”image”
0 Cart
Added to Cart
    You have items in your cart
    You have 1 item in your cart
    Total
    0
    Check Out Continue Shopping

    Run Journal

    The Magic of Time, Energy & Miles with Rachel Peters

    The Magic of Time, Energy & Miles with Rachel Peters

    Photos from the Portland Marathon 

    Tell us how it feels to win the Portland Marathon.  What does it mean to you?

    It took me a while to really grasp the reality (and the enormity) of it all, but now that it's finally sunk in, it feels pretty incredible. I think what makes this win so special is that it happened on the cusp of my 38th birthday. When I turned 36, I was honestly feeling some type of way about being in my late 30's - as if I had suddenly reached my full potential, and that everything was going to be downhill from there. I know that sounds overly dramatic, but there was quite a bit of sadness and fear within me at the time. It's such a funny thing to look back on now though because I currently feel the healthiest and strongest I've ever felt, while also running some of my fastest times. I don't think I could have ever predicted that I'd relate so deeply to the saying "age is just a number," but it's been a pleasant surprise, to say the least.

     

    Can you share any parts of your running path that allowed you to get to this level?

    11 years ago, I ran the Portland Marathon - my very first marathon. I was underfueled, underprepared, and genuinely had no clue what the heck I was doing, but wow, did I discover how much I loved pushing myself beyond what I thought possible. After one more road marathon under my belt and experimenting a bit with my training and fueling, I eventually found trail running and ultra marathons. In the beginning, I mostly relied on my genetics and the bare minimum amount of training required to do those races. It took one year of spraining both ankles multiple times for me to finally take my training more seriously. I very quickly learned that putting the time, energy and miles into this running thing can net some pretty amazing results.

    Since that seemingly obvious discovery, I was able to pull off a handful of 1st and 2nd place finishes at some bigger races, including a 2nd place finish at last year's Portland Marathon. I'm a pretty competitive person by nature, so that 2nd place finish really lit a fire under me. At the beginning of 2024, I resolved to religiously stick to a training plan, increase my mileage, and incorporate an at-home strength training plan; all things I'm embarrassed to admit that I had never been willing to fully commit to previously. I was determined, but also genuinely curious to see how my body would react. Needless to say, it's led to some pretty memorable performances.

     

    Was winning something you had on your radar before the race or during?

    Yes and no. It goes without saying that the Portland area has some ridiculously fast women out there. I knew that any one of them could show up on race day, so the idea of winning initially felt like more of a pipe dream than it did a reality. I essentially went into it just aiming to hit my time goal rather than stressing too much over a potential podium finish. During the race, I was drafting off of, and leapfrogging with, two of the other top women up until mile 14 when I finally managed to settle into the first spot. Being in that position with so much of the race left was incredibly nerve wracking, and I often found myself trying to gauge whether the crowd was cheering for me because I was in first, or because I was in first and about to get passed. It may have been a mix of shock and doubt, but I guess I never really felt like I truly had the race in the bag. As you can imagine, the relief and elation I felt as soon as I crossed the finish line was palpable.

     

    I know you spend a lot of time on trails and racing trail. What do you love about mixing it up with road marathons?

    I love the varied complexity between the two. During my marathon training block this year, almost all of my training was on road, with a handful of trail races thrown into the mix. Although my preference is trail, I think I've probably always been a road-runner at heart. I appreciate that after a long work day, I can put on a pair of running shoes, head out the door, and instantly be running. I enjoy the intense, fast-paced workouts and then deep diving into the analytics of each one. I'm also a creature of habit, so I probably have a higher tolerance for the monotony that's often associated with it. With that being said, I live in a pretty small town, so getting a 15 to 20 mile run in usually means running multiple loops around the entire city. That can get old pretty fast - I do have limits - so it's always a nice reprieve to hit the trails. Overall, I think mixing trail and road into my training has greatly benefitted me. During a road race, the hills seem so small in comparison to the hills you'd find out on the trails. And during a trail race, it's always fun to be able to incorporate a little speed.

     

    It was awesome to see you rocking our Long Haul Cap as well as another Portland brand’s (The Athletic Community) PDX Carpet Socks.  I have to ask, what do you love about the cap and/or our the Territory Run brand?  

