Portland Half Marathon

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Portland Half Marathon - RunHalf Marathon

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Portland, Oregon
United States
Portland Marathon
70F / 21C
Sunny

Total Time = 1h 33m 50s
Overall Rank = 31/1898
Age Group = 25-29
Age Group Rank = 1/88

Pre-race routine:

Unfortunately I had to go to my aunts memorial on Saturday before we left for Portland. I am a very rational person and while I KNEW her passing was for the best, as it relieved her from A LOT of pain, the emotions kind of blind sided me.

I got to Portland feeling pretty warn out and completely emotionally depleted.

Don't worry though. I had my night before the race tradition (a beer) just not 6 traditions ;)

Also, the hotel we were staying at had a beautiful outdoor bar/courtyard and we got tea and sat beside the fire talking to all of the other marathoners who were in town.

Event warmup:

It was still dark when we got to the corrals. They were EXTREMELY strict about corral enforcement (THANK YOU!!!) So my friends and I had to part ways. Once I got into corral "A" I checked my bag and did some warm up. Luckily, although it was dark, it was not cold.

Once I got a decent warm up, which was difficult because I was confined to the corral, I headed to the start line.

Run

1h 33m 50s
13.1 miles
07m 10s min/mile

Comments:

Other than the bad decision in the start, I was more or less able to recover and had a really great race. It was just plain fun.

They had our names printed on our bib so all of the spectators were actually cheering us on by name, and that is just really nice. Not to mention the weather was just perfect.

Once I was able to get my pace evened out I saw Tom, our Wednesday night track coach! He jumped into the street waving his arms and shouting, "Goooo Adrienne!!!!!" It really made me happy he took the time to see me as I knew he was out there supporting our track clubs elite men (who were FLYING.)

I made it to the turn around at mile 9 and then really kicked it in. I was feeling GREAT. There was no one around me. I was definitely front of pack-ish but I didn't realize I was 7th woman overall. Although my performance wasn't perfect, getting 7th overall woman and 1st in my age group at a sold out, larger field HM made my day.

In the recovery area some extremely enthusiastic high school kids were passing out candy. I said I didn't want any and the persuasive boy said, "I will do a back-flip for you if you take a piece of candy." Well shoot. Can't argue with that! So, I took the candy and he did the back-flip. Deal!

I didn't go to the awards ceremony. We got late check-out at the hotel and I just wanted to lay in bed and read my book. So apparently they will be shipping me my award, whatever it may be.

What would you do differently?:

Trust my OWN instincts.

Post race

Warm down:

I got my medal and a bunch of other swag (this race is known for swag) then had to jump on the rail and head across the river. I had a couple friends running the marathon and I had promised to give one of them a cupcake at mile 23 LOL

The cupcake hand-off was near perfect and my friend (who was wearing a tutu btw) was a very appreciative and happy camper. After the hand-off, I just so happened to stumble upon a beer station! That's right, there was a group handing out beer at about mile 24! Even though I was done racing they let me hang out with them and have some beer. They were so much fun!!! I was also impressed how many people who were running the marathon took some beer!! Hahahaha!

After I did the cupcake hand-off and the beer station stop I was walking back to the finish area and an older guy running the full marathon pulled up beside me and asked if he could walk with me.

He was really bummed because he had to walk the last 3 or so miles and was hoping to PR that race but his legs were just telling him no.

We probably walked for about a mile and he was telling me about all his racing and training. He does 6-10 marathons a year and his longest long run in training is 32 miles!

I didn't really think it was my place to point out that perhaps maybe that was why he was walking. I was shocked, confused and impressed all at once lol.

What limited your ability to perform faster:

Just a little decision making snafu and the fact I am just now starting to build my mileage back up.

Good things are yet to come!

Event comments:

Possibly the most fun course! I am not sure exactly what is was. Perhaps the fact that it was such perfect weather and there were so many spectators.

I don't know that it particularly highlighted the best parts of Portland but I loved in nonetheless.

Profile Album

Last updated: 2011-12-12 12:00 AM

Running
01:33:50 \| 13.1 miles \| 07m 10s min/mile
Age Group:	1/88
Overall:	8/1898
Performance:	Average
I'm an idiot. A strength of mine is dead even splits and pacing without a watch. Why did I decide to hang with the pacers? I DON'T KNOW!!! I thought it felt fast but just figured the pacers would be (drum roll) on pace!! They weren't. We did the first 5K WAY too fast and this is where the hill was. My plan was to be conservative until I got over the hill, not the opposite. Unfortunately, starting out too fast never sets me up for success but I have no one to blame but myself. That's what racing is about though, right? Making mistakes and correcting them. Better luck next time!!!
Course:	Significant hill from about mile 1 until 2.5, back downhill then pancake flat up the river and back. The sun was shining and there were a ton of bands out. The crowd support was phenomenal! The drum line in the international district was just fabulous. I may have to say, best course EVER.
Keeping cool	Good	Drinking	Just right

Post race
Weight change:	%
Overall:	Below average
Mental exertion [1-5]	2
Physical exertion [1-5]	3
Good race?	Ok

Evaluation
Course challenge	Just right
Organized?	Yes
Events on-time?	Yes
Lots of volunteers?	Yes
Plenty of drinks?	Yes
Post race activities:	Good
Race evaluation [1-5]	5

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Asalzwed

2012-10-08 1:11 PM

Seattle

Subject: Portland Half Marathon

Portland Half Marathon

Portland Half Marathon - RunHalf Marathon

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