Race #12/12 - FIrst Walk/Run 2014

2014 First Run/Walk

A Healthy Way to Celebrate the New Year!

5Ks, 10Ks, and other events have become healthy holiday traditions –

After the turkey was eaten and the gifts opened, Dawn, Deb, Fran, and I got our resolutions started off right with the 2014 First Run/Walk on New Year's Eve in downtown Portland. We joined over 1500 active revelers. This event has been a Portland tradition for over 25 years, an event where the whole family can enjoy a festive, healthy option for ringing in the New Year. Judging by recent participation numbers, and the proliferation of new events, it seems that quite a few Oregonians are turning holiday fun runs into annual traditions. It's a tradition for many, I say make it yours! Whether we did it for the joy of running or walking, as an alternate way to ring in the New Year, or as the start of a health-conscious resolution, it was a great way to kick off 2014. What better way to bring in the New Year than to celebrate with hundreds of your family, friends, and neighbors.

We joined in the tradition of the 5K, but there was also a 10K and a 1.5 Mile Run/Walk at midnight, December 31. The 10K/5K course traveled along the waterfront in downtown Portland, with clear, sparkling views of some of the city's brightly lit buildings reflected on the surface of the river, as well as crossing 2 of the bridges, and while it was a little chilly, we truly couldn't have asked for better weather.

The pre-race party began at 10 p.m., and the races began at the stroke of midnight, with a countdown and everyone chanting “Happy New Year!!” as they readied themselves to run into 2014. Post-race, the festivities continued with food, beverages, music, dancing, costume contests, and lots of fun!

I love all of my downtown Portland races, but I have to admit that sometimes the courses get a little monotonous. At The First Run/Walk of 2014, I discovered that walking a well-used course is much more exciting when you have a bunch of drink people yelling at you. Luckily, the yelling was positive – lots of “HAPPY NEW YEARS” and “You can do it!” Even apart from the drunken cheers, The First Run/Walk was a great event. It's rare that I get to do a 5K at midnight, and even more rare to have so many people there to watch a race that small, even if they were only there because they were looking for another bar to go to. While the weather was a little cold for standing around in party dresses, I was really happy that it wasn't raining. The First Run/Walk was a great event, and a more than satisfactory way to start the New Year.

After the race, Deb opted to go home but Dawn, Fran, and I decided to go out to breakfast. I haven't gone out to breakfast at 1:30 in the morning in a very long time and now I remember why, especially on New Year's Eve – the bars were closing and all the drunks were looking for food to absorb their alcohol. We ventured to the Original Hotcake House in Southeast Portland, a restaurant that is open 24 hours a day. Wow, I sure wish I could have taken pictures of what I saw because there are truly NO words to describe what I encountered...and every time I thought I had seen it all, I would get a gander of something else that was truly jaw dropping. I now have a new understanding of the phrase “Keep Portland Weird.” The food was not bad, but the entertainment was truly priceless.

I have enjoyed the past 12 months and 12 5Ks. I want to thank each and every one of you...those who walked with me, those who read my blog, and those who have encouraged me. What a great year of 5Ks it has been. Many of you have asked what my next year adventure will be – well, I am still working on the details, but soon I will be posting my plans for 2014 so stay tuned.