The Rufous-sided Towhee ~ Nature Study

As I was running on the coast this weekend, I followed a familiar route around E. Lakes. The course involves numerous undulating hills and despite the roller-coaster motion, one can enjoy scenic vistas of the lake and surrounding sand-dunes (though much of the dunes have now been destroyed to build subdivisions). I observed many familiar trees and shrubs. The rhododendrons were in abundant bloom.

I have chosen to showcase the Rufous-sided Towhee, however, because in our homeschool, song-birds are the focus of our nature study and I'm learning to identify them along side the kiddos.

The western variant of this widely distributed species was once called the spotted towhee because of the numerous white spots on its back. Open woods with brushy undergrowth provide cover for the towhee as it feeds among dead leaves, scratching the ground with both feet at once. Nuts, seeds and fruits make up most of its diet. It also eats some insects.

This towhee locates its bulky nest on the ground or low in a dense bush, no more than 5 feet above the ground. The nest is fashioned by the female with plant material and lined with fine grasses. She lays 3-4 grayish eggs that hatch in about 12 days. They typically raise 2 broods each season. Following the nesting season, they will move slightly south for winter or to the western lowlands.

Another Week in Review

We went home for the holiday weekend and I thereby haven't had an opportunity to blog about our endeavors. I will briefly summarize the workouts I've accomplished but the most exciting news is that I am swimming again! I got Buddy cleared with the childcare center and the subsequent reports have been very positive.

Thursday ~ Masters
600m warm-up mixed stroke
10 x 25m backstroke drill
5 sets of (4 x 50m freestyle descending)
1850m total

Friday ~ Easy Run
4.16 miles @ 37:22 (8:59 pace)

Saturday ~ Long Run (hilly course)
10 miles @ 1:38:56 (10:06 pace)
The last mile was a cool-down with Sweetie - and she walked most of it - our pace was 13:43. Prior to the cool-down my average pace was 9:27.

Sunday / Monday ~ Rest

Tuesday ~ Masters
800m warm-up long course (2oom free, 200m breast, 200m back, 200m kicking w/fins)
6 x 50m butterfly drill
4 x 300m freestyle, descending
2300m total

Wednesday ~ Whatever Feels Good
7 miles @ 1:08:09 (9:44 pace)
About a mile in, I met up with another runner who happened to be turning around at the point I hopped off the road and onto the river trail. As we were running in the same direction, I asked if she wouldn't mind a little company. I don't often get to run with other runners so I didn't want to let the opportunity pass me by. She was concerned that her pace would be too slow but it was very comfortable... just right.

Turns out she is an ultra runner and did a 50K just a few weeks ago. She is currently training for the PCT 50 miler... a run I have heard nothing but positive things about. The more I get into running, the more appealing ultras become. I may find myself running one sooner than I originally anticipated. We'll see.

Anyway, we had a nice chat. Turns out she is good friends with Sean (one of the ultra-runners I follow). We parted ways at about 2.4 miles. She'll be doing the Dirty Half in 2 weeks - hopefully we'll see one another again. :D

13 Reflections of My 36 Years ~ Thursday Thirteen #18

I turned 36 on Monday. On a run earlier this week, I reflected on a few things I thought I might share.

1. Husband: The love of my life.

2. Children: My dream come true.

3. Trips to the ER: 1 due to complications after the birth of Sweetie. 1 when I broke my wrist last winter and slipped on an icy patch while running on a trail.

4. College Degrees: Associates of Arts Oregon Transfer Degree. Bachelor of Science in General Science. Bachelor of Arts in International Studies. Master of Arts in Teaching (Elementary Education).

5. Loves Lost: My grandparents Louie, Wayne & Margaret. My friend and coach Paul MacDonald. My mentor teacher Minnie Gnos.

6. Hobbies: I have always enjoyed arts and crafts. Like most parents with young children, it is difficult to find the time to pursue my creative interests. However, I do find time to enjoy several; Scrapbooking/Genealogy, Biological Illustration/Nature Journals, Cake Decorating, Pine Needle Baskets, Reading and Journal Writing.

