Fun weekend in Bend

Last year I tried to get into the Dirty Half trail run that the Bend Footzone puts on each year. But the 500 limit filled early. This year I called early and they extended the limit to 800. Quite an event to have 800 people running a fun, rolling, single track on Sunday. They started us in 3 waves and people kept trickling in at the finish line. Great prizes (I scored a pint glass!), eats and beer at the finish line plus getting to see lots of familiar faces always makes for a good finish.

So the race brought me down there, but I also got to enjoy 4 hours in Smith Rock on Saturday and visit friend Ben Moon. I've only run there one other time, last year Jeff Browning (Patagonia team member) and Curt Ringstad (Where's Waldo 100k RD) gave me a great tour of Grey Butte, Monkey Face and many other trails and sections. With the beautiful, open high desert terrain it is relatively easy to get your bearings, pick a peak and run so I didn't get lost. Also, Ben and Brooke climbed in the park, so I had people to check in with.

Super fun weekend - but lots of running + not enough sleep = sore throat and stuffy nose. Feeling like I'm on the healing end of it, but had to take a couple of down days.

Next up: ROAD TRIP!!!