Portland All-Comer Track Meet: Fun and Fast

(Note: This is a repost of content I provided for the Run Oregon blog)

Summer is here and that means so is the Portland All-Comer Track meets on Tuesday nights.

Schedules and general program of the meet can be found in this previous post by Kelly.

And also thanks to a post from Kelly I had no choice but to run the mile tonight!

To set the stage: I am a long distance running. And this is not in terms of a track meet. Long runner in terms of marathons and ultra-marathons. My legs start getting limber after about 5 miles :-)

That said, I had a ton of fun running the Predict-a-Mile and the 200 meter events and then watching many of the other events on the schedule at the track meet tonight.

Traffic was crazy getting to the meet so when I arrived around 6:15 the meet was underway. Registration was handled very well by the Foot Traffic organizers and you just cannot beat the $2 price for as many events as you can handle!

Tonight was a record attendance for an All-Comer meet with my estimation of over 500 people with probably half kids under the age of 12. In the Predict-a-Mile there were over 50 people who ran...awesome!

So what exactly is a Predict-a-Mile you might ask?

First, you sign up for the event and write down, in hard black and white, what time you think you are going to run.

Then you run 4 and bit laps of the track while your legs and lungs burn and scream to stop but you brain steadfastly refuses to quit and pushes you on to experience that euphoric feeling of crossing the finish line and gasping to reduce your oxygen debt.

Finally you wait with baited breath to see if you were close to your predicted time. Why not just look at your watch that you took splits with and timed your mile? Because watches are NOT allowed for this event!! Makes perfect sense for this type of event but man did I miss my splits. I live by my watch during a race: should I speed up, should I slow down...WHAT IS MY TIME! :-)

Later, the official times and results are posted and the first 5 places are those people who correctly predicted the closest to their actual mile times. Mile times ranged from 4:52 to over 12 minutes. I was off predicting my time by 10 seconds but I did tie my PR from the only other mile event I have ever ran and that was 9 years ago! 5:32 is my line in the sand for the mile. The winner predicted her time to within 0.26 seconds!

And yes, I did run the 200 and was attempting to smile the whole way as I powered in for a

strong last place. But I really could care less as the crowd is really supportive to every athlete and it also felt really good to try to run that fast! This attitude of just doing you best and having fun permeates the events.

I was also inspired watching the other events from kids running

their first mile to the guy who won the 400 meter in 50.8 (as shown in the picture)!! Great family fun and athletic event all rolled into one.

So check the schedule and come out with your two bucks for some speedwork, a great time and a well organized Foot Traffic event. See you next time as I try to get better predicting my time running a mile without at watch!

Tigard Youth Track Home Meet

Back on May 2nd, Cole and Leah competed in their second track meet of the year.

This was the home meet for our Tigard Youth track club at the local high school.

Both raced in the 800 racewalk and then two sprints: 100 and the 400.
I was bursting with pride with all the results and the efforts that they did out on the track.

We called it a day after these 3 events and MAN were we glad we did. Just as we were leaving the wind and rain reached close to hurricane levels and ended the meet.

We are excited to hit the last meet of the year for us on June 13th in Salem.

Cole and Leah have worked really hard this year and it is cool to see them learning how to dig deep and enjoy the personal satisfaction of giving it all they got!

Five Dollar Runs

This weekend I participated in two very different runs that both cost five dollars to enter. What an amazing deal for the money!

On Saturday, it was the ice breaker track meet for the Tigard Youth Track club where I am an assistant coach for the long distance runners. The meet was out in Sherwood and the weather was great for the event!
Cole and Leah both race great events.Leah set a PR doing both the 400 and the 100 meters and placing 3 and 2nd in her heats. Cole did the 400 and posted a good solid time better than the start of last season but not quite a PR.
I had not planned to run but as the day rolled out it just made sense for me to slap down the five dollars and race the 3000 meters Masters event. Turned out to be a really nice hard 11 minutes of running. Felt surprisingly good and strong with how little speed work I have done this spring. Only 3 seconds off my PR for this event. Wahoo!