7. Teaching: I have taught for 6 1/2 years in the public school; 4 as an elementary science specialist and 2 as a 5th grade teacher (the 1/2 accounts for the 6 months I substituted in K-8). I absolutely loved my job (despite the unending piles of assignments to grade and the occasional confrontation with parents). I am on a new path now and though we have only just begun our homeschooling journey, I am having so much fun! Sweetie frequently remarks how much she loves homeschooling, too. As we gain experience and work out the kinks, I know it will only get better.

8. Vacations/Travel: My first experience on an airplane was when I flew alone to Guadalajara, Mexico (thereafter taking a bus to San Miguel de Allende, Gto.) for a summer study abroad/field experience. Thereafter, I have traveled frequently with my husband on vacations to Hawaii 3x, Cancun, Whistler B.C., Colorado 3x (DH earned is MBA UC @Denver), New England, Florida (Disney World), and Los Angeles 2x (Disneyland). I also spent 2 weeks in Ecuador as part of an Earthwatch Expedition on Rainforest Caterpillars.

9. Dream Vacations: In no particular order, the places I hope to someday experience for myself include: Norway (most definitely my top choice), England, Italy, Greece, China, India, Phillipines, Thailand, and New Zealand.

10. Books/Reading: I've read 10 so far this year... only 54 more to go in the 888 Challenge. I got started in late February and was doing well. I've slowed down lately though and hope to get going again this weekend. The Well-Educated Mind by Susan Wise Bauer just arrived on my doorstep yesterday and I jumped right in. With it as a guide, I'll be beginning a self-guided study of the classics in June. Care to join me?

11. Girlfriends: Eleven close girl friends. Only 3 remain true. I've been thinking a lot about female friendships this past year. I've even read a couple of books trying to come to grips with the emotional turmoil some negative friendships have caused. I'll be posting more on this topic soon.

12. Annual Camping Tradition: 2008 will mark our 12th consecutive year of camping at Indian Mary. Our numbers have waxed and waned but a core group has always remained. We have experienced many wonderful moments and one quite scary.

13. Running: I've completed 14 races since I started running in earnest in 2006: 3 full marathons, 3 halves, 3 10Ks, 2 15Ks, 1 30K, 1 12-miler, and 1 10-miler. My goal is to continue to run at least one full marathon each year and during peak racing season (spring thru fall) at least one race each month.

It has been quite a journey and I have learned so much. I look forward to what tomorrow will bring. :D


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The Western Tanager ~ Nature Study

A medium-sized tanager with a brilliant red head, bright yellow body and black back, wings, and tail. Wings have two bars: upper yellow, lower white. Female is olive-green above and yellow below with wing bars similar to male.

Breeds from southern Alaska southward and winters in the tropics. Preferred habitats include open coniferous forests.

The red pigment in the face of the Western Tanager is not produced by the bird but is acquired through their diet of insects that themselves acquire it from plants.

The Western Tanager was first recorded on the Lewis and Clark expedition (1803-1806).

The individual I observed today flew across the trail in front of me near the intake of the irrigation canal along the D.River Trail. He came to perch in a bow of a Ponderosa Pine.

ORN: 7.25 miles at 9:07 mile pace

Cycling and Another Birthday

Sweetie had dance class Monday afternoon and we also needed to stop at the library. The day was beautiful - mid 80s - so we opted to take the bike and trailer. I love it when I can essentially "kill 2 birds with 1 stone" and complete our errands while simultaneously getting a good workout.

The ride into town (we stopped at the library) was smooth... 4.64 miles at an average 9.2 mph. Given that I am pulling a bike trailer that is certainly a drag in terms of physics, I'm okay with the slow speed. My max was 24.9 - of course that is from the downhill portion. We then covered another 1.29 miles together en route to dance... averaging 6.6 mph (through town, avoidiing cars, stopping at intersections, weaving around peds in the park).

Buddy played with Legos during Sweetie's class. My neighbor, whose granddaughter also takes dance, offered to give the kiddos a ride home (her granddaughters were coming over for dinner that evening so the kiddos could play for a while as I pedaled home sans the extra weight). I jumped at the offer as much of the return is uphill. The return ride was 7.07 miles at an average 8.2 mph. The climb is easier without the weight but I was still pulling the trailer and the wind was against me the entire return home.

