My first race-cation

This past weekend I went down to Portland to run another marathon. It’s the first race I have traveled out of state for, so I turned it into a little race-cation.

Where I stayed

I stayed at the Society Hotel in Chinatown, which wasn’t far from the starting line of the race. That hotel dates from the late 1800s, and it has an interesting history. It used to host sailors back in the day, before turning into a hospital. Then it turned into a hotel again in the hands of Japanese owners before they were sent to an internment camp around WWII. Next, it became a meeting place for Chinese-Americans, and cycled through many other communities and businesses from all walks of life. Just a few years ago, it became the beautiful hotel that’s around today. I know where I’m staying next time.

Vegan serendipity at its finest

I went to the Oregon Convention Center to pick up my race packet (my bib number and other fun marathon swag) at the Portland Marathon race expo, where I accidentally found out that VegFest (a vegan festival) was happening in the exact same building just down the hall! I had no idea that event was going on, so of course, I was going to pick up my race packet later.

The day before a big race like a marathon, carb-loading is essential for the muscles to store glycogen. This is used as fuel for the long haul. Of course, the bulk of nutrients should come from carbs for energy. VegFest had excellent food vendors to satisfy that need.

I eventually made it to the race expo. I’ve always liked those, since they’re like mini-festivals for runners. Vendors usually set up their wares and events, hoping to entice runners to try their products, or run marathons in other parts of the country.

On running a marathon on very little sleep

On Instagram, I’ve been open about my Complex PTSD, which can cause sleep problems in some people. I don’t always have sleep problems, but when I do, they seem to visit at the most inopportune nights. I can’t say that it was from race jitters this time, since I’m an experienced runner at this point. Maybe it was too warm in the room; maybe I’m sleeping in a bed that’s not actually mine. Whatever it was, I only got two hours of sleep, which would impact my performance.

It was still a beautiful course. It went through many leafy neighborhoods, trees ablaze with vibrant oranges and fiery reds. It took us though the charming Pearl District, and even ran along the scenic water at times.

I tried to force myself to run a little faster, but my body just wasn’t having it. Upon seeing the finish line, however, everything else fell away as my focus sharpened to that single focus, driving me to pick my legs up faster and faster. And I flew right through it.

Because this was a flat course, it’s probably fitting for someone who is new to marathons. Of course, running a marathon is always challenging in its own rite! That being said, I wish my time were better. I ended up finishing at 4:46:19, one of my slower times. Nonetheless, this is a race I would enjoy doing again, hopefully more rested next time.

At least I got to enjoy a vegan donut from the iconic Portland donut shop, Voodoo Donuts. The rest of the post-race food wasn’t vegan, so I kept those tickets.

Overall, this race was very well put-together. I also really liked the color scheme of deep navy blue and light silver, and the contemporary design of the brand was tightly rendered.

A perfect excuse for an eating contest

Running a marathon burns about 2,500 calories—give or take. This is on top of the 2,000 calories needed for daily bodily functions. So, about 4,500 calories are burned during race day. You can probably guess where I’m going with this.

With so many vegan eateries in Portland, it’s so easy to practically have an eating contest after running a marathon. Homegrown Smoker was calling my name, even though it was a 40-minute bus ride from my hotel. Pictured above is their Buff Burrito, which is stuffed with vegan mac & cheese, vegan BBQ meat, and salad. I ate what I could and saved the rest for later.

Last morning in Rose City

I ended up going to bed early that night and slept peacefully this time. In the morning bright and early, I met my friend Dania for the first time!

We’ve been following each other for over two years on Instagram, and we finally met up for coffee! She gave me a hat that she knitted herself, along with some vegan-themed stickers. I always thought that she was rad, and I liked her even more in person! It was the perfect ending to this race-cation.

Now I am back in Seattle. There’s one more marathon left in the year, but right now I’m still recovering from the weekend before I can focus on the next thing. I really enjoyed my time in Portland. It was exactly what I needed, and I truly missed that city.

I can’t wait to come back.

The Oatmeal hosts the Beat the Blerch marathon every year. If you’re familiar with the work of The Oatmeal and its humor, then you might have an idea of the kind of race Beat the Blerch is.

Something we all relate to in a race

The “blerch” is the kind of inner critic that many of us are familiar with. It’s the voice that lures us to eat cake instead of vegetables, to take it easy when we should put in more effort, and to give up when keep going would serve us best. The blerch is portrayed as a white blob-like figure with wings and follows you like a shadow while filling your head with negative thoughts; hence, why this race is called “Beat the Blerch.”

In the race, the aid stations have cake and Nutella sandwiches. (They are not vegan; I checked.) The white costumed blerches shout insults at runners or lure them to sit on the couches at the aid stations—all in good fun, of course. They try and convince you to have more cake, because after all, a runner needs their energy and rest. It’s that kind of race.

…Where are we going?

While the race was loads of fun, the course could have been marked better. Within the first five minutes of starting, we marathoners became confused on where the course led. We encountered a dead end, turned around and eventually found our way back.

