Race Report: Portland Marathon (Oct. 4th, 2009)

Believe it or not, the Bellingham marathon was more challenging physically than the Portland.  With the Portland Marathon the following week, I was moving into uncharted territory for me.  I had questions of how long my body would hold up and how I’d tackle the mental challenge of covering the 26.2 mile distance again.  The second race in seven days was mostly a mental challenge—and I rose to the occasion.

Early in the race, I held back, hitting a pace of about 11 min. per mile ( I hit the first mile at exactly 11 min. by my watch).  This comfortable pace was easy to maintain for at least 8 miles.  These early miles I was able to smile and nod to bystanders who cheered from the sidelines.

At the half (13.1 miles) I was on target for a 4hr 45min finish, although in the marathoning world, an even or negative split for the two halves is a difficult task.  But something inside of me turned on.  I sped up, left the pace group behind and never looked back.  I sailed through the downhill between miles 21 and 23, a place where I passed many people.  All the while, I kept repeating a mantra:  Hope. Strength.Determination. Courage.

The last 6 miles are tough physically and mentally, for anyone running a marathon.  I had to keep going, and my body was holding on.  I increased my pace from 11 min. per mile to under 10:30 min per mile, and even going to under 10 min. miles.  Hope. Strength. Determination. Courage.  Follow it all the way to the end.

Without that mantra, I don’t know how I would have finished so strong.  Around mile 18 or 19 I knew my body was breaking down, and I had little energy outside of what it took to keep the body moving.  By mile 23, I knew I had achieved my goal and that if I kept moving, I’d get a PR.  By mile 25 (with 1.2 more to go) I realized that I could exceed a PR to achieve a time I hadn’t even thought I’d reach—to beat 4 hr. 30 min.

I did it.  What a sweet sight, as I rounded the corner to see the finish line!  My stomach churning, lungs near capacity, and worn body I dashed for the finish.  I crossed the line for a time of 4:29:29!  I was too tired to cry in celebration of an accomplishment, so I received my finisher’s medal, wobbled my way toward the food and promptly stuffed my face with bananas, oranges, apples, cookies, water, and anything else lying around.

For those who question the impact on my body, I have only this to say: the right tendon in my knee is taking its time to heal, but that has not limited my mobility.  But other than that, I could have gone running on Wednesday, just 3 days after Portland, as the soreness had mostly vanished, and a light and easy run would have done well to loosen me.  The knee is healing, and I expect to run again soon.

For me, Neurofibromatosis pushes down on me–and so I push back.  And I am determined to continue pushing.  While many of those I speak with cannot see themselves running a marathon, what I see here is an opportunity to use this mantra: Hope. Strength. Determination. Courage. And let it take you where you never thought was possible.  It need not be to the extreme, whatever you can do.

Where will you go?  Hope. Strength. Determination. Courage.  Follow it all the way to the end.

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