The saga continues...the 20 mile walk
I thought I might have a tale of woe to report after walking 20 miles on Saturday, but surprisingly, it went pretty well.
Notable things were absent: no crazy one-eyed veterans, no Spanish speakers imploring me to dial 911, no cougars, no disgusting poopy smeared port-o-potties, no heat exhustion, no curling up on bus benches.
Notable positives: I set my alarm and made on time to walk with our ladies group. Inspiring co-walkers, though I was quite jealous of their positive attitudes around mile 16. Would it be inappropriate to shout: "I'm wickedly jealous of your pace and positive attitude- please follow my example and be sullen and cranky!" Another outstanding positive 4 aid stations!! Yes, volunteers manned aid stations stacked with snacks and water! And they knew where luxurious and clean flush toilets were located! Sooo totally awesome! So, that was great.
Anyway, we met in the dark at SW 4th and Main, and did most of the actual marathon course. My moment of pride was kicking ass up the St. John's bridge hill. Did the same hill about a month ago in huffing and puffing misery. I was actually feeling good until about mile 14- that appears to be my poop-out point. The morning was cloudy and breezy and nice and cool. Then the sun came out and it wasn't shady around University of Portland. Then it was about mile 16. The end point seemed forever away. I was convinced it was more than 20 miles....at the last aid station I scooped out a bunch of ice and dumped it in my sports bra. Desperate times call for desperate measures. I also put ice in my scarf and put it around my neck. This helped for about a mile. Ice on your boobs sounds pretty awful, but if you're overheating and hot its great, you really get cooled off. Then we walked through NW Portland right by my car lot at about mile 19! Oh, the brutal temptation to dump the group in hop in the air conditioned car. It was an internal struggle- I am not kidding. But I did go on! as we rounded the corner at 3rd and Salmon, I mentally cued Queen's "We are the Champions!" in my head.
We got little certificates, which I prompty magneted to the fridge when I got home. I survived pretty well (I took the max back to my car, grossing out two prim shopping chicks in my immense sweaty-ness, but I really did not care) I soaked the feet (no blisters!!) and had a few muscle cramps in the calves, but ate a banana and they soon went away. I had a pretty nice sunburn on my face and arms, as I neglected to put on sunscreen (gee, when you're up at 5 frickin' am, sunscreen just isn't on your mind!) And, I slept for 12 hours on Saturday night.
I feel ready to register to walk the Portland marathon.
Notable things were absent: no crazy one-eyed veterans, no Spanish speakers imploring me to dial 911, no cougars, no disgusting poopy smeared port-o-potties, no heat exhustion, no curling up on bus benches.
Notable positives: I set my alarm and made on time to walk with our ladies group. Inspiring co-walkers, though I was quite jealous of their positive attitudes around mile 16. Would it be inappropriate to shout: "I'm wickedly jealous of your pace and positive attitude- please follow my example and be sullen and cranky!" Another outstanding positive 4 aid stations!! Yes, volunteers manned aid stations stacked with snacks and water! And they knew where luxurious and clean flush toilets were located! Sooo totally awesome! So, that was great.
Anyway, we met in the dark at SW 4th and Main, and did most of the actual marathon course. My moment of pride was kicking ass up the St. John's bridge hill. Did the same hill about a month ago in huffing and puffing misery. I was actually feeling good until about mile 14- that appears to be my poop-out point. The morning was cloudy and breezy and nice and cool. Then the sun came out and it wasn't shady around University of Portland. Then it was about mile 16. The end point seemed forever away. I was convinced it was more than 20 miles....at the last aid station I scooped out a bunch of ice and dumped it in my sports bra. Desperate times call for desperate measures. I also put ice in my scarf and put it around my neck. This helped for about a mile. Ice on your boobs sounds pretty awful, but if you're overheating and hot its great, you really get cooled off. Then we walked through NW Portland right by my car lot at about mile 19! Oh, the brutal temptation to dump the group in hop in the air conditioned car. It was an internal struggle- I am not kidding. But I did go on! as we rounded the corner at 3rd and Salmon, I mentally cued Queen's "We are the Champions!" in my head.
We got little certificates, which I prompty magneted to the fridge when I got home. I survived pretty well (I took the max back to my car, grossing out two prim shopping chicks in my immense sweaty-ness, but I really did not care) I soaked the feet (no blisters!!) and had a few muscle cramps in the calves, but ate a banana and they soon went away. I had a pretty nice sunburn on my face and arms, as I neglected to put on sunscreen (gee, when you're up at 5 frickin' am, sunscreen just isn't on your mind!) And, I slept for 12 hours on Saturday night.
I feel ready to register to walk the Portland marathon.
posted by moegirl at
12:23 PM
1 Comments:
Bravo!
That is one heck of a walk. What was the walk for--a good cause of some sort, I presume.
By
Rozanne, At
4:59 PM
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