Upon arriving i had to check in to get my "timing chip and Velcro strap" and my bib number. I signed up with the Nike run club and they had my packet and shirt. Well i could not find the tent they set up so i stood in the fit it line and waited for a good 25Min's. By than the 15k started and i had gotten a bad start. Until they rushed me to the start of the line where this older man was there and asked me if i was running the 15k too. I just shaked my head yes and ran. I was in last place until i got up to Broadway the main drag of downtown Portland. I caught up this the last person and cheered on they to keep going strong. Everyone i passed i cheered and yelled and told them to keep going. I was so proud of myself for encouraging other to run.
It was at Terwilliger curve the run started to hit me. Running up hills fucking suck, but luckily i had a great play list to keep me going. As i was running up the hill i kept thinking about my boyfriend and how i wished he was there at the finish waiting for me, cheering me on. He was there in my heart and head. Every song on my play list brought me closer to him and made me run faster. I even skipped a lil bit up the hill and sang out loud and laughed. I think thought i was crazy.
Well at the top of the hill the bagpipers were blowing and the music made me go a bit faster. Well that was cause i was going down hill. All they way down terwilliger my feet and hand were going numb. i keep shaking them out and leaping so i can get the feeling back. It was a great feeling when passing all the hot police officers who stopped traffic so we could run. I did three times to get water on the way but did not for the bathroom. I think that cut some time out. But on the final leg of the race, my tiredness started to hit me. i was still in the middle of the race.
It was this really nice guy that i had encouraged on the way down the hill that he ran next to me, telling me that "this is it buddy' go for it' we are almost there!" With his encouragement, he gave me the last of my energy to push myself to finish this race. I do not know what my time was. Just that i finished was a huge goal for me, and knowing that i can do it makes me happy and smile. It was a great race and i will not forget this. I might even do another one.
