State #3 Sauvie Island, Oregon

July 4, 2012   Foot Flat Marathon

Sometimes, it is easier to distract and disassociate yourself rather than deal with issues.  An arbitrary goal is somehow concocted in my mind... how about running twelve marathons in 2012.  Basically this year starts out bad and ends worse.  It is the year "struggle" becomes my "motto".  Now struggle is definitely a relative term, in the big scheme of things my struggle is not really significant, but we each have our own personal battles to wage.

It is a turbulent year in many respects and my coping mechanism is to run marathons many marathons. As the year rolls along (six marathons completed between February through May) rolls of fat end up around my waist and thighs!!  Each marathon does little to help alleviate my angst mainly because I am also eating too much as my other coping strategy.  The result is a vicious cycle of running without much training and struggling through each marathon with little satisfaction.  In fact; my last marathon of the year is CIM and as I struggle through the pain, I vow to myself at mile eight to never run another marathon being so overweight and out of shape ever again! The realization unfortunately does not occur until December 2012. 

The first half of the year is a roller coaster of travel, marathons and fluctuating weight.  The year starts with Surf City Marathon at a respectable weight and pace. Completing the Boston to Big Sur Challenge is a highlight as well, but by July of 2012 my weight climbs leaving me in an emotional and physical slump.

In my case...weeks!

 Running ceases half way through May and into June and my attempt to deal with life's frustrations and post marathon depression is to register for another marathon,  The Foot Traffic Flat Marathon in Sauvie Island, Oregon.

After a challenging school year with a job change, instead of enjoying my summer, I am dreading the end of summer and returning to my work site. In addition, it is my daughter's second year of college and she elects not to come home for the summer break. She has a day job and another job that requires her to work nights. It is a stressful time for her.  As any mom knows when your children struggle, we feel the pain too.  Being home all summer without my sweet pea after eighteen years is a difficult transition. I find myself vegging and eating way too much. My husband is busy at work that summer so I talk my mom into going to Oregon with me to obtain state number three.  We stop to visit my daughter on the way to the airport.

We can't pass up the opportunity to reflect at the ocean during our visit.  There is no greater way, breathing in some fresh ocean air, to gain a sense of peace.  Other than seeing my baby, of course!

It is nice to travel with my mom.  We rarely go anywhere by ourselves.  The flight on Jet Blue is a pleasant one.  After renting the car, we go to packet pick up which consists of  "a bib" at the running store, no fanfare.  We stop for pizza (shocking, I know) before going to the rose garden. It is a beautiful place!

 After our little sight seeing tour around Portland, we drive out to the island to see where we will need to go in the morning and finally check into our hotel which includes a complimentary dinner.  After fueling up I am as ready as can be.  It is an "early to bed, early to rise" kind of evening in order to get out to Sauvie Island, extra early in the morning.  Mom, who is not an early bird, takes me out to the start line...heeding the warning to runners to ARRIVE EARLY.  Mom, goes back to the hotel for her morning coffee and prepares herself to return to see me at the finish.  I walk around the farm and take shelter from the cold inside a barn! (I think I am the only runner with a long sleeve shirt) The barn is home to some very cute animals.  Are all runners so easily entertained?
~The emphasis on early is stressed for a reason!~Before long, it is time to start and we are off and running, passing car after car of late runners trying to get to the race!  Arrive early is not stated just for the heck of it people.  Some runners get out and run towards the start line to begin their race!  The long line of cars carrying disgruntled runners seems never ending!

With only two weeks of sporadic running, I settle in for a painful run. It is very difficult lugging an extra twenty pounds. I try to distract myself from the extra effort required to carry a heavier load by enjoying the scenery.

There is a scenic waterway with homes along the river.  The course is made up of rolling hills and lots of farms.

Lots of berries growing in the fields with numerous fruit stands, probably the reason the finishers medal is a large strawberry with strawberry shortcake served up as a post run treat!

The race being so long ago...I don't have too many specific memories other than one conversation with an older gentlemen who is running his first marathon.  We talk about training and the mental aspect of the marathon distance.  He has been told a marathon is 90% mental and 10% physical.  In my current condition  (overweight and out of shape) I totally disagree.  There is a mental toughness necessary to run marathons, but only training and physical conditioning makes it happen.  It does not matter how much you mentally want something, positive thinking doesn't carry you across the finish line.  Strong legs and a fit heart is what gets it done!!

No amount of mental strength is going to make me run faster...it's all about the training!

It is a good thing my husband doesn't come to the race.  It warms up substantially in the last six miles with little to no shade and he hates running in the heat.  I remember calling him in the last three miles complaining and telling him, he is not missing out. "It is hot and shade less ugh!"  "Marathon Goddess" is at the race too.  I see her at several of the races I did in 2012 since it is her 52 marathons in 52 weeks year, her future husband is out on the course encouraging runners.  I feel like such a wimp...only 40 more marathons to reach "goddess status!" That's never going to happen.

Mom almost missed the shot and it is not because I am running fast...or super tiny!

Overall, it is a good event and I am happy my mom is here with me.  After some refreshments, we rush back to the hotel to clean up.  My brother lives in Oregon and we go to his home for a fourth of July BBQ.  He left California years ago and for some reason he never likes to return.  We enjoy our time together!

My brother and his wife

My nephew 

As the evening winds down, we return to the hotel.  The front desk informs us about a fireworks show by the river.  We walk down to watch the spectacular fireworks display.  My mom rarely gets to visit with both of her children at the same time anymore, making for a very memorable trip for all of us!

Sadly, when I return home only the fury face is there to greet me!