13 total miles at an average 8.3 mph. Yucky when you compare my cycling speed with others but good considering the poor aerodynamics of the trailer and the added weight. I am considering investing in a new helmet and a holder for a water bottle. Perhaps gloves, too. A question for ya'll - should the kiddos also wear a helmet when they are in the trailer?

I took Tuesday as a rest day... we just had too much going on...

The kids and I lead a Nature Walk at the museum at 9:30. We came home shortly before 11 and I frosted a cake for a friend's birthday party later in the afternoon. Sweetie then helped me to clean the house and make lunch.

At 1:30, two families joined us for a Roots & Shoots activity (two others called with apologies they wouldn't be able to make it - we're going to do a make-up session on Thr). We read a great children's book, In the Woods, Who's Been Here? and then did a fun activity to learn about the parts of a tree. We had planned on going for a walk but it was too cold and windy - odd, since we had 90 degree temps over the weekend! (More details on these activities can be found on our homeschool blog.)

Shortly after everyone left, we departed as well. We drove across town for a birthday party. We all had a great time. The sky cleared and the sun came out to celebrate with us. The kids were able to get outside to play. My girlfriend planned a fun safari themed scavenger hunt and thereafter each of the kids enjoyed a horse ride around the farm.

Buddy fell asleep on the way home (Yay!) so I put him to bed early. Surprisingly, he woke just once to lay beside me a while but he went back to sleep immediately. Lucky for us. Sweetie decided to do a little schoolwork just before bed - and I obliged. We all hit the pillow by 9 p.m. We are such wusses. :D

My Birthday Weekend

I am not following an official training plan at this time... just going with the flow and how I feel. It is kind of nice to not follow an arbitary plan... to run when I want and how my body dictates. I'll likely start a new plan after the Dirty Half... until then, I'm just going to take it all in stride and enjoy myself. No pressure.

My mom's birthday is the 18th and mine is the 19th, so we always try to spend at least one day together near our birthday. My mom came over on Thursday evening after she got off work and arrived shortly after the kiddos had fallen asleep. She brought over the antique spinning wheel that has been in my family for generations. It came over from Norway in the late 1800s. I've known since I was a little girl that I would inherit the spinning wheel. Now that I actually have it my home, it is a little surreal. We chatted for a while and then we adults retired for the night as well.

I headed out for a run early on Friday morning shortly after DH left for work and before anyone else was awake (Mom had given me the go ahead the night before). I covered 4 miles at 33:57 (avg pace 8:29) and was very pleased.

When I got home, the kids awoke a few minutes later and we then proceeded about our day. I had a short training meeting at the museum to prep for the new peak visitor season that starts after Memorial Day. Sweetie and I will continue to do Living History but Buddy will be staying with my girlfriend and her 2 boys instead. He is just too busy, too inquisitive... he doesn't stay in the 'homestead area' and I thereby spend much of my time running after him so I figured this was the best option. Sweetie loves going to the cabin and I didn't want to take that away from her. While I was in my meeting, Mom explored the museum with the kiddos.

Thereafter, we spent a couple hours at Goodwill (we love to treasure hunt) and we came home with a few great finds (mostly clothes - a running skirt and Nike Dri-Fit running pants!). Buddy found a small aquarium and Sweetie found a pair of overalls for her upcoming dance recital. Mom found a great patio lounge chair but couldn't get it in her car so it is now mine! :D

Mom left that afternoon and I then began to prepare for the arrival of Bar and Kong. The past couple of years, they have been core members of our Pole Pedal Paddle team. Though we opted not to participate this year (mostly due to the difficulty in finding a nordic skiers for each team), we still gathered everyone for the usual festivities (food, games, and chaos). As it turned out, temps were in the mid-90s, so we were all very pleased we weren't out exerting ourselves in the mid-day.

We did manage to get a lot of exercise in though - in the early morning when temps were still cool. Aren't we smart?

