PDX Gangnam Style!

10//7/12

Last year I ran Portland with my baby bop and it was his first marathon.  We also had just flown back from CA from our beautiful friends Anne and Tim’s wedding, slept in the car, and showed up to the marathon start after about 4 hours of sleep.  Needless to say it was not the best way to do a first marathon for Jash, but he was a trooper and we had so much fun.  This year I was running the event solo as Jash is training up for Marine Core that we will run together at the end of the month.  I had flown back from Germany just 6 days before the race and was pretty sick with something that I had picked up on the plane ride home.  I was also not feeling great from 8 days of eating German/different food from what I am used to so I was a bit thrown off all together, but still excited about the event.  There is something about your hometown marathon that you just have to love.  Going to packet pick up on Friday even though I was running in and out while Jash circled the block was still a little thrill, and also reminded me that I am excited to be running it under Melissa Kistler next year as there were 3 registered Melissa Williams this year. 

This year was the best weather by far that we have ever had for the race.  I started out in just my shorts and tank whereas usually I am layered up or have something on for rain protection.  I knew the race was going to be tough so I just started out easy and tried to enjoy the race.  I did get to the point on the St. George Bridge where I started to wonder if anyone had ever jumped off during the marathon and that is when I realized that I probably need to eat a gu.  Speaking of gu, that is one thing that really bugs me about Portland.  For a huge race like that they do everything so great except that they cheap out on the course support and hand out gummy bears and pretzels.  Both of which are great for an Ultra but really who wants to be eating that on course for a road marathon?

About mile 23 I ran into Toto Vo and we completed the marathon together, which was awesome because we were both not having a great day and were just happy that we were going to be done soon.  It was nice to have some time on the course to catch up with each other and we had a blast finishing Gangnam style!!  Marathon 86 done and done! 

Tunnel Lite Marathon

9/16/2012

I really like to run marathons on the weekends, but as Jash would soon be starting his last year of the MBA program and we would become very short on time together, I did not book a race for the weekend of the 15^th and the 16^th thinking that we could so something fun together.  Then he tells me he is going to be in TX for work and then going to stay over to visit with family.  AWESOME but I only realized this 2 weeks early had was scrambling to find a race.  Tunnel Light was being held in North Bend and even though I was just there in July I gladly signed up to run it again.  At a great price with little frills and a cute local motel there I knew I could book I was totally excited. 

When Jash and I ran this marathon in July we had a blast even though we were rained on for most of it. Driving up on Saturday in the bright sunshine I hoped that tomorrow would bring the same conditions for race day.  It was very nice to get to the North Bend Motel the day before, enjoy some reading and lounging in the sun before having a delish dinner of grilled pizza before getting to sleep early.  I started the morning by boarding the school bus that drives us up to the starting line and enjoyed the scenic views of the mountains that we would soon be running in.  My pre-race standard breakfast of a slice of toast with peanut butter can of Starbucks coffee, and a banana tasted great and were sitting well with me, always an appreciated start to a day when you are about to run 26.2 miles.  I decided on this drive up that the day was looking so good that I would bring my camera with me.  So I got off the bus and took a few shots of the starting line views. 

After some quick race instructions we were counted down to start of the race promptly at 8am.  The run through the tunnel seemed shorter this race, but it must have been because I knew what was coming.  I also realized that my head lamp was badly in need of some new batteries so I ran behind a gal, Leslie Miller, who I ended up thanking after the race, who lite the path perfectly.  Running for over 2 miles through a narrow former train tunnel in the mountains is just such a totally cool experience.  It is a bit warmer than outside air temp and there are random spots along the route where the tunnel happens to leak and let some water drip down.  I had to make sure that I didn’t really think too much about where exactly we were running because the thought of the tunnel collapsing or the confined space did freak me out just a bit.  But then I looked up and noticed that the light at the end of the tunnel started to get closer and closer.  And then of course I had to stop for some quick photos once we cleared the tunnel as it was just such a cool view. 

We dropped off our headlamps and gloves after clearing the tunnel and the morning was just coming to life with all of the wonderful views.  I loved capturing the early smattering of fall colors that we were so privileged to view along the route.  There were also the cool bridges that I was able to run over and capture as well as the general running trails that usually remain just locked as memories in my head vs. actual pictures that I get to share here.  Although I did notice that I was much more apt to pull out the camera and capture shots mid stride early on in the race, but post about the 15 mile mark there really wasn’t anything, no matter how cool, that warranted enough energy to pull out the camera and snap any pictures. 

