Race Recap: Portland Marathon Half

So you've gotten the city recap already, with the short amount of time we had to go play around, and now the best part of all... race recap time!

October 4, 2015 | Portland Marathon Half 

So in the cluster that was the adventure into downtown on Saturday afternoon, we pretty much just bolted into the expo, got my bib, found the posters and race bags, and made a quick lap around the expo. The expo was much smaller than I thought it would be, and basically in the basement of the Hilton, race headquarters.

We were pretty much in and out in under 20 minutes. I do love that every runner gets a race poster, so it'll be perfect to add to my collection at work and covers another state on the wall! The race shirts came at the finish line, much to Doug's surprise, as they are truly finishers' shirts and say so.

Race morning, I got up - letting Doug sleep in some - and was out the door to catch the 5:56 train to downtown to meet Frank and Karin from the IERC at the hotel. I was actually downstairs and out early and managed to catch an even earlier train so I was already in the hotel lobby by 6:02, with a planned meet up time of 6:30! It was nice being their early, chilling and taking it all in. I met a friend, Darryl, who was in from Raleigh and running the full. We talked about races and distances and my birthday shenanigans and how we each managed to get into this race.

Frank, me and Karin! IERC representin'. 

Frank and Karin were down right at 6:30 and we headed outside to head to the start line. Lemme tell you, after training in 100+ degrees all summer, a 50 degree morning was quite cold... and refreshing, all at the same time. I was definitely shivering some and Frank's wife gave me an extra jacket while they hung out with us before we moved up in the corral.

I had no plan for this race, other than just to run well but take the time to take in sights, see Portland and enjoy state #8 for all it had to offer. Running through downtown right at the start was fun, even though it was still quite dark outside.

Miles 1 - 4: Frank, Karin and I all hung together and ran and chatted and had a great time. These gmiles Gradually roll all uphill. Honestly, I wasn't expecting hills at all in this course, so they took me by surprise but nothing we couldn't manage.

Miles 5 - 8: Thankfully, all the rolling hills we went up... we went right back down. This was a double-back basically past downtown again and all the folks lining the main street along the river. A good cheer tunnel, if you will, so that was fun! The only hard part was that, though seemingly an issue throughout Portland, is that much of this street seemed to be the equivalent to LA's Skid Row. Lots of homeless folks camped out under the bridge, some awake and watching us crazies, but it was hard to run by.

BUBBLES!

Miles 9 - 13: Early in mile 9, my stomach flared a little so I stopped at the porto. After wasting probably at least 5 minutes  inline, I gave up and kept going. Shortly thereafter, all these bubbles started heading towards us - best turnaround ever! These cheerleaders had a wall of bubbles going and was just a freaking blast. Mile 10 brought another porto with shorter lines, so success. And then like that, it was over! Generally though, miles 8 - 11 are another out-and-back that follows the river, but really runs by warehouses. Lots of folks out cheering though, trying to spice it up some, which I appreciated!

A sold 2:11 finish, even with 5+ minutes in lines and for beign stopped at a train. So really, I give this like a 2:05 finish, which makes me even happier. 

The finish line is where the fun continues: you get a rose immediately upon crossing, then continue on through the foods (grapes, oranges, bananas, pretzels, cookies, and clearly Costco-sized bags of Halloween candy!) and drinks (choclate milk, water, Ultima, orange juice)... like a full on buffet of drinks and post-race snacks. Then you get to the shirts. So I thought that all finishers chose their race shirt color - turns out half marathoners all get one color, while the marathoners had options: green (Universit of Oregon), orange (Oregon State), purple (University of Portland), blue (Portland Marathon's classic colors). I have no complaints about our maroon ones and will actually rock a race shirt at some point. Marathoners also get a commemorative coin that matches the medals. 

The best part, however, is that EVERY finisher (marathon or half) gets an Oregon sapling to take home and plant. YOUR OWN RACE TREE! I was more excited about this than the medal and just got my tree planted tonight. I can't wait to take this baby around and watch him grow! 

Overall, a great race with weather I couldn't have even dreamed of. 

Race pros:

- Great course support

- Save the hills in miles 1-4, easy course

- Race swag! 

- Scenery

- Weather = top notch for this Southern California girl!

Race cons:

- No bag check (I know, what?)

- Some sketch areas to run by 

Seriously though, no complaints. I had an awesome weekend in Portland, loved that this was my Oregon race and would seriously contemplate coming back again to run PDX! 

Have you run Portland? Your thoughts?

The City of Roses

I hadn't been to Oregon since I was maybe in high school, and before than even elementary school, but I don't think I'd ever been to Portland. Despite only having about 48 hours in the city (and even less than that, really), I wanted to squeeze in as much as we could (naturally) duirng our quick weekend getaway! 

On our way! 

