10 Years of the FootZone Dirty Half

A little Dirty history... the Dirty Half started in 2002 primarily because there weren't any trail running events at the time in Central Oregon. That seemed borderline criminal in our trail rich community so at FootZone we decided to change that. SuperDave is full of good ideas and he was willing to take the lead on this one. A half marathon seemed like the perfect distance (not too long, but long enough) and there really weren't many mid distance trail runs anywhere in the West. So it began, Dave pulled together a course, got the permits and the first year had about 150 runners.
The focus was always (and still is) to make this a super cool event for the participants. So many events were really focused on the cause and we thought it would be fun to do one focused on the participant. We always asked ourselves what we would want and tried to make that happen. First, it had to be an interesting, fun course on the dirt (we knew this wouldn't work for all but would really work for some). Second, we wanted awesome technical race shirts with cool logos. Sure, nowadays every event has a tech tee but Dirty Half was the first in Central Oregon. At the time, none of us had done an event anywhere that used a tech tee. The logo was and continues to be the work of Jeff Browning aka Bronco Billy, local ultra runner and graphic designer extraordinaire. Some years we have to pry it out of him with several beers and some logos have been stronger than others but Jeff has always come through. He'll be quick to point out that it was his idea to change the logo every year. It has been a fun part of the event and job security for Jeff. Third, we've always worked to have a cool finisher’s prize, something you could ideally drink a beverage from at the finish line. Some years we've done socks but generally it's been able to hold liquid. Last year was especially cool as we brought in the very first order of SILIPINTS to Central Oregon.
As far as food, Nancy P's was and is our sought after choice to make copious amounts of finish line treats that aren't skimpy on butter and sugar (two things people seem to like). Deschutes Brewery stepped up in 2006 and started brewing us the Down and Dirty IPA. We almost stopped putting on the race after that because we felt like it could get no better but then we added Taco Stand burritos and Pizza Mondo.
How about the money? Events are good business these days (and we don’t have a problem with that) but Dirty Half is a bit of a kick back. For the first 4 years we simply put every $ back into the event itself and did our best to spoil all participants rotten. At some point we realized that it was big enough and there was an opportunity to raise some funds for a cool local organization without taking anything away from the runners. Thus, since 2006 all the proceeds have gone to the Deschutes Land Trust. Dave is paid a modest race directing fee for all his work. Up until last year, FootZone paid Dave's race directing fee separately but now 1/2 comes from the Dirty Half and 1/2 comes from FootZone. We hope this all creates a reasonably priced event where you get more than what you pay for and truly support a great cause. We hope the Dirty Half is a little less hype and a little more fun.
This year the Dirty Half turns 10. We’re like parents who can’t believe how it has grown and even matured a little. The race is still full with 800 + runners like it has been for the past several years (although the Happy Girls Half took some pressure off this year). This 10th year brings a new course. We weren’t especially excited to change the course but through it all, we ended up with a positive relationship with the Forest Service. Change is hard but this is honestly a better course to spread runners out and provide a start/finish that is much more accessible.
That’s the story; we love this event and appreciate that so many of you do too. It’s great every year to see people getting excited about their first Dirty Half or their 6th. We love it that the fastest runners in town turn out most years while others see completing the Dirty Half as their ultimate running goal. We’ll keep trying to make it great so you can keep coming out and getting Dirty! Cheers-Teague

Reco-Fit Leg Compressors

Two weeks ago we were shipped a sample of a full leg compression sleeve and I knew immediately I had to try it out. They were the RecoFit Leg Compressors and I was fortunate enough to get a pair a day before traveling to London for the London Marathon to check out. Well, the verdict (or part of it) is in. They are great.

