It all started in 2011 when my middle child and oldest son Brice decide to run a half marathon. He jumped on the internet and found the Pacific Crest Event and signed up a whole 4 weeks ahead of time and began to train. Oh to be 20 years old again and be somewhat in shape already.
We jumped in my Pepsi truck and made the drive from Pendleton to Sunriver on a Friday and arrived in time to pick up his race packet. Of course we felt very comfortable there since he grew up in nearby Bend, OR and we were staying at his grandfather's vacation home in Sunriver.
It was a family filled event as we arrived at the house and his mom, younger brother, and grandparents were there to support him. I volunteered at the Columbia River Power Marathon the previous fall and was a little familiar with how these events worked and was there to be a support person for my son in case he had questions.
Brice - Just before running the half marathon 2011
To make a long story short, the boy ran very well and finished 260 something out of 1300 running the half marathon! He had a blast and was hooked. Needless to say it sowed the seeds for the rest of the family as one by one like dominos some of us began to act on the inspiration Brice gave us.
Unfortunately for Brice school and work have been a roadblock for him since that epic first race. He has only one day a week off between his studies to obtain his Bachelor's degree in criminal justice and his job at Les Schwab Tire Company. He vows to join us in more running adventures once he gets past his busy schedule.
Since witnessing his race and experiencing the atmosphere at running events I jumped in with both feet and competed in 8 events myself last year and my daughter Whitney got the running bug along the way too. We've run 3 or 4 events together and at this years Pacific Crest she'll be running her first half. I'm joining her in my second half marathon and my wife will be running the 5K for her first ever running event experience! I'm so proud of them both.
We're making a decided effort as a family to build memories together at events like the Pacific Crest and the Sunriver Marathon for a Cause. Life is good :) I'm just hoping my little IT Band issue that popped up this week doesn't put a kink in my plans to finish sub 2 hours in the half. :(
Either way I plan to finish the race and just enjoy every moment with the ones I love and root them on as we all enjoy the experience that Brice inspired.
Me & Whitney at the 2012 Pacific Crest
