Portland Marathon 2012

Here we go... another marathon. My 4th, in fact. And, this one was an experiment.

 

An experiment, you ask?

 

Yes. A CrossFit experiment.

My three previous marathons had been run after using classic marathon training. Lots of miles, lots of time. But, since my last marathon (June, 2012 in Newport, OR) I have become a huge fan of my local CrossFit box: CrossFit Code Red.

So, I decided to throw caution to the wind and see what 3-4 times a week of crossfit and some long runs here an there would do.

Long story short: I did 4 - 5 WODs a week depending on what the WODs were and how sore I was. I ran 1-2 shorter runs during the weekdays (5-7 miles) and one long run on the weekends. (a 10, 12, 12, 14, 16) and did a few 10K races and adventure races like Tough Mudder and Warrior Dash just for fun.

The biggest difference leading up to the marathon was my level of anxiety. The pressure was off, as I had not spent the majority of my free time logging miles and analyzing pace and splits and which gel went best with the wintermint gum that I HAVE to chew when I run. (Turns out, the answer is the Clif Chocolate... it mixes nicely with the mint flavor to taste like a peppermint mocha., which sounds like it would be awful when you're running. Not true. It's like awesomeness in a gel form.)

Instead of the anxiety, I almost forgot I was running a marathon and it didn't really hit home until I picked up my packet the day before the race at the expo. Of course, the night before the race, I laid out all my essentials:

 

Portland, like many other large marathons, lets you customize your bib. So, I went with the obvious choice: Cupcake. And, the socks are sweet, too... you'll see more of those later.

 

Fast-forward to the morning and it's time to line up at my gate at 6:45am, when I realize: I FORGOT DEODORANT!! WHAT??!!?! Who forgets deodorant on the morning she runs a marathon? Me. That's who. Ugh. Luckily, my main squeeze remembered a 24 hour 7-11 not far from the starting line and ran to buy me some Lady Speedstick. (Hey - not my usual brand - but beggers can't look at gifthorses and choose - or something like that.) 

 

So, I slap on the deodorant in the porta-potty line and even offer to share it (sharing is caring) to those around me. No takers. Shocking, I know. Then, after the ritualistic pre-race bladder emptying, I pose for the cliche pre-run photo.

 

So, the race begins. And, because of my lack of a decent camera I only have two measly shots of me running. This is around mile 12:

 

 

And this is at mile 26 or so... so close to the finish!!

 

And, now, the results of my CrossFit Experiment: it worked. My wall was almost non-existent.

 

The same wall that I had to WALK through for the last 6 miles of my first marathon

(Seattle - 2010. 4:35:25).

 

The same wall the slowed me from an 8:00 pace to a 9+ min pace on my second marathon

(Portland - 2011 3:53:53.).

 

The same wall that I spent the last 4 miles of my third marathon crying through

(Newport - 2012. 3:34:34).

 

Yes. That wall. The one that slowed me down a little bit. The one that took a few deep breaths to get through. That's it. So, did CrossFit work? I say, YES. And, so does my PR of 3:33:04

 

So, the socks are right... I did feel like a Bad Ass...

 

And. Krispy Kreme was amazing.