Port of Newort

Last weekend we went out to Newport with the kids and camped near the beach. I had decided to torture myself again and run the Newport Marathon on Saturday. We went a couple days early so we could play on the beach and explore the waterfront with the kids. Summer is still having a hard time settling in here in Oregon so we didn't have the warmest weather for camping on the beach but we went prepared and had a great time. Our campsite was right next to a playground where the kids spent most of their time. We spent a lot of time as well at the beach collecting shells, playing in the sand and flying kites. We also did some more geocaching near our campsite. This was a dock down on the waterfront were some very large sea lions were enjoying the sunshine. The kids really liked watching them.



Shaun Simpson was also running the 26.2 mile ordeal. He came out to our campsite and had a pre-race pasta dinner on Friday night. It was fun to visit with him and catch up. The weather for the run was perfect. Low 60's and overcast. I had some time goals that I had set for myself but with my lack of training I felt they were a bit our of my reach. By Saturday morning I decided I would try to better my time from two years ago. That turned out to still be a bit much. I was feeling really really good to the half way point. I was even ahead of my goal pace up through mile 22. But then the wheels fell off...I kept running...though I think walking would have been faster. The last couple miles were quite uncomfortable to say the least. I did finish and felt I had a good run despite bonking the last 4 miles. 3:06:31, 28th overall, 7th in age. Special thanks to my roadside fans Trisch, Josh, Brooke and Samantha!!!