So as you read in my last post, I decided to do it! I was set to stick to my training plan and not waiver TOO much if at all.
The morning didnt start off so great. Marc kissed me goodbye for work and wished me good luck and when I looked at the close I was already 15 min late. I jumped up got all ready and grabbed my Garmin. DEAD as a doorknob! I tried to quickly charge it and couldnt get anything. I made some PB Toast, grabbed my stuff and headed out door.
Got a few miles away and forgot my bib so had to turn around and get it. SIGH. Then was all nauseas from the toast and had to pull over and get sick. Hopefully this was not a glimpse into how the day would go!
I stopped at SB and grabbed a coffee and all felt right with the world again!
I met the girls, bandana’d up and talked to Ro about our plan.
We would run 3:2 for 7 miles and then walk the rest.
Let me start by saying .. what an amazing course! Through Mt Tabor and Hawthorne. Lots of hills and beautiful scenery.
It was perfect weather until about mile 8 and it started pouring but there was a perfect mist most of the morning that felt fabulous.
We agreed we would not stress. We would take it easy and we would have fun. And THAT we did!
We stuck to our plan and really lucked out with walking up most hills and running down (for the most part) There were some killers in there and the quads are definitely screaming that I need to do more hill workouts!
We cheered with the cheerleaders and sang with the bands that were at each mile.
We took pictures and saw some great signs!
5k Mark
10 K .. Hair a bit messed up!
10 Mile
Best sign of route!
We hit mile 7 and I told her that we should “chat” :) we are both pretty spot on with our competitiveness but agreed we did not want to injure ourselves! We decided we would run 3 min per mile only to keep warmed up and then run the last mile at 3:2 ratio.
We looked around and saw the 2:45 pacer …. UMMMMMM Seriously? We were thinking we would be lucky to finish 3:15. After all my PR was 2:53 and surely it would be slower than that! I did the math and we were at mile 10 and about 2:10 .. WOW even if we walked the last bit … we might have a sub 3. I did the math like 4 times and we decided we would stick with our plan but I think we were both excited at the possibility!
We hit Mr Brooks man about mile 11 and knew we were almost HOME! I told her … you know Ro… My PR is 2:53 .. think we can? We pushed during that last run through the finish line and finished at
2:53:38
couldnt remember the minutes at Eugene in October but knew it was close! We were happy!
I was HAPPY! We were not stressed. We were not overly tired. We crossed the finish line holding hands and she will forever be my Angel!
We grabbed our snacks and goodie bag and headed to wait for the other girls and listen to Kevin Rudolph and an amazing 80′s cover band Hit Station. It was perfect as we all, who went to high school together, jammed to the tunes we did back in the day! A true full circle moment!
Headed home and while I was pulling in driveway Ro texted me that the results were in.
I jumped on computer and it never booted so SLOW!
Pulled up my Eugene time and OHMYGOODNESS! IT WAS 2:55:52 !!!!
HOW in the world did I PR at a race I ran half of half of. (think about that ha!) We ran to 7 miles .. at a 3:2 ratio and very only about a one additional mile ALL added together. It could only mean one thing. I have FAR out surpassed my previous fitness and running those runs much faster and efficiently.
Whatever the technical reason, it was possible and I DID IT! WE did it! We held each other accountable and we held hands the whole way. My heart is forever changed and this is by far the greatest race to date. It will be a hard one to beat!
9 comments
1 ping
mom
May 20, 2012 at 8:11 pm (UTC -7)
Michelle
May 20, 2012 at 8:40 pm (UTC -7)
Thanks Mom!
Lynne
May 20, 2012 at 8:38 pm (UTC -7)
Oh after that race report, we are definitely going to have to run a race together! Loved it! CONGRATS!
Michelle
May 20, 2012 at 8:40 pm (UTC -7)
I would love that! How far are you from Craig? I have a dear friend there and I would love an excuse to see her and race with you!
CilleyGirl
May 21, 2012 at 11:23 am (UTC -7)
Clearly you PRd because you ran into ME before the race!
Seriously though — congrats!!!!!!! I should’ve come run with you 
I came very close to a PR, but I was very proud of how I did at this race. I’ll have my recap up later today or tomorrow. Oh, and I responded to your comment on my site — I work in Lake Oswego and live close by, fairly close to the 217/I-5 interchange so it should be a snap for us to meet up for a run after work.
Michelle
May 21, 2012 at 9:10 pm (UTC -7)
You did so awesome!!!!! So glad to have met you too. Lets run for sure soon. I think we are pretty spot on with each others paces too
Kim @ (Just) Trying
May 21, 2012 at 5:59 pm (UTC -7)
Oh my goodness, you got some great pics! Way to capture the joy of this race. I enjoyed it way more than I expected to. Congrats on a surprise PR. Way to go!
Michelle
May 21, 2012 at 9:10 pm (UTC -7)
Thank you!
YOu did amazing! I wish I could have met you tho. Soon or else someone is getting clubbed ha! 
Raina
May 25, 2012 at 11:11 pm (UTC -7)
This was SO fun to read! Loved the photos and the fact that you surprised yourself with such an awesome finish! You have a HUGE happy smile on your face. I used to live in that part of Portland and I don’t think there is a flat stretch in it to be found
Great race, Michelle.
May in Review » Princess Runs
June 1, 2012 at 10:02 am (UTC -7)
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