congested but it didn't at all.  The road was plenty wide.  As the other runners went by I looked for my friends and gave them all a thumbs up!  We were just getting started!!!

I planned on using this race as a faster "tempo" run.  I wanted to hold a 8:00-8:10 pace for the first 10 miles, then see how the last 3.1 miles goes when I get there!  There was a few inclines in the road but I was doing well.  My pace was under an 8:00 and I was feeling pretty good.  

About mile 4 there was a water station.  I chose not to stop for water.  I ran on wondering how long I could keep up this pace.  

About mile 7 we turned onto Richardson Gap Road.  I felt like there was a slight headwind on the road and I also felt like the elevation was starting to go up.  In other words, it was starting to feel hard to keep up my tempo pace.  

It was very foggy but that didn't bother me.  I just took it mile by mile.  Looking for my bib number at every mile marker to see if I won a prize.  It was how I kept my brain busy out there all alone.  I didn't have anyone close with me this time to pace with.  I will typically pick a person or two to pace with during half marathons, but the others were too far ahead or behind for that to work this time.

I saw several farm animals out, even in the foggy coldness!  I just kept moving forward.  Finally I got to mile marker 10.  My tempo run was done.  Now I took a minute to talk to myself.  Was I going to speed up, slow down, or just maintain the pace into the finish line.  I had just over 3 miles left to go.  

Since it felt as if we were going uphill slightly, I decided maintaining was the best I could do at the moment.

About mile 11.5 or 12 I took my gloves off.  I needed some fresh air to finish strong (I know this sounds silly, but that's how I felt at the time).  Soon I saw Eric.  He has finished his 10k and was looking for his wife Erika.  He took my gloves and I found out he ran his best 10k ever (a PR for Eric)!!!  He ran on to find Erika.  It was just the boost I needed to finish with a little more kick!  Seeing a friend on the course is such a nice thing when you are getting tired!

I went over a beautiful covered bride.  A school band was playing and the beat of the drums helped me speed up.  I was feeling really good!  

Then the last little hill came.  There was no more music, my friend was gone...just me and a line of parked cars and a hill!!!!  I could hear the announcer at the finish line.  Soon, I took a right into the park. There it was, the finish line!  Still very foggy and very cold, I was done!  I had just PRed by 3.5 minutes! My husband was waiting for me!

He got my jacket and we grabbed an orange and some water.  Off we went to look for Erika and John who were hoping to break 2 hrs today for the first time!  

I ran into Susan (another running friend) who had finished the half.  I always love seeing her at races!

Erika and John

Erika's Sub 2 hr Half Marathon!

Soon I saw Erika coming around the parking lot!  She was MOVING, but I couldn't see the clock to know if she was under 2 hrs or not!  

I headed to the finish line and sure enough, she made it, just under 2 hrs.  So did her brother John!  GREAT job you guys!

Waiting for awards!  I got a 2nd pace ribbon, whoot whoot!

Eating potatoes with friends! 

This is a race I would recommend for your 2016 race calender.  The price is affordable, its a fundraiser for Lebanon Cross Country team.  Its a great country course.  It's got a fun finisher atmosphere with fun prizes.  It even ends with a meal!  The hot potatoes and chili was a nice bonus!  This is already on my list for next year with my friends! Hope you can join us!

Race photos can be found here. 

Race results can be found here.

Follow me at ZaoFit. If your in the Dallas/Salem area, we often have free group long runs on the weekend.  

Happy Running! 

~Julie

Uberthons NewYearathon 2015

I picked Uberthons NewYearathon to be my first race of 2015.  I love Uberthons events.  I rounded up several Dallas, OR area friends and we headed to the race on January 3rd.

Runners warming themselves with the
nice heaters.

The race was held at Cook Park in Tigard OR.  It was very easy to find and there was plenty of parking.  It was a cold morning.  We had picked up our race bibs the night before, but race day pick up was going on over near the starting line. There were two nice large warming heaters for runners and walkers to huddle around.  My friends and I headed off to find the restrooms and to get warmed up.  There were several restrooms all over the park.  I saw a few people I knew and got ready to start the race.

Jerry and me with our cool new bling!

First was the 1 mile warm up.  I was going to run this with my 10 year old but he didn't end up coming.  I watched two friends run this!  I was getting excited for the 5k.  I have never run a race this close to the beginning of the year.  Typically over November and December I am not in training so I'm not excited to race in January.  This year, I did a November running challenge and ended up stretching it to Christmas.  I felt I was in better shape this January and was excited to start the year with a good 5k!

The 5k started about 9 am.  Darwin from Uberthons let the kids come up front to start the race with a 30 second head start.  I love how Uberthons promotes active lifestyle for the whole family.  This race was chip timed so we took off in waves.  I left in the 3rd wave of runners.  It was pretty packed at first.  Some of the path was a little narrow.  It was a beautiful safe path through the park, mostly paved, partly trail.  Around mile two we had to go up and down a small but challenging hill.  The rest of the course was fairly flat.  Part of the course we came back around and could see other runners/walkers going out.  I like races where you can see other runners coming and going in all different pace groups.  

Eric and Erika after the race, great job!!!

As we came back into the main part of Cook Park we did a short out and back before coming into the finish line.  This was a fun part for me because I got to see all my friends who were in front of me and behind me!  So much fun!  I came into the finish line to start off my 2015 with a nice 5k PR!

After the race my friends and I went for a short cool down run and then got bananas and hot chocolate provided by Uberthons!  We were able to get a print up of our race times but had to wait to find out if we placed in our age group. Age group winners were announced after the kidathon race.  Alan from Uberthons lead the kids in a loop around the park.  It was really fun to watch!

My Husband ran a PR time today too! Great job Jerry!
Check out these AWESOME medals!

My friends and I had a wonderful morning running and hanging out at the Uberthons Newyearathon.  This is a race I would definitely run again.  It was a fairly fast course.  There was one small hill and several turns that made it not the fastest course.  I like that it was off road, in a park.  I like that it was family friendly but competitive if you want to race.  

Found more friends! Great job Sheila and Brittany! 

Newyearsathon was open to 400 people.  330 people finished the race. 

Uberthons offered a 1 mile race for $14 

5k for $22

Both the 1 mile and 5k for $25

Kidathon for FREE ($10 for a kids medal)

Something extra:  On my facebook page I have done two Uberthons I CAN DO THIS Challenge's.  My last challenge ended the end of December and one of the bonus challenges was signing up for an Uberthons race in 2015.  My winner, Betsy Seth was there, running the 1 mile and 5k.  I was able to present her with a Uberthons shirt after the race was over.  This was so much fun. I love how Uberthons encourages a healthy lifestyle for the whole family.

I highly recommend Uberthons races.  They are family friendly but also competitive.  Darwin, Alan and their crew are some of the best I have meet.  They put on quality fun events and do so much for the communities they work with.  Check out these upcoming races.  Most of them I will be at and look forward to seeing you!

Feb Mommathon

March Luckython

May OR Spring Half

June Seattle Summerthon

July Freedomthon

July Let Freedom Ringathon

OR Summer Half

Aug This is your Event

Sept OR Fall Half

Oct Halloweenathon

Nov Turkeython

Dec Naughty & Niceathon

  

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Happy Running!!!