    I first discovered Territory Run Co. on Instagram at the beginning of 2016. The posts were chock full of single track trails, moody forests, mountainous landscapes, and inspirational quotes - it all looked so cool! The trucker hats looked so cool. The people looked so cool. I was captivated by all of it. At that point, I had only just contemplated signing up for a trail race but was too scared to actually go through with it; I felt like such an outsider looking in. One year later, I finally worked up enough courage to sign up for a 50k race - the Elk-Kings Trail Race. I was absolutely blown away by the camaraderie and the sense of community felt not only on race day, but during my training runs through Forest Park and all the nearby trails. For me, Territory Run Co. represents all the best things associated with running - purpose, passion, inclusion, growth, etc. I'm so grateful to have found the brand and the trail community that welcomed me with open arms from day one. And while I discovered that I look absolutely ridiculous in a trucker hat, I'm more than happy to continue supporting the brand that played a role in inspiring me to step out of my comfort zone.

    Gettin' Gritty with Rich Lockwood

    Gettin' Gritty with Rich Lockwood

    Interview by Nick Stenger

    Photos by Mike McMonagal

    Rich Lockwood sits in front of his screen wearing scrubs. It is a quiet and dimly lit nook in the basement of the hospital where he works. Less than 60 hours before, he ran through the finish line of the Run Rabbit Run 100 Mile in 1st place. It was his second victory at Run Rabbit Run over three years. Rich bested his time by 37 minutes from 18:01 to 17:24. Now, he is back at work as an X-ray Technologist, feeling some post-race fatigue but still buzzing with energy from his impressive effort. We catch up with Rich over Zoom to congratulate him and hear about his exceptional race.

    Nick: What were your expectations going into the race?

    Rich: I ran Run Rabbit in 2022 and won but we ran through pouring rain, two hail storms. It was nasty. I fell at mile 16 and smashed my quads. I got pretty deep quad bruising that I thought was going to go away, but never did. While I was stoked on the race because I won, it was super gritty and painful, just like a battle. 

    Last year, I focused on CCC at UTMB week, and this year, I wanted to do something back in the States. I needed a Hardrock qualifier and Western States qualifier, and in the back of my mind, since the first time I ran (Run Rabbit), I knew I could do better out there. 

    It ended up being a polar opposite experience. It was sunny the entire time; the course was in great condition, and the competition was more stout this time around. I felt totally in control of my effort. I was able to run my own race and make a move when it was the perfect time to do it. It was a more joyful happy experience. I remember smiling a lot. 

    Nick: Were you optimistic heading into the race?

    I was definitely optimistic. I knew I could run faster, but you never know it in 100 milers. There are so many variables. 

    I don't think first place or podium was on my goal sheet. Last time I ran 18:01. My goals were to go sub 18 on the course and not fall and hurt myself. (laughing)

    In my subconscious, I kind of knew if I nail those two goals, probably, everything could line into place.

    I tried not to put too much pressure on myself. I felt pressure leading up to it, but once I was out there… I guess I had been racing in Europe, where things are so hyped up and there is so much pressure. Run Rabbit still feels like a grassroots family race.

    Nick: What was your training, like leading up to the race this year versus two years ago?

    Rich: In some ways, my preparation maybe looked better on paper the first time I ran it. I had a great build up to my racing season, where this time I battled through really bad plantar fasciitis in the 2023 season. 

    After CCC, which was the first weekend of September 2023, I took three months off from running. I did not run a step. I just did some mountain biking. I did some hiking. And so I got back to running in January. I basically had a ski season slash getting back into running and then raced the Madeira Island 110k in April. It was a short buildup to a pretty gnarly race. Then, I felt I was almost racing into fitness- crossing my fingers that it would keep building forward and that I would not have any setbacks. And luckily, I didn't. So, while the work I was doing was the same, the way it was layered was slightly different. 

    Nick: Tell us about how the race went early on and any challenges that came up.

    Rich: At mile 16, you do an out and back down to this waterfall trail. At this point, Tyler Green and I were running together. Tyler came out of that aid station and into the climb and motored up passed me. I wasn’t feeling great with the altitude at that point. I was feeling a little bit dizzy. It was pretty hot -maybe three in the afternoon-peak heat, and I knew it was a 5 mile climb coming up out of there. Adam (Loomis) then passed me as well. It was too early to chase them. I power-hiked and jogged the climb. 

