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Getting to PortlandI had planned to run the 2003 Portland Marathon with Kris. Some injuries and a cold late in my training led me to back out, and I've harbored some regrets about running an event with Kris, as well as getting the cool finishers shirt, and the commemorative Lewis and Clark medal. At the time backing out made sense. I had done the Hood to Coast Relay and three marathons in a year (New York, Whidbey Island, and Grandma's), and was beginning to feel burned out. So between September of 2003 and July of 2004 I had run mostly for fun, although my long runs occasionally spiked up to marathon level. In January, I ran my fastest half in over seven years (1:40 and change). The Nookachamps run was a long-time favorite event - small, reasonably fast course, and a great bunch of people attending. I didn't run with strategy, I just went out and ran as fast and long as I could. Naturally I died after mile ten, but this is to be expected when you run like that. I didn't race much after that, instead focusing on other things. By July, I realized that if I wanted to consider a fall marathon, I was just about out of time to train. My long runs were up to about 15 miles, and I wasn't doing any quality workouts to speak of. I sat down on evening and charted it out. If I adjusted things a bit and kept free of injuries, it was possible to train up to about 26 miles. I came up with the chart below, and I've kept to it pretty well. The weekend workouts are the cornerstone - the long runs, and the longer speed workouts. The key to any marathon training program is the long run. I made it up to 25 miles, and have felt pretty good about these runs. I've also been mixing in mile repeats (up to 8, run at close to a 7 min/mile pace), as well as fast 5k runs. I think I'll regret the somewhat short runway, but will be as well prepared as I can in 3 months. What I am missing is the confidence you build with a longer ramp, and a couple more 20+ mile runs. The training chart is below, with annotations for progress. You'll note that there have been some challenges posed by a busy travel schedule. The other challenge is that Kris is also training for triathlons over the summer. We're getting better at balancing our training, but it's difficult. I had a business trip to Australia right as my taper started, and the time change really threw me for a loop, especially coming home. The day I got on the plane to go I did my last long run (25 miles). Two days later, I ran the Sydney Half Marathon with a friend of mine. The race was a lot of fun (check out the pictures!), but it probably wasn't the smartest thing for me to do, in the interests of my Portland training. Over a seven day period, I ended up running nearly 50 miles, when I ordinarily run around 30. I rested and felt better running towards the end of the week, but then it was time to come home and deal with another 17 hour time change. The following week was pretty light (22 miles) and ordinarily I'd expect to feel good and refreshed. By the time my final long-ish training run rolled around, I'd started to rebound a bit. I felt pretty strong doing 5 mile repeats in the Redmond Watershed, and felt good enough afterwards to run around with the kids in the park. There's hope, but I needed to toe the line following week. I keep telling myself that I should just run Portland for fun. I can't help thinking of it in terms of time goals though. I think the issue for me is that I want to prove to myself that I can run well under 4 hours, as none of my gun times has been under this milestone (although my chip time in NYC was). My race plan is also somewhat vague, a consequence of a steeper training ramp than usual. In any case, having done 99% of the work by now - the die is pretty much cast. All that's left is to take it easy, stay loose, and eat smart. That's the best I can do. As I write this, it is two nights to race time. I'm feeling mostly okay, although not at the top of my game. I've packed my bags, and will leave for Portland just before lunch tomorrow. When I get down there, I'll drop my bags in my room, pick up my race packet, browse the expo, and then look for dinner. Right after dinner, I'll head for my room, read a bit, and try to sleep. It's really not that complicated is it? All you have to do is stick with it, for all 26.2 miles. Final PrepIt was an annoying trip down to Portland. Traffic kept slowing just enough to dip below the speed limit, and I felt hemmed in the whole way. That's what happens on what may be the last nice weekend in the northwest - everyone seems to be heading for the river, the lake, or out to see St. Helens erupt. Arrived at the Portland Hilton around 4, collected my race packet, and visited the store. I broke with tradition a bit by purchasing a long-sleeved Portland Marathon dri-release top. Usually I don't like to do that until I've run the race itself. On the off-chance I don't finish, I wouldn't feel right in wearing the garment. After shopping, I went across the street to eat. It turned out to be the same place Kris and I ate dinner in last year, and was a fine choice. I had my traditional plate of pasta, vegetables, and olive oil. The thinking is that many sauces are too salty - so I opt for something very plain. The chef went pretty light on the oil too, so the meal was not very fatty. I are lots of bread, mostly wheat. I left feeling satiated but not stuffed. I browsed for about an hour at Powell's, then went back to the hotel, and got things ready for the morning. By 9:30, I was in bed and reading. I took 10 mg of Ambien (a precaution against my recent insomnia) and was asleep shortly after 10. I slept soundly until about 2, and fitfully afterwards. I got up at 5:40, just before the alarm went off. I had a quick breakfast, and relaxed for about 45 minutes, puttering about and wasting time. At 6:40, I went downstairs and walked out to the start, ready to go. On to race day ...
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