Newport Marathon May 30, 2015
4:00:08 274/725
9/17AG 173/321 Males
Jodi: 4:13:02
341/725 20/42 AG 143/404 Females
Jodi
and I decided to go to Newport, OR to run the marathon there after talking to
John and Bonie Pius and finding out what a wonderful time they had both staying
there and in John running a fast time about 10 years ago. Although we did not
get the fast time racing, we did have a fantastic time in Newport. We learned a
new term from Stephanie Ormond: “runcation”; what a perfect description of the
wonderful extended weekend that we had there.
(The write-up follows the order of
the pics on Shutterfly.)
Flying
directly from Fresno to Portland on Thursday, we got to see Crater Lake and Mt.
Shasta from the air. Arriving in Portland, we saw signs indicating that the
PreClassic was going on that weekend in Eugene. It was about a 2 ½ hour drive
from Portland to Newport and we got a blizzard at DQ on the way out. Newport is
a coastal, fishing town and we got to see halibut being fileted and signs of
crabs. (Our post race meal consisted of an amazing crab soup and halibut with
veggies at “Local Fish”, the restaurant with the most recommendations according
to Jodi’s informal poll of locals.) That evening we split the biggest calzone
I’ve seen along with a shrimp salad.
We
had a short shake-out run Friday morning ,and then had blueberry pancakes and
eggs at Pig and Pancakes. Then it was on to the Newport Aquarium where we saw
the otters play, a wide variety of fish swim, got to see and touch jellyfish and
other creatures, see world’s largest crab, and see salvaged ship parts. We
talked to an older gentleman in the aviary who was from South Africa and had
run the Boston Marathon about 50 years ago. We also toured the old lighthouse
in the park where the marathon starts.
At
lunch we found ourselves talking to one of the race organizers who gave us some
helpful tips. We then picked up our packets and went to the pasta dinner in the
local high school. Quite fun to see that it is used as a fundraiser for the
high school’s athletes. We also got to look around their library as it was open
for an event that evening. (Busman’s holidayJ)
The
race started promptly at 7AM Sat. morning with the heavy coastal fog/clouds
hiding the sun and the temperature in the mid 50s. After an out and back around
the Nye Beach shops area, we headed out along the inland coast of Newport,
settling into a pace that stayed in 8:38-8:45 pace. Jodi was running strong,
and I was doing the best I could to stay with her as we passed midway at 1:54.
Then at around 16-17, Jodi experienced sharp pain in her ITB.. There was a lot
of slant on the road and I think that may have aggravated the ITB. The pain
only worsened which radically slowed her pace; it soon became a race at which
to take a pictures and finish as best as possible. There were folks giving out
oysters to the runners; Jodi wanted to get a picture of them so I took the
plunge and tried one for the camera. Jodi then exhorted me to leave her to die
in peace, which I did reluctantly, But I was not feeling all that great and
needed to run at a pace that was more efficient for me to get it done.
I
had some 10+ min miles, but knew that I still had a shot at breaking 4 hours so
forced myself to get the pace closer to 9:00 the last couple of miles. A
furious finishing kick up the long last hill and then down the short hill to
the finish line left me just short of that goal, but I was just glad to be
done.
I
got some post-race food including clam chowder and waited for Jodi. When she
finally found me in the post-race sitting area, she said that it was good that
I hadn’t stayed with her the last 6 miles because she spent it feeling pretty
emotional and disheartened about what had happened. I assured her that I’ve
been there too many times myself and that every race is a learning experience; most
times we miss our goals, and those perfect marathons are rare. But wait until
next time!
So
after getting cleaned-up and napping, we went back to watch the awards and then
ate our crab chowder and halibut. Later for dinner we split a steak and salad,
and then had blizzards at the DQ in Toledo about 8 miles from Newport. There
was an spectacular sunset to cap an incredible “runcation” day.
It
wasn’t over yet as Sunday morning, we
the largest pancake along with a delicious spinach/mushroom omlet and great
coffee at local coffee/breakfast place. We were greeted at home by our loyal
pets who were missing us and wanted to know where we had been! Oh, the tales we
had to tell them. J
This was Marathon #142 (#5 for Jodi-all since 11/13 Two
Cities); 20 states on 2d go round;
8 Canadian provinces.