    I linked back up with them at the 50k mark. I felt better at that point. We are up even higher, but it felt like my body was being recalibrated. My legs were feeling great. Adam, Tyler and I were all running together in the front. Adam and I then pushed and gapped Tyler a little bit right before an aid station. 

    I had pretty full bottles, so I said I am gonna go for it even though I should have known, because I ran this course before. You are heading into a 10 mile descent before hitting another aid station. 

    Adam peeled off to stop and grab water and I think he caught up with me 5 minutes later. It was a bonehead move and that I think setoff, at mile 50, I peed, and it was basically dark brown. Signs of Rhabdo (rhabdomylosis) or maybe severe dehydration, I think. I’ve never had it happen to me, but I have heard stories from other runners. I didn’t have any other symptoms. I told my crew, Billy Grimes, an awesome dude who lives in Silverton. He told me to chug as much water as possible. 

    Even though I was slamming a lot more water at that point, I had built myself into enough of a deficit, where every time I peed, it was still dark dark brown. Luckily, I did not have other symptoms, but it was scary to see it like that. 

    Nick: How did you work through this, which sounds pretty scary?

    At that point, you do a little loop out of town, then head back and make a huge climb back up to the continental divide trail. From mile 70 to the end, you are kind of on your own. There is no crew accessibility. It was midnight. I just crossed my fingers and hoped that this would not spiral out of control. It’s 30 degrees up there, 2 am, and I am on my own. Luckily it panned out for me (laughing in relief).

    I think I needed to keep thinking about it to keep myself drinking. Especially because it was cold. I don’t know about you guys, but every time it is cold out and I am running, I find it hard to drink. So I had to really stay on top of it. Every time I got to an aid station, I would down my bottles if I had anything left and filled both. Just to keep it at bay, so it wouldn’t get worse. 

    Nick: How did it play out from there?

    Rich: I was running with Adam still. We were right at the base of a pretty runnable climb. He was a little bit behind me. I heard him shuffle step, kick the gravel a bit and spit. I thought, I think he is puking. 

    So, I hit the jets and I thought, I am going to try to gap him right now. I ran the whole climb to the next aid, grabbed some stuff real quickly, and headed out. 

    Most of the race I felt very in control, but then it got gritty. It was deep yoga breathing. I was trying to run every step I could possibly run and hike as fast as I could. At every aid station, I heard the gap was increasing.

    What were your high points in the race?

    I think the high point was when I did make that move. I said, Okay, now is when I go for it and when I got up to the next aid, I was able to ask, when did they come through last? And they say, now they are ten minutes behind you. The person you were just running with 8 or 9 miles ago is now 10 minutes behind you. It is that feeling of, it worked.

    Adam and I also had this great moment, running this 10 mile descent back into town through the Aspens at sunset. We were running down these mountain bike switchbacks.  It was so beautiful. 

    Nick: What was it like to reach the finish line in first place?

    Rich: It’s the love of the finish line. You have been on your own through the entire night and you are finally back down with people. The energy was really high.  

    Like any 100 miler, so overjoyed, it is a big emotional release to be done with the effort. Laughing and elated that the whole year of training and racing- it all panned out.

    Easy Miles Run Club

    Easy Miles Run Club

    Next Easy Miles will be Sunday November 17th at 8:30am- Sign up here

      

     

    We have often experienced shown up at group runs expecting cruising social miles and instead got a brisk pace too intense for chatting up new people. 

    We thought it was time for a chilled out group run.

    Join us for Easy Miles Run Club!

    It is our new run club that is about taking it easy out on the trails and enjoying the good company and the post run bevies.The run club is for those who want some easy miles after a harder effort day, anyone who is looking for a group run that is more about connecting with new people than getting a workout or those who are just getting started in running/ trail running.

    You can kick back to a mellow pace, not worry about being left behind and get to know some cool new folks.

     

    A Love for Running - 10 Years and Beyond

    A Love for Running - 10 Years and Beyond

    Photo of our Ten Year Party by Joe Snyder

    I created and molded Territory out of my own love for running. 

