Preliminary List of 2006 Races

I put together a partial list of races I want to do this year and added links for those running events that have their 2006 information up. My goal is to do one race a month at progressively longer distances until the marathon. Here's the list and my thoughts on each:

Sunday, March 12th, 2006
28th Annual Shamrock Run
15K, 8K, 5K, 1K Leprechaun Lap, 3.5 Mile Walk
Note: The "smart" runner would run the 5K if they are running in a 10K race two weeks after that. As previously mentioned, I'm not a smart runner. I'll probably do the 8K.

Sunday, March 26, 2006
20th Annual Bridge To Bridge
10K And 5K Run / Walk
Note: I'm doing the 10K, since this is the only distance that lets you run across the Fremont Bridge.

Sunday, April 9, 2006
Race for the Roses
Half Marathon Run/Walk, 5K Run/Walk
Note: This will be my 5K recovery run between 10K's. I love this event and it's fairly flat (except the hill up to the Steel Bridge), so it's pretty fast. And for those of you who know about the "Missing Car Keys" Tragedy, I promise this year I will keep my pockets securely zipped.

Sunday, April 30, 2006
4th Annual Cinco De Mayo
10K And 5K Run / Walk
Note: I'll be doing the 10K here. I've never run this event, but the course looks boring, so I'm hoping the vibe is good. Either way, I'm going to have my sweetie at the finish with a tequila shot, salt and a lime. You know, to really celebrate the holiday.

Saturday, June 3, 2006
28th Annual KeyBank Starlight 5K Run
Note: Even though the half marathon will be the following week, I can't resist this run. Runners go all out with the costumes, so there's a lot of good energy at this event.

Saturday, June 10th, 2006
Helvetia Half Marathon & 10K
Note: I will be the one moaning "Kill me now!" at the finish line. I'm dead slow up hills, so this will definitely be a challenge. I can't risk any injury, so slow means slow on this one.

Sunday, September 10, 2006
Pints to Pasta 10K
Note: Beer is my only motivating factor for this race. I will gladly trade my pasta for your beer if you don't want it!

Sunday, October 1, 2006
35th Annual Portland Marathon
Note: We may not do this marathon. There has been some talk between us about doing the Maui, Seattle or Las Vegas Marathons instead. I'd love to do the Maui, but my better half is against the idea – the only thing he wants to do in Hawaii is lay on the beach and drink. But that still leaves LAS VEGAS, BABY!!!

Sunday, October 29, 2006
4th Annual Run Like Hell
Half Marathon /5k Run /Walk
Note: If we run the Portland marathon, this will be a recovery run or possibly a walk if I haven't recovered or sense a risk of injury (or should I say, further injury). If not, I will simply do this as a 5K run.