If I can't convince you - - I'll at least confuse you.: bulletproof

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.