Marathon, done!

Eugene Marathon. Check.

Overall I placed smack in the middle.  1396/2291 overall, 99/178 in my division, ran a 4:13 marathon and kept my mile average under 10 minutes.  I feel good about it and am excited to hop back on the training pony and crank this Ironman out.

Wrapped up the Portland course, after a week and a half of new baby+work+Portland+family+fun = serious training slacks.  Ori and I jumped in the car, I ate a burrito, handed over the wheel and slept for two hours.  I was haggard and excited from an awesome oysters/absinthe/music date that had me out until 1 the night before.  Decisions = consequences I guess.

 We woke up at 5am Sunday after a great evening with Ori's friends of good food and laughter and a 9pm bedtime.  I felt great.  Oatmeal and coffee and sunrise drive into town.  Bag Check, peeing behind bushes, and freezing waiting for start.

7:10am and we were off.  The first 10 miles were weaving through town.  Awesome spectators, views of blocks and blocks as far as you could see of runners, lots of cowbells, I was pumped so I got this idea that I was going to run a 3:50 marathon.   The plan seemed good until mile 17 when my legs realized that though they could bike or swim the rest of the race, they were sick of running.  My pace dropped from 8:41 (rank 67) -9:11 (rank 93) -11:14 (rank 128) for the last 7 miles.  It was a funny feeling to feel strong in body and fuel but done in muscle.  Big inspiration for renewed dedication to training and also excitement that I can run a marathon and not be super tired.  Just my legs.

 There were so many highlights, so many great spectators, I was wearing my wonder woman costume and at mile 18, superman ran up beside me.  At mile 16, there was a dinging to my side and I looked and saw a cowbell ringing on a stick tied to a string that ran 100 yards across the lawn to a man in a wheelchair on his porch.  At mile 26 I was met by my new Main Man and at the finish also by my Dad.

Ori rocked her first marathon, we went and soaked our legs naked butted in the river, drank champagne, got burgers, and the day ended with finally being back home watching the sunset on the deck.