mitch's meanderings

Last Saturday was the first training run for the Portland Marathon. My friend Rick and I ran with the PMC group downtown along the water front, under beautiful sunny skies. The weather that morning could not have been more pleasant. Today’s run however, was a different story, nothing but rain the whole time.

We ran out-and-back from Fit Right Northwest on 23rd Ave., north to Thurman St., then west up to (and a couple miles in) the Leif Erickson trail at Forest Park. Our group is training at a 3:50 target marathon time, but I think the pace setter may have thought they said 2:50! The 3.5 miles uphill were brutal. Rick pointed out that last week, we were all carrying on conversations, this week… not a word. Coming down we had the wind and rain in our face, but I thought it was great. For me, there is just something refreshing about running in the rain. Nobody bothered to clock it, but it looks like we came in about 1:04 for 7 miles. Not too shabby!

I have read much about the Leif Erickson trail, and even in the dreary weather it was beautiful. Along most of our run, we looked out over the Willamette river. Under favorable conditions, the view must be spectacular. This will definitely be a favorite Spring/Summer run.