Walkers and runners round Marathon Avenue onto Naito Parkway just past the 1 mile mark
Photos © Wendy Bumgardner

More of this Feature • Part 1: Training • Part 2: Race Prep • Part 3: The Marathon

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I located the pace group I wanted to be in - about 14 -15 minute miles. But then I got caught in the crowd to drop off my jacket and was trapped closer to the start. I waited in the throng as the start gun went off - then joined in with the "Sunday" pace group as they began moving past.

My Goal
I had only one goal - to get to the 22 mile mark by 12:45 pm. After that time they shunt the walkers off onto a walking course that is not closed to traffic, and you must stay on the sidewalk and obey traffic signals. It also looks at least a half mile longer on the map. To make that cut-off, I must be on a 6:45 marathon time.

First 10K
My first three miles were pretty fast - and I averaged 13:52 minute miles in the first six miles, with a 10K time of 1:26:06. I was feeling good - heart rate was hanging in at around 140 and I was moving fluidly in a racewalk form with my breathing easy. I made one potty stop in a well-used but unauthorized area, adding less than a minute to my time. The weather was great - gorgeous sunny dawn along the river, a bit of a head wind going north, cool but not cold. I felt a hunger pang at the start and had forgotten my banana in the car, but my hunger then disappeared for the rest of the day.

To the Half Marathon Mark
We head down through an industrial area that is not scenic, but you get to see the runners and walkers as it doubles back on the same route. I take fluids at every water stop - both a cup of Powerade and a cup of water, slowing to a regular but quick walk through the stop. Between 8 and 9 miles, I saw a good perch and sat down and put more petroleum jelly on my feet. I took advantage of a very short line at a porta-john although I didn't really need it.

Reversing to go south, the head wind disappeared and I needed my sunglasses as the sun was right in my face, which made the sweat pour off my face. I was happy to make the turn to head west up through the neighborhoods to Highway 30. This area has some hills, but lots of cheering people. Bands and music entertained us every mile throughout the marathon.

I hit the half-marathon mark at 3:08:15, with my average minutes per mile being 14:21 so far.

Across the Bridge and to the Cut-off
I was slowing and my feet were beginning to hurt - bunion pain on my left foot, and my leg muscles were tight. I was putting in good time to make the 22-mile cut-off, so I figured I would take it easy up the ramp to the St. John's bridge. I had my first PowerGel at 15 miles, figuring that although I wasn't hungry, my tight muscles were starving for some quick calories. I was carrying my own water to wash down the PowerGel, which was a smart move. I was worried that the gel would give me gas or stomach upset, but it didn't.

The hill to the bridge wasn't bad - I've done lots of hill training, and the shade and cool temps were refreshing. I was still in a crowd of faster walkers and slower runners, and saw many of the same people throughout the event. I was very happy to crest in the middle of the bridge and start downhill. My heart rate had gone up into the 150's on the climb. As I came down it dropped back down into the 140's and I was breathing easier.

We had a PowerGel stop after the bridge and they had my vanilla flavor, so I got a freebie. They said the water stop was only three blocks up, but it was quite a bit further and I was glad I had my own water, which I refilled from a pitcher at the stop. I passed my alma mater, the University of Portland, but was very intent on making it to Mile 22. I knew I had enough time after the bridge, but I didn't want to slack off now. I made a porta-john stop and it was a blessed relief to sit for a few seconds. At the 20-mile mark my time was 4:56:58 with an average 14:51 minute mile.

The photo shoot was right before the cut-off. I tried to smile but I just know it will be an exhausted grimace when the proofs come back. I felt my only pang of joy in passing the cut-off with 15 minutes to spare. I continued about half a mile and then stopped for a porta-john and to put on more petroleum jelly - no sense getting blisters now!

The Final Miles
The last four miles took us down streets where the sides were under construction, and it was a hot part of the course. Eventually the day got up to 84F. I think I had my hydration under control, and I didn't feel overheated. I slowed a lot more, dropping into regular walking and then going back into a racewalk almost naturally when we were headed downhill. My legs felt weird in a regular walk, actually feeling better in a racewalk. But the pressure was off - I had made the cut-off, and now it was just a matter of finishing.

I headed over the Steel Bridge and the pain in my side I felt a week ago returned. It wasn't a full-blown side stitch, but it hurt. I tried deep breathing, but really what felt best was holding it. I slowed and that helped. We rounded down onto Naito Parkway and it was so great to be in the final mile, side pain or not. When I could finally see Salmon Street Springs I knew I was in the home stretch. How wonderful to turn that corner, pass the volkssport finish table, and then turn to the finish. I released my side and smiled for the finish line.

The Finish
I finished in 6:44:49, over a half-hour faster than my 1999 finish, a good time for me, with an average of 15:27 per mile. I received my finisher medal and rose with pride.

Immediately the medical personnel escorted me to the medical tent and the medical worker suggested it was a muscle cramp and had me do side stretches. That, plus stopping, worked fine. No, it was not appendicitis, it was too high up. I rested a couple of minutes on a chair, ate an orange slice and a banana chunk, then proceeded through the food area.

I was moving far better than in 1999. I grabbed an ice cream bar and a bag of chips and drank some Powerade. I exited and retrieved my jacket, then went down into the bowels of the Portland Building for my finisher shirt - a CoolCat dri-release long sleeved shirt, fantastic!

Next, I headed back down Salmon and my husband was waiting for me. We continued to the volkssport finish table and I got my record books stamped and an award patch. I was feeling good enough that the 5-block walk up to the car was no problem at all.

Party
The walkers from the marathonwalkers email group got together for dinner at 5:30 pm at the Rock Bottom Restaurant and Brewpub. It was fun to meet the others who had been posting messages for months. I hate talking to anyone while walking a tough event, but enjoy sharing stories afterwards. I had an Oktoberfest beer and the chicken-fried steak and enjoyed the evening. Then home to bed by 9 pm.

Lessons Learned
- Those long days of 18-20 miles really pay off
- Petroleum jelly is the best invention ever
- Getting there is everything - I loved training, as opposed to actually walking the marathon. (I am a grumpy marathoner - don't try talking to me during the marathon!)
- Burned 3300 calories and logged 57,000 steps on the marathon. My Digi-Walker pedometer was off only a half mile in 26.2 miles.

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Photos © Wendy Bumgardner