Tuesday, July 13, 2010

bulletproof [portlandFTF marathon]

Just so you know ..... you'll want need to go get that morning diet coke, coffee, toilet break or pillow.  I will try to keep it on topic [but you know that never rarely goes well].



Ahhhh Portland.
I love you. Everything about you. I mean seriously... You had me at our aerial arrival.

[a huge, "I'm sorry" to anyone who has ever flown into Phoenix---ugggg ugly]

You had Peanut by the terminal walkway. Okay, so Starbucks rice dream bar & hot chocolate may have had something to do with it but by the time we reached our rental car station - we were having a blast.
Race packet p/u was awesome. Well staffed and also included smokin' deals on attire. Yay!! Even Loved the try-on rooms where I got a photo of this


 and in another unmentionable place where I saw this
Next, we were off to a place I saw on diners drive-ins &dives [food network]. Byways Cafe.

Yum. Yum. Yum.  Blue Corn Pancakes.
I hear even the orange wedges are good.

The marathon was held at Sauvie Island. Beautiful. However, the closest hotel was 7 miles away but at a Priceline cost of $59 - who freaking cares. ;)

Don't usually get too nervous before races so that's a definite plus for me. Got there early which was very good due to the amazing insane amount of traffic. [As there is only one road inti SI.]

6:28am came around we they sang something in celebration of July 4th. Some Americana song. I was too busy cracking up at our their horrible singing voices to even recognize the song.

6:30am - I am off.  It all boiled down to one simple element ---- keep my stinking Garmin at a pace on or below 7:44 and I've got this.

Mile 1-7:24.
Mile 2 - 7:32
Mile 3 - 7:29
Mile 4-7:39
Mile 5-7:47 -- didn't like that one but wanted to make sure I didn't go out too hard at the start [pre mile 18 anyway]

Mile 6-7:41
Mile 7-7:42 --- I think I have found my pace guy.  I have a need to do this every race [especially small races where no "pace teams" are to be found.  A guy with 8 [I had time to count] Gu packets around his waist.

Mile 8-7:40
Mile 9-7:43
Mile 10-7:39
Mile 11-7:44  - I really am wanting to pass Gu guy but this guy has issues with chicks passing him.  Seriously.  The back of his shirt should have said, "If you are female and pass me, I will forego the next water station to be back in front."  hilarious.  It motivated me and I loved it.

Mile 12-7:39  1/2 gu.
Mile 13-7:38
Mile 14-7:40  1/2 gu
Mile 15-7:39
Mile 16-7:42. I see peanut & the pita.

Mile 17-7:43. This stupid running dork photo was captured.


Mile 18-7:39. Cramps. Toe cramps set in.  Like twisted over the tops of each other cramping.



Mile 19-7:38. -8 gu belt boys tells me,"I'm done w/you. You got me." not sure what that meant exactly but I passed his Gu bum & [sincerely] smiled.

Mile 20-7:39 cramps moved up to shin.



Mile 21-7:42 I belch something fierce while passing a 1/2 marathon walker. Completely freaked her out.  Seriously, felt bad but I could hear her cracking up a few seconds later, as I was still yelling out my apologies.

Mile 22-7:43 1/2 gu.
Mile 23-7:41
Mile 24-7:37. 1/2 gu.  [last photo OP until finish line]

Mile 25-7:36. I can see the finish line. Tears well up in my eyes. I turn on "bulletproof" one more time.  loud. & I begin to smile ear to ear.

I've got this.  I've freaking got this.

Mile 26-7:34. I think of my dad and try to sprint as fast as my cramped toes [and right shin] will allow me.



.2 = 1:51

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH.

In my peanuts arms. Her first words, "mom, you did it. You did it better than your goal!!"

Followed by "can I have your medal it's awesome. It's made out off all recycled materials.".  [made from recycled bicycle chain-completely awesome]

Then like someone had kicked her in her backside she had to run to the car where she brought me the sweet necklace KP & her daughter had made for me.
3:20:29

Goal met = happy Emz

56 comments:

Anonymous said...

Frickin' awesome! Spectacularly consistent.

Lucas R. Tucker said...

