PDX Sites | Scenic Runs Around Portland

February 11, 2016 by Lindsay Ingalls 1 Comment

Thank you to Interstate Pest Management for sponsoring this post. As always all opinions are my own.

Running the same neighborhood loops over and over can start to be a little boring so it’s always nice to mix things up with a new route. Add in some scenic views and you’ve just made your run go from a workout to an adventure. So whether you are from Portland or are just stopping through for a visit these runs are fantastic ways to get some of the best of what Portland has to offer from city to nature. Honestly if you’re not a runner no worries these runs are also great for walkers, hikers, and bikers.

Waterfront Loop (2.5 miles): This is probably one of the most well known running loops and for good reason. You get views of both the East and West sides of the city while running along the Willamette River. A good spot to start this loop is at the Salmon Street Fountain on Portland’s West side. From there head North through Tom McCall Waterfront Park until you reach the Steel Bridge which you will then cross as you make your way to the East side. Once across the bridge head south along the Eastbank Esplanade until you reach the Hawthorne Bridge which you will cross and make your way back to your starting point. Fell like adding on a few extra miles? Keep running past the Hawthorne Bridge to Portland’s newest Bridge, Tillikum Crossing. Head across and then immediately loop back and head back to the Hawthorne Bridge to cross and return to your starting point

Lower Macleay Park to Pittock Mansion (5 miles out and back): This run is for my trail runners. Starting at Lower Macleay Park you’ll run until you meet Wildwood Trail and from there you will follow the signs to Pittock Mansion. Once at Pittock Mansion head over to the mansion and take in the city views from the top. Once at the top to complete your run you’ll head right back down the way you came. Tip: This run is great any day but for optimal views seek out a bright clear day.

Powell Butte (10 miles of trails): There are many spots to jump on to the Powell Butte trails but a great spot to start is the Visitor Center where there is a good amount of parking and restrooms. From the visitor center you will head up to the summit where you will find open meadows and a great running path. Make a stop at the mountain finder where on clear days you can see Mount Tabor, Kelly Butte, Mount Saint Helens, Mount Adams and Mount Hood to name a few. There are a total of around 10 miles of trails winding through Powell Butte so you can really make this run any distance that you like. Tip: These trails are used by hikers and bikers as well so stay alert!

Interstate Pest Management is a local, family-owned pest control company serving the greater Portland and Vancouver metros. “We are dedicated to protecting your home, your family and pets, and the environment!”- Interstate Pest Managment

It’s Broken.

July 22, 2015 by Lindsay Ingalls 6 Comments

My toe that is. Monday Edith and I were doing a little cookie baking and a smashed my toe on her learning tower and when I folded over in pain I looked down to see my toe (second to the last) was a little bent. As the day went on walking became harder and my toe became more swollen and more purple. Fast forward a few days and my toe is still bruised and still in lots of pain when walking or when my littles step on my feet – didn’t realize how often they did that until I did this.

So after talking to my PT I went to the doctors to see if I should get it x-rayed and was told it was just a break, tape it together, take this homeopathic bone repair remedy and don’t run until there is no pain. I asked what that looked like in days or weeks and she said 2 or so weeks but it could be longer depending on how things heal. That being said I think I am going to have to walk my next 5k and as for my 10k we will see where things are in 2 weeks. Trying not to feel down about this but I was pumped to be back to running again after my knee issues and now here we are again. At this point I might not be running any races until 2016.

You Are A Runner | Self Doubt and The Galloway Method

July 16, 2015 by Lindsay Ingalls 10 Comments

When I first decided to take up running I used the Couch to 5K (C25k) program. For those of you who aren’t familiar it is a program that starts of with run/walk intervals and overtime the distance you run becomes more and more until ultimately you can run a 5K in 30 (or so) minutes. The thing was at this time in my life I decided that I wasn’t a true runner unless I could run without stopping. No walk breaks. Period.

Well I ran my first 5K after completing the C25K program and I ran it straight through. I completed my first race with no walking so I just must be a runner now – right? Yes, at least that’s what I thought at the moment. The thing is once I wanted to increase my distance I found myself resorting to walking breaks again. I felt like a failure and downgraded myself to a “wannabe runner” and I felt a bit defeated and unmotivated to continue with running. That’s until I signed up for Disney Half (which I wasn’t able to run – you can read about that here.)