At around Mile 15, a volunteer told me where the turnaround arrow would be, but I never saw it. I kept going straight, keeping my eyes peeled. Eventually, the trail narrowed to the point where the vegetation made it impassable. So, I turned around. Soon I passed the arrow (rendered in chalk!) where I should have turned around in the first place. The stampede of runners before me had faded it, so that is why I had missed it.

Past Mile 21, there was another fork in the trail, but it still wasn’t clear where to turn. I ran straight again for another mile before wondering where everyone was. You could imagine my vexation when I realized my mistake. Time to turn around again.

The heat wasn’t something many of us were used to either, despite how much water we drank. At Mile 24, there was an aid station. I drank my water, and the kind volunteer refilled my cup. I thanked him and told him he’s an angel.

“Yes, I know,” was his cheeky reply. I love it.

I finished the marathon at 5:02:35, one of my slowest times yet. Getting lost for three miles slowed my time by about half an hour. Instead of the standard 26.2 miles, I ran 29 miles that day. (Technically, that is an ultramarathon distance.) I have never run that far in my entire life.

The biggest prize past the finish line

But I’m still happy that I did it. What really made everything worth it in the end were the cutest kittens past the finish line. Holding a kitten while soaring on an endorphin high put me on Cloud 9.

Post-marathon self-care

I ate a ton of vegan Ethiopian food when I got home, followed by dropping a Lush bath bomb into a tub of water. When you run more than what you’re supposed to, spoiling yourself is justified.

While the race could have had better signage, this is one I’ll do again in the future. It could have gone more smoothly, but that itself could be symbolic on how I handled my own “blerches” in my head. For now, I can rest on the fact that I ran 29 miles in one day.

Being a goth marathon runner is A-OK

When I was a teenager, I used to secretly make fun of marathon runners (and always felt guilty about it afterwards). It should go without saying to never make fun of an entire group of people because first, it’s not nice; and second, you never know if you might become one. And here I am, just having completed my fourth marathon.

The Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series always puts on fun races, and this was my third race with them. It usually starts and ends at the Seattle Center. The course changes every year, and there are bands playing every few miles or so. There are aid stations every couple of miles and tons of support from spectators along the way.

What’s it like running a marathon?

Folks have asked what is it like to do one of these marathons. While each race is different, it always feels the same from Mile 16 through the finish line. Usually I’m feeling great until then, but this year’s course was a tough one. (If this was your first marathon, I am sorry!) As we can see at Mile 11, that was quite a challenge.

• Starting line: Everyone is gathered at the starting line, happy to take on a 26.2 miler! (Or if they’re running a half-marathon, a 13.1-mile race.)
• Miles 1–10: This first part of the race is smooth sailing. If you’re not feeling fresh by the 10th mile, then you are in trouble. Mile 10 is also where the course goes up Queen Anne via 3rd Ave W, a hill that lasts for nearly 2 miles.
• Mile 11: The long, slow climb up the hill that never ends. It slows my pace down considerably, and I wonder if a new PR is even possible. My hamstrings feel slightly knotted as I huff up the hill without stopping, questioning my own sanity of why I do these races.
• Mile 12: The big reward for running up that long hill was the breathtaking (literally and figuratively!) panoramic city view at Kerry Park, where many iconic Seattle skyline photos are taken.
• Mile 13: This is where the course splits. Half-marathoners veer to the right towards the finish line. The marathoners go to the left to finish the rest of the course.
• Miles 14–15: The hill from Mile 11 is slowly starting to become a distant memory as I continue to focus on the rest of the course. The sun is out, and I’m soaring.
• Miles 16–19: This is where my mood descends, one mile at a time. We run around Green Lake, which is a beautiful area, but it’s at these miles where many folks lose steam.
• Mile 20: The second wave of hills begin, and while they are shorter, they’re steeper. My friends have come out to cheer me on, and it means a lot. I descend too fast down a steep hill, and my quads (the front thigh muscles) seize up with painful charlie horses that halt me dead in my tracks. I stop at a medical station, begging for ibuprofen. They don’t have it, because it’s bad for the kidneys. They give Bengay instead.
• Mile 21: There’s something about running past 20 miles that makes you retreat to the darkest corners of your psyche. Never mind the pain you’re pushing through. At this point, it’s hard to focus on much else outside the body. Everything hurts. My legs are very angry. They keep painfully spasming, and I actually have to stop for a couple of minutes to massage and stretch them out. I have never stopped during a race before. All of these hills must have slowed down my time by at least 10 minutes.
• Miles 22-25: Physically, I’m on auto-pilot. Emotionally, I feel very raw. I begin hallucinating shifting pastel colors while feeling every emotion there is. Every time at this point, I wonder why these races seemed like a good idea.
• Mile 26: My quads seize up again when I’m so close to the finish line. I resolve to be kind to myself and calmly massage my legs until they feel better. I sprint like a race horse and finish strong.
• Finish line: My mind sputters as the endorphin highs soar like a kite. A kind volunteer puts a finisher’s medal over my head.
• Post-race: Pictures are taken, and people enjoy a Pearl Jam tribute band called “Washed in Black” playing on the main stage. I slowly walk the mile back to my best friend’s house. I take a shower to clean up, and then we go to lunch to celebrate. He drops me off at home, where I soak in a bath with a Lush bath bomb dunked in, and then take an epic 5-hour nap. Later on, another friend treats me to a victory banana split from Cookie Counter. I’ve never had a banana split before, and it’s such a decadent treat to have after today’s race.

