Foot Traffic Flat Marathon ~ Race RUNdown

Inspiration Points...
1. 15 to Go! Once I finish this race I'll only have 15 more states to go (and a few extra repeat states that I'm doing "for fun" this year). Remember when I only had 15 states down? I remember, because it was miserable! Boulder Backroads post here. There was altitude, freezing am temps and smoking hot pm temps, bad hills, as well as a lot of race annoyances! Let's hope this weekend goes a little better.  
2. MB's Halfway There Party!!! That's right, this is MB's 25th state (for those that don't know MB, please check out this post "MB brings the flu.") And guess what? Portland is throwing her a giant party for it... with fire works and red, white, and blue-- (nobody tell MB it's actually for the 4th of July)
3. Jodi and Chris are coming! We have groupies... in fact they're driving 3 hours to come see us run! Jodi and Chris were at the Seattle Marathon last weekend and are driving down to Portland to see us run 2 weeks in a row! We <3 our groupies!
4. Marathon of Marathons. Last weekend was WA, now I'm onto the 2nd of 4 in a row! Next weekend I'm doing my first 50-miler then we're in Okoboji, IA the following weekend. 4 in a row with an ultra is going to be a little killer. Just gotta little train it.. "I think I can I think I can I think I can... and I will!"

OR Race RUNdown...
Foot Traffic Flat Marathon ~ Sunday July 4, 2010. 6:30am Start! (#35)
Portland, OR ~ Sauvie Island
Registration Fees: $75 ($87 w/ shirt) early ($90 no shirt for late-- until sold out)-- Marathon has a few spots remaining!
Year Running: 7th (i think)
Races Available: Marathon, Half Marathon, 5K
2010 Expected Field:
2009 Field:  258 Finishers
... Females: 103  ... Age Group: 16
2009 Avg. Finish Time: 4:04:49! (fast!)
Certified Course/BQ Certified?: Yes!
Cutoff Time and Early Start Option: Cutoff time is 1PM (6.5 hours) with NO early start option
Weather Update: Judging from the comments, the past 2 years of this race have been HOT and this year isn't looking any different, starting in the mid 50's and getting up to the 70's during the race.

Course:

MarathonGuide Rating:

Well I think we can all agree the course will be ... well, flat. If it's not, that's seriously messed up! The race itself is run on Sauvie Island with a loop and a "scenic" 6.5 miles out-and-back then back to the loop to finish up the race. The website boasts about their scenic views, bald eagles, and songbirds!

Race 411:
~ BBQ & Beer at the packet pick-up on Saturday!!!
~ "... the flattest and fastest half and full marathon on the West Coast." I'm thinking this is a flat course... Stephie HATES flat course, but I'll deal.
~ Heed! They have heed as their electrolyte drink on the course! I very rarely see Heed used but I LOVE it. It's not too sugary and it doesn't make me sick. They say there will be 12 aid stations-- this was a big issue last year with high temps and only 10 stations. Hopefully the extra 2 will help.
~ Door Prizes! Based on bib numbers they'll be pulling door prizes :)
~ This island is apparently known for their strawberry shortcake and they have it at the finish. Holy freaking yum!

Race Plan:
If you ready yesterdays post I'm being a little cautious about my race plan. I always plan on making a sub-4 hr, but I'm afraid after a PR last week, a sub-4 might be pushing it and I don't want to be overly tired for the 50-miler next week. I won't know until I start running on Sunday, but a mid 3:50 would work well I believe.  

Meet up Info: I don't think I have any plans to meet up, but if you're going to be at the race send me an email!

Happy Running!
-Stephanie