Sunday started early heading out to explore Ruckle Creek trail with Micheal and Ronda. I do not think I have been on this particular trail before and it is a great workout! Another five dollars to park at the bottom but totally worth every cent.

We had lush green forests, wild flowers peeking out in the sun and herds of deer skirting around us as we marched up the hill. I had to turn around to have time to make church so I did not hit the real snow and the Benson Plateau. It was great fun trying to run fast down while staying vertical and soaking up the strain in the quads.

Get out to the Gorge...great workout and amazing scenery!!
These are some of my reasons to run :-)

NW Youth Classic Track Meet

The last track meet of the year for our family came and went on Saturday.
We had another great meet with good temperatures for running (which means cold for the spectators) and PRs for lots of the athletes.

The meet was at McCulloch stadium of Willamette University. The whole Tigard Youth Track team was there to continue the preparation for the State meet in 2 weeks and hopefully defend the team title. Our family is not going to the State meet as I am out of town to pace Ronda for Bighorn 100 and Trisha and the kids are going up to Canada for a vacation/visit.

Cole started the meet with long jump and he did well but no PR this time.
Then it was my turn to run the 1500 where I posted a 5:08 for my best time. I still have lots to learn as I went out way too fast: first lap 74 when I had planned to run 80s!. Showing the younger athletes what not to do ;-)
Then Cole and Leah ran the 100 with Cole breaking 20 seconds for the first time with a 19:41. Leah tied her best time of 20:40.
The running finished up with both Cole and Leah running the 400. Cole continued his streak lowering his PR to 1:34.

Leah was the last athlete of the last event of the day doing her long jump and flying just over 6 and half feet. Results are here for our season. The complete set of pictures for the meet can be found here.

I also got to see lots of "my" athletes competing in the 1500 and 800 meter races and relays and it was great to see many of them post either their best times this season or best time of their lives.

This week was a recovery week for me in my plan towards the PCT 50 miler. The body needed it and I feel rested and ready to build and then peak and push the following week which will include around 50 miles at Big Horn. From what I have been reading about the course it should be challenging and fun. Now we just have to get more of that snow to melt!

Sandy Developmental Track Meet

On Saturday, May 26th, we took part in the Team Oregon track meet in Sandy, Oregon.

The weather cooperated once again as it was partly cloudy and temperature around 50 F.
We arrived later than usual to the track as we were trying to get out the door and ready for both the track meet and camping up at Smith Rock / Crooked River Oregon.

I was taking my time (the meets sometimes do not start right on time) talking up the other coaches and athletes and slowly warming up for the 3000 meter which is always the first event of the day.
As I did my first lap around the track to warmup we noticed that there were a group lining up at the 3000 start....about to start. I sprint down to the line, ask to join, strip off my sweats pretty much just in time for the gun. Not a good warmup!

The rest of the day went much better with lots of fun and great performances by the athletes. Cole set PRs in all his events: long jump, 400 and 100 meters.
Leah set a new PR in the long jump. I set a PR for the 15oo. Results page

Lots of the athletes I work with at the club set PRs or continued their progression towards a PR in the next couple of weeks. Peaking for State is the goal!

After the last event for us for the day, we hopped back in the car and drove the 2.5 hours to our camping spot at Crooked River Ranch RV park. We got there around 3pm and setup the tent trailer like old pros we have come a long way from our first trip last July :-)
Time to hit the pool ahead of the thunderstorms...which never quite materialized.
The RV park is really not much more than a parking lot with some grass but it is in amazing country with great views and hikes with a nice pool. And for this weekend, it was perfect to be close to our running trails in and around Smith Rock.

We arrived too late for me to really hit the trails on Saturday, so I did a little 7 mile loop out from the campground to stretch the legs. I was treated with some great views of the Crooked River canyon and lots of deer. Sunday we were going to hit the real stuff with the group!