Our flight out of Long Beach was Saturday morning and we were in Portland and landed about 12:45 pm. We figured that we'd be on a train around 1:30 to get to our hotel, drop our things off, down to the expo to pick up race day essentials and then be on our way to explore PDX and all it had to offer. (Side note: this Portland Bucket List is awesome and I wish we had had more time to do it all!) The city had other plans -- a light rail train derailed somewhere around the exit we had to get off at to get to the hotel. So on the first train, the conductor suggested getting off at one of the main transit centers and catching a bus into downtown (where the expo was). So we're waiting around for the bus - meanwhile, people see me in my Portland Marathon Ambassador shirt and are asking me where to go! - and then a TriMet guy comes out and says "Hey, there's another train, take that one and by the time you'll get near the derailment, it should be clear!" So duh, we do that. 

Mandatory PDX carpet selfie.

Wrong, wrong and so wrong. We got stopped like three stops later and spent half an hour sitting on that train before we gave up and went to go catch another bus. We befriended an older couple who were at least getting us as best around as they knew how. So we caught that bus, transferred to another one and eventually got to downtown before our hotel. We figured we were that far already that we may as well hit the expo (all our luggage in tow) and then fight our way to the hotel. By the time we got to our hotel, checked in and upstairs, it was nearly 5:30 pm. Shenanigans. 

I had mentioned maybe going to the Portland Timbers game that evening, solely because they have one of the most live and tradition-based soccer teams in the country and even though they weren't playing the Galaxy, it'd totally be worth going to, but again... 4 hours later, that was the last thing I wanted. So we hightailed up to the hotel bar for the last 5 minutes of happy hour and spent well over three hours there watching the night's college football games. No complaints - a great bartender, great view of the city from across the river, and drinks. Color me happy. 

DOUGHNUTS! 

Sunday after the race (recap coming later today!) was pretty much all we had for exploring the city. Post-race we headed straight over to Voodoo Doughnuts because, duh, Portland. The line was only about 20 minutes, so we must have caught the last little wave before people really got going after the race - win! The gloriousness and OMG, the gluttony. We ended up with six: the classic sprinkles + vanilla, plain glazed, Oreo + vanilla, Portland Creme, a maple bacon bar and the signature voodoo doll that has a pretzel stake in his chest and oozes raspberry filling when you tear him apart. So. Good. 

After Voodoo, we headed back to the hotel so I could shower and nap and then got our day going. I really wanted to go check out the International Rose Test Garden up in Washington Park.A nice train and bus ride later (seriously, Portland's lightrail system is awesome), we were at the top of the park. 

An amazing view of downtown... and roses on roses on roses! The garden is home to some 550+ varities of roses, some which don't even have names because again, they're test roses! 4.5 acres of some of the most beautiful roses in colors I didn't even know existed. There are no words, but highly recommend you taking a visit here if you get the chance. The garden is supposedly open April - October and is free! 

Could NOT get enough. 

After the garden, we met up with two of my running club friends and their spouses (we were the kids of the group, for sure) and headed over to Blue Star Donuts who was unfortunately sold out of most everything by the time we got there. I've heard that they're "better" and "more gourmet," whatever that means in donut terms). So then we made our way to Deschutes, which is based in Bend but also has a brewery in downtown Portland, for drinks and some snacks (Doug and I were starving). After a tasting flight there and a citrus beer for me, we walked over to the Portland City Grill. Highly recommended by that couple on the bus, and despite being a little dressed down, we got in anyway.

This place is on the 30th floor of the US Bank building and overlooks the entire downtown area and the Williamette River. There are stunning views on clear days of Mount Hood and it's just breathtaking. We got up just in time for the last of the sunset and then got to see all the lights at night, too. I definitely want to go back here if we get the chance, to enjoy either a) a window table or b) a full meal, but note that it's not super cheap ($30-50 per plate). But oh my, the views make it worth it !

And that was that. Monday morning, we were up before the sun to get on the train (with no issues!) to head up to the airport and back home. Short trip, amazing trip, but it's definitely leaving me wanting more! 

What else is on your Portland to-do list?

PDX Bound + Birthday Shenanigans!

I'm so excited that my #30halfsfor30years is finally kick off today! Doug and I are bound for Portland this morning, heading up for the Portland Marathon where I'll be running the half on Sunday.

This has been planned since early August, but at first time felt like ti was just creeping by and now I can't believe it's HERE!

Oregon is state #8 in my 50 states quest, and I'm excited to go play in Portland, too. We don't have a ton planned yet, but I know I want to check out the International Rose Test Garden, the mandatory Voo Doo Doughnuts, but the rest is up for grabs! We're only there until Monday morning, so we've got pretty much today and Sunday afternoon to get our fun in.

Roses on roses on roses...

But in addition to the Portland race, this weekend officially kicks off my 10 days of utter birthday shenanigans. #30halfsfor30years is in celebration of my 30th half next Saturday at Rock 'n Roll Brooklyn while I celebrate my 30th birthday with my sister in New York! Check out what ridiculousness I'm up to:

Today, Saturday, October 4: To Portland
Sunday, October 5: Run Portland Half + get a tree!
Monday, October 6: Home from Portland
Wednesday, October 8: New York City bound
Saturday, October 10: RnR Brooklyn
Saturday, October 10: Fly back to LA
Sunday, October 11: Long Beach Half Marathon

This is my first-ever double weekend AND I'm doing it bi-coastally? I must be dumb. I know all three races aren't PRs, and may not be fast, but I am wayyy excited about my birthday trip! I get to see my sister again and spend a few days wit her, a weekend away with Doug, and get to do all the running! Make sure you follow along and check it all out with me!

