After completed 2 half-marathons, I started contemplating the idea of pushing myself further. Portland Marathon was my first full marathon attempt. I gave myself 5 months to get ready. Five months was a long time, toward the end, I was nervous, antsy, and above all, ready to get it over with.
We arrived Portland the day before the event. Mango came along this time. While checking in at Heathman Hotel, lots of marathon participants and their family were also checking in at this time. We waited for a long while ’til our room was ready. Later we took Mango to the event expo and walked around downtown Portland. Portland city was generally more dog friendly than Seattle.
We had a minor crisis during dinner time. A pasta place we thought would be good for dinner, only to find out during dinner time, a line of people (most likely marathon participants) stretched half block long were waiting to get in. We contacted several nearby restaurants that served pasta and all of them were busy. Eventually we found my much needed carb at Hilton.
Race day morning was pouring hard. Mango, ktula and I headed out while it was still dark. Understanding I have a long and difficult challenge ahead, I started slow, just following the flow and didn’t attempt to bypass anyone. At first, it was pretty crowded. After the course took us further away from downtown, runners were more spread out. I started picking up some speed.
Portland crowds were great. They cheer with so much heart and soul as if they knew me for years. And little kids lining up, offering high-fives until your heart content. Over and over, spectators shouted out my name:
“Go Janet C!”
“Janet looking good!”
“Janet you are doing it!”
It was my first time to have received such tremendous amount of support from complete strangers. It was a very emotional experience, and the highlight of the race.
Between 19-21 miles was the hardest for me. I was soaking wet, tired, and hungry. I was making progress toward the finishing line, but still miles away.
In the last mile or so, the most wonderful thing I heard was someone shouting “You are so close, the finish line is 4 traffic lights away!”
Approaching the finishing line, my knees were protesting with waves of pains. My brain wanted me to sprint, but the body was not on the same page. With all the commotion and noises from speakers and the crowd, I heard ktula calling out my name. I gave the very last of everything and reached the finish line. I finished in 4:40:06. I can’t be more happy that I completed the race.
Yes I did it! I can now cross out “finish a marathon” off my list. I was 80% ready for the race, the 20% came from the support of spectators and loved ones. None of the race was easy, but this one I had most fun.
Living in the Seattle area, Smelly is a user experience designer by day, a running, cycling, gardening type of girl when she wasn't wearing the designer hat.
