Running commentary

I got my New Year's resolution for Christmas this year when my daughter Claire presented me with a beautiful running calendar, complete with an "activity log" and a place to record my weight.

As a runner who will turn 50 in 2010 and who needs to drop some pounds, it was a perfect gift.

I have remained inspired in the days since then and actually made up a preliminary plan of some races to run in the first half of this year. My research led me to writing a New Year's column for the rest of you runners out there that includes most of the Central Oregon races through June

Mark your calendars.

Nearly all of the regional running events are listed on the FootZone and Fleet Feet Web sites, http://www.footzonebend.com and http://www.fleetfeetbend.com. For races outside the area, check http://www.racecenternorthwest.com.

Two local running events in Bend are scheduled on New Year's Day itself. Central Oregon Running Klub (CORK) sponsors a free run at 9 a.m. at Farewell Bend Park with a choice of distances. Coffee, hot chocolate and snacks will be provided.

Fleet Feet is putting together the informal New Year's Day Hangover 10k run and walk, which will be "10k-ish," according to their Web site, and includes a suggested $5 donation to the Mt. Bachelor Rotary Club. Fleet Feet figures you can hit two resolutions at once: get running in the New Year and do good for others. The run begins at the Fleet Feet store located in Bend at 1320 N.W. Galveston Ave.

Sounds good to me.

If you are prepared to go a lot further, Sisters ultra runner Sean Meissner invites you out to the Badlands, east of Bend, on January 2 for a choice of 9-, 13-, 22- and 50-kilometer trail runs beginning at 9 a.m. Call Sean at 541-549-1298 or e-mail [email protected]

Fleet Feet will continue its Hot Chocolate Run series with the final two runs starting at 9 a.m. on Sunday, January 3 and Sunday, February 9, which are informal five- to eight-mile runs in Shevlin Park that include hot chocolate, coffee and bagels afterwards. Organizer Dave Harshburger can be reached at 541-312-0139.

There are no other events listed in January or February in the local region at this time, but I will report any that come up.

However, I found a great-looking run near my original hometown on February 27 that could entice some locals to make a drive, especially since we seldom get to experience real mud on the high desert.

It's the Buck Mountain Mudslinger Run at Silver Falls State Park, which is about 25 miles northeast of Salem. The course is described as 6.5 miles of muddy single-track trail with significant elevation gain and includes a guarantee that finishers will be mud-covered by the end. The event Web site is http://www.runwildadventures.com.

My aim is to be ready to go that distance by the time this one comes along, and I think I have convinced my wife, Deirdre, to join me. We were married at Silver Falls and used to run the trails up there from time to time, so it's very inviting. Maybe we should take a whole group over.

The annual Grin and Bear It 10k/5k is set for Saturday, March 13 in the Old Mill District of Bend. The race is a fundraiser for Healthy Beginnings, which provides health and developmental screening for children from birth to age five. The High Desert Educational Service District oversees Healthy Beginnings. Race information is on the HDESD Web site as well as FootZone and Fleet Feet's Web sites.

As we enter into spring, more long trail runs appear on the scene, including the Horse Butte 10 Miler set for Saturday, April 3 at 8 a.m. east of Bend, and our local favorite, the Peterson Ridge Rumble 30k and 60k, which is scheduled for Sunday, April 11.

The Heaven Can Wait 5k in Drake Park is a very popular race, especially for women, as proceeds benefit Breast Cancer research and awareness programs. This year's race will take place on June 6.

A lot of runners mark the start of summer running with the annual Dirty Half Trail Run (13.1 miles), which is going on its ninth year. I know a number of my cross country team runners and alums plan to run it, and so do I. I've got it already marked on my new running calendar for June 13 at 8 a.m. This event has a limit of 500 runners, so it pays to sign up early.

In my next column I will report on my running progress, give updates of the local events, and highlight some results for local runners. If readers have comments or questions for me please contact me at [email protected]