State #47: Oregon
State #47 Oregon
Portland Marathon –Marathon and Half Marathon- Portland, Oregon
10/3/2021
Bib #1716
Time: 02:14:19
Group F (45-49) Placed 42nd
Time: 10:15 min/mile
Over 4,000 runners participated in this race.
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Pandemic Running:
This was my first half marathon since 10/27/2019 Nebraska. Almost 20 months later……..
“All participants were required to provide proof of a complete COVID-19 vaccination series or a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours of the race. In accordance with the state mask mandate for indoor and outdoor venues, all participants were also required to wear masks at the starting corrals, finish line, and post-race party. Runners were not required to wear masks while on the marathon course.”
This was one of the reasons why I chose this race. A funny side note, my time was better than it was 20 months for state #46. Before I knew about and was diagnosed with Hoffa Fat Pad in my left knee.
It has been 20 months since my last half marathon. In those 20 months I dealt with the pandemic, an academic year of online zooming, dealing with political and social battles with upper administration in regards to public higher education. I acquired a boyfriend and found out I had breast cancer. That is my personal stuff. The murder of George Floyd, Amaud Aubrey, fighting for justice for Breonna Tyler, Trump administration policies, white supremacy on the rise, black lives matter, say her name, and over 600,000 people in the US dying of COVID, and vaccines being politicized and weaponized… It’s been a long 20 months.
Here I am. Running in a new state and running a half marathon. It had been so long. I didn’t know if I would be ready or not. I had to do it. Radiation was over(which was most of July and August of 2021). I wanted to do something, I wanted to get away. Since I was waiting for my renewed passport to come in the mail, I could only travel within the US. I have four states left. Oregon, Idaho, Wyoming, and Hawaii.Why not go to a state that I haven’t been before and run a half marathon was my mentality.
Hawaii will be last of course. Over the summer I was trying to go to Wyoming. I didn’t realize how expensive or popular Jackson Hole, Wyoming would be. Not sure if it was summer season or pandemic price hike but it was too pricey. Also, I wasn’t sure if my body would be ready. The race that I saw in Wyoming would be in late September.
That left Oregon and Idaho. Idaho was just a no. Also, their hospitals are full because of COVID and patients are being sent to Oregon and Washington state to get treatment. I did not want to be a burden on their medical resources.
That left Oregon. My original race in Oregon was in 2020, in April, my birthday race. It was the Eugene half marathon. Eugene is the home of the University of Oregon. I thought it would be run and different. That race didn’t happen. I did do the virtual 5k on my birthday when I turned 47th. Ironically, my 47th state ended up being Oregon anyway. 47th birthday, thou delayed gift and the 47th state.
I had a momentum going, that was halted with covid. That was beyond my control. Slowly with the vaccine being available, I saw races opening back up. To my surprise, many of my black women running sisters were running these races. They were not doing virtual races but in person. Some were being gangster about it and checking off multiple states during the pandemic. Many of the women in the black girls rock 50 states were finding races, flying to them and running. I was not in that space yet.
Of course the states I needed to run in had high rates of Covid cases, and then the Delta variant came into play.
My focus was on Oregon because they required participants to have a vax card or a negative covid test 72 hours before the race. That made me feel safe and good. I didn’t know anything about how other races operated, this one made it clear up front. Also, I wanted to be in a city for my first race back. I know when I run in Wyoming and Idaho, I know the race would not big or urban.
October would give me time to heal and try to train.
New state, new race, new body- with Tyrone, cancer kicked out.
Plus I’m on sabbatical, I should be traveling and going to places. Also, I have to work on a book in all of this.
Flying to a Half Marathon in a Pandemic
The first time flying in the pandemic was great. At least going to Portland. The first time I flew was one way from Cincinnati to Boston in May 0f 2021. The Iowan and I had drove to Louisville, KY from Boston for his nephew’s wedding. Then we drove to Cincy. I flew out from Cincy to come to Boston and he kept driving to Iowa.
I flew from Cincy(CVG) to Dulles (IAD). Dulles (IAD)to Boston(BOS). This was late May. Both flights back then were packed. Forget about the middle seat open option.