Tigard Youth Track Club Developmental Meet

On Saturday, May 20th, Tigard Youth Track club held its inaugural developmental track Meet. It was one of the hottest days so far in 2008. The track was smokin' with much more than just the ambient temperature :-)

Unfortunately, Trisha and I had planned for a year to do Reach the Beach on the same day so we were out of town.

Grandpa was nice enough to be in town and the kids had lots of fun and a great showing at the meet.

Cole set a new 400 meter PR moving his best down to 1:39:50 (from 1:44!!) and taking third.
Leah took part in a 4 by 100 relay that finished first.
I will be updating the results page as I get them.

As well, the long distance athletes I have been helping to coach put on a strong showing with many setting PRs.

Great to see everyones hard work paying off while still having a ton of fun.

Congratulations all around on a fine event. Special thanks to the Tigard parent volunteers who played a large role in running the event and to the Greenes for having the vision :-)

All of the meet pictures can be found here.
Next week we are in Sandy, Oregon to set some more PRs!

Learning to Fly

So close to counting...that pesky yellow scratch line!
Running in the air just like these guys :-)
Thank to Coach Ralph Greene for the action shots. For the entire meet shots please see here.

Robin Hood Track Club Developmental Track & Field Meet

The third track meet of the year for Tigard Youth Track. We were in nearby Sherwood, OR for the Robin Hood Track club event.

I again ran the first event of the day, the 3000 meters. Slowly getting down to my goal time. Today I posted 11:03:32.
I then ran the 1500 meters. It was tons of fun as most of the guys I was running against were from Tigard Track who I am helping coach. I told them they should try to ensure that they all beat me...about half of them pulled it off! Great job all around, making me and the other coaches proud!
I am learning new respect for doing multiple events at a meet...it is not easy staying loose and ready to pound for the second or third event. Good to know to keep the athletes stretching, striding and jogging inbetween events that can be separated by several hours.
My 1500 meters was at basically the same pace per mile as my 3000...need to keep working on that endurance and stamina.

Leah and Cole both did the long jump. Leah scratched on all three of her jumps...good learning lesson for next time. Cole posted a PR of 6ft 3 inches on his final jump. Better by over a foot...awesome!

Both Cole and Leah did the 400 meters posting personal bests.

To finish up, Leah did the 100 and Cole the 200 meters. Both were a bit tired by this point and we need to learn about timing our bio breaks a little better...hard to run fast with a full bladder :-)

Then I switched into full coaching mode guiding the Tigard 800 meter runners to limber up for their heats. We had many great performances today including PRs. I am excited to keep being a part of working the group up for the next 2 meets leading to state.

Our results page has been updated.

While we were at track, Trisha was out doing her yearly Mother's day race: the Hippie Chick Half. We were bummed not to be there to crew her like last year but such is life with a full calendar. Trisha posted a strong result as she reboots her training to take on the SOB (Siskiyou Out and Back) 50 km in mid July. She met us to watch the second half of the events.

We came home with Leah immediately wanting to head out and practice her long jump after her small siesta in the car to refresh. She did not like not getting any recorded results :-)

I finished up the exercise for the day doing a 5 mile loop from the house that includes 550 ft of climbing. Wahoo...the legs are working! It was fun and I was able to hold 7 min miles. Being a coach and athlete is helping me improve my fitness while helping our Tigard team. Nice.

On to Mother's Day!

Canby Relays Track Meet

For our second track meet of the year we participated in the Canby High School 4th annual Relay meet. This event is a fund raiser for the travel of the kids to the national junior Olympic competition. Whatever the cause, we had lots of fun and the rain mostly held off until we were loaded up and driving off.

Every event was a relay whether sprints, distance or field events. You gathered at the start of the staging for the event with your relay team or your went to the staging area and quickly tried to put a team together. This kept things interesting as I was always scrambling to find one more athlete to round out a relay team to have 4 people.

