Eugene Marathon

April 28, 2019

4:27:39  1072/1484 Overall   8/18 in 65-69

       

    On a cool, crisp morning (37 degrees) that was perfect for running a marathon, I felt ready to shoot for a BQ or even a sub-4. Jodi and I ran together for the first half as she helped me go through at 2:01:40, right where I wanted to be to break 4:05. But after feeling great and dropping the pace to 9:05 for the next 3 miles, my body rebelled and told me that I needed walk. (Jodi had peeled off at 12 to finish her half-marathon in2:01:17. She then planned to meet at about mile 20 to help me finish.) So, the last 10 were run/walk and when Jodi met me again at 20, we tried to enjoy the beautiful scenery along the Willamette River and not worry about the pace. I was disappointed to not reach my goals, but I went for it and learned some things to use for next time.

            Just before the race we noticed a fast-looking Kenyan in the car next to us and figured he was going for the win. We asked for a picture, but he was in a zone and said, “maybe later”. If you look at the pictures, you can see the great note he wrote and left on our car, using the cardboard that his 2nd place crystal was in. Also, when we got home, I emailed him at the address he had included, and he called back and left a message. Very cool!

            Here’s what Jodi put on her FB page after the race: “I’m going to let John tell his own story but I had a BLAST out there!! Eugene Half Marathon for me at long run pace plus a few extra for total of 20 miles today. Nice way to kick off my marathon training. LOL #finishonthefifty)

This was Marathon #164; 27 states on 2nd go-round; All 10 Canadian provinces.

-------- Trip and picture info below:

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(The description is roughly in order of the pictures.)

            Jodi and I arrived in Oregon Duck country Friday night and enjoyed the blue skies, fresh and cool air, and Willamette River views. We had amazing pancakes at The Original Pancake House which has a lot of Duck memorabilia. There are a lot Steve Prefontaine posters as well as ones of other Duck stars in various sports. So cool to see two local track stars Hannah Waller (a teammate of Katie’s at Buchanan) and Jenna Prandini on the wall as well as Jordan Hasay. Jordan is from SLO area and I saw run and win CA state cross-country 4 times at Woodward Park.

            After breakfast we got our bibs and looked around campus seeing Autzen Stadium where the race will start and end this year while historic Hayward Field is being remodeled for the Olympic Trials in 2020. I also got very excited to also see MacArthur Court where the Ducks have a decided homecourt advantage in basketball. We really had a fun time in Eugene and hope to be back to visit it again. Jodi wants to retire there…