Everything went great with the run, body and mind were working perfect and feeling strong.  The unmanned aid stations about every 5 miles worked great and with just some water and gu’s it was all that was needed by me to make the race go very well.  Although you lose a few minutes to uncapping and filling your hand bottle yourself, it really was not that much trouble.  At about mile 16 after not seeing very many people besides the ones that I would catch every few miles a kiddo fails past me.  Had to be about 18 and he was running wild.  So being that late in the race I knew this was some very strange passing technique and instantly though, fresh meat, this kiddo has never run a marathon before.  I don’t know why, but I have these flashes on the course sometimes, and they have always been right.  I guess I have rookie-dar and it is finely tuned.  So being that it was late in the race and I was looking for some cheap entertainment I matched rookie’s pace and stayed on him about 6 feet behind.  This is when I noticed his pace varying.  I didn’t have to look at my watch, I could just feel that we were jumping between about 8:30’s and 10 depending on when he happened to glance over his shoulder and realize I was still there.  This I found extremely amusing and ran with a stupid smile on my face for him to see for the 5 miles that we played this game.  Getting close to mile 21 I decided to stop totally messing with the kid and started running next to him matching his pace.  As I pulled up beside him he said “you’re a strong runner” to which I replied “I know.”  Then just smiling back at him I asked “you haven’t done this before have you?”  “Nope first one” was his reply to which I couldn’t help myself and threw out there another “I know.”  We continued to talk for a while and I told him to stop varying his pace so much and he was wasting energy looking behind him.  I stopped to fill up my water bottle at mile 21 and he used the opportunity to zoom off and I just laughed and hoped he would not have to walk it in. 

Post mile 21 we start to actually hit trails with other, non marathon running, people which was also great entertainment to just people watch as you go by and say hello.  I was still feeling good and running a strong pace while I thought about how happy I was to be back out there.  I have never had the opportunity to run the same race course only a couple months apart so I was not sure how it would be.  On this course I realized that I missed a lot of it the first round as I was running with Jash the whole time and while we did check out the course we also spent time taking and joking while running which also is a great way to do a race.  Once you are alone out there though you really have no choice but to really take it all in and this is a great course to have the opportunity to do that one.  I was actually getting somewhat disappointed that I was back to the populated trails as I knew in just less than 5 miles we would be done. 

Then I got to mile 23 and there was random not very happy dog.  He or she was not with any human, not on a leash and not wagging its tail.  After just reading the Runners World article about the kids that were attacked by a pack of dogs I was not thrilled to see random dog.  It appeared to be guarding the last aid station at mile 23 standing almost under the table unmoving looking out at me.  So I was happy I still had water in my bottle and did not have to urgently stop.  So I gave wide berth to the creature, stared straight ahead, and picked up my step a bit.  The dog did not move.  Now I was running faster and pretty ready for the race to be over.  Then I saw rookie up ahead in the blue shirt- still looking over his shoulder!  But at least he was not walking.  Since he was a pretty friendly kid I didn’t really have it in my heart to beat him, and really just wanted him to keep a strong pace and have a great time on his first marathon.  He did and I ended up finishing about a minute behind him and we high fived at the end and I said congrats rookie you did it!!  It was a really cool finish line and I was thinking was a great first race to pick out. 

Sunriver Marathon for a Cause #84

9/2/12

I love celebrating a 3 day weekend with a vacation based around a marathon.  This year for Memorial Day Jasha and I, on our 17 month anniversary, headed down to Sun River, OR to relax and spend time together.  We rented a guest house of a very nice couple; they had actually lived in the guest house for 2 years while custom building their current home, so it was a very nice place to stay with a lot of great custom touches.  We arrived on Saturday and after a leisurely breakfast together and after picking up the race packet and unpacking we headed out in canoes on the river.   It was a beautiful afternoon and we took the boats all over saying hi to others that we saw who were also enjoying their beautiful weekend.  

 Sunday morning the race kicked off at 7am.  I did not plan properly not realizing that it was going to be in the 30’s at the start of the race so I was in shorts and a tank top and it was COLD!!  I happened to have a long sleeve shirt that I was planning to wear on the way home that I threw on top of my race clothes and this helped keep me from totally freezing at the start.  I did not warm up to feel my legs and hands until about mile 14 which at that point I realized I had been running just a bit too fast for the start!  The landscape was beautiful running by the river in bright sunshine with steam coming off of it.  Seeing the baby deer with mama running about was also a nice treat.  I really enjoyed the route, except when they run you by the finish line at mile 13- that is just mean!   But the race went ok from there.  Second half of the race my IT bands really tightened up, also my fault as I forgot my foam roller.   Still I was running and just loving being out there on such a beautiful Sunday morning!  It was really the best thing ever to do to celebrate Memorial Day. 

