slowing down

Wow, did I run slow this morning...

M and I have been running together (with the jogger) for several weeks now but this morning he and our son stayed in while I went out in the 40 something degree weather for a little run. I decided to run an old favorite loop that is approximately 4 miles. This particular loop was a staple during marathon training. If nothing else, I made sure I got in this loop as a minimum. The first 2.25+ miles of it I used to run in less than 20 minutes. This morning it took me 24 minutes and I didn't even run all of it. I took a little walk break up the big hill to slow down my heart rate and another one later on in the run. My total distance was 3.34 miles and I averaged just over an 11 minute mile pace. Good grief. Wasn't I just running 8:20s not that long ago??

Portland Marathon

The next best thing to running in a race is being a spectator at one. We spent this morning cheering on friends at the Portland Marathon. For some, it was their first running of Portland but I think all had run at least one prior marathon.

We first staked out a spot near mile markers 7 and 11. It is the dreaded out and back portion of the course that takes you two miles down the industrial (read: non-scenic) part of Portland and back. Not so much fun for the racers, but great for the spectators because we get to catch them twice and we also get to see the elite runners as well as the 5 hour runners. Thomas wore his Halloween costume, a purple dragon, and it was definitely getting some attention from the runners. We also held up signs for our friends, waved pom-poms and rocked out with a cowbell. It was great fun!

After seeing the last friend pass mile 11, we jumped back into our car and drove across the river to the next viewing/cheering point. We found ourselves on the bluff in North Portland around mile marker 20. Again, we cheered on our friends as they each passed us by. They all did a fantastic job out there this morning! They were confident, strong, relaxed and looked to be having a great time. One friend even ran a Boston Qualifier this morning -- kudos to Carolyn! She totally rocked it. Another friend's husband finished in 2:37 and some change, also a BQ. Do you realize how fast one has to run (and sustain this pace for the entire 26.2 mile duration) in order to finish in that time?? I can't even run a single mile in 6 minutes.

I haven't run Portland, but it's on my list to run someday. I love that we are the same age, Portland and I. Maybe in two years when we are both 37 years old we'll meet up for a 26.2 mile run around town.