    It’s what connects us all - our love for it. 

    I am reminded of how much we owe running when I meet someone who is getting into it for the first time. They are buzzing with excitement and energized for their new passion. They talk about it with everyone who will listen. 

    I remember what it was like for me when I started. I felt like I had discovered some great secret because the world I knew always spoke negatively about running. But I was absolutely stoked on it. 

    Running gave me direction, purpose, community and a true passion. 

    It goes far beyond the word, “sport” for most of us. It connects us to nature, ourselves, it is grounding, it makes us better humans to those around us and makes us present in a world full of distractions. 

    When out running on a quiet trail, it is clear that it's not in our DNA to be in front of a computer all day or scroll through some feed on our phone mindlessly. 

    We feel so alive when we are out running because it is what we are built to be doing. 

    It is our escape from the modern hustle and we tap into a natural way of living; moving our bodies, breathing deeply, pushing ourselves and growing stronger. 


    I appreciate all of you for being a part of our 10 years and purchasing the gear we have made over those years. 

    From the beginning I wanted Territory Run to be more than apparel. I wanted to give back to the sport that has filled me with passion from a young age. So when I hear people say that they connect with the Territory Run story and message that we have put out to the world, this is what fuels me. 

    Because there is a little bit of that passion, community and love for running in each item that we sell. 

    Thank you and stay wild,

     

    Brett F.  

    Race Day Checklist

    Race Day Checklist

    Preparing for a race can be a stressful process of packing and repacking trying to make sure you have every last thing you might need for race day. The trick to a proper race day kit is to have “just enough”. It’s a delicate balance between streamlined efficiency and comprehensive ‘just-in-case’ items.  

    In the end, it’s up to you to determine your level of comfort with minimalism. Your strategy will, and should, change depending on distance, terrain, weather, aid stations, drop bag availability, and personal experience. 

    I recall in my early days of racing having the brilliant idea of carrying everything I could need in my pack so I could just blow through the aid stations. Well, one 4L water bladder later and it occurred to me that perhaps carrying 8 pounds of water with me is not the greatest race strategy.

    To help take the stress out of your race prep, we’ve created a modular race day checklist to help you make sure you’ve covered your bases.

    Essential Gear

    • Trail shoes; choose a comfortable pair with good traction for the race terrain
    • Moisture Wicking Socks
    • Performance Apparel; lightweight, moisture-wicking clothing suitable for the weather
    • Pack, vest or belt; this will depend on personal preference, distance, and how much you plan to pack
    • Water Bottles; these can be bottles that fit in your running vest/belt or handheld bottles. Again, this will partially depend on personal preference and whether or not you are using poles.
    • Headwrap; this is my secret utility weapon. It can be used to wrap around your ears or nose in cold weather. It can be wrapped around your wrist to be used as a sweatband in warm weather.  It can be dipped in water to cool you down in the heat. It can be wrapped around a water bottle to convert it into a handheld bottle. I’ve even used it to stop the bleeding after taking a tumble on the trail. It’s an essential part of my race kit.
    • Hat; choose a hat appropriate for the weather.
    • GPS Watch; While some prefer to not wear a watch, this is perhaps the one piece of gear I’m most likely to forget in my packing frenzy.

    Nutrition

    • Gels, bars or other food; depending on the race distance and intensity, you should be aiming to consume 150 to 250 calories per hour. This can be consumed in gels, bars, candy, real food or liquid nutrition. Make sure to research what the aid stations will have on race day and practice with it before the race or make other plans to pack your own nutrition.
    • Electrolyte Supplements; Many people like to pack an electrolyte drink mix that they can add to their water. Most races will also provide an electrolyte drink at aid stations. Again, be sure to research what will be available prior to race day.

