my marathon medals - all 14 of them! and a few other medals from other races.
Well, I finished the Portland Marathon in 3:39.40. Another Boston Qualifying time! I'm super excited! Boston 2014 - if the cards fall correctly! More importantly, it was the threat of NOT qualifying for Boston again that really pushed me to the end of the Portland marathon. The overall course was not too bad - there were 2 major hills along the course - one of those hills being a large bridge. I've been working with a running coach since August but I knew going into the race that I had a few things to work on. I heard Jeff Galloway speak at the race expo (I had my picture taken with him BUT i cannot find it - ugh!!). While i don't follow Jeff's run/walk method, it was really neat to hear him speak and meet him in person. I saw him at the Disney marathon in January 2013 but did not get to meet him there. Jeff talked about running mantras and keeping your focus during the period of the race where you physically become exhausted... namely the WALL. I hit this around mile 23 (typical for me) -- my legs felt like bricks! I maintained a great pace throughout - starting a little slower (more like my actual race pace 8:10 per mile as opposed to the 7:00 minute miles i seem to log at the beginning of a race due to the excitement) but race nutrition was one thing in knew i needed some work on --- i cut up a few oranges but later found out the fumbling around with oranges in my pocket was probably not the smartest idea. The Portland marathon prides itself on offering gummy bears but i was a little afraid to try them because i had not used them in my training. not sure what a shot of sugar would do to my tummy. But as we approched the downtown area of Portland - i did a little math in my head and i knew that I would be very close to another BQ time.... well my legs had a different idea! ugh! mind over legs, mind over legs, mind over legs (i think that's my new mantra now!). I rounded what seemed like endless blocks of the city before i spotted the finish line! looked down at my Garmin and saw 3:39.40! i did it! not my personal best marathon but i did learn a lot about what i need to work on for race nutrition and learned so much about developing a running mantra.
i instantly fell in love with Portland the minute i landed, it's so earth friendly, clean, beautiful mountains... and the weather was perfect! in the mid 60's, i believe. but much like the Netherlands - it typically rains A LOT in Portland. but for the marathon - the weather was perfect. i made about 8 trips to Whole Foods while I was there - it was right down the street from my hotel.
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