Portland Marathon Survived!

I survived the Marathon. Barely. I ran a fantastic 22 mile race, unfortunately, the race was actually 26.2 miles. In classic rookie fashion I ran too fast for the beginning of the race and didn't quite have it for the end of the race.

I did run close to my plan B time with a 3:21:02. I placed 410 out of 6314. So not too bad for my first marathon.

I started with the 3:15 pace group for the first several miles. Then on 4th ave a surged ahead to get at the an aid station and found myself well ahead of this group. The rookie mistake was not slowing back down and sticking with the group. Instead I bridged up to the 3:10 pace group over the next few miles.

I ran with the 3:10 pace group till we got over the St. Johns bridge, mile 18, then I let them go knowing I could not maintain that pace. This was not a problem.

However, I kept slowing down. My legs got heavy and by mile 22 I had to take walk breaks. The full blown proverbial wall. That was the longest 4 miles of my life. It felt like I limped in.

At least I could make a show of it for the last mile when my family got to see me at the finish.

I learned a lot about the distance. Hopefully, I will be wise enough to apply it next time out. I am thankful I can run. I am thankful I completed the race. I am thankful I left nothing out on the course.

In the finishers area I was gobbling up food like I was a man on the brink of starvation. By the time I got to my family at the reunion area I had both hands full of food and gifts.

I was very emotional when I saw Michelle. The marathon is a distance that is almost spiritual it takes so much out of you. I was mostly thankful to be with my girls, Michelle, Calleigh and Ella.

I will wright more after I recover a bit.

David