Eugene Marathon

Terry S. and Bryan R. came by this Saturday morning, bright and early at 6 AM, to head down for the Eugene Marathon. Coffee sounded good once we made it to Seattle, so we hit Pike Place Market and the "original" Starbucks. Pretty cool--we drove right up, said hi to the vendors setting up, ordered a coffee and then went next door for fresh baked piroshkies. Yes.
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Five hours later, we make Eugene. Mostly country music on the road. Lots of running talk. How to run a race. How to organize a race. What races suck. What races rock. What to eat at a race, etc., etc., etc. The expo (at the race) was cool, although the Exposers were unsuccessful in separating This fool with his money. The Saturday Eugene Street Market proved much better at this, with its 750 vendors and real live drum circle. I had the good fortune to meet a local "artisan" who specializes in twig craft, and perhaps other personal medicinals. I Just had to purchase the twig bird feeder--only $16! It looks sort of witchy. Score!
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After that excitement, we went looking for Pre's rock, which is a memorial rock to Steve Prefontaine, pictured above, marking the sight of his tragic car wreck. Prefontaine has become a legend, as far as running goes, and he made his name running for the University of Oregon. People leave shoes in tribute. We found the memorial, but it didn't come easy. 45 minutes of seriously comical head scratching, driving in neighborhoods, and looking around. Totally worth it. We followed this up with a visit to Hayward Field, sight of several Olympic Trials, including the this year's trials in a month or two. They wouldn't let us in.
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Fast forward to the marathon, 7 AM Sunday morning, with the start outside the same Hayward Field. The race DJ played C&C & the Music Factory's Gonna Make You Sweat. They always play that. Race DJs are really clever. OK. Eugene is now OFFICIALLY one of my favorite road marathons. This race is awesome, maybe the best marathon in the northwest.
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The marathon is sponsored by Krusteaz, because it is "flat as a pancake." There's a couple small hills, but it is a PR type of course. It is a little crowded starting out, because they start the halfers, fullers, and 5kers at the same time, with about 8000 total. The course is absolutely beautiful, starting through quiet neighborhoods (with ankle burning potholes--watch out), and then the last 13 miles are along the Willamette River. I saw some really cool birds with big feathers over the river. The time of year is right too--the temperature reached the 60s by the end, but overall it was just about right, especially after all the cold we've had.
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I ran pretty well, without going all out. 3:48. No stomach challenges. The night before was mashed potatoes, soup, and broccoli. Need to remember that. New shoes, Asics Nimbi. My one mistake was having chocolate milk and bananas after the race. I almost lost it. Need to remember that too. My mile splits were usually within 10 seconds or so, with the half marathon splits only a minute or two apart. I had to focus to keep the pace steady for the last three, so there was effort, but that just made for a good run. I don't want to go all out, as I'm looking to things further on. What I want to do is stack some good long runs week to week, and this was a good start.
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The finish was awesome--you cross the river, take a turn, pop out of some woods, and come right up the backside of Autzen Stadium, with the big O for Oregon. Everyone ran terrific, including Skagiteers Dr. Rob and Shawna W., who also made it down. All around a very cool weekend. Next up, NB2V, unless I decide to do North Face. Trail work for Wasatch in two weeks.