Eat Drink Run Woman

I knew when I became a Marathon Maniac and embraced multiple marathoning my times would suffer. Yes, there are a few freakishly talented Maniacs who can log fast marathons one after the other, but I’m not one of them. So even though I was already qualified for Boston 2010, I thought I’d try to run at least one fast race during 2009 (and by fast I mean in the 4-hour range). I had heard great things about the Portland Marathon, so I figured that would be the one to target.

I briefly toyed with trying for a 3:50 or at least a PR, beating my Light at the End of the Tunnel time of 3:54:34. But considering Portland would be my 26th marathon overall — 17th for the year — I knew that would be a stretch. My plan to run five marathons in June further put my goal into question. Even if I were to survive such a stunt it would only leave me 14 weeks until Portland (two weeks of recovery, 12 weeks of training). But with nothing to lose I decided to give it a shot. (I settled for a more realistic goal of a sub 4-hour).

While I made it through my “monster month” injury-free, I did have a few niggling aches and pains I’d have to baby for several weeks. Therefore, I basically put the kibosh on any type of speed-work and instead focused on incorporating hills into my runs whenever possible. But by early August I was ready to gauge my fitness level and raced a half marathon on the 8th. My 1:55 finish was a minute and a half off of my PR, but at least it told me I was on track. I got in a couple of 20-milers in August, as well as raced the Hood-to-Coast relay (I was on a competitive women’s masters team). I ran a couple of marathons in September as training runs, and also raced a 10K three weeks before Portland. Once again it wasn’t a PR (it was a hot day), but my 51:47 finish placed me third in my age group.

For sh!tz & giggles I plugged my times into the McMillan calculator, which predicted a 4:02:43 finish based upon my half marathon, and a 4:03:01 based upon my 10K time. I realize you can’t rely on these calculators, especially if you’re not putting in at least 70 mpw (I averaged 45-55), but I felt it at least proved I wasn’t smoking crack rock for thinking I could pull off a sub 4-hour. It certainly was no guarantee, but was in the realm of possibility.

One thing in my favor was the fact I have run several marathons. Sure, I didn’t race most of them, but I knew how to pace myself. I’ve very good at holding back in the beginning, even when getting passed by several runners (typically I catch up with — and pass — them in the latter miles). I also knew that just because you feel great at mile 13, 14, 15+, it doesn’t mean you’ll continue to feel great at mile 20, 21, 22+ (cue foreshadowing music).

My husband and I drove down to Portland on Saturday with a couple of other Maniacs. After picking up our bibs we headed upstairs to an 80th birthday party for fellow Maniac Bob Dolphin, who would be running his 453rd marathon at Portland (he didn’t start running marathons until he was 51). I then stopped by the Red Lizard booth to pick up a 4-hour pace band. I heard they were a good pacing team, and the paces were adjusted for the hills. I’ve never run with a pacing group before, so I decided this would be a great experiment.

Although we had had quite a bit of rain in the days leading up to the race, on race day we awoke to what I consider perfect running weather — cool and overcast. I had packed a couple of outfits — one for warmer weather, one for cool — but settled on my Maniac tank and arm warmers. However, I also threw in my Brooks Maniac Nightlife jacket in case it threatened to be windy. At the last minute I decided to forego the jacket; although it was pretty cold at the start I knew I’d warm up fairly quickly. Fortunately I brought a throwaway plastic poncho to keep warm while waiting for the start. (It also provided a modicum of decorum as I took a last minute pee break next to a dumpster).

While I’m normally quite social during marathons, especially those I treat as training runs, I knew I would need to stay totally focused to reach my goal. Fortunately many of my Maniac friends were also looking for fast races, so they understood when I said I wouldn’t be running with them. I lined up with the 4-hour pace group and anxiously waited for the gun to go off.

There were several runners in our pack and it was somewhat difficult to get a good groove on. However, I kept the pacer within sight, making sure I never was more than 15-20 feet behind. At times I’d be just behind or right next to them, but then other runners would maneuver in. At about mile 4 I saw my Maniac friend Rikki just ahead of me; I knew she was trying to BQ (she too needs 4 hours), so I yelled some words of encouragement. Her strategy was to stay just ahead of the pacers for as long as she could.

