Sunday, April 19, 2009

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! :)

26 comments:

Amy - the gazelle said...

congrats again on your PR! That was seriously awesome. It was so good to see everyone at the end, too!

J said...

Congrats on the PR!! That is a great time! Sounds like a good race!

GB said...

Way to go, Jen!!! Congratulations on your new PR.

Gotta Run..... said...

Cheers to an AWESOME PR!!!!! You were due and I am thrilled for you.

kristen said...

Way to go on your PR. Sounds like your legs were ready for one!!

Jon in Tokyo said...

Well done. Great effort. Keep it up.

Susan said...

Sounds like a great race!! Congrats on the PR!

Aron said...

woooo!! awesome job jen!!! congrats on the very deserved PR!! sounds like it was a great race and day in portland.

so you usually dont wear your ipod in races?

Ewen said...

Woohoo! After 3 long years, that's a sweet PB Jen. Glad you were able to do the math with DJ Kaled ringing in your ears ;)

Hey, are you sure you're not my long lost better looking (and younger) twin?

Anonymous said...

Nice job on the PR!! You deserve it. Keep working it.

Alisa said...

Yay- PR! I was there at the end cheering too =)! You had headphones in so you probably didn't hear me.

Lotusphx said...

WOOO-HOOO!!

Way to go JEN!

Sarah said...

Yeah! yeah! yeah!!! that is SO great!! I'm glad you got your Oregon PR :) I love this state!

Anonymous said...

Great job!! PRs are just so satisfying-- particularly when you have to work for them! Woo hoo!

I Run for Fun said...

Congratulations! Great race and PR!

KK said...

Yay, Jen!!! I am sooooo happy for you-this is so uplifting given all the hard work you've put in lately. I hope you continued the partying and merry-making after the race to celebrate your success!

P.S. All I can think about today is how much I want to be in Boston right now...and go back next year...Hmmmm, I might need to devise a plan for this...

ShirleyPerly said...

WOOHOO!!! Congrats on your 10K PR!

Sure does seem like you were due for one with all that fast running you've been doing. I am most envious about that 9am race start time, though, LOL. (But I suppose in warmer climates, we have to start at 7 or 7:30 or else we all melt)

SavvyFitChica said...

AAAAAAAH!!!!!!!!!!! CONGRATULATIONS!!!! Holy crap- 7:34??? Really?

REALLY???

You are so hella fast... no wonder your legs start to feel heavy!! Geesh! You are such a rockstar!

Beth said...

Congrats Jen! You really did deserve a PR!

Amy said...

Congrats, Jen! Of course you had it in you, loved reading the race report. I felt like I was there with you.

Joel Rosinbum said...

Thats Awesome!!! You Rocked it. Good jop.

Mir said...

Congrats on the PR!!! That is awesome. You are right, you have put in so much hard work, you are definitely due for a PR. Very well-deserved!! So, Bridge to Brews? Were there brews at the end? :D

Unknown said...

Congratulations on the PR. Awesome time!

Kim said...

jen - amazing! all your hard work is paying off. you're incredible. congratulations!

Amy said...

Congrats on the PR! You are having a great week :)

Marathon Maritza said...

Woo-hoo! You kicked ass! What a great race!

Congratulations on the PR, it is well-deserved!