Another really late post.  I am usually really good about posting race recaps right away but somehow I slacked with this one. It won’t happen again.

I ran the Shipyard Old Port Half Marathon on Saturday, July 11.  So that was state #34 for me.  You can read about what I did the day before here.

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The race began at 7:15am so I was up at 6, got ready, ate, and headed out with Sonya and Kim.  The start line was about a mile away from our apartment.  On the way there I saw a Residence Inn so I took advantage of it to use a real bathroom.  I said goodbye to the girls and went to do my business.  I walked to the start line and waited for the runners in the first wave to start.  Then about 5 minutes later it was my turn to run.  It was so crowded.  I am not a fast runner but I still had to weave around a few runners.  Plus, it did not help that it was a narrow path.

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Honestly, I don’t remember too much about the race except that it was HOT.  Plus, I was miserable and couldn’t wait to finish the race.  Earlier I told Kim that my goal was to finish under 2:30.  I was still at mile 12 when I saw those numbers on my watch.  Honestly, I did not care because all I wanted to do was cross the finish line.  We ran around a lake that seemed to go on forever.  It reminded me of the one in the IMS Des Moines Half Marathon.  There was absolutely no shade and I mostly walked (but in Des Moines it wasn’t as hot).

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I remember the 2:30 group caught up with me before mile 6 and I decided to run with them.  I ran with them for a few minutes but there was a hill and I simply had no energy to keep up with them.  I was very impressed with this 10 year girl that was running with her mom.  There was also a cop in uniform gear. That shut me up and I did not complain anymore.

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At mile 12 there was this group doing yoga.

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Photo credit: Kim Reed
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L to R: Kim, me, Sonya
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Lunch at Bayside American Cafe. I had the Bayside BLT with lobster.

Overall, I did like the course.  There were many wonderful volunteers and thanks to them I had plenty of water to drink and to dump on my head to cool down.  The medal is pretty neat too.  After the race I told the girls that I did not like it.  Obviously I was not in the right state of mind when I made that comment. One cool thing that the race offers is free race photos to the runners.  Here is one that I cropped because, well, I do not like the rest of it.

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Portland is a fun place to visit so make sure to stay a day or two to enjoy everything it has to offer.

Next race: Chicago Half Marathon, September 27 as part of the CARA Marathon Incentive Program.

8 Comments on Shipyard Old Port Half Marathon

  1. It’s been really hot in the Northwest..you had no way of knowing that when you signed up! Great job sticking with it and finishing. Sometimes just getting across the finish line is all that matters–last year’s Zooma half in Chicago is proof of that for me!

  2. Congrats on the finish. I figured it would be cooler in the Northeast near the ocean, but I guess it’s hot everywhere in July! BLT with lobster? Sounds yummy!

  3. The food in Portland is amazing! I’m glad you were able to enjoy a lot of good food and a fun race!

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