Post race Jash and I went into Bend to eat and do some shopping which was a blast.  Since we had a full kitchen in our house, we brought home dinner to cook together with wine, enjoyed the hot tub, and even watched a little TV- a real treat and totally feels like being lazy and relaxing because we do not own a TV!   On Monday we enjoyed sleeping in and cooking breakfast together and even got back into town early enough to join a friends BBQ that evening!    Overall I could not have even imagined a better 3 day holiday weekend! 

OH and I even won second place in my age group which was a delightful surprise.  The finish shirt and glass were also very nice ad you can see with a pink medal!  Overall I am a big fan of this raceJ

Haulin Aspen Marathon

August 5, 2012

Today I completed my 82 marathon or ultra distance race in Bend, OR running a spectacular trail marathon.  The race went off at 7am from a local school with very little fanfare at the start.  But it was well organized, plenty of potties, and very helpful volunteers which is always a great way to begin.  We quickly moved from double track to single track trails which is always a bit nerve racking early in an event as I have to remind myself to keep my pace, which means making difficult passes when necessary, but not racing ahead and then getting stuck in a line of runners going WAY faster than you want to be at the beginning of a run.  So it is a bit of balance, but today things worked out great and I felt like I was hitting my stride from the beginning.  

The morning sunrise in the mountains was just beautiful to look out and see when there was a clearing or to just watch the changing light filter through the trees and dance across the trail.  Today I kept making sure that I was trying to take in as much as possible about the beauty that was around me.  I thoroughly enjoyed every moment that I was out there.  At a few points we ran along a beautiful stream and I had to be very careful not to trip and fall because I was so engrossed in watching and listening to the rush of the crystal clear water as it went past. 

The first 13 miles of this marathon are up hill, from gradual rollers to the final couple miles of some pretty steep trails.  The aid was plentiful so that did help break it up and I carried my hand bottle and my pack with 2 liters of water so I never ran out which would have put a serious damper on a hot trail race.   Climbing to the mid way point trying to look out and really soak up the beautiful forests and shades of green and blue all around me I was slightly distracted by these crazy little gnats.  They were just EVERYWHERE on the exposed climb up and it was slightly hilarious to look up and down the mountain and see that everyone one of us was trying a different techniques to get these little buggers away!  Once I realized how silly and futile it was I just continued on the run and hoped that we would run past this patch of buggers.  Which thankfully right when reaching the top we did! 

The second half of the marathon is mostly downhill with a few gentle rollers and I was feeling great having taken it very easy on the climbs the first half and kept on top of hydration and food.  Did I mention they had Sport Beans??!?!  These were delish and almost a reason in and of itself to go back and do this race again!  So I started jamming downhill and rocking out to some LMFAO mixed with Michael and lots of great hip hop beats and was continuing to enjoy the glorious day.  Although the glorious day was quickly getting warmer and warmer!  Nothing that this AZ native couldn’t handle but also continued motivation to keep moving and quickly wrap up!   Then WHAM I took a quick moment to examine the ground up close and very personally as well as the local flora which included a stump in my back.  Apparently while tilting my head back to drink from my hand bottle why jamming downhill I missed a rock and landed very strangely where I rolled into a tree stump on the side of the trail.   Luckily the trail was very soft and forgiving and I didn’t land directly on any rocks so I got up and realized I was just covered with dirt with only some minor scratches- including my back which was used as the stopping point thanks to said tree stump.  So no harm done I continued on my way. 

Getting very close to the finish, and just past 24 miles you actually come upon the finish line.  This is a very nasty trick!  You then have to run past it and continue on pavement for a little under a mile to a turnaround under a beautiful bridge that crosses over the crystal clear stream.   Once I hit the turnaround I was thrilled that I was back on trial and on my way back to the finish line so I ripped out the last mile with all smiles and came across the finish line elated that I had such a great day out on the trails.  The medal was cool and the post race meal- yes that right a hot meal that was a wonderful rice and beans bowl completely hit the spot!  Overall this was a great race that you can see the RD’s really put a lot into it and the touches are extremely appreciated by all the runners out there!!  Now on to race # 83!  

