I had such a great marathon last year that I immediately registered for the 2007 Portland Marathon. I've walked the Portland Marathon in 1999 and then every year since 2001. But a funny thing happened on the way to my eighth marathon. I thought hard about how much time and energy goes into marathon training and knew that I had to spend it instead cleaning out my house and preparing to move at the end of the year.
- Marathon Training Takes Over Your Weekends: When you train for the marathon, it takes over your life for 3-4 months. Walking any distance over 10 miles puts me into a worn and drowsy state the rest of the day, and so it makes my weekends very unproductive all summer as I train for the early October Portland Marathon.
- You Let Some Walking Buddies Down: Usually I train on my long days with my walking buddies who are also training for the marathon. This year that cohort shrunk to just Krista as others were injured or weren't interested in doing the marathon. I felt bad about abandoning Krista. But on the other hand, I have been far slower than she for the past year and it is a bad idea to train at a pace that isn't right for you.
- Other People Like Walking Shorter Walks: Limiting my weekend walks to 6-8 miles meant that our other walking buddies who didn't want to do long miles were more likely to join us and walk with us.
- My Chronic Injury is Healing: I've had iliotibial band syndrome for years now. Working out three times a week with a trainer has helped, but I also think sticking to shorter miles has helped. As a result, the pain is greatly reduced.
- I've Worn Out Fewer Pairs of Shoes: You should replace your walking shoes every 500 miles. Fewer miles means fewer new shoes.
- I Didn't Have to Worry About Rain Today: The forecast for marathon day was for showers. I switched to the 10K Mayor's Walk and had no worries - I've often walked 10K in the rain. It's no problem for 10K. As it was, the showers held off all morning so most people were able to finish the marathon without getting wet. A sobering note today is that the Chicago Marathon was held today in 88F heat and one runner died and at least 49 others were hospitalized. The race organizers wisely shut down the course after 4 hours as temperatures climbed to 88F, although thousands refused to cut short their race.
- I Didn't Have to Sweat the Mile 22 Cutoff: When you walk the Portland Marathon, you need to make it to Mile 22 by 1 pm or they send you on an alternate course which is not only longer but also you have to stop at all of the traffic signals. I have always made the cutoff, although some years by the skin of my teeth. This year, I went through Mile 22 at 9 am on the Mayor's Walk. Rachel and I tried to call our marathon-walking buddy Krista to gloat about it, but she was only taking text messages.
- The Last 10K Aren't So Bad When You Aren't in Pain: The Portland Marathon Mayor's Walk 10K follows the last 10K of the marathon route. Reaching it on the marathon, you usually have blisters or are losing toenails. You are hitting the wall from exhaustion. It takes sheer gut power to make it those last 10K. But if you start there, it's a pleasant walk with some nice views...
- Chocolate Milk is Now a Recovery Drink: I reported a year ago about a study that showed that chocolate milk is as good of a recovery drink as the fancy powders. Nestle's is running with that, and they were handing out chocolate milk at the finish line for the Portland Marathon this year.
- No Regrets: I have no regrets on my decision. I've had a very productive summer. And the whole day I felt nothing but relief that I hadn't gutted it out to do the full marathon. Mind you, I do miss getting the shirt as I really love my Portland Marathon finisher shirts. But I wore the 2005 version for my 10K Mayor's Walk, and I'll make due with my past versions until I ultimately do my eighth marathon. There is always next year!
How about half marathons instead? Training for 13.1 miles is easier to fit into a busy schedule, but the satisfaction is just as great.
Kathryn – yes, the half marathon is my plan. I’ll be walking the Las Vegas Half Marathon in December. It’s a blast. Many marathons also have half marathons, but not the Portland Marathon.
I just completed the Maui Marathon in Sep 07 and a half-marathon on Sunday, I’m beginning to think about shorter runs/walks myself. The training is CONSTANT since I’ve been doing halfs/fulls since mid last year. Love your emails..they are never deleted!
I did Portland this year and had a great time, but I sure understand needing a summer off after all these years. That committment plus my horrific blister problems will probably keep me out of the marathon game for a while. Just hoping it won’t screw up my half marathon plans for February, but I got some real doozies out there. Coulda used that chocolate milk but I guess it was gone by 7.5 hours when I finished. Your articles have gotten me thru two half marathons and one marathon so far, so I appreciate what you do.
I walked the half in Victoria this last weekend, the weather for the half was wonderful, perfect fall walking weather. It started to sprinkle in the last mile and then began raining in earnest. I was so happy to be finished, showered and fed while the rain poured down. I do believe the half is a perfect distance, long enough to be a challenge and short enough to finish in a reasonable amount of time. I wish Portland would have a half, Victoria is a long way from southern Oregon! I have used your trainings for both half marathons I have participated in…..the Avenue of the Giants is a blast too! Thanks for your help Wendy.