Boston Marathon Pre-Training Session #7–Pre’s Trail

When I was in high school when I first learned of Steve Prefontaine.  Although his life was cut tragically short before I started running he was one of my running idols.  Although we live 45 minutes from Eugene, I have never made to trip to Alton Baker Park to run on Pre’s Trail.  Today I made the trip, and ran the 4 mile trail. This was one day after the Civil War football game in which Oregon beat Oregon State 36-35, and I just happened to be wearing on Beavers windbreaker.  I did get some curious looks as I ran on the trail that is adjacent to Autzen Stadium, but everyone was pleasant enough.  I did reflect a bit on Pre’s life from what I remember, and also reflected on my own life as a young teenager learning of my love for running.  I did not achieve the successes that Steve Prefontaine accomplished, however running did give me a place to escape, compete, and to keep in shape physically.  I was able to qualify for the Boston Marathon on the first try, I guess that is something

Boston Marathon Pre-Training Session #6–Thanksgiving 4M run

Happy Thanksgiving! The mini refrigerator in my hotel room kept waking me up all night!  I should have unplugged the thing, instead I just put a pillow over my head and tried to go back to sleep. I finally just got up at about 5:30 AM, and drank some coffee and watch a bit of news.  Now I was ready to brave the cold windy weather of the Oregon coast…. wait it was actually over 40 degrees and not too windy. I ran north to the jetty, and then turned around and went north just past the hotel.  There were several others running along with dog walkers.  I enjoy running on the beach, it is peaceful, a little easier on your knees, and you don’t have to dodge vehicles!

Boston Marathon Pre-Training Session #6

Below are a couple of 360 photo sphere pictures I took; one one the beach, one on the jetty.

Boston Marathon Pre-Training Session #5–Slow 4M

I recent read on article on Runners World’s website “The 2013 Holiday Running Streak.” To summarize, the basic idea is to run at least 1 mile a day between Thanksgiving and New Year’s day.   I decide to informally accept the challenge. Today my wife and I went to breakfast, and right after that I decided to do my at least “1 mile” run on the HP Trail.  I am not sure what I was thinking as I know you should let your food settle first.  After about 1 mile I didn’t feel sick, but my breakfast started coming up!  I tried to push it down, but a little came up.  The next mile or so I fought it back, and finished the HP Loop ran home. Lesson learned.

Boston Marathon Pre-Training Session #4–Slow 7 Mile run

Today I ran the course around HP three times to get a total of six miles, and when adding the distance from our house I ran a total of seven miles.  Originally I was going to run around HP four times, but it was just too boring!! I run that loop all the time when I just want to complete a quick run between meetings or at lunch when I am at work. I felt fine, and just ran a very slow 8:38 min/mil. 

Boston Marathon Pre-Training Session #3

Today was another pretty cold day in the Willamette Valley at about 43 degree when I ran this morning.  I decided to run on a route that a completed several times during my last training session that goes out Hwy 99 to Lewisburg Rd., to Highland Dr up the hill, then back down Highland, and then home.  As I ran up the hill I was reminded of the many times I thought about the tough things we go through in life, and it is just a couple of minutes of pain to get up the hill.  Our friend Shauna passed away one year ago yesterday, and I thought of her on the top of the hill.. remembering her battle, her courage, her faith, and her strength. My wife Christina as been battling breast cancer for the last two and a half years, and I admire her courage, faith, and strength.  This fuels me to push up the hill.


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