Portland Marathon - RunMarathon

Ran with a pace group (3:45:00) for the 1st time and that is key when attempting to qualify for Boston (WHICH I DID!!! WOOHOO!!)
Three or 3.5 weeks before Portland I injured the top of my right foot and the sports doctor told me to stay off it until the race, and if the pain starts up again to stop and walk. You can always run another marathon after it heals up, she said. So when I started Portland my mind set was to see how far I could get and if things go bad then I'll just do a jog/walk until either I finish or if the pain is too great, then I would pull over and figure it out from there.

And at around the 2.5 mile mark, my right foot began to hurt, but I noticed if I concentrated and keeping good form the pain seemed to diminish. So I was very focused on keep that pain at bay as long as I could.

Around 8.5 mile mark I told myself, "Okay, I'm not going to be able to make the cutoff time." I could tell I was already starting to fatigue, but I went ahead and stayed with the group, and figured I'd go as long as I could.

Then at the halfway point when the other pacers took over it seemed things got easier. I noticed I my breathing was easier and the effort wasn't as hard. I also noticed that our time appeared to be slipping off from the pace! Then all of a sudden everyone was begining to pick up the pace considerably and I glanced down and we were doing 8 minute miles. No biggy if you're running a 10K BUT NOT IN THE MIDDLE OF A MARATHON!
Finally joined up with the 1st pacer, Erica and ran with her all the way to the end. If it wasn't for her, I don't think I would have made it.

Train harder. I don't like finishing falling down.

Went the 1st aid tent, 1 liter of saline, a massage, 1 bottle of muscle milk, 1 Starbucks americano, and lots of walking to get some of th stiffness out.


Since I had an injury 3 weeks before the race that didn't allow me to run I had to do aqua running which is NOT the same, but it does help.


There are few reason why I wouldn't give this race 5 stars:
1 - It's not very pretty. The downtown area is nice, but brief. The is a LONG section that goes by the rail yard and not only is it ugly but it's narrow as it's an out and back so you are crammed on one side of the road and on the other side are the return runners.
2 - There was one spot that there was way too long of a stretch between the aid stations, and then when finally one appeard, there was another one about .75 after that.
3 - When there were signs for aid stations, you might see them on the right hand side, but then as you approached the actually aid was on the left side. Not good.
Good volunteers, lousy expo, very organized and good food at the end, but who can eat after a very hard effort! I probably will NOT do this marathon again as there are so many more beautiful ones to do. But thanks to the pacers!! Especially Erica Ogle, she went out of her way to pace me all the way to the end even though she was supposed to quit at 22 miles. She helped with great tips along the way, especially when I was beginning to hurt. And it was only her 2nd marathon! God bless her!