My finishing time is 4:18:54, my best time yet! This was a difficult course, so I’m surprised that I beat my old personal record even with all of those steep hills. I’m so, so happy with the result.

Euphoria is the biggest prize

This is also the first race where I did all of the workouts in the training program, and the first where I never got a single injury.

Running a marathon isn’t just a physical endeavor. It’s also a psychological one. You can be afraid all you want. You might encounter both internal and external resistance. Do it anyway. Something wonderful and interesting is waiting for you on the other side.

Another marathon is less than two months away. Right now, I’m appreciating a race well done.

The marathon is only five weeks away, and I’ve finished the first week of peak training, which entailed running 40 miles this week. Yesterday I did the first of the two 20-mile long runs.

Normally, I stay in Seattle, but I’ve never explored the East Side much on foot. Starting in the Central District, I ran through the I-90 bike tunnel and onto the bridge into Mercer Island. I ran along the I-90 trail into Bellevue. I continued up Bellevue until coming across the 520 bridge; it was my first time on that bridge as a pedestrian. That took me back to Seattle into the Montlake neighborhood. Then I ran up the never-ending hill on 23rd Ave. That challenging hill isn’t so steep as it is long. I finally reached the crest of the hill in Capitol Hill, and ran the home stretch back to the Central District.

There was a bath bomb waiting for me when I finished. It’s like a big alka seltzer for the bath. I soaked in the tub, rubbing off the salt left behind from evaporated sweat. When running that much, the body does weird things like losing a lot of salt and electrolytes, and it must be replaced.

Speaking of electrolytes, I’ve been carrying those Clif shots that taste a lot like strawberry pudding. It’s a good rule of thumb to take one before a long run. Then have another one at Mile 10; the last one is consumed at Mile 14. It’s a good fix when your body has burned through its glycogen stores.

Peak training can feel exhausting, so remember to be extra kind to yourself during this time, especially if it’s your first marathon. You will also be eating a lot extra. Seriously, I’m always thinking about food now. The average person consumes 2,000 calories a day for normal functioning. Running 20 miles burns another 2,000 calories, give or take. On those long run days, your calorie consumption might be around 4,000 calories. I don’t count calories; I just eat until my body feels fulfilled and happy.

Folks ask about weight loss, and marathon training is about gaining endurance, not losing weight. Weight loss might happen as a byproduct of training, but the primary focus should be replacing the calories that have been lost. On the contrary, it’s also possible to gain weight, since you’re eating more and consuming a little more salt, which retains water.

At this point, it might be a challenge to pay attention to other things outside the body. I try not to overcommit outside of work, since rest is so important, especially now. I’m also usually exhausted anyway to do much outside work, art, and marathon commitments. Everything else could wait for just another couple of weeks.

The first week of peak training was a total of 40 miles. This week is a “fall back” week, where the mileage is a little less, so that the body has a chance to rest. The week after is another 40 miles. Then the mileage tapers down to a trickle before the actual race. Until then, the peak is that one last hump to go over. Everything else is down hill from there.

In it for the long runs

Marathon training has now reached the double digits. Today’s long run was 11 miles. A good rule of thumb is to increase total weekly mileage by no more than 10%. The long runs are about half the total weekly mileage. For example, I ran 22 miles this week. Eleven of those miles were this week’s long run.

The long runs are the most important part of training, because they help build endurance. It’s okay to skip a workout every once in a blue moon, but always do the long runs. If you don’t do those workouts, it’s hard to catch up the following week. I’m not saying it can’t be done, but the risk of injury increases the more you try to catch up.

For example, next weekend calls for a 12-mile long run. Skipping that would mean a big jump the next time the mileage increases after that, which is 14 miles. Going from 11 to 14 miles is quite a stretch, and pushing that much would probably result in an injury.

More mileage means better sustenance

With marathon training, carbs are the key to fuel endurance sports. Today I had vegan yogurt topped with chocolate chunks (85% cocao content), pumpkin seeds, and shredded coconut. It’s enough to get me through. Even toast with peanut butter is another easy go-to.

Upon returning, a veggie stir-fry with tofu on a bed of brown rice is the perfect food to replenish those tired muscles. A long nap can follow if you need it. Today I didn’t take a nap after the long run.

I also usually consume an energy gel during the run, but I didn’t feel the need for one this time. Those are good to have once the long runs exceed 10 miles. Today, I was fine without having one. I did bring water with me, since the City hasn’t turned the fountains back on yet.

Today I ran to Bellevue from the Central District and back. The sky is so clear and blue, and I’m still high from the combination of endorphins and sunshine. A feeling like that is the best high in the world, and it makes me so happy when others tap into theirs. Whoever said that running is a drug wasn’t far from the truth.

Twelve miles next week. I got this.