For my first race after returning from Europe, I chose a fall favorite: Happy Girls in Sisters, Oregon. It felt like the perfect way to motivate myself to get back into shape after spending five months abroad without much focus on training or working out. To be honest, I didn’t train all that much for this race. My longest run topped out around eight miles, and most of my energy was going toward settling into a new job and rebuilding a routine.
race location: sisters, oregon
Sisters, Oregon feels like it could be the setting of a Disney movie. Wooden storefronts line the streets like an old-west fairytale, twinkle lights glow at dusk, and the Three Sisters mountains rise dramatically in the background as if they were painted in. The air feels crisp and magical, with pine trees, friendly faces, and a cozy, slow-paced charm that makes everything seem a little brighter and more wholesome. It’s the kind of place where you half expect an upbeat soundtrack to start playing as you walk down the street and you find yourself making friends with the local wildlife.
Sisters is an incredible place to run and explore. The town is home to an extensive trail network, including the popular Peterson Ridge Trail, which winds through high desert terrain and offers sweeping views of the Cascade Mountains. The race took place mostly on this trail system, and having logged many training miles there before, I felt comfortable and familiar with much of the course.
race morning
Race morning was cold, rainy, and wet, which made staying curled up in a warm bed very tempting. With the help of some coffee and a little bribing, we managed to get out the door and make the half-hour drive to Sisters. Parking was refreshingly easy. It was located in a large field about 200 yards from the start and finish area, and parking attendants helped keep everything running smoothly, making both arrival and departure stress-free.
Packet pickup took place on race morning, and there was already a queue when I arrived. After a brief wait, I received my bib, a reusable bag, a custom Happy Girls quilted blanket, and a buy-one-get-one-free lift ticket coupon to a local ski mountain. Given the cost of skiing and snowboarding in Central Oregon, that alone felt like a big win!
I didn’t notice whether coffee, water, or snacks were available at the start, but there were heat lamps, which were very much appreciated on such a rainy morning!
on course
The race started at 9:00 a.m., which felt like a luxury since it meant I didn’t have to wake up at an ungodly hour. A minute or two after the start, I crossed the line and settled in. Because the course was a lollipop layout and mostly single-track trail, I knew I wouldn’t see my husband again until the finish.
The field was made up of about 95 percent women, which felt incredibly refreshing. Being surrounded by peers created a strong sense of camaraderie, and the few men on the course were there to support friends or girlfriends, cheering them on and snapping photos and videos. The overall atmosphere was calm, encouraging, and genuinely supportive.
I started out conservatively, with no intention of making any early moves. The single-track trail kept us mostly in a line, and any pass needed to be worth the energy it took. If I didn’t feel confident I could hold a position, I stayed put and ran my own race.
There were three aid stations on course that just had the basics like electrolytes, plain water, and GU energy gels. I don’t train with GU’s anymore, so the one gel I did take just tasted really gross to me. I sure did miss the European aid stations this race!
The terrain was slick and rocky, and early on I could feel blisters forming on the arches of my feet. There wasn’t much I could do about it since I don’t carry a pack during a half marathon, so I pushed through. I did notice several falls among runners around me, but everyone was quick to help those who went down. The support and kindness from fellow runners really stood out and added to the positive atmosphere of the race.
race done, espresso martinis on
After finishing a very rainy race, I crossed the line and made a beeline for the refueling options. The hot soup was my first stop, and it tasted incredible after 13 cold, wet miles on the trails. There was also a beer tent, which felt expected given we were in Central Oregon with no shortage of great breweries.
What I didn’t expect, though, was a table lined with dozens of bottles of Crater Lake hazelnut espresso vodka sitting next to carafes of coffee. That was an immediate yes from me. Naturally, I indulged in a very generous pour, and honestly, that alone made the entire race worth it.
There were also vendors under tents, local artisans, and live music at the finish line. If the weather had been nicer, we probably would have lingered on the grass to enjoy the day a bit more. But being soaking wet, wrinkly, and blistered, we decided it was time to call it a day and head home.
the takeaway
To be honest, I’m not sure there was any deep philosophical takeaway from this race. I wasn’t even expecting to write about it. At this point in the year, my focus was all over the place. I was settling into a new role at work, traveling to see friends I hadn’t connected with in months, and adjusting to a completely new schedule. With all of that going on, I didn’t make the time to train properly or get in the shape I wanted for this race.
My finish time ended up being fine. It was not my best, but it wasn’t my worst either. I ran smart, avoided hitting the wall, and most importantly, I finished. That alone felt like an accomplishment.
Usually after a race, I feel inspired to keep pushing myself. This time, with no other races planned for the rest of the year, I allowed myself to step back and take a break from running. Now, with a new year ahead, I have several races on the calendar, including a full marathon, and I am setting my sights on bigger running goals. I feel ready to establish a consistent routine, rebuild my fitness, and see how far I can push myself.
I also hope to share more about my running journey here. Not just about races, but about the process itself: the challenges, the small victories, the adventures, and the simple joy of running for fitness, fun, and personal growth. I’m excited to see where this next chapter of running takes me, one step, one race, and one adventure at a time.
Run. Sip. Serve. 