Running – Eugene Marathon: done!

The Eugene Marathon is now history and I’m happy to say it went well.

My time was 3:24:38 for a pace of 7:49 per mile.

I felt good for the first 17 miles and outpaced the 3:20 pace group I started with. But then around Mile 19 they passed me and I slowed up slightly. At Mile 21 I slowed up more and then from Mile 23 it was just a blur in order to finish.

There were some last minute weather worries.

Last night I was woken up by driving rain and thought to myself, “Uh-oh”. But by race start at 7:00 a.m. it had quieted to gentle Pacific Northwest sprinkles which ceased altogether within the hour.

The temperature was perfect for distance running: high 40s at the start topping out in the high 50s.

In the afternoon I crashed the party of Fleet Feet Chico’s marathon training group that ran Eugene. We went to Steelhead Brewing Co. in downtown Eugene which was doing a land office business serving hungry and thirsty runners. Congratulations to everyone but especially to first time marathoners Rebecca, Aldo, Todd, and Vince! Rebecca qualified for the Boston Marathon in her first try at the distance.

HAPPY MARATHONERS AT STEELHEAD BREWING CO.
(from left) GREG, ALDO, JOE, ALAN, REBECCA, TODD, VINCE

So after almost 19 years I ran another marathon. I liked it. I want to run another one. I want to run it faster.