The reason I liked the concept of the full length sleeve is because I don't like wearing a full pair of tights while traveling. One, they slip down and I feel like I'm sagging like a 17yr old wannabe skater. I just need a flat brimmed hat to wear backward and an over sized T-shirt down to my knees. Two, they're too hot on an airplane while traveling. You never know what the temps going to be. I've used calf sleeves and socks and they're fine but I figured having full leg compression would be more beneficial. So when I saw these, I had to try them.
I've always had pretty bad swelling in my ankles when I fly and thus my legs feel pretty heavy when I get off the plane. Trying to prevent that I've tried socks and calf sleeves. The socks worked the best as they had compression on my feet and ankles as well as my calves. The RecoFit Leg Compressors certainly helped more than the normal calf sleeves but I did still have ankle and feet swelling since they end at the ankles but it definitely wasn't as bad as not having anything.
On the size chart I was right between a medium and a small-long. I decided to go with the smaller as I've noticed the RecoFit calf sleeves tend to stretch out a bit after wearing them. They were tight (as they should be) but not constraining. I still felt I could move pretty well in them as opposed to some tights. I was a bit worried about having a muffin top where the elastic band is around the thigh that holds them up but it really wasn't an issue and wasn't uncomfortable either. It did take some getting used to however. Getting them to stay up was a challenge until I figured out that I needed to pull up some fabric at the knee rather than just pull from the top. After that I had no issues with them staying up and they stayed up way better than other compression tights I've tried.
The thing I like about RecoFit over other compression components is the fabric. It's cool, thin and like a second skin. It has compression zones where compression is needed and allows movement in areas where compression is not needed, such as the back of the knee. And it looks great too. Others I've tried have just been too warm depending on conditions or too movement constrictive to be comfortable.
One issue I did have with these was that the sticky rubber around the upper elastic band did become somewhat irritating toward the end of the 15hrs of travel. It wasn't bad but I was certainly aware of having to sit on the band for that long. But hey, it was 15hrs of sitting, anything is going to get irritating after that. Moving it around a little bit fixed the problem for a while.
The legs never feel great after going for a shake out run after a trip like that and more than not, they just feel heavy and terrible. I kept the leg sleeves on for the shake out run and I have to say, this is where I felt the difference. This was the first time I had a full length compression on, usually I'll just have calf compression, and it made a big difference. My legs felt almost normal on the run and much better than usual after an intercontinental flight. They didn't have the normal stiff, heavy feeling the legs usually have.
The Leg Compressors will definitely be back on for the trip home and I'm betting the legs will be thanking me. These will replace a few other compression pieces in my arsenal just because it's full leg compression but doesn't have the issues of a full tight.
I can see just slipping these on after races instead of just a calf sleeve and for long travel days for full length compression.

Pear Blossom Weekend in the Rogue Valley

This last weekend a horde of Central Oregonians traveled over the pass to the Rogue Valley to compete in the 35^th running of the Pear Blossom 10 miler held annually in Medford. For me, this race has become a special homecoming each year that I’m lucky enough to run it. It’s got a great following among the community in the Valley that very few races have aside from the major marathons. I love that it gets a front of the sports page preview article in the Mail Tribune the day before the race and a huge front of the sports page photo and two or three individual articles on the event winners the day after. In the Rogue Valley it’s become one of the premiere sporting events of the year.

As a graduate of Crater High School in Central Point I always followed “The Pear” winners each year and hoped that one day I could return and become one of the lucky few, following in the footsteps of greats like Frank Shorter and Rick Sayre (both “Pear” winners). Now I return each year to see my old teachers, classmates and friends I had growing up there. My old athletic director is the RD and has been for the last 20 years or so. My middle school principal yells out the one mile splits the same as he always has since I first ran back in 1997, and countless others that have been volunteering since I was just a wee lad. I was also fortunate enough to be the recipient of the Pear Blossom Scholarship in 1998 as I went off to college, a fund that goes to four area prep athletes involved in cross country each year. It’s been a great way for the community to be involved and give back to the Valley’s youth runners.

It’s an important race for me and it’s great to see that it continues to grow and meet the needs of the running community across the state. A testament to this is the number of Central Oregonians that made the trek including this year’s women’s champion Marci Klimek of Bend and graduate of Phoenix HS in Southern Oregon. There was a great group of Footzone Learn to Run Alumni including Jenniffer Smith, Stacy Case, Valerie Walkley, Patti Brown, and Pam Bicart with a few supportive husbands in tow. One of our CORK youth runners, Jessica Cornett, ran a 1:14. How amazing is that for a 13 yr old? And Frans Alajoki, a regular TPGer (Tuesday Performance Grouper) ran a 59:17 for 17^th overall out of 1584 people. And there was still another half dozen or so Central Oregonians that ran that I haven’t mentioned. It was great to see so many familiar faces from the High Desert down in the valley for one of the biggest event of the year.

I made the trip over for my 6^th and toughest “Pear” victory. Little did I know that Mike Reneau, a friend and sponsored runner from Corvallis, would show up to give me a great challenge. At 5 miles he had opened up a gap of 1:05 on me and I had to start reeling him in. Picking up the pace I pushed hard to catch him with only a mile to go. I was starting to get pretty nervous with 3 to go and Mike still a good 100m in front of me. With his help we ran the two fastest times in the “Pear” history as a 10 mile race. It was one of the sweetest “Pears” I’ve had the pleasure of running. (pun intended)

-Max

Horse Butte 2011

Sunday April 3rd was the 6th running of the Horse Butte 10 miler held on the sweet singletrack Southeast of Bend. The race has built a reputation of a challenging run with a low key atmosphere and some seriously foul weather. Sunday's event had such amazing weather that enough people hung out afterward to eat all the Oregon Country beef hotdogs and drink all the Deschutes Mirror Pond Pale Ale. Wouldn't mind this becoming a tradition.
I have to call out a serious oversight on my part from Sunday. In my astonishment of the nice weather and all the other stuff that goes with organizing an event I overlooked a course record being smashed. The ladies obviously ate their Wheaties before toeing the line. Overall winner and new course record holder Kami Semick ran a 1:06:26 which seemed fast as I read it at the awards but after things settled down I looked it up and it beat the old mark by almost four minutes. Second overall female Katie Caba also bested the old record with a blistering 1:08:53. Nice job ladies.
Also want to thank the volunteers who graciously donated their time to the event. Rodger Rudolph who cooked all the dogs. Josh Davis who parked cars, course marshal, and official beer tester/server. Andy Barram and the Boneyard cycling team for parking folks and sweeping the course. Nicole Lang and the Central Oregon Youth running club for organizing and running the aid station and the finish chute. All races would suffer greatly with out the generous donation of time by volunteers.
Thanks to all the everyone who came out to be part of the race.
dave

