The Long Run, Indeed…
I finished the Portland Marathon about 48 hours ago, which my thighs, calves and hips are reminding me of quite clearly every time I attempt to stand up, sit down, or move. Other than that it feels great. I have learned a new term this morning – DOMS - Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness. It hurts so much more than after the 22-mile training run three weeks ago. There’s something about those extra 4.2 miles that really put the hurt on. Nonetheless, it was totally worth it. All of the early morning runs, all of the miles, and even the pain and soreness now.
If you had told me two years ago that I would ever run a marathon, I would have thought you were quite insane. I was inspired to start running by being woefully out of shape, and by the announcement that the Oregon Wine Country Half-Marathon would have its finish line right next to our tasting room here in Carlton. I quickly proclaimed to the world that I was going to run it, and registered. I truly had little idea what I was signing up for. I literally struggled to run for two minutes at a stretch in the beginning. Thanks to an app on iTunes called “Couch to 10K”, I worked my way up to comfortable six-mile runs, and then on my own up through 13.1 and finally 26.2.
Your intrepid vintner, minutes after finishing the Portland Marathon, and discovering the '08 La Paulée on the cover of the new issue of Food & Wine
It was a voyage of self-discovery, to be sure. You find out a lot about yourself on those lonely, rainy, 6am runs. A lot about motivation, commitment, and stamina. Most surprisingly, I learned that I really love to run, much to my amazement. Which is really helpful, because I still love to eat Foie Gras and drink Pinot and Champagne on a regular basis (though certainly moderated since pre-running sloth days.)
I also learned that a marathon is more than twice as hard as a half-marathon. Throughout the race I never had any moments of doubt about finishing, but somewhere around mile 21 I knew I was going to be in for a fair amount of pain when all was said and done. “It only hurts when you stop” is another truth I’ve discovered. Maybe that explains why I’ve been looking into doing an ultra-marathon (anything longer than 26.2 miles) next year, thinking that if it’s going to hurt this much anyway, I may as well go a little farther and postpone the pain a little longer…
I’m only two days removed from the race and already planning the next one – I’m the type of person that needs that next big goal in front of him. Although I think it might be kind of like childbirth (not that I have any first-hand experience with that), in that you need enough time between them – enough time so you conveniently forget what you went through the last time. So, at least six months until the next one, I promise.
I would like to thank everyone that made this incredible journey possible. The crew at Fit Right NW has hooked me up with the right shoes and gear throughout my training, and they are incredibly knowledgeable and helpful – a tremendous resource. Dr. Steve Hanson and the team at Back In Motion sports injuries clinic really helped me through an early hip problem and hamstring tear and helped me learn to train and run injury-free – my sincere gratitude. Huge thanks to you, the Scott Paul customers and fans, for your enthusiastic interest and support. Most of all, gigantic thanks and deep appreciation for the patience, love, understanding and support of my family, without whom I never would have made it through. Martha, Pirrie, Kevin, Ally & Lindsay – I love you dearly.
Yes, there is nothing about wine in this post. It is cold and drizzly and the grapes are not ripe yet, so there’s not much to say. Our latest harvest ever will start sometime in the next 2-3 weeks. Just remember – it’s a marathon, not a sprint…
