50 State 5Ks in 2013

4/7/13

Run #15, an 8K: Oregon, Portland

State #15: April 7, 2013
Bridges to Brews 10K and 8K Run/Walk
The Williamette River runs right through Portland. The Bridge to Brews course starts on the east side of the river, crosses over the Fremont Bridge on the way out and the Broadway Bridge on the way back.

Before the run, and amazingly, it is not raining.

This couple is Chad and Anna, originally from Albuquerque, but have lived in Portland for a few years, and they ran in the Bridge to Brews last year. They were very helpful letting us know what the course was like. The green tags mean they are doing the 10K.

Lining up at the starting chute.

And we are off. I took my IPhone to snap some pics while running.

I took the following photo of myself. A difficult task while running and probably a little scary for you to view. I have a little Christopher Walken going.

I finished 90th out of 1024 runners.

and 2nd in my age group.

Beer never tastes better than after a run.

A big party also.

It was a great run especially over the bridges. I may have to run over the Brooklyn and Golden Gate Bridges now.
And a bonus, going to the Mavericks - Portland Trailblazers game with daughter Debi.

15 States Completed (blue).

Scheduled for April and May (red).

4/6/13

5K #14: Washington, Vancouver

State #14
Jog for a Hog: 5K Run/Walk to Benefit the HEIFER Foundation
Across the Columbia River from Portland is Vancouver, Washington, site of this morning's run.
Breakfast of champions.

Lana, me, and Janie. They are members of Prairie High Key Club which is coordinating the 5K.

The guy to my left was the fastest.

And we are off...

A beautiful path

And about 24 minutes and 50 seconds later, my best 5K time. Finished 15th out of 55 who ran.

There were not any age group medals in this 5K, but the Key Club, since I chose their "Jog for a Hog" 5K for my Washington run, honored me with a beautiful blown glass paper weight hog.

This 5K was a wonderful run, and well run, and a lot of fun. Kudos to the Prairie High Key club and to all of the volunteers.

14 States Completed (blue).

Scheduled for April and May (red).

3/18/13

5K #13, March 16: Nevada, Las Vegas

State #13

12th Annual Run Away with Cirque du Soleil 5K Run and 1-Mile Fun Walk at the Springs Preserve

The temperature, unlike the chilly 30s and 40s for the previous 5Ks, is a terrific 70 degrees.

The official starter for the run was Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn G Goodman, who was lucky enough to have her picture taken with Jeannie.

I finished with a time of 26:08, 74th overall out of 871, but 4th in my age group, so no medal this time.

Below is the starting point and finishing point for the run held at the Springs Preserve, a few miles from downtown Las Vegas.

The Springs Preserve, where Las Vegas was first settled in the 1800s, includes colorful desert botanical gardens, museum galleries, outdoor concert and event venues, an indoor theater, historic photo gallery and a series of walking trails that meander through a wetland habitat.

At the finish...

After the run.

I found some fellow runners wearing the tutu.

Some Cirque Du Soleil frolicking.

This 5K was a fun well-organized event, and Mayor Goodman even gave Jeannie the mayor's own personal chip. Her security policeman told Jeannie afterword that the mayor just gives out a few of those chips.

13 States Completed (blue).

Scheduled for April and May (red).

3/3/13

5K #12 March 3: Oklahoma, Ardmore

State #12

A Sunday sunrise 90 mile drive to Ardmore, Oklahoma

for the...
A2A Arbuckles to Ardmore Race for Mercy Marathon, Half Marathon, and 5K

36 degrees for the 8:00 a.m. start

Lots of wind, sun, and inclines, especially the last mile
But a good time at the finish, 26:10

And a hat presentation for 1st in my age group (73rd overall out of 633).

And back to Texas

Runs Completed (blue). Scheduled for March and April (red).

3/2/13

5K #11 March 2: Louisiana, Shreveport

State #11

Heading to Louisiana from Houston where we celebrated my mom's 93rd birthday...

Through East Texas...

to Louisiana for the...

Louisiana Skeeter Run 2013 in Shreveport: SWAT Teams Stamping Out Malaria

Skeeter is short for mis-skeeter which is southern vernacular for mosquito which carries malaria which will be helped to be stamped out by funds raised by SKEETER 5Ks all over Louisiana today.