Any suggestions for things to do in PDX? Have you ever done a racing bi-coastal weekend?

September Recap

Total run mileage: 83.41. Far shy of my goal, but that's okay.

Highest weekly run mileage: 40! Woot woot. I haven't seen that since marathon training in the spring.

# Runs: 18

# Rest days: Too many. 13.

# Cross-training workouts: Errrr... 1. Whoops?

# Races: Just Ventura for that awesome pacing gig on a too-long course. Womp.

     - Ventura Half 

Favorite run: Claremont Loop trail runs with these beauties. These have become a favorite so much, just to shake up things between roads + treadmills.  I wish had gotten more in over the summer, but schedules didn't allow that, and now that it's getting dark earlier, the park closes earlier and there's no way we'll make it. We were there in practical blackness the other night and that ish was scary. 

Current need: I need to get packing for Portland because we leave TOMORROW. And I need to get in on that strength training goal  I had last month (see below) because I haven't actually done that. Oops. I know, I know - epic fail, and if I'm going to be doing all these races in the fall/winter, and looking at a spring marathon, I need to get my butt on a weight bench and start doing things.

Current favorite: This birthday blog giveaway that's going on over here --> WOO! You DON'T want to miss it! I feel so grateful that I've been able to build connections with so many products + brands that I adore, especially when it comes to running and fitness, and that they're trusting me to a) continuing to spread the good word but b) are willing to let me give out awesome new prizes to you, too! Get in on it! 

Current goal: I've just got my eyes on my 1,000-year goal. I need to average 3.5 a day for the rest of the year, but with enough halfs, I hopefully can easily manage that. I want it so bad - first 1,000 mile year ever? Yes please!


Month Goals: So I didn't achieve all the goals I set up for September. And that's okay, as hard as it is to swallow a bit, I need to realize that sometimes life doesn't account for all you want to do.  So, let's see where I came in:

• 110 miles: Didn't make it, but 83 is a good upswing from where the summer was, so I'm going to take it and just keep on keepin' on with this in October. 110 or bust! 
• Start Strength Training: I didn't do anything. Seriously. With this fall running + pacing calendar, I need to get on it. 
• Cut Back on the Soda: I've certainly upped my water intake thanks to Waterlogged, where I track each day. I've cut back on soda and Starbucks, but have some room to go. Goal halfway met. 
• Pay Off One Credit Card!: One done! Two cards with a $0 balance feels good. Technically, this card is temporarily paid off, as I got a cash advance on my travel for my upcoming conference in Denver for work, but it still feels good to be collecting 0% interest on it for a few weeks! Still a win.

All in all, not a terrible September. Classes started last week on campus, so I'm looking forward to getting into a routine with everything -- running, blogging, Disney, work, you name it! October is going to be super cray-cray with all this travel and FUN, but I'm looking forward to continuing my work on the above goals and getting to work. 

What are your biggest accomplishments from this month? What are you looking forward to next month?

The Ultimate 30th Birthday Blog Giveaway

Anne of Green Gables was pretty much one of my favorite series growing up, and when a friend posted this quotation on Instagram this morning, I was instantly taken back to remembering reading the first book on the plane to Hungary one year as a kid. Sigh. 

It's October, people!

How did that happen?

The cool thing about October is that it starts with my birthday - that's right, today's the day, folks! 

New month

New goals

New decade

New age group

Crazy talk. Since I started running nearly four years ago, I've been in the same age group, so while it was inevitable, it certainly hit me this morning that I've got a race on Sunday and my first time in a new age group! Excitement - we'll see how speedy some of these 30-year-olds are! 

But meanwhile, the best thing about this birthday is that for MY birthday, I'm giving out some sweet presents! I've got a ton of super awesome folks that wanted to help me celebrate my birthday by contributing to one of TWO sweet runner-friendly prize packs! I'm way excited about what I get to hand out and cannot WAIT to get these bad boys mailed off to two lucky winners!

Check it out:

- 2 3-pack headbands from Sparkly Soul

- 1 Spartan Race entry for any US location!

- A handful of my favorite Gu flavors

- ProCompression marathon socks

- High Visibility SPIbelt 

- KIND Snacks -- graola bars, swag, you name it!

- ViewSport Women's tank

These are all some of my favorite running-related things in the world and I cannot believe that they are giving me the chance to share the love with you two. The above list will be divided into TWO prize packs for two lucky folks to win! There are TONS of ways to enter (see below) and get yourself in!

While you're waiting though, you can still celebrate my birthday by getting yourself a sweet discount at Sparkly Soul -- because they're awesome like that and want to help me celebrate too! Use code MEGANSPARKLES for 15% off any individual headbands (not packs, sadly) through October 8. You're welcome. :)

Giveaway runs through 11:59 pm PST, October 8, 2015. Two prize packs will be created from the above list, with approximate value equal between the two. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

What was the best birthday present you've ever received?