Not-So-Slight Rolling Hills: Bridge of the Gods Half Marathon

Whoever described this course as having 'slight rolling hills' clearly had a magnificent talent for understatement that left our quad muscles cursing in multiple languages! The Columbia Gorge's majestic vistas became both motivation and torture as we conquered inclines that felt more like mountain expeditions than casual highway undulations. Aunt Terri and friends proved to be the perfect cheerleading squad, appearing at strategic points along the route with water, encouragement, and the occasional sarcastic comment about those 'slight' hills that had Jesse and TJ questioning their life choices with every step. The finisher medals felt twice as heavy—and twice as earned—as any other race we'd ever completed.