Tour de Goose Finale This Week!

It’s hard to believe that July is coming to an end. And along with July coming to an end, that means the 2014 Tour de Goose is also wrapping up. But it’s not too late to get in on some of the zany action, as there are still 3 legs left coming up this Thursday [...]

Announcing the 12th Annual Tour de Goose

The 12th annual Tour de Goose is Coming!

Get ready everyone! The 2014 Tour de Goose is about to start and the mad Dr. Hatfield with his even madder assistant Igor Trautwein have new surprises in store for you.
Please mark your calendars for the event dates listed below. Further details will be provided as the tour gets underway. And remember, participation and a sense of direction may get you more points than how fast you run. On to Le Tour:

Stage #1: Prologue (Guillotine Mile)
Back by popular demand after a one year absence is the Guillotine Mile. This entertaining event is age graded and consists of meeting or exceeding your predicted mile time. The faster you predict the more points you can score, but be careful. You can lose your head.
When: Tuesday, July 8 at 6:00pm
Where: Duniway Track
After Party: Lair Hill Pub for awards, raffle and re-hydration.

Stage #2: Fairview Hill Climb
This is a handicapped event based on your time in the prologue (or 5K time if you missed the first event) and goes from the start of the Thursday Goose run to Fairview Blvd (about 2.1 miles with a 650 foot elevation gain). The course will be marked with flour for those not familiar with the route.
When: Thursday, July 10 at 6:00pm
Where: SW 20th & SW Jefferson
After Party: Goose Hollow Inn for awards, raffle and re-hydration.

Stage #3: Storming of the Bastille (aka – Let Them Eat Cake)
This is an age handicapped event consisting of an approximate 300 meter climb while holding onto a piece of cake
When: Wednesday, July 16 at 6:00pm
Where: Corner of SW Nebraska St and SW Corbett Ave (near Fulton Pub)
After Party: Fulton Pub for awards, raffle and re-hydration.

Stage #4: Expedition Everest (NEW event)
This is a team event with many twists and turns as you make your way up to Fairview. Avalanches, altitude sickness and hypothermia are just a few of the challenges you will face.
When: Thursday, July 17 at 6:00pm
Where: SW 20th & SW Jefferson

Stage #5: Timbers Treasure Hunt
Stage 5 will take place immediately after Stage 4 and is also a team event, although a sense of direction and possibly the successful reading of clues are critical.
When: Thursday, July 17 at 7:00pm
Where: Wildwood Trail just past Fairview
After Party: Goose Hollow Inn for awards (Timbers schwag for the winning team), raffle and re-hydration.

Stage #6: Trivial Pursuit Pursuit (NEW event)
Your ability to answer trivia questions will score you as many points as fast leg turnover for this inaugural event.
When: Thursday, July 24 at 6:00pm
Where: SW 20th & SW Jefferson

Stage #7: Downhill Mile
Select a time randomly from a jar and score points based on how close you can come to the prediction. And don’t worry. No times will be faster than your capability so it is a test of pacing not speed (no watches allowed).
When: Thursday, July 24 immediately following Stage #6
Where: Fairview Road
After Party: Goose Hollow Inn for awards, raffle and re-hydration.

Stage #8: Goozard Challenge
This one is fellow mad scientist Steve Trautwein’s brainchild. It consists of puzzles, physical challenges, map reading, teamwork, adventures and an all-around good time! The running portion is some 3 to 5 miles if you don’t get too lost.
When: Friday, July 25 at 6:00pm
Where: Sellwood Park, Picnic Area A
After Party: Post challenge potluck barbecue, followed by prizes, raffle and the final awarding of the Polka-Dot-Jersey to the male and female champions.
General Rules:

Cost: We’re asking for a contribution of $5 per event (or $10 for all 8 events) to help offset club expenses, but your contribution will get you tickets for the post-run raffles as well.

Scoring: In each stage of the tour you earn 50 to 100 points. 50 points for last place (the Lanterne Rogue), up to 100 points for first. Volunteering for an event automatically nets you 50 points.

Swag: If the spirit of competition is not reward enough, then be advised that there will be several opportunities for tangible loot. First and foremost, the Polka Dot Jerseys will be presented to the top male and female finisher after each event. But don’t get too attached to them; these will serve as the leaders’ jerseys and will be awarded to the overall champions at the end of the Tour. There will also be raffles after each event including club apparel, contributions from Gore and Mizuno, as well as gift certificates.

The 2014 Cascadia Beer Mile

By Joanna Harper After missing the 2013 beer mile season, I returned in 2014 seeking to add another title the one I captured in 2012. Sadly it was not to be; however, a fun time was had by all. Jacob Buckmaster has been organizing the annual Cascadia Beer mile championship for several years now – [...]

Lizards Host Another Successful Special Olympics Track Meet

By Steve Sexton and Janelle Henderson Three hundred, forty-two athletes ages six-years to adulthood gathered in the bleachers under cloudy skies and cool temperatures on June 7th at Mt. Hood Community College track for the 2014 Special Olympics of Oregon Regional meet. The energy and anticipation was thick in the air. After patiently giving respectful [...]

Interacting with Special Olympic Athletes

By Janelle Henderson Special Olympics is one of the most exciting movements today, combining sports with the opportunity to interact with athletes with intellectual disabilities. All of us vary in our experience level with Special Olympic athletes. The suggestions below are meant to help you feel more comfortable in your interactions. 1. People with intellectual [...]

