I was originally planning to run the full marathon, but in hindsight, I’m really glad I didn’t. Between traveling to Europe and dealing with a three-week sinus infection, I felt relieved on race day knowing I only had 13 miles ahead of me. Deciding to scale back before the trip turned out to be the right call. Training isn’t just about pushing harder—it’s also about being honest with yourself, setting aside your ego, and thinking critically about the long-term impact of racing while sick or after something physically demanding, like a two-week trip abroad.
packet pickup
Packet pick-up took place at the local running store, FootZone, with options on both Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., plus a race-day pickup before the full marathon start. On Saturday morning, ASICS hosted a shakeout run along with a shoe demo. I didn’t attend, but I’m sure it was a nice opportunity for others to get a few easy miles in and loosen up.
I stopped by on Friday to grab my packet, and the process was quick and seamless with no line at all. That said, “packets” aren’t quite what they used to be. When I first started racing, they often came with a variety of goodies and swag, but that doesn’t seem as common anymore. I did pick up some LMNT electrolyte packets and Tailwind recovery powder to use after the race.
let there be coffee
On race morning, I got dropped off at the start around 7:30. It already felt busy, but the first thing that caught my attention was a coffee cart from Thump Coffee. I always appreciate when races have coffee or snacks at the start. There’s usually a lot of standing around beforehand, often in the cold, so having something warm like coffee really makes a difference. It makes the wait a little more enjoyable.
I spent some time walking around the start area and checking out the other local vendors as they set up. After that, I met up with Mark and Cosmo, and I really started to notice how many people were there. I ran this race back in 2023 when we first moved to Bend, and I do not remember it being nearly this crowded. This year felt different. The energy was high, but it was also packed. By the time we lined up at the start, we were shoulder to shoulder and packed in tight, just waiting for things to get moving.
oh hill no
Once the race started, I knew pretty quickly it was going to be a grind. My lungs were not happy after the sinus infection, and it felt hard to get a full breath right from the beginning. I was really glad I had tissues with me because my nose would not stop running, so I was trying to juggle running and blowing my nose at the same time.
I knew the course and expected the hills, but they felt way worse than usual given how I was feeling. Every uphill just amplified it. There were plenty of aid stations, which I appreciated, but they were pretty bare bones. Just water, electrolytes, and GU gels and chews. No real food like bananas or orange slices. It does make you wonder where all the race fees are going these days since races keep getting more expensive but seem to offer less.
Around mile 7, I stopped at a medic tent to ask for more tissues and ended up with a handful of paper towels. Not ideal, but it got the job done. By about mile 9, I was pretty over it and started alternating between running and walking. Even the downhills hurt, which is not usually the case. Everything felt tight and like it was starting to lock up. I saw Mark and Cosmo again around mile 13 and just started walking. I remember saying something like, “my muscles are atrophying,” which felt dramatic but also kind of accurate in the moment. I was very relieved to cross the finish line.
where is my potato?
Needless to say, I was starving crossing the finish line. I was greeted with my medal and then just…people everywhere. Bumping into you and just not being mindful of others. I found cookies, which I grabbed and someone offered me a banana. The after-race food that was provided was going to be baked potatoes, I guess with various toppings, but I had no idea where they were. I also thought about getting the free beer from Cascade Lakes Brewing Company, but the line was so long it just didn’t feel worth it. I just wanted to get out of there. It was not enjoyable and the whole finish line area just felt too chaotic and stressful.
the takeaway
Out on the course, the volunteers really stood out. They were the ones bringing the energy at the aid stations and along the route, and it made a difference. The spectators, too. Bend showed up in a big way, and that support helped carry things along even on a tough day.
I’m glad I finished, especially considering everything leading up to it. The training block from January through March was short but pretty demanding, and that was layered on top of a two-week Europe trip with long travel days and then a three-week sinus infection. It wasn’t exactly ideal prep, so just getting to the finish line felt like something to be satisfied with.
That said, I don’t see myself running this race again. After doing it twice, the biggest issue is the start and finish area. It just doesn’t work for the size of the race anymore. The finish in particular feels too cramped, with too many people packed into a small space, and it takes away from what should be a good post-race experience. There are better locations in town that could handle the crowd and make the whole thing feel a lot smoother. All in all, I’m proud I got through it, but this one is probably a one-and-done for me going forward.
Run. Sip. Serve. 