    Cold Weather Gear

    • Windbreaker; Choose a lightweight windbreaker jacket that can easily be packed away. It’s not uncommon for temperatures to vary drastically at trail races. If it’s really cold and nasty, consider bringing a GoreTex jacket.
    • Gloves; I’ve seen many trail runners unable to open a gel or take the top off their water bottle due to cold hands. Keeping them warm can keep you running smoothly on race day.
    • Extra Clothing; if it’s wet and cold, you may want to consider packing extra gear. If the race allows drop bags, I will often pack a fresh shirt, gloves, buff and socks. 
    • Arm Sleeves; I’ve found arm sleeves to be a great way to handle a race with a cold start. I hate being too warm when I’m running, and starting with arm sleeves allows me to avoid being too cold for the first few miles of the race. They usually pack up small enough that they’re easy to stash away as the temperature rises.

    Warm Weather Gear

    • Sunscreen; depending on the length of the race, applying sunscreen at the start may not be enough. Consider packing sunscreen in your drop bag or a small bottle in your pack. Keep in mind that many trail races are at higher elevations that put you at increased exposure to UV.
    • Sun hat; The right hat can help keep you cool while keeping the sun out of your eyes. If it’s really warm, I like to dip my hat in creeks or fill it with lingering snow to cool off.
    • Sunglasses

    Other Gear

    • Headlamp or flashlight; this may be necessary for an early start or a race that could extend into the night. At the very least, I usually bring a headlamp for race check-in. Don’t forget the extra batteries!
    • GPS Track; having the race course on your phone or GPS watch (ideally both) can be a life saver. It’s not uncommon for course markings to be confusing or vandalized. Having the route with you can give you an extra layer of confidence that you’re on the right track. 
    • Trekking Poles; if the course has a lot of elevation gain and loss, you may want to consider bringing poles. Keep in mind that you will want to practice with poles prior to race day and that they may not be for everyone. 
    • Chafe balm; a small container of chafe balm could save your race. This is an item that you only need when you need it. Keeping it in a drop bag usually doesn’t work because chaffing can happen suddenly and progress rapidly. Predicting when and where you will need chafe balm is nearly impossible.

     

    MY SPECIFIC GEAR LIST

    So now that we’ve gone over some of the common gear you might want for race day, I thought I would share my most common race day kit.  

    Trail shoes: I prefer the Arc’teryx Norvan LD3 for their traction and protection.  
    Socks: I like a lightweight crew length sock that drains well. I usually use Swiftwick Aspire 4

    Shorts: The Territory Long Haul Shorts are a great streamlined short. They’re lightweight and offer a little extra storage.

    Shirt: The Territory Long Haul Tee is my preferred performance shirt that prevents me from overheating during the race.

    Hat: I almost exclusively wear the Territory Long Haul Cap.  I love the fit, look and breathability. On hotter alpine races I will wear the Territory Bucket Hat to help protect against the sun even more.

    Running Belt: I prefer to travel light on race day and stick with the Territory Long Haul Belt. It has 3 large pockets that can fit a water bottle, nutrition, phone and keys with room left over for a few other necessary items. If I’ll be running through the night or the weather is particularly rough, I will bring a vest. Lately I’ve been wearing the Arc’teryx Norval 7L vest. 

    Handheld: I absolutely love the HydraPak 500ml Skyflask. I will usually bring two depending on the distance between aid stations and the weather. In some instances I’ve brought just one. They are handheld and have a locking cap on them. The locking cap means I can easily stash a full bottle in my Territory Long Haul Belt. 

    Nutrition:  I tend to try to eat two Spring Energy gels per hour. My favorites are Awesome Sauce and Canaberry. Depending on the aid station offerings I might try to pack extra gels. This is where the storage pockets on the Long Haul Shorts come in handy. For electrolytes I will usually just take whatever the aid station has on hand. If it’s really warm I will also bring a pack of SaltStick FastChews. These are an easy indicator if I need salt. If I take one and it tastes too salty, I’m doing well. If I take one and it tastes like a Sweettart, I know that I probably need more salt and will take another FastChew. 

    Watch: I use a Coros Apex Pro with the race course loaded on it. It’s nice to see where I am in the elevation profile and to see how much further I have until the next aid station. I also have it set to beep every 30 minutes to remind me to eat. 

    Headwrap: I always bring a Territory headwrap as it serves a multitude of purposes.

    Headlamp: I swear by the Petzl Bindi if I know I only need a few hours of light.  This is great for race check-in or a pre-dawn race start. It’s not the brightest light or the longest lasting, but it’s extremely minimal and stows away nicely when you no longer need it.