The
marathon organisation was highly efficient, yet seemed relaxed, with hosts of
enthusiastic volunteers. Indeed a powerful combination. I'd been worried that
the way too hot weather of the preceding week would threaten to make this an
ordeal. The Saturday early morning temperatures were climbing rapidly up into
the 80's, with clear blue skies and no wind. In the city park, kids were cooling
off in the fountains…. hey, is this really the north west in October? But next
day as the starting gun went off, the race got under way with cooler
temperatures and fog patches over the river obscuring the sun. Once into the
race, the herd instinct caused the first few mileage times to be a minute or so
less than during training. At exactly 1:30:00 the half way mark appeared and
everything was going fine. Too fine….
Out of the blue
a frustrating nature call forced a 3 minute delay. Then there was a painfully
slow climb up a seemingly endless ramp leading to the bridge over the Willamette
River. Afterwards the course swung back towards the finishing point along a long
flat road with an elevated view over the whole town - a welcome mental support
in the struggle to pick up some of the speed that had been lost. The day
brightened as crowds of enthusiastic supporters cheered and shouted
encouragement right up to the finishing line, which was crossed with a PR chip
time of 3:15:36. :-)
Finally a big thank-you to North West Dead Runners and the Marathon Maniacs, who at the pre-race and post-race encounters were most welcoming, and made the weekend a most enjoyable one. Special appreciation to Clay Hathorn for the pre-race invitation to the friendly carbo-load party at his home. At the post-race encounter at Rogue's, it was great try several local brews for their recuperative powers. Must have been the stout - the legs feel nearly good as new this morning. When's the next marathon?