3 marathons in 5 days… 6 days after racing my first IronMan!!!

7/4/2012

The start of the summer in the NW kicks off with the firecracker double/triple or in the case of next year- quadzilla!!  This year due to the timing of the 4^th of July holiday we ran our first 2 races on Saturday and Sunday and then the third on Wednesday July 4^th.  I am not up to 80 total marathon/ultra distance events on my way to 100 by my birthday next year!  So let’s talk about the last 3 in 5 days.

There were a ton of Marathon Maniacs in the house for our first day of fun!

 (I am in the back left with the white hat:)

The first race in the series is the Cook Park Marathon which started at 7am Saturday morning.  During this race we were running 8 loops in Cook Park, just 5 minutes from my home.  Now granted running 8 loops for a marathon is challenging it is very challenging when you just raced your first IronMel 6 days before.  Steve Walters, the RD, and many follow runners made my day on this Saturday with cheers of “IronMel” every loop that I completed.  So even though I was tired and wondering why I was out there, every loop I was reminded and this made me smile and keep going.  I also met a wonderful lady named Terri from CO who also competes in IronMan events and we had a great time swapping stories.  She is also the first and only person that I have personally met that has been struck by lightning!!  She is one tough cookie and I loved the time that we spent running and swapping stories, and was very impressed with everything that she has accomplished.  

After the race on Saturday my fiancé and I then attended a wedding Saturday night.  I really wished that I could have worn compression socks to the event and kept my feet up, but as you can see below I did neither and still have a blast!  I was a beautiful wedding!

 

Sunday I was a bit tired after being up late, running a marathon the day before, and still not being recovered from IM.  Nonetheless I am on a mission to get to 100 and this next race was even closer to my home- 2 minute drive.  I headed out into the rain for the next event.  As you can see below the group is already getting soggy.

 

I was feeling overall not too bad though and started our pretty good.  The course had to be rerouted because of all the rain we were getting in OR and the tunnel that we were going to run though was flooded out.  We ended up having to cross a pretty busy street for this one and it added significant distance to the course.   The distance was taken care of and instead of 8 loops we only had to do 6 and an out and back, which is always welcome news!  The part that had me pretty worried were all of the runners that were cutting the course to dart through traffic and not waiting at the cross walk that we now had to go through.  Steve had to actually put course Martials out there to stop people, but even then some people continued to risk their safety and the overall event by breaking the law.  Some runners tried to justify it when I called them out by saying that they were running the same distance because they still went up to the turn around after they ran through all the traffic, but all of us had to wait at the light at some point so they still cheated by not taking their turn to do this.   Still cheating in my book and I have lost all respect to those that I called out on the course and watched do it.  None of us were going to Boston with this race so they fact that they still thought it necessary to risk our race getting shut down is incredibly selfish of them! 

Other than this the race was great.  Everyone was very supportive, we had a ton of fun together, the volunteers were awesome!  And I even had some unexpected great pacers with my friend Karen and Jash coming out to surprise me and run some of the loops.  This was a huge mental boost and made the day just very fun!! 

Monday and Tuesday I just went to work and rested my body and got ready to run the Fleet Feet Flat on the 4^th of July.  This one started early at 6:30am so I was up at 4:30 and on the road by 4:50am to get to the island very early.  Traffic every year backs up very badly and I never want to be waiting in that driving line when the starting gun goes off.  The weather was perfect at the start and we headed out to a beautiful morning.  I was sad to see the top ½ marathon men take a wrong turn down the marathon out and back section, but after I yelled for them to turn around they were off course and they kept going I just figured they deserved it if they could not read a map and fail to listen to people telling them they are going the wrong way.  They finally realized it and I was able to watch them all run back past me.  Another good reason that you should always at least have a general idea of where your course is going, this one was really easy because they were only supposed to do a loop on the island so it should have been pretty apparent to them that they were off course when they made a left.  Anyways I am never that close to the front to have to worry about such things. :)

The morning went good and I was feeling pretty ok.  I was trying to new gels that were out on the course and even though I hated how they tasted my stomach seemed to be fine with them and it kept me going.  I started to get very hot in the last 4 miles and was so happy that I always run this race with a hand bottle.  I kept hydrated and had a very strong finish catching a few that were in front of me the whole race in the last 2 miles.  The medals they gave for this race are also AWESOME!! 

Overall I am thrilled with my triple in 5 days week of fun and am ready to tackle the 20 more that I need to get in before May 18^th!