DH and I awoke first so I made him breakfast (his usual 3 scrambled eggs) and headed out for a short 2 mile run. Bar and Kong were also planning on running... so I circled back after 2 miles to see if they were ready to join me. They were still snoozing so I did another 2 (4.26 miles at 37:22 for an average 8:46/mi pace - my legs/hips were feeling a little tight - proving I need to make a better effort to stretch). I returned home just before the kids awoke so I fixed them breakfast as well. Bar and Kong awoke shortly after and we departed together for another 3. Eagerly, Sweetie joined us but Buddy opted to stay with Daddy and watch a movie.

I ran along side Sweetie and thereby enjoyed a leisurely pace. At 5 years of age, she hasn't quite grasped the idea of pacing herself so she would occasionally run all out, keeping up with Bar and Kong. Other times, she would walk a short distance to catch her breath. I thought she would want to turn around early but she is a trooper and she pulled through and completed the entire out and back course. Together we finished 3 miles in 41:36 for an average 13:53mi/pace. Awesome! We returned home, refueled with a bowl of Honeynut Cheerios, a banana, and OJ. We then headed out for a round of Disc-golf. It was hot - this was when we realized what a great decision we had made in NOT doing the PPP this year. After the third hole, Buddy had developed a couple of blisters on his feet and wanted to be carried. He and I thereby returned to the car to sit in the shade while the others finished the 9-hole course (we opted not to do 18 due to the heat). When they finished, I discovered that Sweetie had also developed blisters. Kong was gracious to loan Sweetie her socks. Note to self: Crocs are not meant for long walks without socks.

We cleaned up (it was dirty!) and then proceeded to McMennamins for a wonderful lunch (despite the slow service). DH and I shared a Ruby Raspberry Milkshake - who would have known a milkshake made with beer could have tasted so good! :D

We then returned home and enjoyed the comfort of AC while we played a few games... Carcassonne and Incan Gold. Kong and I then got busy preparing the meal for the evening. Scallop & Shrimp Skewers with Mango Mojo, Caesar salad, smoked salmon with goat cheese and cucumber, a Quinoa side-dish, and dinner rolls. D2 (a friend of DH) brought over Pancet, a Filipino dish of noodles, chicken, pork and shrimp as well as a yummy Pinot Grigio and 7up for our own spritzers. We dined and then watched The Count of Monte Cristo. Good movie.
Sunday morning was also eventful... we started with another 3 mile run with DH accompanying on his bike. Buddy also wanted to run but he opted to climb into the buggy after the first 1/2 mile. Sweetie joined him a little later. DH stopped at the park with the kiddos while Bar, Kong and I finished our run (3.44 miles in 40:26 for an average 11:45mi/pace).
As soon as we got home, we all readied our bikes and donned helmets for a little ride. The kiddos opted to play next door and so we were sans kids for a couple of hours. We headed for town with the intent of getting smoothies... we didn't find a smoothie place open so we settled on Red Robin and ended up getting lunch as well. The food hit the spot and was very yummy. With full bellies, we then began our trek home - mostly uphill. 7.25 miles on the bike... 1:02:05. Conversational pace. :D

Bar and Kong thereafter had to depart for home. Saying good-bye and the quietness that remains when a fun weekend comes to a close is always a little sad. We look forward to seeing everyone again at Indian Mary in July. Until then, "I dag skal vi gå på jogge."

A Week Off

Not sure why... but I haven't run since last Wednesday. I just don't want to be confined indoors on the treadmill when it is so nice outside and I have seemingly been making all kinds of excuses or finding obstacles that consume my daylight hours.

Anyway... until school ends, I have a sitter on Wednesday afternoons so I made certain I didn't let today's run get overlooked. I headed out with the intention of doing 6 miles but felt so good as I was underway that I thought 8-10 would be in order. Perhaps I should do my long run today (the start of the week) since we have company coming this weekend and a long run may not happen?

