Beaverton Half Marathon (9/22/19)

The Beaverton Half Marathon was an important race for me. 

It was my 34th half marathon since I began running in 2006. I really enjoy the half-marathon distance (13.1 miles) because it's a challenge that requires training but doesn't consume life like a marathon. It's achievable but still hard work. 

With 145 races under my belt, I don't really get nervous anymore. Running and racing is just something I do, and even with a goal in mind, I'm usually pretty chill leading up to the event.

But this race was different.

Since my dad died in February 2018, I've been living in a state of pure physical, mental, and emotional exhaustion. It's unlike anything I've experienced before, dealing with grief and family duties and all that comes with a surprise death.

I've trained for and raced events since then, including four other half marathons. But those races fell flat, my exhaustion just too much to get me to the finish line strong and pleased with my performance. This realization hit me hard during my last 13.1 in June. I trained well but just didn't have the physical and emotional energy to finish strong. My tank was empty.

But things have been coming around lately for me. Life is still crazy-busy, but things involving Dad's estate, Mom's move, Eryn's move, house sales, etc., are wrapping up. I'm tired, but not exhausted. I feel like I'm coming around the other side of this - feeling more like myself and more like life is getting back to "normal."

Because I thrive when I have a schedule and a plan, I started training for a fall half marathon. The motivation got me out the door every weekend for my long runs, getting stronger with each workout. But with my June experience in the back of my head, I waited to register until the last minute. I found myself unusually nervous leading up to the race. I was afraid that, despite all my hard work, I would crash and burn again.

Race day came, and the forecast was for pouring rain. But since I actually enjoy running in the rain, I put on a hat to keep my glasses clear and drove to the start near Portland Running Company.

Parking was ample, and I got in the porta-potty line early to appease my nervous bladder. I dropped my warm, dry clothes in the bag check just as the rain started - about 7:45 a.m. I'd been nursing a glute/hamstring insertion pull, so I took time to jog, warm up, and stretch. The race started in a business park, so there was plenty of space behind the buildings for some strides.

After some group warm-up moves and the national anthem, the race started right on time at 8 a.m. - in the rain!

Brad had plans of his own that day, so I thought I was all on my own. But Mom and Eryn surprised me about 1 mile in and then showed up several more times on the course. It's always so great to have my own personal cheerleaders :) Also - major props to a family that will stand in the rain and watch you run! (And to a sister who will collect your sweaty arm warmers off the side of the road for you!)

I knew the general area where we were racing, but I didn't know specifics about the course. And since there was no elevation profile on the race Web site, I was surprised to find the first 4ish miles uphill. Nothing huge, but they seemed to go on forever.

I rounded a corner to find yet another hill, and the guy in front of me turned and asked, "Is it all uphill?!?" I was JUST about to ask him the same thing! Race camaraderie is so great! He and I ran much of the race "together" and celebrated briefly at the finish :)

I wound all over Beaverton, enjoying the closed course. Of all the race details, that stands out the most in my mind. I was so impressed with all the closed roads (almost everything was shut down!). It was incredibly nice to pick my line and run wherever I wanted - especially avoiding the rain-filled gutters.

I listen to music when I run - my iPod on "shuffle". Often, the music is just in the background, a beat to keep me moving forward. Sometimes a particular song makes me groove a little, giving me a momentary boost. Occasionally, a song comes on and becomes my theme for a bit. 

Rachel Platten's Fight Song came on and became my theme for the rest of the race. I hit repeat over and over and over again. For at least the last 5 miles (I'm not exactly sure when it first shuffled into my ears), I listened:

This is my fight song
Take back my life song
Prove I'm alright song
My power's turned on
Starting right now I'll be strong
I'll play my fight song
And I don't really care
If nobody else believes
'Cause I've still got a lot of fight left in me

These words meant a lot to me, especially as the miles passed and my legs tired and my will weakened. I felt like I had something to prove with this race - not to anyone else, just to myself.

It rained most of the 2 hours I was on the course - sometimes light, sometimes heavy. But the torrential rain never arrived - thankfully! The temperature was perfect for me - though it would have been too warm if it had been sunny and dry. (I think it was in the 60s)

I slowed toward the end of the race, partly because I was tired and partly because the course went from wide-open roads to narrow, slippery, windy paths. But I felt good the entire race, never wanting to quit. I had enough left to speed up in the last mile and cross the finish line strong.

The home stretch:

My official finish-line pics:

This is me soaking wet and leaving it all out there.

Mom and Eryn hung out with me at the finish until I had to bundle up and get in the car before I froze :)

My mile splits were fairly even, and I'm proud of that. I finished in 2:07:56 - no where near my PR of 1:59:30. But for me, this race was a big win! 

My official numbers:

My watch had the course a tiny bit short, so my watch average was 9:48.

Run with Paula did a great job on this race. The best part was the closed course and the course support! My only real criticisms would be the short out-and-back in the park at the end and the lack of vegetarian sandwiches at the after party. Overall, a great race that I would recommend and would run again.

After a shower, Brad and I refueled at Carl's Jr. with a Beyond Burger, fries, and a Dr. Pepper! That sure hit the spot :)

Here's to life returning to "normal" and more opportunities for physical and mental health :)