This time I was flying round trip from my home base airport, Logan International Airport in Boston and flying all the way to the Pacific Northwest.
Now that more people are vaccinated, school is in session, and it’s October, flying out was not a problem. Also, my flight was 7:10a.m. Flying out of Logan airport , the middle seat was open in my row. The flight was not full. There were 60 seats that were still available. I was flying from Boston (BOS) to Seattle (SEA). The row across from me there was one person in the row. My seat was by the window, which made me happy. I could watch a movie, sleep, and not be bothered while flying with my mask on.
From Seattle (SEA) to Portland( PDX), which is a commuter flight. It took 30 minutes. That flight as well was totally open. There were empty rows behind me and across from me. Again, I the middle seat was empty in my row.
Hotel
I stayed at the Hyatt Centric Downtown in Portland. It is in a prime location. Since I didn’t have a car, it was close a TriMet stop. The Tri Met, light rail goes from the airport to downtown for $2.50. My friend Erika was driving down from Seattle and she picked me up from the airport when I flew in on Wednesday. When I left Tuesday night, I walked from my hotel to the 9th/10th street TriMet Redline stop. My hotel was on 11th Street in the Pearl District and walking distance to everything.
Everything was close and walkable or you can take the light rail. I walked to Powell’s Book, Voodoo Doughnuts, Portland’s Saturday Market, food trucks, Portland State University, Waterfront Park, Burnside Bridge and the Portland Half Marathon start line. This was great because I decided not to rent a car.
Portland
I arrived four days early so I can sight see and visit friends. I visited all the places above and walked to the International Rose Test Garden- which was gorgeous. You wouldn’t even know you were still in the city. I tried to visit the Japanese Garden but it was closed.
Unfortunately, I didn’t have enough time to visit Abbey Creek Tasting room, which is black owned or Olive or Twist, a restaurant that is also black owned in the Pearl District.
There is such a large homeless population in the city, that the homeless live in tents on the streets. You see tents and homeless everywhere. Even on our race route, I was a bit uncomfortable to run through the “ communities” homes of the homeless. Not uncomfortable for my safety. Uncomfortable running this race with all the perks of running- gear, food, fuel, music, etc… juxtapose to people lighting wood to keep warm in the cold morning.
EXPO- PACKET PICKUP
On Saturday I went to the Expo to pick up my bib number. Expo was across the Willamette river at the Oregon Convention Center. I had to walk across the Burnside bridge and walk over to the East Side of Portland to go to the Oregon Convention Center. I passed by Old China town, Voodoo Doughnuts, Portland White Stag Sign and Keep Portland Weird Sign.
What threw me off, was walking on Martin Luther King Blvd. I don’t care where you go in this country MLK street, blvd is always where the black folks are. It was apparent, this was not the case.
When I walked to the Convention Center, there was black woman standing in front of the entrance door. There was a sign that required you have your vax information scanned in for the QR code, to enter the building is what she thought and is what I thought to.
I asked her if she was here for the race and she said Yes. We were both confused about the code and what to do. We decided to go in and ask. At the convention center there was another event going on and that did not apply to us.
We both laughed and got directed to where we had to go. Come to learn that Leslie, is from Boston, she flew here to run her first marathon. No way. I told her I was from Boston. Then I learned she went to school in Ohio at Denison University. I told her I’m from Ohio and I went to Ohio University.
Talk about a small world. That’s when I knew I would be fine, the race would be fine. She was here with her family. Leslie, isn’t on social media. She didn’t know about black girls run or Trailblazhers, which I think would be up here alley. I told her about the Boston 10k for women. She didn’t know about that.
It was such a good vibe and good energy. She looked young, early to mid twenties. We discuss how we don’t fit into the box of what a runner is suppose to look like. She was like.. Yes, this gives me life.
Ok. She was cute.
How it worked
You needed to show a negative COVID test in the last 72 hours or your vax card before you were allowed into the Expo, I liked that. Before we could enter, we were told to have our ID and COVID status out. I took mine out.
Then the next stop was to show ID and my Vax card. I was so proud. I pulled out my vax card and showed them I recently got a booster shot but I didn’t have time to get that laminated. The guy who checked me in, smiled and said right on. Yup, I did a thing.