As I hit the 2nd mile mark, I realized I was maintaining a solid tempo pace. I hoped I could keep it up but by mile 3, I was pretty uncomfortable (nature was calling). I thereby hit the lap button on the Garmin (3 miles in 25:00 = 8:20 mile pace). I took mile 4 very easy and stopped briefly at the park. I did another easy mile and resumed a tempo pace for the another 1.5 miles. I had hoped to do another full 3 mile tempo but coincidentally came to a big hill and opted to finish the last 1.5 as a cool-down. Thereby, the numbers were 2 miles at 10:21 mile pace followed by 1.5 miles at 8:20 and 1.5 cool-down miles at 15:33.

Today's total comes to 8 miles at an average 9:13 mile pace. Very good.

I also want to give a little shout out to Wes (competing in Ironman Florida this weekend), TeacherWoman (running her first half-marathon) and my girl GB (competing in the Olhone 50K) !! You are all so inspiring and I wish you each the best this coming weekend! I'll be thinking of you! :D

Getting My Feet Under Me

I did an easy 4.12 miles yesterday afternoon... 42:48 (10:22 mile pace). My legs are still a little sore but boy, did the run feel good. It was a beautiful day and the kiddos stayed home with a new sitter. The kids love him and his mom is in the neighborhood just in case (she does lawn maintenance for nearly everyone in the neighborhood). We've even worked out a schedule for summer... I'm so excited!

I'll be moving my long run to Monday (instead of Sunday) so as to have more time with family on the weekends. DH loved this idea. The sitter will watch the kiddos again on Wednesday. I'll run another 2-3 days during the week and incorporate strength training on my easy days. I also hope to begin swimming again on Tuesdays (recovery).

Considering ??

I am still very sore... more so than I recall in '06 when I did Portland. After CIM '07, muscle soreness was hardly noticeable. Today, my legs are still weak and have even 'given out' on me a couple of times when the kids and I walked to the park (just 2 blocks away).

I'm still floating on cloud 9 after my PR. I really didn't expect to improve at all going in... I really struggled with burn-out (training or weather induced ??) in the months prior to Eugene. Yet... would you believe I'm already dreaming of and planning my 4th?! Though I can't consider myself a Maniac, I love marathons. I love running.

My success on Sunday has reinvigorated me - summer is nearly here and the opportunities to get outdoors (running, swimming or cycling) are endless. Race season is here! There are opportunities to race all summer long! Racing is a celebration for all the training I have done.

I have just 10 minutes to shave off to qualify... only 25 seconds per mile. Once I've recovered, my thought is that I can resume training, beginning at 30-35 miles a week. A part of me wants to jump at the next opportunity (Pacific Crest in June). Another part of me says wait until at least Fall (Portland or Bizz) or perhaps even later (CIM, Phoenix or Eugene '09).

Who am I kidding though? I should maintain until July - then begin again for a fall marathon. That would logically be in my best interest, right?

The Big Milestone

In an earlier post, I eluded to a big milestone that I would reach following yesterday's marathon. Though I do have a birthday this month (the 19th), I'll be turning 36 not 30. Which is good because I have a few more years in this age division to try to qualify. :D

Akshaye and Marcy were correct ... it was a mileage milestone. I hit 2000 miles (2017 to be exact) since I started running avidly in 2006. I didn't count the mileage I did in high school since I didn't keep track.

Send me your mailing addresses (my email is in my profile) and I'll send each of you a little something as a gift!

Look forward to more contests coming soon!

:D

A Beautiful Day in Eugene

Everything fell into place yesterday and despite my prior burnout, low mileage weeks & sub-par training going into the race, I still managed to finish with a personal best time. I'm elated!

Pre-Race

We left the high desert around 9:30 a.m.on Saturday and drove over the mountains. We made a quick stop at the Expo to pick up our race goodies. Sweetie was registered to participate in the Kids' Fun Run - when she got her T-shirt, she hugged it tightly and squealed with joy! I think she'll be a runner! :D We meandered about the Expo for a short time but not seeing anything that called out my name, we departed.

We then met up with my brother and his family at Pappa's Pizza so the kids could play and we could catch up a little. After lunch, I encouraged them to join us on a letterboxing quest at a nearby park. DH and my SIL were a little less then enthusiastic... but the kids were looking forward to it so they were good sports. Thank you for humoring us!

