West Linn Wild Race Report

68%

Number alone don't really mean that much.  68% could mean anything.  But in this case it was the number of female participants in Sunday's 5 and 10 mile West Linn Wild race.  Quite a high percentage isn't it? 

I showed up just after 7AM to meet up with my co-worker Kris and her sister Cheryl with whom I'd be running the race.  She was worried I was going to kick her ass but I was pretty sure she was going to kick mine.  I think I look a hell of a lot faster than I actually am!  I had said before the race that my A Goal was a 1:40 finish time but truth be told, I hadn't done my homework.  I DID think that a 1:45 was in my reach.

We started promptly at 8AM with just under 300 other runners and cloudy skies with a bit of drizzle (Portlanders don't call "drizzle" rain and most will probably tell you it didn't "rain" on Sunday - but it did).  Our first mile was partly downhill and we clocked a 9:49.  Mile two was almost 2 minutes slower but also had the worst climb of the race.  That hill was seriously steep.  Good thing it was not too long!

I was feel good as we ran along the Willamette River toward Lake Oswego.  We clocked some good miles and were on target for a 1:45 finish going into mile 5 and even mile 6.  In fact, my 10K time was a couple minutes faster than my mostly downhill and recent Forest Park 10K (around 63 minutes).  I was feeling it though.  I picked out a girl about a quarter mile ahead of me and told Cheryl I wanted to catch her.  Only problem is I was running out of steam.  Mile 7 slowed to 11:12 and 1:45 was starting to feel out of reach.  My legs were fine.  My energy was pretty good.  My breathing was lacking.  As much as I could I had conversation with Cheryl about how my lungs and breathing are often an issue for me later in a race.  Sometimes it's very difficult for me to take in breaths deep enough.  Anyone have good breathing exercises for me to do? Even when I'm running quite a bit it still seems to be an issue with lung capacity.  One theory is that my lungs never got back to 100% after my heart surgery 8 years ago.  Possible but who knows.

The girl I picked out was soon out of site and I found myself hoping just to come in under 1:50 when mile 8 slipped to a dismal 11:58.  Mile 9 picked up mostly due to downhill but the last mile was hard fought.  I tried to walk as little as possible but breathing was an issue as was the horrible hill right at the end of the race. I sprinted from the top of the hill to the finish line to finish in 1:49:42.  I was happy with that result and taking into account the difficulty of the race I consider that a B- for me.  See elevation profile below.

 

The fastest 5 mile time was only 34 miles, a testament to the difficulty of the course and only 6 of the 10 mile runners broke 1:10.  My place was 119/151 overall and 69/98 females.

The course was great  (mix of road and trails), beautiful and well supported with an amazing set up after (oatmeal from jamba juice, free Coldstone, free beer, bread and soup, lots of giveaways, etc). The results were up same day and pictures by the next day.  I would definitely do this race again if I am actually in Portland next October (which hopefully I won't be :)

My split times are below.  Up next is some rest and cross training!

1. 9:49
2. 11:27
3. 11:06
4. 9:43
5. 10:26
6. 10:39
7. 11:12
8. 11:58
9. 10:58
10. 12:40

Happy Running & Dirty Feet,
Jessica

Comments

[Anne]

It sounds like a tough one, both with those kinds of elevations and the breathing issues. I once took a "Yoga for Runners" class that focused on session entirely on breathing. It helped.

[Paul]

some heel strike on the left there.....ouch