Pints To Pasta 10K 2010

The Pints To Pasta 10K was yesterday, Sept, 12, 2010, in Portland, Oregon.  This was our first running event since moving to Vancouver, Washington.  My sister in law, Jody, joined us for this one, and we all had a total blast.  With this event, you get a bunch of freebies, which more than made up for the $39.00 registration fee.  A tech shirt (seen in the picture), coupons for a free meal at the Old Spaghetti Factory,  a coupon for a free 16 oz Jamba Juice smoothie, and a coupon for a free Cinnabon cinnamon roll.  Of course, Widmere beer and Old Spaghetti Factory pasta were on site for all of the hungry & thirsty runners.  I mean, it makes sense seeing how it's called the Pints To Pasta 10K.  The thought of eating a meal like that at 10am sounds kind of gross, but by the time we cooled off & regrouped after the race....we were more than ready to down a couple of pints of Drifter Pale Ale & spaghetti.  So we did! lol

I hope to see more "family involved events" like this one take place (now that we live near family).  Now I have to take a moment to brag about my sweet, sweet sister in law.  Over the past year and a half, Jody has lost well over 55 pounds, and gotten back into running.  This was her first race in over 20 years!  GO JODY!!!!!  Kent and I are thrilled to be a part of her big comeback moment.  :)

I can see why this event is ranked #1 in Oregon.  Fun people.  Fun atmosphere.  Fun vendors.  Tons of freebies.  Beautiful run along the river.  I had the opportunity to meet blog reader & Facebook/DailyMile friend, Kat.  Not only did I get to meet her, but we ran together the entire way. Well, until the very end where she smoked right on past me like a flash of lightening! [Go, Kat!]  I also set a new personal record for myself by crossing the finish line in 1 hour 3 minutes.  I shaved over 5 minutes off my last 10K finish time.  AWESOME!  That is a HUGE improvement.  My conclusion, it makes a difference to A) run with a buddy and B) run without injuries.