Summity Track and Field Community Events

With a great new track at Summit High School come great new opportunities for Central Oregon runners. Keeping in the spirit of a community track complex, Dave Turnbull (Summit Head Track Coach), is holding a community track event at each of their home meets this season. Next Wednesday, April 6^th Summit will be hosting a community 2 mile race. If you haven’t had a chance to see the new Summit track this is a great way to get an 8 lap tour of the facility. It’s one of the nicest high school track and field facilities in the nation. So come on out. Participation is free and every once in a while its fun to get on the track and see what you got under the hood, so to speak.

The meet starts at 3:30pm and the community 2 mile will begin at 3:45. Please email Summit coaches Joe Padilla or Dave Turnbull at joe.padilla@bend.k12.or.us or david.turnbull@bend.k12.or.us to enter.

They are also looking for volunteers to help at the track meets, so if you’re there for the race, they would love it if you could stick around and help with an event after.

We’ll try to keep you posted on the next meet and the next community event. Who knows, for something completely different maybe they’ll even have a steeplechase at one meet.

Other home meets will be on:

Wednesday, April 13

Saturday, April 23

Wednesday, April 27

Thursday, May 5

Saturday, May 14

Merrell and Minimalist March

In a post last summer I explained how excited I was when Merrell busted out with the first shot at more "conventional minimalist product". You can read that post HERE (it's at the end). Well, we've had these shoes in the store for more than a month now and I can confidently say, they have not disappointed. There are flashier options out there but relative to most other minimalist shoes, the Merrell Barefoot shoes don't lift the heel relative to the forefoot. Some won't think this is a big deal while others will. Even if that doesn't matter to you, you might appreciate that the Trail Glove and Tough Glove for men and the Pace Glove and Pure Glove for women are as understated as they are comfortable.
Let's face it, some of you want to try minimalist shoes but don't necessarily want to draw attention to your feet. I'm happy that Merrell has addressed this need. Merrell also recognizes the lifestyle appeal of this footwear and you'll see that in the solid leather Tough Glove and the mary jane style women's Pure Glove. If this is strictly to run or walk or hike in, you'll be happy with the simplicity and function. Buy a pair this month and get entered in our Minimalist March Giveaway. -Teague

Minimalist March - Going on NOW!!!

Welcome to March. Minimalist March. It’s gonna be awesome. In case you haven’t heard, March is minimalist centric down here at the Footzone with minimalist clinics, give-a-ways, and cool new shoes that have arrived just in time to try out in March.

We, the folks at the Footzone, always say that moderation is the key staying healthy, injury free, and keeping things fun and this is our approach to minimalist running as well. While running barefoot might work for some, we’re well aware that the majority of runners out there won’t need to or even want to. There is a lot more to this minimalist “fad” than running barefoot though. For some it might be getting into a little less of a shoe, something with slightly less structure to it, or lowering the heel height to get a more balanced feel, but not necessarily separating the toes and taking out all the cushion that shoes can offer. For many of us it becomes a tool that we use to strengthen our feet and extra muscles we don’t always think about strengthening, kind of like a workout we do twice a week or so. Maybe most of the time we stick to the shoes we’re comfortable in but for a few minutes a day or 30min twice a week we slip on our new minimal shoes and go out for a quick run focusing on good form, quick turnover, and a light, smooth, efficient foot strike. For some of us still, it just becomes a new approach to daily living. We still want running to be fun and we see this as a good way to keep things interesting. It certainly has here at the shop.

We’re kicking off with the Moderate Approach to Minimalism Clinic on Thursday March 3^rd at 6:30 pm with Max King. We will focus on what, why, and how minimalism should be approached.

Next up are the New Balance Demo Days with the new Minimus line that just came in. These are shoes designed with a less is more attitude with a stripped down upper, midsole, and outsole that allows the shoe to move with your foot naturally as you run. What’s different about this line is that minimal doesn’t necessarily mean less cushion, just a different approach.

Throughout March, with every pair of qualifying minimalist shoes purchased, your name with go in the hat for a drawing at the end of the month for some cool prizes. Six pairs of shoes, an iPod Nano, training sessions with Max King, iTunes Gift Certs, just to name a few. Just a little incentive to try out something new.

And if you haven’t had a chance to get into one of our Good Form Running Classes yet, what are you waiting for. This is the perfect time. The running season is upon us. It’s time to rejuvenate your running with something new to get you out the door. We’ve had great success with these few simple techniques and it’s a great way to get motivated.