My fortune from a cookie.
Captain Karl and Coach Joe... pretty in purple.
Pasta party Saturday night, Oct 6. Portland Run Team group photo. GO TEAM!
Coach Joe taking the group photo.
Official Group Photo. Don't we look nice?
Oct 7, pre race. Final preparations in the Marriot lobby.
My mentor, Vicki.
posing for group photo
Official Group Photo on race day!!
Lining up behind the start line at 6:30am. Lots of people you can't see, but many retro-reflective strips on clothing that you CAN see.
Val looking a little horrified at the prospect of running a marathon while not feeling very well.
Val looks ready.
The run coaches were doting over the team like proud parents.
This was Coach Joe's photo
The team looking slightly less bubbly as we all prepared to start the marathon.
Me? I was pretty excited. I may have been the only one.
Self portrait of Val and me.
marathon course map
elevation chart per mile
Vicki, Val, and me crossing the start line (mile 0)!
And we're off. The sky is getting a little lighter as we slowly meander the streets of downtown.
I was TOTALLY thrilled to be running, and Val put on a brave face for me.
Run run run....
Coach Joe found me running north on Naito Pkwy (right around mile 5)
Probably near mile 6. Sky is lighter, crowd thinning out slightly.
Self portrait under the Fremont Bridge. That guy behind me thinks I'm an idiot.
Looking back just past the Fremont Bridge.
Other direction under the Fremont Bridge.
Beginning of the out and back between miles 7-11
These guys are all 4 miles ahead of me technically. Show offs.
run run run...
misfire. Thought it seemed kinda appropriate though. Left it in.
I think that's part of my head.
Self portrait on the out and back, the Fremont Bridge in the distance behind me.
You can see forest park creeping in on the left there.
Ah ha! Sherman and Cate! Sorry you two are blurry!!!
Sheryl and Vicki's arm. Sorry Vicki, my aim sucks.
Amber and Terri. You go girls!
I think I see the TNT Aid Station up ahead...
At the turn around point they had cheerleaders.
"That's right, portland, turn around!"
They were very proud of us.
I think I had just spotted Shelly and Val when I took this photo. Unfortunately you can't see them!! They are there I swear! Probably only 1/2 mile behind me or so?
Another pic of the TNT Aid Station, from the other direction.
Hey look! It's my mom! She was about 2 miles behind me I think.
The 10 mile marker for the portland marathon.
One of the 70 entertainment groups along the course that helped to distract us from the run. Many were bands, but there were also belly dancers, cheerleaders, and drum lines.
Heading back towards the Fremont Bridge...
On NW Raliegh, I came across my friend/co-worker Bryan who came out to cheer me on. He ran with me for a couple blocks.
He really knew how to motivate me at nearly the halfway point.
Yeah, I couldn't believe this either. A rooster on the side of the road on the way out to St. John's Bridge.
Mile 16
You can kinda sorta see the blurry bridge there. St. John's loomed over us for the next 2 miles.
Another attempt to capture the St. John's Bridge
Ok, you can ACTUALLY see the bridge in this pic.
Going up.
Still going up...
Mile 17, and the bridge.
I've never been so happy to see the top of a bridge before.
view from bridge
view from the top of the bridge. We've now got to go ALL THE WAY BACK DOWNTOWN.
hey, do you see me back there? 4th back?
I'm getting closer...
here I come!!!
There I am!
Portland marathon photo of me running down off the bridge (mile 18).
Don't ask me what I'm thinking... I think I was fighting off a muscle cramp right about then.
and... I keep on running...
Portland marathon photo of me cruising by the University of Portland (mile 20)
I'm coming! really I am...
Ran in to Coach Joe again at mile 21
I started needing to focus on my run from miles 18-23. I stopped taking photos. I finally took the camera back out here, where Greely intersects Interstate Ave.
Crossing the Steele Bridge with Sheryl (mile 25)
Sheryl and me at mile 26 (only 0.2 miles to go!!!)
Mile 26
Look who is approaching the finish line at a pretty good clip.... there, in back!
Finish line photo...
Look at that smile. :)
beyond the finish line! I made it!!!
Helper taking the timing chip off my laces.
My timing chip is in that bin now.... somewhere.
See? I did it!!!
tee hee! a silly finisher photo.
Found Val. We're so proud of ourselves!!!
My results that were printing out on the spot.
Val, Shelly, and me at the finish.
My mom and I showing off our finisher medals.
Val, Shelly and me, 4 hours later at the victory party.