At the Expo, everyone was so friendly and helpful. I’m sure they are always that way. After over a year of not being in a space that you are familiar with, I would be happy too. It was really, like a “ welcome back, we are here, homecoming.”.
There were some freebies at the Expo and some vendors but they did not have the amount that they would normally have. I was pleased to see vendors, shop for some swag, and talk to people around running the race. If it was not for COVID, this year would have been the 50th year of this race but it’s the 49th. I learned that over 4,000 would be running in this run.
I even talked with the Paces about this being my first time back. They were supportive, fun, and helpful for what pace I should pick.
All the excitement and run of the Expo was there. Many photos were taken of the maps, signs, and some of the other photo opportunities they allowed folks to have. In my swag bag, we got socks. I never got socks before…So exciting.
After the pickup, I walked back over the bridge to go to the Saturday Portland Market.
Pre- Race Prep
Before the race, while I was exploring on Friday and Saturday,. I saw signs in the city, that had no parking for Portland Marathon from Sat to Sun. That gave me a visual sense of where I would be running at least for some parts of the race. Before the race on Sunday, I wanted to make sure I knew where to go for the start of the race.
After bib pickup, I walked and explored the Saturday market. Before trying to find the start of the race.
I walked on Saturday from my hotel to the start line to gauge how long it will take. It was an easy, make a right out of the hotel. Walk two blocks. Then make a left on Salmon Street and just keep walking straight until I see the Portland Marathon banner, which was an 8 min walk.- No Problem.
I also studied the race course a bit. I knew that around mile 4 is when we would cross the Sellwood Bridge to be on the other side of Willamette river. We would stay on this side until mile 10. It looked like some zig-zagging going on for a bit before running up north towards the Burnside Bridge which will we cross over. This is the bridge that has the famous Portland, Oregon white stag sign. We run a bit through Chinatown before making our way back to Waterfront Park, where we started.
The race starts at 7:10a.m. pacific time. My body was still on east coast time. Unlike past races, I could take my time and I wasn’t planning on being at the race too early. I would leave the hotel at 6 a.m., 6:10a.m. at the latest.
RACE DAY
I did my pre- warm up to run routine. I showered, stretched. I even ate. I made sure to buy some cashew butter and bagels and fruit to have to get ready for. The night before the race I took one aleve pill. This morning I took another one, just in case. Again, I haven’t run 13.1 miles since October 2019. I was still having some pelvic floor issues.
Since it’s still dark and I had to walk, I told myself that 6a.m. is when I would leave the hotel. As I was walking, I saw many of the homeless tents and some of the people walking about this morning. I made sure to smile and say Hello. People are people are deserve respect and dignity. I made the right up 11 the Ave for two blocks and then turned left to walk all the way down Salmon Street.
The closer I got to the race, I started to see people with their runner’s bag that they will use for gear check. It was crisp outside. I was glad I wore a long sleeve shirt over my running T.
It was such an awesome morning. I felt my heart beating in my chest. I had to calm her down. I was here. There were so many people out this morning. We were all here to run this race. The quiet of the morning got busy. The closer I got I heard the announcer, making comments and welcoming the runners to the race. He was cheerful and giving out facts and information that we would need for the race. I hadn’t seen this in so long. Hearing people talking, taking pictures in front of the Portland Marathon sign.
All the vendors were out, music being played, it seemed very electric to me. We were at the waterfront and the race folks brought the PDX sign and the 26.2 and 13.1 stand up signs too. As we gathered and waited by the water, we could see the moon that was still lingering about the Willamette River.
That is where I saw Leslie and her family. It was pretty easy to spot the black folks. I went over to chat with her and wish her luck.
I needed to drop my bag off at bag check. Walking towards the bag check, I passed all the port o potties . There was such a long line for them. This is way I make sure to release my bladder before I run or at least arrive early enough so that I am the first person to use the pot o potty.
I appreciate all the volunteers that we're here to help. After dropping off my bag. I started walking towards the running corral areas. I needed to be in my corral and have my moment to think. It was 6:40 and the race started at 7:10. I needed to get in my proper head space.
