by Molly Vincent |
The Portland Marathon, which has been ranked as a top marathon in the country for the past 10 years by “Runner’s World Magazine,” attracted many UP students this past Sunday.
Marie Wilson, junior: Wilson was inspired to run the Portland Marathon by her love of running and by her aunt, who trains runners.
“It seemed fitting, and it was convenient since I could run parts of the course before the race,” she said.
Wilson trained for three months prior to the race by doing a 20-mile run once a week. Three weeks before the marathon, she slowed down her running schedule.
Though she felt especially exhausted during the last six miles, Wilson still completed the race in under three and a half hours.
Post-marathon snack: veggie burger and tater tots.
Brooke Murphy, senior: Murphy completed her second full marathon this past Sunday. She trained for five months, six times a week, with longer runs on the weekends. Murphy described “hitting the wall” at mile 20, when she felt a sudden loss of energy.
“It’s hard to think about keeping yourself on pace,” Murphy said
However, she received a phone call from her parents at mile 23 and they surprised her at the finish line.
Post-marathon snack: burger.
Jenna Warner, senior: Warner, who has run six half-marathons, said that the support she received was crucial to her marathon experience. She ran with friends down Greeley Street and with her mom in the industrial area.
“After that is when [I realized], ‘It’s only me from here on out,’” Warner said.
Warner began training at the end of last semester. Despite an injury over the summer, she did her heaviest mileage during that time in order to prepare.
Post-marathon snack: grapes.
Brett Wadsack, sophomore: Wadsack completed his second marathon this weekend, after running his first half-marathon sophomore year of high school.
His first week of training began with running 20 miles a week, and he slowly increased that mileage until he reached 40 miles a week. Like Murphy, he also did his longer runs at the end of the week.
“I like long distance running; it’s therapeutic,” Wadsack said.
In addition to his love for running, Wadsack also appreciated the scenic areas of Portland, such as bridges that are usually closed off to pedestrians. Though he said it was easier the second time around, he still described hitting the wall at around mile 22. However, he plans to do a third marathon after ranking second in the 14-19 age group.
Post-marathon snack: Naked juice, coconut water, orange juice, bagels, Greek yogurt, and chocolate milk.
Katie Heitkemper, junior: Heitkemper began training at the beginning of summer for her first marathon but was pleasantly surprised that it went faster than expected.
After waking up at four a.m., she was nervous, but she said that when she showed up for the start, her friends were there to cheer her on. Heitkemper’s goal was to complete the race in four hours, but she finished in under that time.
“[I’m] planning [to run] another,” she said.
Post-marathon snack: chocolate milk.
Todd Graham, senior: After running the Portland Marathon his sophomore year, Graham decided to do it again in his last year at UP.
Despite training less than he had two years prior, Graham said he was still prepared for the race, and found a special surprise waiting for him when he passed by campus.
“My favorite part was running right by UP. My whole house came out and ran with me for twenty yards or so,” Graham said.
He then celebrated by going to Tilt, Prost! and Mississippi Pizza Pub.
Post-marathon snack: burgers and pizza.
Molly Vincent is a reporter for The Beacon. She can be reached at vincentm17@up.edu.
