A River Runs Through It

The Willamette River runs through Eugene,Oregon and it is a constant throughout most of the 26.2 miles that Sunday's marathoners endured.

Temperatures grasped at the mid-forties as Jaclyn and I walked the half mile or so from our hotel over to the famed Hayward Field on the University of Oregon. One has to wonder how the students dealt with all the fanfare so early in the morning since they would normally be asleep at this time.

Nobody should merely go over to Hayward Field and pass up an opportunity to take a lap or two around it, so Jaclyn and I took turns running in the footsteps of Steve Prefontaine and other Oregon greats prior to the Marathon start.

And then it was go time. I went in with a ornery head cold and a "run as you feel plan" for the race. Best move ever. I will say upfront that I did PR - 4:22:45. But what I am most proud of is that my pace was consistent throughout the entire run, with perhaps a two minute differential between the first half and the second half. In fact, discounting the first two miles, my overall pace was always within about four seconds of ten minutes per mile.

That's not to say it was easy. For the first fifteen miles or so I just went with the flow and felt great. Then the head cold started catching up with me and I had to start working to stay close to an overall ten minute pace. My throat started tightening and a few times in the later miles I dry heaved. But we don't run a marathon to make excuses. We run it to finish and we try our best regardless of what the day gives you.

There are three hills to start you off, nothing too bad, but perhaps a little frustrating if you bought into the "flat, friendly" course propaganda. No matter, the neighborhoods around the University of Oregon are a pleasant diversion as is the pattering of several thousand feet on pavement.

Before mile eight, you cross the Willamette River for the first time. It was still relatively cold out and the river was obviously colder as your breath chilled as you crossed directly over, floating upward and dissipating. From this point forward, the river would figure prominently in your run.

As you reach Mile 10, as a marathoner, you are catching many half marathoners who went out much too fast. The half marathoners split off just prior to Mile 10 and rejoin almost two miles later, so you get to pass them again. I received a bonus as my Hot Support Babe, Jaclyn, was able to make it over to Mile 9 in time to see me go by. She was also there at Mile 12 to replenish my Carb Boom and give me er trademark smile. I honestly counted each mile until I would see her again (Mile 20).

As the halfway point fades into the distance you have been running directly alongside the Willamette River. You'll spend the next six or so miles of some of the most beautiful marathon scenery you will ever experience. Just before Mile 19, you will cross the river for the second time. Then you spend just over a mile in an older neighborhood, before returning to the river and many of the parks alongside it.

The parks are filled with people cheering you and everyone else on. While this is defintely not Houston or some other marathons where supporters turn out en masse, the attitudes and cheering of all the fans is definitely something to be enjoyed and appreciated. I have never, in any prior marathon, heard my name called out more times than at Eugene. My nickname (Jamoosh) was on my bib and everyone was having fun with it. I think it was definitely one of the things that kept me focused.

As I reached the later stages of the marathon, Miles 22 - 24, I started fading. My overall pace went from 10:01 - 10:03 and I just could not get going, no matter how much I tried. It seemed like my body was done.

You cross the river for the third and final time prior to Mile 25. And even with Mile 25 in sight, the body was happy just to cruise along and allow the seconds to tick away. But then, about a quarter mile after the Mile 25 marker, fifth gear became available. I ran my fastest mile of the race (9:21) and blazed the final two-tenths to come break my previous PR by more than five minutes.

The organizers did an excellent job with this race. Especially when you consider it was an Inaugural Marathon. The volunteers were absolutely fantastic and both volunteer and the local police did a fnatastic job with road closures and traffic control. With the exception of one water stop not being set-up in time for the runners, everything went smoothly.

The scenery in Eugene is terrific. I would come back, marathon or not, just to enjoy running along the river. And the fans really turned out to support the marathon and each of the runners. Head cold aside, this marathon was a great experience beginning to end and the organizers should be applauded with a standing ovation.

I'll post some pictures once I get back to Houston. Other than that, everybody "Run Happy!"

Comments

[Carolyn]

WOO HOO!!! Congrats on a great run! Sounds like you ran a very smart race, and the PR is the extra reward. So glad you had fun. Awesome job!

[txrunnergirl]

Wow! Way to go on your PR (which is almost an hour less than mine)! Great report, sounds like a great race.

[Tiggs]

yay!!! woot woot JD! Nice runnin!