Blustery but Active Week

The unsettled weather didn't hinder the fun at all the FZ activities this week.

Monday night brought 18 out for the Women's Running Group. Jenny's about to give birth to her first child (due in two weeks) but still put in a few miles. She's the energy that's made this such a great group for so many years. Email her jenny@footzonebend.com for details.

Tuesday night there were more than two dozen taking part in a blustery 2 mile time trial for the Tuesday Performance Group. It was challenging but great to be out there with everyone and setting that baseline to see if we improve over the months ahead. If you haven't already, you really should check out this group. I really look forward to it every week and I'm not alone. The group keeps growing in numbers and paces so come try it out. Kudos to Max for his efforts and willingness to share his knowledge (if not his speed). Max had a big week last week travelling to Annan, Jordan for XC Worlds. He had a great race coming in as 3rd American and 40th overall. Check out his website for the details http://www.runnerspace.com/maximus Yes, it is a little hard to believe that this is the same nice, humble guy who will craft a workout for the group and cheer you on every Tuesday Night. Its free, all you have to do is send Max your email and he'll email each week with the details mking@reboundspl.com

Wednesdays noon run is also booming a bit. This is never huge but 16 rallied yesterday for a lunchtime run and several enjoyed the Taco Stand waiting for them at the FZ when they got back. If it works in your schedule it always feels good to sneak a great run into the middle of your day. This one leaves from the FZ Wednesdays at noon. We all start out together and then it splits up with options of between 3 and 7 miles depending on what works for you.

Last but not least, the Functional Fitness workout had 15 on hand tonight. We did a "dirty dozen" workout that pleasantly kicked our butts just like every week. Kyle's good at making you hurt with a friendly smile on his face. He'll be hosting the Thursday workout at his studio on April 16th. Its over in NW Crossing just to SouthEast of that new Summit High Track. Check out their website for a map http://www.willraceperformance.com/ This is one of those workouts that we all know we should do but usually don't. Believe me, I can relate, but it's tough to stay injury free if you only run (or bike, or ski). It's only $5 and you just might like it!

So, lots of great things to take advantage of. You'll see several of us FootZoners at all of them. We hope there's a little something for everyone to enjoy. Cheers-Teague

Horse Butte 2009

This morning was brisk SE of town for the first official FootZone event of the year. Thanks to SuperDave for another year of "kicking it Eastside". The Horse Butte 10 Miler evolved from "SuperDave's Horse Ridge 10 1/2 Miler". That run happened only once, back in probably 2000 or 2001, and climbed Golden Butte out East of town. Some permit hassles encouraged SD to let it go for a few years and then came back with an Eastside run in the Horse Butte 10 Miler. This has remained a low key, fun run and Oregon Natural Desert Association benefit. Hopefully everyone knows that along with all FZ events, this is not a money making endeavor for us. Every cent that doesn't go to timing, porta potties, Oregon Country beef hot dogs or beer goes directly to ONDA. It's fun and we hope everyone enjoyed themselves despite that biting wind. Special thanks to Gary, Mary, Justin, Roger, Amy, Tracy, Jodi and Andy Barram and family for all their volunteer help and to Kathy Harshburger for the really cool custom hats that she made. Click HERE for results.

Side notes

1) Oregon Country Beef hot dogs are really good. These are my son's favorite and not your typical nasty hot dogs folks. I convinced at least a couple people to try these today who hadn't eaten beef in a while and they were both a little smitten. I know you can get them at Newport Market but not sure where else. Don't look at the nutritional information on them as it might scare you away. Remember, that extra fat is just stored energy. Roger, good luck with the cholesteral test tomorrow.

2) Thanks for all the kind words of thanks out there today. Not every event is for every person and Horse Butte has a character all it's own. Glad so many like it for what it is.

3) Will we ever have a settled weather day for Horse Butte? It might almost be a disappointment if we do. Another year with a little white.

4) Exciting news for us all this week with the Congressional Bill that includes the Badlands and Spring Basin Wilderness Designation finally making it through both Houses of Congress. Thank you and congratulations to ONDA and all who have spent so much time making this happen.

5) Look for a Horse Butte video from our co-worker Chris soon. He was out there taking shots today and it will be fun to see what he came up with

Cheers-Teague

Horse Butte 09

Just a last minute update on the 2009 Horse Butte 10 miler. If the weather man is right it could be the best weather we have ever had for the race (Jinx). The trail is in prime shape, completely dry and ice free. There are some logs down but I think we can all channel our inner steeplechaser and get over them without pulling a hammy.

Some specifics-

Packet pick up is at the Footzone Saturday from 2-6

As of this post there is about 50 spots left

Packets will be available Sunday morning at the race start

See you all Sunday,

dave

Learn to Run Sign Up

There's a link the entry form for Learn to Run here. You can also access it via the learn to run page on the website. The feedback so far has been great. I'm really happy that Connie and Allison have stepped forward to head up this group. They are the perfect leaders and we're fortunate to have them. Thank you also to the customers who specifically asked us for this. We appreciate that you want a program like this from the shop and can't wait to watch it thrive. Cheers-Teague

St. Patty's Day Fun

To celebrate the St. Patrick's Day holiday Footzone and Cascade Lakes Brewing Company hosted a fun run. There we're about 70 in all shades of green between the fun run and Tuesday Perf group. After the run we all gathered at CLBS to hoist one for the Irish in all of us. Thanks to all that came out.

dave

Kami on the cover

It was fun to open our stack of UltraRunning mag this month and see Bend's very own ultrarunning superstar Kami Semick on the cover. She continues to put up amazing runs. She's about as unassuming as they get and fun to help with shoes. It's great to see her get the recognition. Nice Work, Kami.

Cheers-Teague

Shamrock Run

Well, Max must have a little Irish in him if for no other reasons than the picture to the right and his impressive run at the Portland Shamrock Run yesterday. Also turning in great showings from this side of the mnts were Ryan Altman, Jill Gozdowski and Kari Strang (fresh off race directing Grin and Bear It!). Results are here: http://www.accustatsportstiming.com/09_shamrock/results1.asp