|
 |
 
|
It's the morning of my first marathon. I really expected that I would be more nervous. The marathon start time is 7:00 A.M. My alarm is set for 5, but I am awake well before that. That is not unusual since I am on west coast time. It rained during the night and might rain this morning. Then it is supposed to clear up. It shouldn't be too bad, because the temperature is nice - about 60. I packed my fanny pack last night so there is not much to do this morning. I shower, have a power bar, dress (dressing includes my long walk regimen of applying runners lube, sun screen, and blister blocks), and double check my fanny pack. Ready to go with tons of time to spare. I am actually more anxious now writing about it than I was at the time. My husband made the trip with me and I am glad he is here. We head to the start location about 6:15. It is only about a ten minute walk from the hotel... so there is plenty of time. The group from Women Walk the Marathon is all together getting their picture taken. That seems like a really fun way to train for your first marathon. They are based in Portland. I would recommend checking them out if you are in that area. My husband and I were standing around chatting and thinking we should get to the start line. I remember telling him that it looked as if the rain was over. Just about that time we heard it coming. Rain and wind heading toward us. As it passed through the trees you could hear it for about a minute, then it started pouring. Oh, well .... so much for being OVER. I had on a warm up jacket that I planned on passing off to my husband before I started. I decided to keep it and lined up at the 6 1/2 hour pace marker. The crowd was pretty thick and everyone was having a good time - rain and all. I had hoped to get a last minute kiss, but my husband was quickly lost in the crowd. When the start gun went off the group was very slow to move. One step at a time. I finally went over the start line at nine minutes after 7. Actually this was sooner than I expected. I remember it taking about 20 minutes in a Race for the Cure 5 K one year. The Portland Marathon was using the chip this year, so I was ensured an accurate time. By the one mile mark I had taken off the jacket. It was only a thin little thing, but still way too hot. I tied it around my waist and considering tossing it on the street. Many people wear items that they plan on discarding... an old sweatshirt or jacket that is ready for the goodwill basket. Portland marathon volunteers pick up these items and they are given to charity. I could see that many people had already thrown away items that were clearly NOT throw aways. I hung on to my jacket, after all it was one piece of a nice warm up suit. My speed was terrible. The crowd was just too thick. I had expected this, but it was still frustrating. I also had to stop at the first porta potties (and again later in the race) and wait in line FOREVER. About mile five I saw my husband standing on the sideline. YES, I started taking the jacket from around my waist and handed it to him without saying anything. I was glad to see him. He walked with me for a few minutes, but knew he was keeping me from my pace. He quickly said good luck and retreated into the crowd. He had checked my time on the Portland Marathon web site and told me what my pace was. I can't remember exactly, but it was around a 16:40 minute mile. WAY TOO SLOW! By this time the crowd was thinning a little. Time to pick it up. About mile seven I started walking and talking to a girl from the connectors. She was very enthusiastic and was fun to talk with. Her pace was a little slower than mine and I really wanted to make up some time. After a mile or so I took off on my own again. From mile three to mile thirteen I probably stopped three times for various things. Every time I stopped and started again I would pass the same people. At the half I spotted a picnic bench and took the opportunity to stop and change my socks. What a relief to put on fluffy, dry socks. I tossed the wet socks in a dumpster... what a waste, but I was certainly not carrying wet socks for the next 13 miles. At the half my time averaged about a 15 1/2 minute mile. I had made up some of the time. Realizing this made me perk up (and the dry socks of course). I increased my pace again. I still had to weave my way through bodies. Over the whole race I probably added two miles just trying to get around people. The bands playing along the route were a lot of fun. I really appreciated those people spending their Sunday that way. Each time I came up to a band playing I could feel my pace quicken for a while. There were many people on the sidelines cheering us on. When we went through the residential areas some people were in their yards clapping. At one little house someone put a speaker, playing upbeat music, on the roof. It really helped us keep a positive attitude. The day prior to the marathon we toured the route and I was concerned because part of it was in an ugly industrial area... boring and depressing. I didn't notice any of this DURING the race though. The crowd and the focus on "doing it" distracts from everything else. About mile seventeen we came to the hill that leads up to the St. Johns Bridge. At this point most of the walkers were feeling tired and slowing a bit. I was passing people quickly and feeling good. A very nice black man walked up and ask if I had sailed through the first half... because I was sure picking up speed. He was an ex-runner enjoying his first marathon walk. He and I were easily keeping the same pace and we enjoyed each other's company for several miles. Then he had to run - to rest. I understand what he meant, but it still sounds funny ... run to rest. Not long after that, around mile twenty two I could feel my buttocks cramping. I had experienced this on one of my long training walks. It is not a bad pain, but just hurts enough to hinder good walking form. I had to slow down and massage myself a little. I am very self-conscious. Imagine me stopping in front of a crowd of walkers and rubbing my a**. LOL. Of course there is not a lot of modesty on a marathon course. If you have ever done one you know what I mean. The cramps would not go away and slowed me down a bit for the duration of the race.  At mile twenty five I stopped at the water station. I have to learn to drink and walk at the same time. I looked up and saw my husband again. He looked so good to me. I adore my husband, but I think the emotions and endorphins of the race made everything more intense. He walked with me for the next mile. At this point I was excited about getting to the finish line and he was having a tough time keeping up with me. He has a huge stride ... so this is amazing. I usually have to run to keep up with him! He wanted to get to the finish to get a photo (and they make all spectators leave the course at mile twenty six). He took off jogging to get to the finish line before me, but somehow I beat him there and he didn't get the "photo finish". I picked up my medal, my rose, and mylar blanket. I was way too hot for the blanket but wore it proudly! Ate a half bagel, grabbed a water bottle and headed out to find my husband. WHAT A GREAT DAY!My finish time was 6:40. I would have loved to be closer to the 6 hour mark, but considering everything I am happy! I did it, with no injuries, no real problems, and only one tiny blister!! They say that you may not feel like eating after your marathon, but that was not the case for me. I took a cool bath and we ordered room service. I didn't have any energy for the rest of the day. I rested a lot and was very stiff, but feeling good.  The day after we spent the morning walking in the park along the Willamette River. We wandered back to the hotel for a potty break and cold drink. Then we decided to take off to find a lunch spot. We started out for a drive and returned to the hotel about seven hours later... after a day of driving and hiking the scenic highway along the Columbia River Gorge. This was a beautiful area and a perfect way to workout the marathon kinks.read more marathon stories.
|
|
|