Shamrock 15K run, March 15, 2009

Wet and windy! So even though I carried the camera, I didn't take very many pictures. But even with all the rain and wind, they announced that over 20,000 had registered for the 4 events: 15K, 8K, 5K, and 3.5 mile fun walk.

I picked up a 5K-running friend, and the 5K started 35 minutes before the 15K. So I did some easy run/walking, just to stay warm, along the waterfront path. Tailwind going downriver, major headwind going up.

I got a pic looking towards the start, then pocketed the camera with the rain. You can see the 5K was finishing to the left of the start...

We did almost 2 miles downtown, then started past PSU and up, up, UP Terwilliger hill. This is where the runners went from chattering to silence and heavy breathing, and focusing on that hill. At the very, very top (and we could hear them as we got closer) was a bagpipe and drum band, huddled under a canopy.

I wore Rachel Davis' memory photo on my back, but she stayed covered by my jacket (and half the time, my poncho over that) will we got back to the parking garage. Nasty weather, but a very fun event!

More of the neighborhood...

A beautiful day for a long run - 30F to start, upper 40Fs when done. Mixed-up winds, but not too strong. Here are some pics from this morning...

First one is looking over the Chehalem Valley:

Next is a barn near the top of the ridge, then some pics of looking towards the coast range:

Several of the neighborhood horses were out in their pastures...

When we first moved to the neighborhood, we rented these two houses. First, the old farmhouse on the left, then the one on the right that was moved in when Murray Road in Beaverton was widened. And we liked the neighborhood so much, we bought our house, 1.5 miles away, driveway to driveway! There used to be a hazelnut orchard here, before the vineyard.

I got 'dusted' several times out on the gravel road!

I passed several hazelnut orchards burning prunings. And the wind was sometimes blowing smoke in my face, sometimes not, and not a consistent direction, either!

Looking into one of the hazelnut orchards...

New kids at the goat farm!

View of Bald Peak:

Spring flowers are starting, and the rams were having an alfalfa brunch!

The lambs were playing King of the Hill!

Continuing on...

Good run! Let it rain now...