Leah participated in the 4x100, 4x200 and the long jump (3 people, cumulative distance). Leah's team did very well in the long jump
Cole did the 4x100, 4x200 and the 4x400 and the Crazy relay to end the day. He is really taking a liking to the sprint events. He did his 200 leg with both 100s faster than the single 1oo he ran last week. Nice.
I was part of 2 teams: 4x200 and the distance medley: 400, 800, 1200, 1600 where I ran the 1600. I remember now why I like longer races...more time to find your rhythm and that extra oxygen you need!

Many of the athletes I help coach were there today and found out just how hard they can push themselves and how far 800 meters is! :-) It was great and inspiring to watch. This week I even managed to not get lapped!

Our updated results are here.
Next week we are back to individual events at the Sherwood track meet. I know we will have more fun and many more PRs (personal records).

To complete the day we ended at Sammy's birthday at the Secret Society Ballroom. It was a rockin' event with about 5 local bands, good food and friends. Leah really like the lighting and the harder, louder music. She moved up front and center to end the night with a classic from AC/DC "Those about to rock...We salute you" with the birthday boy and his son on the drums. I feel there are going to be many, many conversations about appropriate music choices with my little girl in the future :-)

Salem Track Club Developmental Track & Field Meet

On Sunday we had the great fun of competing in our first track meet.

Cole and Leah have been practicing 2-3 days a week for the last month with the Tigard Youth Track club. They have been working hard and making really good progress in the various track and field events they have been practicing. I have been helping coach the middle and long distance runners which for our age groups means runners who do the 400, 800 and 1500.

Sunday the meet was in Salem, Oregon hosted by the Salem track club. I am still figuring out the whole program but I believe all these developmental meets prime the kids to run in the USATF Junior Olympics program. The JO web page is here.

We got to the meet around 8 am for the team warm-up and sign in. The meets are a great deal at 3 dollars a person.

I ran the first event of the day: the 3000 meters. I am happy to put a soft line in the sand for improvement throughout the season. I now have the goal of not being lapped by the speedy youngsters!!

Cole and Leah competed in the long jump, javelin (using modified spears for their age groups), and then some sprinting events. Cole did the 100 while Leah did the 100 and the 400. The meet was running about 2 hours behind schedule so we had planned to do the 200 but headed out near 2pm after a great long day at the track. I also missed the call for the 1500 meters. Next time we know better how things work and likely the next meet will go more smoothly and timely.

It was great to see the our kids, as well as the Tigard club kids that I have been helping to coach dig deep, and have fun at the same time. The really cool part was hearing them talk about the next track meet and attempting to beat their personal record(s).

Our results for the day can be found here.

Track & Field Results for 2008

Leah:

Salem Track & Field, Apr. 27th	Long Jump	Javelin	100 meter	400 meter
	6-4 feet	16 ft	20:94	1:44:29
Canby Relay Meet, May 3rd	Long Jump	Javelin	100 meter	200 meter
			20:40	40:30
Sherwood Meet, May 10th	Long Jump	Javelin	100 meter	400 meter
			21:40	1:41:66

Cole:

Salem Track & Field, Apr. 27th	Long Jump	Javelin	100 meter	400 meter
	4-11.5 feet	28 ft	21:46
Canby Relay Meet, May 3rd	100 meter	200 meter	400 meter
	20:05	38:30	1:52	1:52
Sherwood Meet, May 10th	Long Jump	200 meter	400 meter
	6-3 feet	46	1:44:50	1:44:50

Darin:

. 200m 1500m 1600m 3000m . Salem Track & Field, Apr 27th - - - 11:26:23 . Canby Relay Meet, May 3rd 28:05 - 5:43:00 - . Sherwood Meet, May 10th - 5:27:35 - 11:03:05 . Sandy Meet, May 29th - 5:17:00 - 11:08:00 . NW Youth Classic, June 7th - -