Up to the start

On Sunday October 9th, 2011, I completed a full marathon!

I've been needing to tell you all about it, but have been waiting on picture, but I'll just add them in later.

So, here is what happened up to the start line.

My sisters, mother and I drove from California, up to Portland on Friday and Saturday (race on Sunday).  We hit the outlet mall just south of Portland and arrived in the city at 2:30, just in time to check into our hotel, and head to the race expo.

The expo was simply crazy!
People were everywhere, booths on three underground levels of the Hilton (I think it was the Hilton) Hotel.  Booths selling: shoes, clothes, food, Gu, water, logo wear, pins, maps, jewelry, exercise equipment, massages, sign-ups for other races, and I'm pretty sure I saw one selling tutus.  We walk around and hit what was interesting.  Finding a running pouch for two of my sisters.  I found some humorous stickers with great sayings like "26.2 Because I'm the full Crazy!", and "If it wasn't for me, you'd have no one to pass" and "I thought they said 'Rum'!".

From the expo, we headed to a family friend's across town where she made her parent's stolen and secret pasta sauce for us.  So yummy.  It was great to try and relax with friends, but I was feeling incredibly anxious.  And very full and roll-polly.  Tappering and carb-loading, I now know, have that effect on me.

We headed back to the hotel, laid everything out.  Pinned numbers on shirts, tagged our shoes, filled our hydro belts, and rationed out our Gu.  My sister took a Tylenol PM and now will forever do so before a big race.  I hopped in the shower, headed to bed and had a restless nights sleep.



the marathon.  The whole kit and caboodle!  The big enchilada! All 26.2 miles of it!