Walking to the corral, I saw a black woman, adjusting her bid. I smiled at her and she smiled back. I asked if she was ready. Then we started talking. Her name was Cynthia and she is apart of Black Girls Rock 50 states. This was her state #48 and she is from Raleigh, North Carolina.
We kept chatting and walking to the corrals. She told she had some issues with her back and spine. When she stops running, then she feels pain. She doesn’t feel it when she runs.
We stopped around the 10:28 mile finish pacer. I was torn. I think I could do a 10 or even a 9:55. I wasn’t sure. I stayed in the middle.
My goal was to run with a pacer. While we waited, we chatted with the pacer and a couple of other people that were standing around the pacer.
Before we started , I needed to make sure my tracker app was activated. I’m still recovering from the Flying Pig Marathon when I learned I was the one that had to activate the tracker before my other family and friends could track me. Also, that required a $2.00 payment to activate it. I learned that 10 minutes before I was going to start the race.
I’m still scared from that. That was not going to be this situation. I made sure the download the free tracking app from the race. I put in everyone’s ( 22 people) phone numbers, so they could get notified about my process. The Iowan had gotten up early to call me and video chat with me before the race. I’m really glad he did. He was so excited for me and is such a cheerleader.
The countdown started. I had my music ready to go and I was going to go at my pace, feel my body, enjoy the sights and my miles. That is why I am here.
I know they wanted us to have our mask on at the start line and afterwards, we could take them off. I studied the map. I know that Miles 1-4 we would be on this side of the river. Before crossing over the river. Miles 5-11 would be in East Portland before crossing back over the other bridge.
I had an idea of the miles and markers, which shows me how advanced my running game plan has become.
RACE and GO
When I crossed the start line, my bib was activated and it was go time. I reminded myself to start off slow. It was a cool 57, 59 degrees out. We started running in parts of downtown that I hadn’t seen before.
This race, I was taking in my surroundings. I saw more cool mural art on buildings as we ran by them. The police and crowds were great. The course, at first wasn’t too bad. I made sure at every fuel station to get water if I wanted it or not.
When we crossed over the first bridge, the view of the city was gorgeous. I tried to take a moving/ running selfie. This was before 8 a.m. and the light was slowing coming. I wanted to take in and remember this moment.
Then we were running through different neighbors. Because it is October an Halloween season, may of the houses were decorated. There was a competition for the best neighborhood cheer/fan squad. So many people were out early.
I will say Miles 7 and 9 were the hills/ the inclines. I swear at every race between miles 7-9 there is always so freakin as incline. I remembered my Road to Wellness 5k free running clinic training to push through those hills.
They had musicians on the course which was nice. For people like me with my music and earbuds in, I don’t ear it. Around Mile 10/11 there was a DJ, I had to acknowledge him and the tunes he played. Of course I wanted a pause and dance break but I kept on going.
It was disturbing to run through the tents/living areas of the homeless. They are not invisible. I can’t imagine what they might think of all of us with our gear, food, water, etc.. running through their communities.
When I hit mile 11, I told myself to keep running and don’t stop. I can run 2.1 miles. This is when I had to keep going and push through.
During points in the race, like mile 7 and 9. I target people. I made a person, ahead of me, my goal to run towards and try to keep up with. With 2 miles left I did it again. I wanted to make sure that I crossed the finish line before certain people.
Last three miles I knew exactly where I was going. Because I knew that I could turn up the speed and push through.
I finished!!! Then I facebook live the experience. Cynthia showed up and said Hi. There were medals, roses, pizza, Voodoo Doughnuts, beer, music, and pictures with Llamas to celebrate.
I didn’t see Leslie or her family but I knew the family was around somewhere. I was so happy and excited.
Later that day, I met my colleague Shirley, for a late lunch/early dinner to celebrate.
RECAPPING it all
No one said anything crazy about my race or body while running
A beautiful course and tour of the city and neighborhoods.
Disturb by the homeless communities we had to run through
Exploring before the race I knew what some of the race route looked like
My girl Erika came to visit and we kicked it OU style.
Learned about black owned vineyards and restaurants
Not a vacation but more of a get-away
Celebrated race day with a colleague, which was lovely
Portland loves their Black Lives Matter signs
Perfect hotel location. Could walk or take light rail to all the major and even off beat city attractions.