Announcing the 12th annual Tour de Goose!

The 12th annual Tour de Goose is Coming!

Get ready everyone! The 2014 Tour de Goose is about to start and the mad Dr. Hatfield with his even madder assistant Igor Trautwein have new surprises in store for you.
Please mark your calendars for the event dates listed below. Further details will be provided as the tour gets underway. And remember, participation and a sense of direction may get you more points than how fast you run. On to Le Tour:
Stage #1: Prologue (Guillotine Mile)
Back by popular demand after a one year absence is the Guillotine Mile. This entertaining event is age graded and consists of meeting or exceeding your predicted mile time. The faster you predict the more points you can score, but be careful. You can lose your head.
When: Tuesday, July 8 at 6:00pm
Where: Duniway Track
After Party: Lair Hill Pub for awards, raffle and re-hydration.

Stage #2: Fairview Hill Climb
This is a handicapped event based on your time in the prologue (or 5K time if you missed the first event) and goes from the start of the Thursday Goose run to Fairview Blvd (about 2.1 miles with a 650 foot elevation gain). The course will be marked with flour for those not familiar with the route.
When: Thursday, July 10 at 6:00pm
Where: SW 20th & SW Jefferson
After Party: Goose Hollow Inn for awards, raffle and re-hydration.

Stage #3: Storming of the Bastille (aka – Let Them Eat Cake)
This is an age handicapped event consisting of an approximate 300 meter climb while holding onto a piece of cake
When: Wednesday, July 16 at 6:00pm
Where: Corner of SW Nebraska St and SW Corbett Ave (near Fulton Pub)
After Party: Fulton Pub for awards, raffle and re-hydration.

Stage #4: Expedition Everest (NEW event)
This is a team event with many twists and turns as you make your way up to Fairview. Avalanches, altitude sickness and hypothermia are just a few of the challenges you will face.
When: Thursday, July 17 at 6:00pm
Where: SW 20th & SW Jefferson

Stage #5: Timbers Treasure Hunt
Stage 5 will take place immediately after Stage 4 and is also a team event, although a sense of direction and possibly the successful reading of clues are critical.
When: Thursday, July 17 at 7:00pm
Where: Wildwood Trail just past Fairview
After Party: Goose Hollow Inn for awards (Timbers schwag for the winning team), raffle and re-hydration.

Stage #6: Trivial Pursuit Pursuit (NEW event)
Your ability to answer trivia questions will score you as many points as fast leg turnover for this inaugural event.
When: Thursday, July 24 at 6:00pm
Where: SW 20th & SW Jefferson

Stage #7: Downhill Mile
Select a time randomly from a jar and score points based on how close you can come to the prediction. And don’t worry. No times will be faster than your capability so it is a test of pacing not speed (no watches allowed).
When: Thursday, July 24 immediately following Stage #6
Where: Fairview Road
After Party: Goose Hollow Inn for awards, raffle and re-hydration.

Stage #8: Goozard Challenge
This one is fellow mad scientist Steve Trautwein’s brainchild. It consists of puzzles, physical challenges, map reading, teamwork, adventures and an all-around good time! The running portion is some 3 to 5 miles if you don’t get too lost.
When: Friday, July 25 at 6:00pm
Where: Washington Park, Picnic Area A
After Party: Post challenge potluck barbecue, followed by prizes, raffle and the final awarding of the Polka-Dot-Jersey to the male and female champions.
General Rules:

Cost: We’re asking for a contribution of $5 per event (or $10 for all 8 events) to help offset club expenses, but your contribution will get you tickets for the post-run raffles as well.

Scoring: In each stage of the tour you earn 50 to 100 points. 50 points for last place (the Lanterne Rogue), up to 100 points for first. Volunteering for an event automatically nets you 50 points.

Swag: If the spirit of competition is not reward enough, then be advised that there will be several opportunities for tangible loot. First and foremost, the Polka Dot Jerseys will be presented to the top male and female finisher after each event. But don’t get too attached to them; these will serve as the leaders’ jerseys and will be awarded to the overall champions at the end of the Tour. There will also be raffles after each event including club apparel, contributions from Gore and Mizuno, as well as gift certificates.

Lizards are Pacing Machines!

TRL has provided the official pace groups for the Portland Marathon for over a decade, but the pacing opportunities have exploded in the past few years. I know I have always found pacing to be one of the most rewarding experiences runners can do as a volunteer – people appreciate you being out there, and [...]

Summer Series Race #2 – Carson Ridge Run May 17

The Summer Series hits the ground (I should probably say hills) running the first 3 races. This coming weekend’s race, the 6.7-mile Troutdale Trot, starts out with a pretty good climb. And for those who came out to the Stevenson to Carson Ridge 15k last year, you know it goes up, over and down a [...]

Summer Series Kicks Off May 10

April is drawing to an end and the weather is about to get downright summery. I’m not sure about you, but warm weather has me thinking about a long-running (ok, there are some short runs as well) TRL summer tradition – the Summer Series! The Summer Series is an opportunity to join your fellow Lizards [...]

Lizard Running Across Minnesota to Raise Funds and Awareness

By Aaron Coe I find that the busier I get, the more I think about the purpose and meaning of different activities as I attempt prioritize my days. So, I’ve been considering what running means in my life, and hoping that I can use it in ways that benefit people other than myself. Two months [...]