Spells Visit!

The Trials were made better sharing them with my good friend and fellow running enthusiast Robert Spell from Denver. Besides going to the Trials together each of the last four days our days started early when I picked him up so could run some of our iconic trails and then to take him around to some of the key track history locales. 

After I picked him up and he checked in at his motel we went to The Paddock a restaurant/bar with a connection to PRE. It was a good meal and a nice kickoff to a very busy six days. 





The next morning I picked him up so he could run PRE’s Trail. He saw Mary Decker Slaney while he was running and we both saw Olympian Emma Coburn training while still recovering from a broken ankle. 





Between the run and the Trials we went to PRE’s Memorial Rock and Track Town Pizza. Can’t believe it was the first time I’ve eaten there. The pizza was outstanding. Then we went and walked around U of O before going into the Trials. I was able to take a picture with Olympian Karissa Schweitzer, she qualified in both the 5000 and 10,000 after recovering from injuries. She is a Mizzou Graduate. 

















The next day I took him to Dorris Ranch to run and to see the Fast Forest created by Ben Blankenship and the Endless Mileage Project. Then after lunch at Denny’s (big mistake that greasy burger went through me like 💩 through a goose) we went to Fifth Street Market. (Thank god a restroom 🚽 was close)!!! We went to Run Hub, the Nike Store and Smith Family Bookstore. Then I drove him out to see where we do our blueberry pancake breakfast after the Butte to Butte at Skinner Butte Park. 







While we were at 5th Street I saw Allie Osrtrander who was 7th at the Trials in the steeplechase and was able to get a picture with her. 



Then back to the Trials. It was really impressive seeing 42 year old Lolo Jones still competing. 





The next days run was on the Amazon Trail where I saw Olympic Marathon bronze medalist Molly Siedel and get a picture with 2012 Olympic 5th place finisher in the 400 hurdles Georgeanne Moline. We’ve talked on Instagram multiple times over the years. We met my sister Donna for Mexican food in Cottage Grove. Because the Trials ended earlier than usual we had time to stay and share a beer at Pete and Lori’s. 







The final day of the Trials started with Charlie and I taking Robert to Harrisburg to do the Firecracker 5K and ended with a final night dinner at Texas Roadhouse. The race went well, the Trials were great, almost every event that final day set new meet records and dinner was good. It was a good trip all around. 










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