RunDisney has paired up with Jeff Galloway to create training plans for a variety of levels. The thing that is different about the Galloway Plan is that he promotes a run walk run method. The amount you run and the amount you walk depends on your level so some might do a 30sec/30sec and others will do a lot more running such as 6min/1min intervals. When I started to train for the half I adopted this method and to my surprise I was able to finish a 5k in less time than I had run previously and I felt stronger at the end. At that moment I was sold.

Since 2011 I have been using the Galloway Method and it is working well for me and guess what? I am a runner. I feel like one despite choosing to take walk breaks. You know why? Because taking walk breaks is okay and it actually makes me a stronger and more motivated runner.

I may never run a race without walking or be an elite runner but I am a runner. I run for me. I run for fun. I run to release stress. I run because it gives me joy and I run/walk because it’s what works for me.

Are you a Galloway Runner? Have you ever tried a run/walk plan like Galloway or Couch to 5k/10k?

This post is IN ABSOLUTELY NO WAY sponsored. I came across Galloway on my own and wanted to share this with you because it’s what has worked for me for years.

[Running] Running For Pinot | Oregon Wine Country Half

July 3, 2015 by Lindsay Ingalls 10 Comments

Happy Friday Friends! We are in full race training mode at our house with my 10K this September and Neil has registered for the Oregon Wine Country Half (and I’m totally jealous). This race has been on both of our bucket lists since we moved here in 2013 and this year Neil is going to be crossing it off his bucket list. I’m hoping that next year I’ll be free of running injuries and maybe I’ll be able to cross it off my bucket list as well.

The Oregon Wine Country Half Marathon starts at Stoller Family Estate, offering an idyllic 13.1-mile course that runs through the heart of the Willamette Valley in Yamhill County, winding past a cluster of four American Viticulture Areas and through vineyards and orchards before reaching the beautiful residential area of Lafayette.

Participants rave about the small-town charm, incredible sunrise views, scenic course, great wines, and post-race Wine & Music Festival, presented by Ken Wright Cellars in the heart of Carlton. The Wine + Music Festival will feature over 20 wineries and Lagunitas Brewing Company pouring at the event, along with live music!

For more information, including a complete list of wineries, course map, and travel information, visit the race website:http://destinationraces.com/runoregon/.
Before you head out for you Fourth of July celebrations get into the spirit by celebrating our 33^rd state!If you’re not sure which one that is, here is a hint. You’ll find the beautiful Willamette Valley located here and it’s known for amazing Pinot Noir. Earn your stripes by running the Oregon Wine Country Half Marathon – it’s going to be a blast!

Register to run the Oregon Wine Country Half Marathon from now until July 9^th at 11:59pm for your chance to win a case of Pinot Noir and an awesome training kit (Fitbit tracker, running shoes and more).

What race is on your bucket list?

Disclaimer: Neil received entry to the race in exchange for this post.We are thrilled to attend and cheer him on! I received no monetary compensation for this post.

Fitness Friday: Training for the Helvetia Half Marathon

June 12, 2015 by Neil Fairweather 4 Comments

Tomorrow’s the big day. It’s the day I’ve been training for for the past 2 and a half months and the race I’ve been meaning to run the past 2 and a half years. I will be running the Helvetia Half Marathon in Hillsboro, OR.

Since having kids and moving to Portland, I haven’t taken running or my fitness in general as serious as I should. This will be the third half marathon I’ve signed up for since moving to Portland and only the second one I will have run and the first one I have trained appropriately for.

Aside from being conveniently located near our house, the Helvetia Half Marathon offers a great atmosphere, starting and finishing the race in a minor league baseball stadium, features beautiful views of Washington County’s countryside, and one hell of an elevation profile.

Elevation Profile

In years past, I’ve been guilty of skipping the hill run portions of my training plans. Race day would come and I’d find myself using up all of my energy or not even being capable of running up “unexpected” hills on the course. However, that all changed this year. This year, I signed up for the Portland Fit marathon training program. The Helvetia Half was one of the goals on their marathon training plan and promised to provide me with the knowledge, camaraderie, and group setting that I needed to motivate me in my training.

Enjoying a Cold Brew After My First Half Marathon

The format of the Portland Fit training program is to provide you with the information, training schedule and community to help you run your first or fifteenth marathon. They provide you with a schedule of training runs to do during the week and a coordinated group run on the weekend for your long runs. The long runs alternate between longer, hillier runs and shorter, faster, flatter runs with easy runs, tempo runs, hill runs and interval training sprinkled in between.

