Race History Overview

So many of you have demanded to see the times for all the races I have ever run, so I thought this would be a good time to compile and publish the information. I'll post the races, times, and accompanying stories in parts, and as my memory cooperates.

2004 Hood to Coast Relay

Team Port Posse--Code Name: Bandit
I was recruited at the last minute to join the Port of Portland's Hood-to-Coast relay team, filling in for another back-up, Bill Wyatt, Executive Director of the Port. Van 2 graciously accepted me into the fold, probably because I ended up running two of the most difficult legs on the course. And they most likely knew that I would lead the team to its fastest time ever, which actually did come to pass.
I don't have the exact split times, as I didn't think to take them with me when the Port cut ties with me.

Leg 8
My first leg started around 7:00 p.m., and I was more than ready to get started.

Leg 20
My second leg started around 6:00 a.m.,

Leg 35
I traded legs with the Director of Marine, Sam Ruda, as his blistered feet needed a much easier leg.

2002 Portland Marathon

My third and final marathon transpired near home, in Portland, Oregon. My goal was to qualify for the Boston Marathon--which I did in all three of my marathons--so I could run in that historic race. My other goal, which will haunt me to the grave, was to run under three hours.

The race started right at 7:00 a.m., and the weather was perfect--overcast with temperatures that started in the mid 50's. The starting line festivities got my adrenaline going; a troop of drummers beat a rhythm that made me think I was going to battle--and battle with the road I did. I placed myself near the front of the start line, which led to thousands passing me within the first couple of miles; I would reel them all in later, of course, as I finished 90th overall (86th male, out of more than 3000 finishers).

I barely crossed the line in 3:00:39--that's right, just 40 stupid seconds kept me from my goal.

The only consolation prize I could think of was that I was the top dog from Salem.

2002 Bush Park Cross Country Races

Results
8/01/2002: 5k--18:19 (2nd Age Group)
8/08/2002: 5k--18:05 (3rd Age Group)
8/15/2002: 5k--??:?? (Did not place)
8/22/2002: 5k--18:03 (1st Age Group)
8/29/2002: 5k--17:31 (2nd Age Group)

The Drama
This would be the last year that I would compete in these races, as we unfortunately moved out of the area. I dropped nearly a minute from the first and last race, and improved over 30 seconds on Trophy Night to capture my first 2nd place trophy (second trophy in my career). My time of 17:31, while good and faster than I ever ran in high school, was still off my best--although I was using these races as speed workouts for the Portland Marathon in two months, so I wasn't specically training for a fast 5k time.

2002 Capital Mile

Results
1mile: 5:04 (1st Age Group, 4th of 94 Overall)
3K: 10:40 (1st Age Group, 5th of 51 Overall)

The Story
This would be my last entry in the Capital Mile (unfortunately renamed the Kettle Foods Klassic--hey, I love and buy and eat your chips, but quit messing with tradition). I don't remember much about this race; it was probably cold and wet.

1996 Cross Country at Western Oregon State College

This would end up being my last season running cross country. I joined the team just 10 days after returning home from Japan, where I spent two years as a missionary and didn't train a lick. After the season had finished, my coach told me that when he first met me he thought I was too fat to run competively; and while this was probably true, I lost 30 pounds within 6 weeks and was the number 5 runner on the varsity team. Not that our team was any good, but I'll always be proud for having run on a varsity college cross country team.

I injured my hip flexor in the off-season, and that made it all the more easier to not run track the next spring. And since I transferred to Utah State the next year, I didn't even bother trying out for the team--I might have had an outside chance of slipping in, but it was unlikely and I was more interested in focussing on my studies and future career.