At mile 7 we started the out & back along an industrial section near the Willamette River. This is where things REALLY got congested. Normally I like to shout out to other Maniacs as I see them coming the other way, but I had to stay focused on not tripping over the railroad tracks, potholes and other runners. The road opened up at mile 11 and we headed into a neighborhood. I was feeling absolutely fabulous at that point; the pacing was great (I confirmed with the pacers we were on track) and I didn’t feel any aches and pains.

At about mile 14 the St. Johns Bridge came into view. Although I had never run the course before, I knew what to expect — a long climb leading up to the bridge, with another incline to the bridge’s halfway point. I got a chuckle from our group as we started our climb when I yelled out, “We’re not afraid of you hill!” The hills were less than a mile, but they certainly took a bit out of me. I passed Rikki on the bridge; I could tell she was struggling but hoped she would be able to pull out of it.

Meanwhile, I was still feeling rather good, especially since I thought we would be rewarded with a long downhill after the bridge. While indeed we would eventually get a 3/4 mile downhill stretch, that wouldn’t come until just before mile 24. This is when the race changed for me. I can’t remember when I first noticed it — mile 18, perhaps 19 — but I suddenly felt the gas leaving the tank. Mind you, I hadn’t hit the wall, but my legs started feeling dead. I contemplated taking a walk break, but I figured that would spell the end to my goal. I did take a “rolling” walk through one of the aid stations in order to get a couple of cups of water, plus I downed another gel. I watched the pacers slowly drift away as I concentrated on relentless forward motion.

I lost my resolve just before mile 21 and took about a .15-mile walk break (I ran that mile split in 9:54). While it would be the last time I’d see the pace group, I still held out hope I might catch up with them. Even if I trailed by 59 seconds I could still BQ. I finally hit the downhill section in the next mile and was able to pick up the pace, running it in 8:58 (and that was even with a walk break). But once I hit the flat section at the bottom my legs decided they once again needed a break, so I walked a couple more times (that was my slowest mile at 10:05).

As I passed the Red Lizard aid station about mile 24 one of the members called out to me, “Hey Maniac — how many marathons have you run?” When I told him 26 he exclaimed, “26? That’s awesome!” It was a great boost to my ego and it propelled me up the next few inclines. While I’d given up on a sub 4-hour, after doing some mental math I thought there was still a chance I’d BQ. I crossed the Broadway Bridge and managed to power down the off-ramp, but once I hit the Naito Parkway I felt another urge to walk. I couldn’t believe it — I’ve NEVER walked at mile 25! However, that was my fifth and final break; I was going to run the rest of the way come hell or high water.

Andy, another Maniac friend, called out to me from the sidelines about mile 26 (he unfortunately came down with a cold and couldn’t run the race). “You’re running a great race Betsy!” Again, it was a terrific boost. (He commented later on my Facebook page that I looked pretty beat). I had placed three “power” songs in my playlist for the last mile, but even those couldn’t help me pick up the pace. I ran the last full mile in 9:27.

The last section on SW Salmon before we turned onto SW 3rd to the finish reminded me of Hereford Street in Boston — while you normally wouldn’t consider it an incline, after running 26 miles it seemed like Mt. Everest. I was barely aware of the spectators cheering me on, my entire focus was on finishing. I glanced down at Garmin and saw it click over to 4:01, then 4:02. Oh well! Unlike with many marathons, there’d be no surge to the finish. My final time? 4:03:12, my third fastest.

Immediately upon crossing the timing mat I caught the eye of one of the medical staff and she rushed over to grab my hand. I was okay, but felt quite light-headed. She led me over to get my medal, then wrapped a space blanket around me. The dizziness passed somewhat and I made my way through the food tables, grabbing some chocolate milk, a bag of Cheetos and some M&Ms (while I immediately downed the milk, I wasn’t quite ready for solid food).

After picking up my rose and finisher’s shirt I called my husband. Since he had rolled his ankle a week before he was taking it slow. However, I was surprised to hear he was only 20 minutes behind me. As I waited for him to come in I met up with my other Maniac friends. They all had great races, with several running PRs (alas Rikki never did recover; she finished in 4:14). My dizziness returned with a vengeance and I had to sit on the curb with my head between my knees. I also started getting extremely cold.

We hobbled over to the bag pickup where I threw on my fleece jacket, then headed to Starbucks for a hot cup of coffee. After taking a shower and eating the best post-marathon meal I’ve ever had (steak, garlic mashed potatoes and a couple of pints of beer) I was as good as new.

Nike Women’s Marathon — here I come!