We are the Champions!!!

After months of servitude to the asphalt, I am thrilled to finally say Kristin and I completed the Portland marathon!

It was indeed—as one might expect— a difficult race. Yet, despite our collective aches and pains, we pulled through and crossed the finish line together at 4 hours 13 minutes. We finished pretty much right where we thought we would so I'm incredibly proud of our effort. I can't begin to express the euphoric joy that overwhelmed my entire body once we finished. The crowd and ambience of a marathon is by far one of the greatest things I've experienced. Hearing words of encouragement during the last 6-8 miles was inspiring and one of the factors that helped us get through it all. Today, day after the race, I am still so proud of our accomplishment, and most importantly, proud of the fact that we did it together. We trained together and stuck through all the fatigue that builds up over 26.2 miles. Kristin is tough, and I have developed a deeper appreciation of her determinism and indomitable spirit.

The marathon was by far the most difficult physical task I have ever endured. It's not just the day of the race that's grueling, but the three months of training runs leading up to it. That's what makes it so sweet once it's over.

At the risk of boring everyone with details of the race, I thought I'd share things I liked and disliked

Good
Ultima Replenisher--tasty and refreshing sports drink
Drum cadences--got me fired up at the beginning
Energy Gels--great shot of energy when blood sugar and electrolytes drop
Gummi Bears--fun to eat out of a Dixie Cup
Bananas--tasted so good at Mile 18
Crowd--lifted my spirits when the race seemed to never end
Weather--in the 60s with no wind

Bad
Live music--great because it was everywhere but there was too much jazz, folk, classical and random bands playing unrecognizable music through most of the course
Energy Gels--absolutely horrible taste but a neccessity
Finishing Shirts--Kristin's long-sleeve shirt looks like Princess Leah's robe in Star Wars (credit: Kevin)


Kevin (Kristin's bro) finished in 3:26. He's fast and made us looked bad. Our sister-in-law, Jen, also kicked some ass in the five mile race.

Here's the collective photo, post race of course.