Portland Marathon

Gene and I got up early Saturday morning, packed, and departed for Portland, stopping in Eugene for breakfast with Kylie. We arrived at the Hilton in Portland, picked up our entry packet, and checked into the hotel.

We then went to Sharna and Eric's for dinner. We met Eric's aunt, Chris, and Kylie arrived. We had a great dinner and headed back to get a good night's rest.

Sunday we got up early so we could eat and have time for our breakfast to settle, got dressed and headed to the marathon. We lined up near the sign for those who expected to finish the marathon in 6 hours. At 7 am the race began and we crossed the starting line about 10 minutes later.

Gene and I were both pumped full of adrenaline and jogged quite a distance before slowing down to a fast walk. Thousand of spectators lined up along the way cheering and clapping. We felt great and continued at a quick pace, jogging about half of the time, knocking off mile after mile in just under 12 minutes per mile. In addition to the crowds, there were thousands of marathon volunteers, handing out Ultima, Gluekos, Gummy Bears, water and encouragement. Gene and I took care to drink at each aid station, and ate our peanut butter squares.

Along the route were cheerleaders, a bell choir, a harpist, bellydancers, and many bands. Down along the railroad district a band began to play "Now I'm a Believer" (the Monkees song). As I walked, I began to sing along. Around me, dozens of other marathoners joined in. After the railroad district, it began raining as we traveled through a neighborhood, where a mother and her children stood along the sidelines, handing out jelly beans. Then came a tedious section where we traveled along part of a highway, with only plastic cones separating us from noisy, fast moving traffic.

Finally we arrived at dreaded mile 17, which goes up the steep incline to the St. John's bridge. As we started up, a loud speaker blared the football touchdown song. It is amazing how inspiring it is to hear that song! It was also uplifting watching the marathoners around me as they bucked up and continued along their way.

We decended the bridge and began traversing through another neighborhood. Gene began to have some difficulty with his hip, which became worse and worse. We stopped and stretched, and I tried to convince myself that it was only cramps. We hobbled over to the next cross street, so I could call the girls to pick us up, accepting that we would not finish this race. The rain became heavy and we began to get chilled as the girls raced frantically through heavy traffic trying to get to our location. A marathon assistant on a bicycle stopped to help and called for a pick up. We heard the respondant say that there was an aid station about a mile down the road and we could get help there. I told him if we had the ability to walk a mile down the road, we would have the ability to finish the marathon!!! A very kind spectator, pulled his vehicle up so Gene could wait inside. The girls arrived - Heroines in the Blue Bomber (aka Sharna's car).

We spent the next few hours at the hospital emergency room, and then an inordinate amount of time filling prescriptions and traveling to three pharmacies to try to purchase a pair of crutches before giving up and borrowing a pair from Eric's Aunt Chris.

In the emergency room Gene apologized for ruining my dream. He told me how he had planned for us to cross the finish line holding hands. I assured him that we will run a marathon again.

As I drove back from Portland today, I contemplated the fact that I failed to keep the resolution I had made to walk the Portland Marathon. I still want to cross the finish line of the Portland Marathon, but the reason for the goal was so that I would be inspired and motivated to exercise. That was accomplished, and it was made enjoyable by Gene. One day early last summer, Gene was not able to accompany me on a two hour walk on Saturday. I remember realizing how long two hours was when I walked it without him.

We are in this together, and together we will triumph!