We managed to find 2 of the 4 hidden boxes. We found the first relatively easily. The 2nd one never revealed itself though I know we must have been looking in the right place. The 3rd was found with a little more effort than was required by the 1st. We gave up on the 4th - not even finding the right trail with which to begin. In the end, I think I have created a new family of zealous letterboxers. The kids had a great time and my SIL asked all sorts of questions about how one goes about creating your own stamp, etc. Mission accomplished. :D

We said good-bye to our family and then coincidently meandered along part of the marathon course to get to our motel. It was nice to see a part of the course and mentally prepare myself for the big race. We checked in and as DH took a little siesta, I laid out our clothes for the race, pinning on our bibs and tucking a little snack bar that we picked up at the Expo into Sweetie's pocket.

We then met up with Bar and Kong at PF Chang's for dinner. We did the same last year when Kong and I ran the half and we looked forward to a new tradition. Kong wasn't running this year but they drove down from the big city to cheer me on. AWESOME! Thank you guys! Dinner was great and thereafter we retired to our motel. The kids actually went to bed relatively easily - I worried they wouldn't since they both slept during the drive over.

Race-day Morning

I woke just before the wake-up call at 5:45 and proceeded to get ready. I brewed a small pot of coffee for DH. I enjoyed about 1/2 cup myself along with two thick slices of banana bread that I had brought along with me. I then took 2 immodium to hopefully prevent undesired visits to the porta-potty. According to Runners World (May 2008), 24% of women ages 25-44 experience symptoms of stress incontinence - this would be me! Turns out they were called "Honey Buckets" - I should have brought along my camera for a Marcy inspired photo-op. As it turned out, the immodium was a superb idea... I didn't have to stop once!

We woke the kids at 6:30 and then proceeded over to Hayward field. Just as we did last year, DH drops me off at the intersection and I jogged the few blocks to the start. He then returned to the motel for breakfast and then took Sweetie to her race at 8 a.m. Unfortunately, due to parking and other nuances, he didn't get a chance to take photos of her race. Bar and Kong stated that she ran so fast, they missed her race, too. Bummer. She had a great time, though. She said (and DH confirmed) that she ran the entire mile just as she did last year. "Bigger kids were stopping and walking but I didn't!"

When I got to the start of my race, I immediately found the 9:00 minute pace group. I was surprised to learn that the pace leader wasn't going to carry his pace sign. At Portland and Sacramento, the pace leaders carried a sign the entire 26.2 miles and it was thereby easy to keep an eye on the pace group even from a distance. I scanned the crowd looking for Jeff... we had spoken earlier by phone and as we both planned to run the same place, we planned to run together. I never found him, though. Bummer!

The Race Itself

When the gun went off, the first mile was a little slow, 9:11. I picked up the pace just a little and finished the second mile in 8:15 - a little fast. I was feeling really good, though. I thereby decided that I was going to run my race. I was going to aim for a 3:50 marathon and if I was feeling good towards the end, perhaps I could pick up the pace. As each mile was completed, I realized that I was a solid two minutes ahead of pace at each marker. This was exciting and I started to visualize the possibility of qualifying. After all, it was possible.

My mom was posted near the UO Admin building (mile 8 1/2) and took a few photos. It is always inspiring to see loved ones along the way who've come out to support you. It certainly helps to distract you and thereby stay on pace. Kong was posted at mile 9 1/2 and I was able to toss my gloves to her. Thank you! Two miles later and the route then proceeded through Springfield - the portion of the course that I dislike the most. I would have loved to see my dad there but he couldn't make it today as he was caring for my grandma. Her well-being is certainly more important than my race and I dedicated mile 22 (her birthday is Feb 22) to her.

My mom surprised me when she was at mile 13 1/2 as well. She proved to surprise me several times throughout the day, playing Leap Frog with me. Thank you, Mom! Shortly thereafter, the course returned to the river and we made our way through Alton Baker park for a second time. I knew I would see DH and the kiddos somewhere and started to really scan the crowds. DH saw me first (between miles 15 and 16) and yelled, "Go, Makita!" His voice resonated above everyones and it helped put a little pep into my step. I got a big hug from my little sweeties and they yelled, "Go, Momma, Go!"