Rocking out at the Montreal Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon

The participants are broken up into color groups by pace and the start times are staggered so that every group finishes around the same time so they have an equal opportunity to attend the informational seminars at the end. I chose to run in the red group which is the 10-12 minute pace group. While I have typically run anywhere from 8:45-9:30 pace, I figured after a couple years of inconsistent running and exercising that it might be a bit more realistic to train around a 10 mile pace. I think making that choice has helped me to train smarter and more efficiently and be able to run the entirety of my long runs and tackle the hillier runs better as well. The group is made up of people with a variety of experience, background, goals and abilities. The one thing they do have in common is being a positive and supportive group. There’s a great emphasis on supporting each other and never a feeling of being judged for being slower. And it shows in the teams motto, “We’re red and we’re proud.”

April 2015 – Bridge to Brews 8k

I’m looking forward to this race more than any other aside from maybe my first half marathon. I don’t have any lofty goals or dreams of PRs, I’ll just be happy to finish it knowing I’ve done my best and dedicated as much of myself as I could to training for the race.

Hood to Coast & belVita Prep You for a Morning Run! | +Giveaway

August 15, 2014 by Lindsay Ingalls 12 Comments

I still can’t believe that I am a mom of two and that at 15 days postpartum I am feeling pretty good, especially compared to how I felt at 15 days postpartum with Edith. We have had a busy two weeks and I have shared our first week over on Naturally Family. This week has been just as busy especially now that I am finally feeling up to doing a little bit more moving around, oh yeah and we are moving tomorrow. Don’t worry though I won’t be doing any of the actually moving we have a wonderful group of friends who are going to help us move out and into our new place which is luckily not too far away.

One thing I have learned over the past two weeks is that starting my morning off with a nutritious breakfast is essential. Having two kids is no joke a huge life change and I need to have steady energy in the morning to make it through the day. I know it’s going to be even more important when I am finally cleared to get back to working out and running.

Edith and I have been enjoying coconut, soy or almond milk yogurt with belVita Breakfast Biscuits most mornings and Neil has been enjoying the biscuits as a midmorning snack. These are seriously tasty! The big claim with belVita Breakfast Biscuits is that they provide nutritious steady energy all morning long and you know what I am here to say it’s true! I was skeptical at first but paired with a non-dairy yogurt (or dairy if that’s your thing) and a piece of fruit they are perfect for long lasting energy. As any mom will tell you energy is a must to make it through until lunch and/or naptime – seriously how do toddlers have so much energy?

A few other tidbits about belVita Breakfast Biscuits:

─ 18-20g of delicious whole grain per serving

─ Good source of fiber (3g per serving)

─ Part of a balanced breakfast with fruit and low-fat dairy

─ Crunchy belVita Breakfast Biscuits are available in five flavors including my favorites Blueberry and Golden Oat.

Having (lots) of steady energy throughout the morning and day is going to be essential for me to make sure that I fit my workouts in while taking care of two kids and a house. I want to be a healthy, active and inspiring mom though so I know making time for me is important. My own happiness and my kids inspire me to achieve my goals for the day especially my goals to be active and healthy.

Are you an Oregon local? Hood to Coast (a race on my bucket list) is coming up August 22-23rd and belVita is the breakfast sponsor! belVita will be providing samples of the crunchy biscuits to runners and spectators so head on out and cheer on the amazing runners and pick up your own sample of belVita.

GIVEAWAY:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Visit belVita on their social networks and website: Twitter: @belVita | Facebook: facebook.com/belVita | Website: belvitabreakfast.com

Disclaimer: I was provided with the same giveaway package from belVita in exchange for this post. As always all opinions are my own.

Happy National Running Day!

June 5, 2013 by Lindsay Ingalls Leave a Comment

This is like the best holiday right? Doesn’t it make you want to get out and run or at least get out and buy yourself a new running outfit to celebrate?

Since it’s National Running Day I thought I’d share these fun facts from Brooks Running to hopefully motivate you (and me) to get out of the house and onto the streets to celebrate with a run!

Also did you know that according to a new survey from Brooks, 66 percent of runners believe they have more sex when they run with their significant other? So grab your partner and get out for a run!!

Disclaimer: I was not compensated in anyway for sharing these facts. I chose to do so out of my love for running and Brooks.

Naturally Lindsay

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