Bridge to Brews 10k Race Report

I was surprisingly not worried at all about this race which was a nice change of pace from my usual pre-race stress-fest. I reeeeeeeally wanted to set a new PR but I didn't want to put too much pressure on myself. I figured I would just go out and have a fun run and see what happened.


With Zach's birthday on Thursday and lots of general celebrating and merry-making I was slightly run down, but not bad. I had a few good runs this week and my legs felt good. I knew there would be a couple hills in the race since we crossed over two bridges, but then again I knew I could fly down the downhills.



One thing I did differently this time (besides not stress) was wear my iPod. I put together a really good mix of songs that started off with some upbeat alternative rock (like Spoon) and then went into some fast paced hip-hop/dance music (Rihanna, Black Eyed Peas, etc) and finished with some fast tempo rap (Kanye West, DJ Kaled). It totally did the trick! It kept me pumped and also masked my heavy breathing.



We walked over to the start about 8:00 and made it in time to use the porto potties and do a warm up run before the 9:00 am start. We found Emily at the start line. I was feeling excited and ready to run! My current PR (set way back in December 05!) was 47:23, which is a 7:38 pace.


The course started off up a couple little hills and then gradually made its way up the Fremont Bridge on ramp. Mile 1: 7:49


We ran up and over the Fremont Bridge and then enjoyed a nice downhill grade. Mile 2: 7:32


Then we ran down a long gradual decline until we exited the freeway (weird), then it was kind of flat. I saw Emily at a turn around and we waved. Mile 3: 7:18



We zig zagged through Northwest and ended up back on Front St which is an industrial stretch (all the Portland races basically follow this route, it's already getting a little old). The sun was bright and I was a little warm but still running strong. My legs were feeling heavy but I knew I was over halfway done. Mile 4: 7:12


Still along Front St. which becomes Naito Parkway and is pancake flat. My legs were tired but my music kept me pumped and I knew I was in PR territory if I could keep it going. With no downhill to help me out in this mile I slowed a bit. Mile 5: 7:41



I was trying to do some math to project my time but at the same time I was trying to just focus on keeping up the pace. The final mile includes the climb back up and over the river, this time via the Broadway Bridge. It was a hill to be sure, but not as brutal as the Steel Bridge last time at the end of the half marathon. I slowed way down and my legs were pretty tired but I made it to the top and started heading back down. I was able to take advantage of this final downhill and picked it up a little, but the mile still came in slow. Mile 6: 7:50



I knew I was close to the finish but before I got there they had us do a pain-in-the-ass loop around the block to get in the distance. This included a short but steep hill and then a down hill, then the home stretch. I saw Zach and Emily cheering me on and sped past the finish line. Last 0.2: 1:39



Unofficial time: 47:03 (7:34 average pace)



A 20 second PR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WHOOOOO!!!!!



I am soooo happy. I haven't set a PR in any distance since my December 2007 marathon and it's not for lack of trying. I was due for this PR and I'm very pleased with myself. Hooray!! It was an awesome run and I'm so proud of myself and everyone else who ran. Pretty sure all my Portland runner friends got PRs, which is awesome. Well done everyone!! We all met up after and enjoyed our free brews and some food. It's a gorgeous day out there, supposed to get up to the upper 70s today so I'm on top of the world. Life is good.





Thanks for reading! :)