SIMPLY AWESOME!!

Big Daddy Diesel said...

Your such a rockstar

Anonymous said...

Congrats on a completely awesome, awesome race. You did amazing, beating 8 gu belt guy was amazing and your abs are super-duper amazing. Way to go!

Evolving Through Running said...

Hearty CONGRATULATIONS!! Awesome job, and great photos. I need to remember to smile for pics in my next race - makes a big difference. Way to meet and beat your goals!!

TMB @ RACING WITH BABES said...

Fantastic recap. Even more fantastic performance! You are my idol!

Marlene said...

Hello steady pacing! You totally rocked it!!! Too funny about Gu Guy... whatever his deal was, you kicked his butt. CONGRATS LADY!!! YOU FREAKING ROCK!

Aimee said...

Woohoo! Congrats on an awesome race, and congrats on beating your goal! You ROCKED! Only in my dreams am I as fast as you...ha ha!

Sarah said...

I bet it feels great when it's not a million degrees! Good job!

abbi said...

Very awesome! Also cool that you passed Gu guy!! He deserved it!

Pam @ herbieontherun.com said...

Where do you hide your wings, woman?! That is an unbelieveable time!!!

misszippy said...

Could you have run a more perfect race? Seriously, those splits are amazing! Fantastic job--I hope you are celebrating!!

Colleen said...

Wow, you looked and ran AWESOME!! You are my H.E.R.O.!!

Question: When you were finishing, are those ladies on the left in the picture just finishing their half?

Matty O said...

Wow! Solid splits down the line!

I love your story about GU Guy! I always end up having an arch nemesis on the course that will never let ME pass.

Took awhile to read through your blog with the crazy fonts :) Love your style.

Congrats on a great time! I ran just under that back in April and I know what it takes... I had a wall at mile 20 though and did not have beautiful splits like you did!

Your training paid off :)

Jeri said...

I'm all teary eyed! Congrats to you on running a hard and amazing race. :)

chloë. said...

wow. you are my hero. it's a great day when I finish a silly 5K with an average pace under 8 minutes. sigh.

Carrie said...

I love how you guided us through the entire race. I may not have felt the pain you went through, but I was teared up when you accomplished/surpassed your goal. Congratulations!!!

Kera said...

i love scrolling through all your commenters awesome running profile pics and i'm holding damn balloons. whatever. just know that you are literally the most legit person i know. no joke.

Kera said...

there is a poodle though... there is a poodle with bows. i'm cooler than them right???

Petraruns said...

Amazing. You're amazing. Wow! I'm jealous.

Gina said...

Totally RADICOOOL! congratulations!!

Kevin and Kim Partridge said...

You have me crying AGAIN! I have almost no words to describe how utterly proud I am of you. You ARE BULLETPROOF!!!!!! They made that song just for you and this race. I love you and the Peanut with my whole heart!

Middle Name Marie said...

Great Race! Hilarious Report! Isn't Portland beautiful?

Tricia said...

You are a rock star!

Unknown said...

Dude! Awesome job - congrats on a super fast race! Looks like a beautiful place to be.

Unknown said...

OOOOOOOOooooooo! I'm SO happy and proud of you!! You WORKED for this one and wanted it so badly and spectacular things happen through hard work, big dreams and awesome goals! Oh, I just wanted to read this post over and over, it was so inspiring!!!
HUGS and great job!!

Teamarcia said...

Absolutely glorious! Wow what divine splits--congrats on a beautiful job!

Jill said...

Excellent job, congratulations!! What an amazing accomplishment, absolutely loved your RR and how you just left GU guy in the dust! Hope you celebrated big!

Angie said...

SO, I seriously got all teary reading this. I am so proud of you I could just burst. You are the marathoner I want to be when I grow out of my back-of-the-pack status. Well done!!!!!

Patrick Mahoney said...

This is an amazing race report/post. Awesome and congrats...

Rad Runner said...

Gu Guy?! Fabulous just plan fabulous just like your report, of course though, they are never less then great!

EZEthan said...

Congrats on the awesome race... just curious... when was that 2nd to last picture taken? Those can't be other 3:20 marathoners you're passing, can they?

