The weekend started on Friday. My kids went to my mom's house, and I was blessed with a migraine. The last time I ran was Wednesday. I went to spinning class on Thursday, and I was going to run on Friday night. I had this all planned out, but you know what they say about plans...Of all the stupid nights for a migraine...this was supposed to be my "easy 3 miler" night so I could take Saturday off and be ready to go on Sunday. Didn't happen that way. Instead, I woke up Saturday morning after taking way too many meds on Friday with an upset stomach. Nevertheless, I waited til daylight Saturday morning and did a slow and easy 3.3 miles.
And off we went, my husband and I, to Astoria, Oregon. Yes Goonies fans, that's where the movie was made! It was a nice getaway for the weekend. And we did what any other married couple for 14 years does when they are away from the kids...we went to Costco because there's no tax in Oregon. Yeah, we are that exciting! But really, we did manage to enjoy a few meals out kid-free, and this was the view of one of the restaurants we went to.
Finally Sunday morning rolled around. I actually woke up at 2:30 am with a dream that I missed the race! Oh boy, I have issues! I truly got up around 5:15 and headed down to breakfast with my friend D and her daughter M. 7:00 came quickly, and off we headed to the Port of Astoria, where we were shuttled by school bus over the bridge to the WA side to a rest area known as Dismal Nitch. Somehow, they fit 3,000 people over there! So at 8:00 am, there we were...race didn't start until 9. Fortunately, it was a beautiful day.
Finally it was close to 9:00, and I lined up for the race. Now I knew I wasn't fast, but I knew I wanted to run. Many people walk this race because this is the one time a year when you have this opportunity. They cap the registrants at 3,000 people, and you must cross within 2 hours. So I lined up toward the front, but not in front. There was a need for an ambulance at the start, so the start time was delayed for about 10 minutes...no big deal...but when the race started, it was utter chaos. Suddenly I wasn't moving, but the outsides were. When I finally hit the chip time mat, I tried to start jogging, and I looked up to see at least 1,000 people in front of me. WTH? How did that happen? I'll tell you how it happened, several of the walkers started in front of the runners! Then us runners had to bob and weave around the walkers. Somehow my husband, who thought he was behind me, ended up in front of me, and he saw me actually running along the ditch to get around the walkers. UGH! This is one case where a wave or corral start would have been nice.
These are pictures my husband took just before the bridge. In fact, all of the race pictures were taken by him. He walked the first half and jogged the second half.
After a mile on the highway, we hit the bridge. I still had some walkers to pass, and I'm guessing I was a half a mile on the bridge (1.5 miles into the race) when I finally got in a group with like-minded and like-ability runners. We all know I'm not out to smash records, but I did want to run this. My goal was to run that entire incline, which started at about mile 3.7 in the race. I knew I had to pace myself and conserve my energy. That's exactly what I did.
Not only did I make it up the inline (0.7 miles at 7% incline), I finished the race with a time of 1:05.30. Not earth shattering, but for me, 10.33 min miles, not too bad. I actually finished 30/82 for my division for females 35-39.
Someday, I'd love to run a 10K in under 1 hour. Someday, I'll do it. But on this day, I conquered a bridge. It had been a goal for 3 months, and I did it. All I could think about was how my old self wouldn't have walked this bridge. I'm afraid of heights, and this bridge really has low rails for most of it. The race is on one lane, no water stops, no bathrooms. All of those things were reasons to say no to this race, and I did. But one day I woke up and realized, what a unique experience! I have to do this! So, I did it. And that's what keeps people coming back is how unique and incredible it is to just walk across the bridge, or run, or whatever.
Will I do it again? I don't know. Of course, it depends on our schedule. And I would have to know that the start will be better. That was chaos, but it was the first year for chip time, so I'm going to hope that next year will be better because they will maybe line people up in a different way.
But one thing is for sure: The amount of volunteer work that goes into that race in amazing. Two states must work together, the buses that take people to the rest stop, the entertainment at the beginning and end, packets, etc...it was an amazing display of teamwork and volunteers for sure.
For now, I'm just glad that I attempted the Great Columbia Crossing, I met my goal of running it, and hey, I even got a 10K PR (I've only been in two, so that isn't saying much). Life is good!
After 3 races in September, I'm taking a breather. Next race is Oct. 27th, a local 10K with some good hills, so it looks like I'll be training for hills this month! But, daughter is now in 2 sports and playing two instruments, plus homework...and Tyson still has his issues too. Not sure how I'll make the time, but somehow, I will.
Thanks for reading!
Jolene
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