Tuesday, October 11, 2011
2011 Portland Marathon Race Report
26.2-miles in 3:08:26 @ 7:11/m pace
#10 of 462 in the M45-49 Age Group
#165 of 8,277 finishers
#155 of 3,959 male finishers
I just completed marathon #20 and it was my 4th fastest one to date. My training for this one was a bit spotty since it took place while training for a late season half-ironman triathlon and my work schedule cut into it just a bit and forced me to be creative in fitting in my running time. My wife and I met our daughter (she was there to run her 9th marathon!) son-in-law and my parents in downtown Portland about an hour before start time. My parents attended my first Ironman back in 2005 but had never attended a big city marathon (or any marathon) until Sunday. We all made our way to the start where we hung out for a bit before Jennifer and I had to make our way to our respective start corrals.
#10 of 462 in the M45-49 Age Group
#165 of 8,277 finishers
#155 of 3,959 male finishers
I just completed marathon #20 and it was my 4th fastest one to date. My training for this one was a bit spotty since it took place while training for a late season half-ironman triathlon and my work schedule cut into it just a bit and forced me to be creative in fitting in my running time. My wife and I met our daughter (she was there to run her 9th marathon!) son-in-law and my parents in downtown Portland about an hour before start time. My parents attended my first Ironman back in 2005 but had never attended a big city marathon (or any marathon) until Sunday. We all made our way to the start where we hung out for a bit before Jennifer and I had to make our way to our respective start corrals.
I easily found my way to the 3:05 Pace Setter where I then found my buddy Jamie and his friend Brandon. Shortly thereafter the gun sounded and we made our way down 4th Avenue.
The first 4-6 miles of a marathon are always a challenge to me as I get on my targeted marathon pace and then begin to realize how hard it is and begin to think there is no way I can run this pace for 20+ more miles. Luckily this always passes and by 7-8 miles in I begin to feel much better and can settle into a nice rhythm. And luckily for me this time I had Jamie and Brandon to run with so I was determined to stay on pace and stay with them and a little chatting with them helped a lot.
The first 4-6 miles of a marathon are always a challenge to me as I get on my targeted marathon pace and then begin to realize how hard it is and begin to think there is no way I can run this pace for 20+ more miles. Luckily this always passes and by 7-8 miles in I begin to feel much better and can settle into a nice rhythm. And luckily for me this time I had Jamie and Brandon to run with so I was determined to stay on pace and stay with them and a little chatting with them helped a lot.
The middle miles of Portland are more or less flat and include a nice out-back section where you can see other runners and yell out to anyone you know. I did get to shout hello to my daughter and a couple of my buddies in this section. Pretty 
soon we were out on Highway 30 in the only drizzle of the day and making out way to the longest and steepest climb of the entire day. Just before Mile 17 we started climbing the St. Johns Bridge where we all slowed just a bit but kept the effort level steady and made our way to the center of the bridge which is the top of the hill without any time loss to speak of.
soon we were out on Highway 30 in the only drizzle of the day and making out way to the longest and steepest climb of the entire day. Just before Mile 17 we started climbing the St. Johns Bridge where we all slowed just a bit but kept the effort level steady and made our way to the center of the bridge which is the top of the hill without any time loss to speak of.After a short and steep downhill and then uphill we were on The Bluff near the University of Portland and the dreaded miles from 18-22. I usually struggle here and this day was no different. But I was still with Jamie and Brandon and we were still a few seconds ahead of the 3:05 pace group so all was good. But shortly thereafter we reached the Addidas HQ and the long downhill on Greeley Avenue. And this is where I lost touch with my friends and the pace group. No matter how hard my brain said to run faster my body said no and that was that. As they all pulled away I felt myself slowing and hoping I could stop the damage to the clock soon. The climb up to the Broadway Bridge at mile 25 is never easy and on this day that still held true. But soon enough, even though it felt like forever, I down off the bridge and running the final mile along Naito Parkway. I was able to pick it up just a bit and stop the bleeding on the clock. I turned the corner onto the final little hill and saw my wife, parents, younger daughter and her boyfriend waving and yelling for me which was great! I then turned the final corner and crossed the finish line.
And with that my 2011 training/racing season came to a welcomed close. This year was a big racing year for me with an Ironman, 3 half-marathons, a half-Ironman, my 9th Hood-To-Coast and my 20th marathon. I am ready for my off-season!
Next year will be another big one on the racing front so come back and follow along from time to time. And now, I'm signing off the blog again and will be back to post race reports as the races happen in 2012...including Ironman Canada! I can't wait.
Have a great Holiday Season and thanks for stopping by…
Comments:
<< Home
enjoy that off season!!
I got one more attempt at the 100 this year and them I'm taking a short break myself.. Coaching for TNT Tri team Lavaman for April 2012, should be fun!
rockon'
Post a Comment
I got one more attempt at the 100 this year and them I'm taking a short break myself.. Coaching for TNT Tri team Lavaman for April 2012, should be fun!
rockon'
<< Home
