Week 16 - Day 3 - 23 Miles

"Experience has taught me how important it is to just keep going, focusing on running fast and relaxed. Eventually [pain] passes and the flow returns. It's part of racing." - Frank Shorter

Today we were reunited with the ever changing weather patterns in Portland Oregon.  We were on the trail by 10 am, running under a gloomy yet stunningly gorgeous sky.  The wind resistance was a bit harsh as we rounded the bridges the first time but not terribly cold.  However, on our way back across the Hawthorne Bridge the rain started.  Not just the drizzle that is most common to this area, but large, bloppy, drippy, splashy droplets.  Lots of them.  By the time we completed our second round of the bridges we looked like we had jumped in a pool.  

This was at 10 miles and we were headed back towards the car, not to get in it, but to run past it towards Gresham for the second leg of the journey.  The fact that we were dripping wet and miserable began to play in my brain.  I thought, "nobody expects us to continue to run through this."  But ultimately I knew that it didn't matter that nobody expected anything from me, I mean who really cares anyway right?  But I suddenly realized that it mattered to ME, a lot.  As if the Universe could read my thoughts, the sky stopped dumping water upon us and I saw blue sky to my right.  This happened just in time, about half a mile from the car, plenty of distance for me to build my confidence back up.  We sailed past the car feeling pretty decent, if wet, and never considered going back. 

As usual, by the 15th mile I was not feeling strong.  There were still 8 miles to go and I was running AWAY from the car and my right earphone had stopped working at mile 9.  So on it went until mile 20 and we stopped to fill up our water bottles and use the bathroom.  I was not feeling well at all and concerned that maybe I should consider walking.  But fortunately Justin was strong and determined and I allowed his momentum to push me back into a run.  As we entered Sellwood, the portion of the trail that goes through a (very cute!) neighborhood, I was suddenly able to push my legs again, rather then drag them. I found myself allowing them carry me along, like the wind, all the way down to the curve in the trail and the end of the run.  

Or maybe it was just downhill and I had no strength to resist gravity.

Either way I finished, at a pace of 11:58 minutes per mile.  Today I felt that my training was really starting to pay off, that even though I hurt and have had a few slow runs, my body is getting stronger and my legs are getting faster.  I was hoping for excellence today and I must say I am feeling smugly proud tonight.


They have hung the signs for the marathon along the waterfront downtown.  2 weeks to go!