Timberline marathon

Overall it was a really good time at the Timberline Marathon. I accomplished what I wanted, mainly to see if I still had it (or at least hadn't totally lost it!) after two months of minimal training. I didn't have a serious time goal, although I knew I'd probably be disappointed if I came in over 5:30.

We drove up with Olga and now I know all her secrets. Well, maybe not all of them. But, whatever, I'm not revealing any of them! Up at Timberline we saw some other maniacs and a few other ultra-types. They started us out by our expected finish time and I went with the 5 hr group. I was fairly sure that I'd come in between 5-5:30. After a small uphill, we had a pretty steady downhill for about 5 miles. I was very conscious about not hitting this too hard since this was a test for my right hip and legs. I felt a twinge from my right ITB but nothing to cause concern. Anyway, after about 2 miles I had other things to worry about. My lower back was wet and I knew it was too cold and too soon for me to be sweating that much. I was pretty certain that my pack bladder was leaking. After another mile or so I stopped and the pool of sports drink in the bottom of my pack confirmed that. I took off my coat and stuffed it in the bottom to help sop up the liquid and continued on my way. There really wasn't anything I could do about it until I arrived at the aid station. A girl who passed me and then I passed again offered that her dad would be there and he had duct tape, so that gave me some hope that a solution could be found.

I arrived at the aid station, and since that girl was still behind me, asked if they had some duct tape. No, but that was okay, because after thinking some more I realized the best scenario was to just leave the bladder. Trying to find the leak and taping it up would take too long. I asked the aid station captain if she had an extra bottle. No, so I turned to the 6 or 7 spectators and asked them. They looked at me like I was asking for their first born. Something in your car, anything? More blank stares with a few mumbles of no. I couldn't help thinking that if this were an ultra, there would be scads of people jumping to help me. Finally, one woman gave me her bottled water bottle. It was a smaller size and fit perfectly in the front of my pack. I thanked her profusely, filled up and then thanked her again as I left. And I thanked her again when I saw her at the next aid station. Since the stations were 5-8 miles apart, she really did save my day.

After this aid station we soon had a longer uphill. It wasn't too steep, but long. I walked some and ran some. I was feeling pretty good. There were a lot of yellow-jackets along this section and runners were getting stung. I managed to get through unscathed, but I did get stung on my back earlier in the first section. Once we reached the turn-off to twin lakes (which is the turn-around spot for the Mt Hood PCT 50k), I was back on familiar territory. I enjoyed the downhill to the Frog Lake aid station, where I proceeded to spend entirely too much time.

Marc and the little guy enjoyed the mountain while we ran

The next section, which I call the ridge section since on a clear day you get a glorious view of Mt. Hood, went well. I was consistently running the flats, downhills and less steep hills. No one passed me and I passed quite a few people. I felt fine and while I didn't feel like I was setting any speed records, I was keeping a steady pace and just generally enjoying myself. So the middle section was the highlight for me. I had solved my water problem and I was running like I could keep chugging along forever.

I'm not exactly sure when things started to go south, but somewhere around the Crater Lake turn-off (mile 18-19-20?) I realized that I was getting nauseous, which was worse when I expended any effort. It was unfortunate because my body otherwise felt fine and even energetic. But I guess I'm a wimp because I didn't want to push myself to that edge where I felt like I would really lose my cookies. So this last section I walked a lot and really only consistently ran the downhills. Despite my slow pace I still passed people (mainly guys!) who were doing the mall walk. I concentrated on walking with purpose and just imagined myself on an enjoyable hike. I was really very happy to be out there! I blame my stomach problems on the gatorade served (yuck!) and the lack of solid food. I should remember to bring my own when I know there won't be any at the aid stations. My lack of training probably had something to do with it too. And since I only had gatorade on me this section, I took only the tiniest sips when absolutely necessary. So I'm sure becoming dehydrated added to my sick feeling.

Finally we reached the road, with the final aid station where I could get some plain water. I knew that we'd continue on straight across the road instead of turning right down the road for a few 100 yards like at the Mt Hood PCT 50/50. But I was expecting only 2 miles or so and was very disappointed to hear that it was 3 to go. Fortunately, there were a lot of downhills and I got some of my spark back as I realized the end was really near. Watch finish time: 5:22. It was my first trail marathon so I'm calling it a pr! Which will stand for awhile. Except for Portland coming up in 3 weeks, I'm swearing off marathons and sticking to ultras!