My brother was just past mile 17 outside McMennamins. He was crouched on the side of the trail to take photos and when I realized it was him (it took a moment because the camera was in front of his face), I started to move towards the side. The runner in front of me must have thought he was race photographer because she did the same thing, thereby blocking me from his view. I hope he got at least one of me! He told me later that throughout the race, several runners actually started posing for him... he obliged and later deleted the pictures from his memory card. Too funny!

Mom must have picked my brother up because they both appeared again just past mile 18 at Valley River Center. At mile 19, I realized that I was no longer 2 minutes ahead of my pace strip but right on. I had slowed slightly. All I wanted at this point was to stay on... to maintain an even effort.

At mile 20, I started to struggle with a side cramp on my right. I bent over and pinched my side in an effort to make it stop. Another runner said to me, "A minute of stretching now will save 10 minutes later on." I replied, "It's a side ache not a muscle cramp." He suggested stretching my arms up over my head. I started doing that and it helped alleviate the pain for a short time but it kept coming back, each time a little stronger.

My mom and brother surprised me again at mile 22 and I was no longer smiling as I had been before. I was struggling. I didn't exactly encounter a wall like in Portland but it was certainly difficult to maintain pace. I knew at this point that I wasn't going to finish at 3:50 but if I held on I hoped to still PR. I walked briefly at every water stop at this point.

By mile 26, I had to walk briefly to stretch several times. My side really hurt - I hadn't ever experienced side aches like this before - a side ache that I couldn't make go away with focused breathing or a 'pinching'. I typically have a pretty strong kick. I have always been able to finish strong. Not this time. It was all I could do to run across the finish and not walk. When I looked up at the clock, I was elated to see 3:55... I couldn't believe I actually finished with a personal best.

Post-Race

It is amazing to me that though I have now completed three marathons, I continue to learn something with each one. I learned yesterday that I didn't push myself as hard as I could have in Sacramento. Though I lost several minutes in the porta potty, I didn't struggle much otherwise and wasn't sore the next day. My training going into CIM was solid. I should have done better but I had played it safe. My training going into Eugene yesterday was sub-par. However, I pushed myself from the start and though I struggled a little in the end, it paid off. Immodium is my friend.

3:55:25 Finishing Time
1:52:55 at the Half
2:53:58 at 20 Mile Mark
41 / 129 Place by Age Division
204 / 776 Place by Sex


Dedication

I dedicated many of the miles to friends and family - keeping each in mind as I tried to maintain pace. This really helped in the later miles as I began to struggle.

Mile 3 - My little buddy (he's 3 years old)
Mile 5 - Sweetie (she's 5)
Mile 10 - Steve Prefontaine (each mile was dedicated to a Eugene legend, mile 10 was Pre's)
Mile 16 - My brothers
Mile 17 - Paul MacDonald (a dear friend and former coach)
Mile 18 - My moms
Mile 19 - DH
Mile 20 - My dads
Mile 21 - My Running Blog Family :D
Mile 22 - My Grandma
Mile 23 - Albert
Mile 24 - Debbie & Lilli
Mile 25 - Bar & Kong
Mile 26 - My kiddos

The Splits

Mile 1 - 9:11
Mile 2 - 8:15
Mile 3 - 8:15
Mile 4 - 8:52
Mile 5 - 8:47
Mile 6 - 8:33
Mile 7 - 8:39
Mile 8 - 8:47
Mile 9 - 8:31
Mile 10 - 8:35
Mile 11 - 8:32
Mile 12 - 8:37
Mile 13 - 8:38
Mile 14 - 8:48
Mile 15 - 9:02
Mile 16 - 8:51
Mile 17 - 9:08
Mile 18 - 8:53
Mile 19 - 8:50
Mile 20 - 9:14
Mile 21 - 9:43
Mile 22 - 9:16
Mile 23 - 10:04
Mile 24 - 9:35
Mile 25 - 9:33
Mile 26 - 10:05
Last 0.2 - ?? (I forgot to hit the split and even failed to turn off the Garmin for several minutes after finishing.)

Very Quickly

Finishing Time: 3:55:259

I'm elated! More soon.