Suzy said...

Thanks for stopping by my blog. Congrats on an awesome marathon!! You are very even paced.

Racy Runner said...

Great job! So envious of your great time--but even more envious of your great abs.

Casi

EricaH said...

Congratulations!! Great job and wonderful report. Amazing pictures.

also if i am ever in Portland I have to remember to stop by Byways and try the oranges :)

Unknown said...

The belch part cracked me up!!
Girlie you are truly amazing!!
Do you think the treadmill training helps you keep even splits and pace?
On top of running a spectacular race, chicking GU dude, and meeting your goals, you looked hot doing it!!
Do you like to run a few miles the day or two after the race to get the kinks out?
Cheers and have a great recovery :)

Laura said...

Just awesome..you and the race...

H Love said...

I think I just shed a tear! WOW...way to go! Consistent and strong is right! You are amazing. I do get sidetracked looking at your pics though...hello amazing abs. Way to go mommy! woo hoo!

robin said...

how is that even possible?

amazing, amazing, amazing...

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Johann said...

Fantastic run! Well done! You are one fast marathon runner!

Harold said...

Holy crap that's fast! I can only dream of one day being that fast....great job!

Brigitte said...

Wow! That is FAST!! That's the kind of time I would like to aspire to one day!...
Great post, love your mile-by-mile comments.
Congrats on such a great time.

AM! said...

Hi there!
Glad to find your blog;-)

and you are smokin' fast!!!

dang!

Shellyrm ~ just a country runner said...

That was an amazing pace!

I have to say I just got off the floor. Why you ask? Because after all those photos of your abs, I felt like a kangaroo and had to do some sit ups! ;-) I think your picture will be motivation to do them everyday now!

I love that Gu guy's shirt. So funny. Glad you chicked him!

Aron said...

WOW. i am in awe :) you did AMAZING. those splits are freaking incredible! congrats on a killer race (and some killer abs too - sheesh!) :)

Anonymous said...

great job on meeting your goal. AWESOME job on passing gu guy (on your left)...lol. Your pace was awesome...incredible effort!

Kelly Leigh said...

Yay! Hooray for passing up goals and kicking the butts of gu guys! I think he was just flirting with your pretty self. Eye candy on the route ya know what I mean??? Seriously how do u look that amazing while running a marathon? Like huge massive smiles the whole time! I would be up chucking gu on the side of the road!

KC (my 140 point 6 mile journey) said...

Guuurl, you killed that marathon! I'm so glad you whipped gu guy's butt too. Congrats on a VERY well run race!

Molly said...

Dude, I am so freakin' impressed, I've been waiting for this recap for daaaayyyyzzzz!

Jacob said...

you are so amazing!!! good job! you are so tiny and fit too! way to be
'loves britt

The Boring Runner said...

This is such a great report!! I'm with Jamoosh, you had SUCH consistent splits. Maybe I can get my 3:20 in san Antonio if I carry 8 GUs? maybe.

Quinton J said...

Wait...is this a BQ for you? Did you just qualify? Are you running Boston in 2011? You just beat my marathon time and simultaneously became my new hero.

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!

I need to put this vuvuzela down and get back to my training.

Lindsay said...

amazing!!! Congrats you rock, I love all the pics.

Amanda@runninghood said...

So glad you had a good Portland experience. You rock (no pun intended but really, whenever I tell you that you Rock now I'm going to think of your most recent arizona marathon) but really you Rock at keeping a consistent pace Emily! I've heard this is a good course...is this the sauvie flat? I looked for it but didn't see it and now I have to go back and read some more of your jUly posts. :) Have you heard anything about the Newport Marathon? Rockin' pace! You'll beat this time next race. I'd really love to beat my 3:22 PR on my next marathon...hoping my hamstring will cooperate.

Amanda@runninghood said...

Okay I'm back to your report here again. I'm thinking of running this next month. Just ran one in 3:30 but totally went out too fast and hit the freaking wall and want to try again at that start slower and build up thing. Failed miserably. Your race here was wonderful!! So right on! So, tell me about Sauvie...would you recommend it??