It was exciting to get the opportunity to be a pacer for the first time! My local Mom’s Run This Town group asked for volunteers and I thought that it would be a fun and great experience and it sure was!

My day began around 5 am in the morning. The Oregon Spring Half Marathon took place at St. Josef’s Winery in Canby, OR, which is 22 miles South of Portland. I wanted to be ready to leave by 6 am since Google Maps said it would take about 45 minutes to get there. I had to be there by 7 am since that was the scheduled meeting time in front of the winery for the pacers. I also had to get my bib and pacer tank. It was my first time going to St. Josef’s Winery so it was nice to leave early in case we got lost or something. We got there on time and I met up with the other pacers. Here’s some group pics:

Here’s a pic of me with the pacing sign. I was helping pace 2:15.

The half marathon started at 8 am. We were bussed to the start line about a mile from the finish at the winery. It was a nice location where we ran through the countryside by big farms and vineyards. At mile five we started the loop that would take us back the same way we came. Here’s the race route we took:

The weather was pretty good for running, 48 deg F. according to my Garmin data. I’m always cold at the start but once I start running it’s all good. I was nervous about pacing for the first time. I wasn’t sure how it would go since I hadn’t run the pace I was pacing for at all. It’s slower than I’m used to but it turned out fine. Here are pics of the start:

Here’s the pre race selfie with my fellow 2:15 pacers, Angela and Melanie.

Here are pics I took along the route:    

The course was relatively flat. There were some rolling hills but the biggest hill that I remember was towards the end.

It was nice that my hubby and kids came. They were cheering us on here and my hubby took these pics of us coming in close to the finish.

Angela, me and Melanie crossing the finish line.We did it, woohoo! My official time was 2:14:30. We did awesome and I had an awesome first pacing experience! I felt good throughout the run and had fun chatting with Angela and Melanie. We would tell each other if we were going too fast or slow. It was great company! I’m looking forward to pacing again.

Here was the medal table. I loved how the medals are engraved! 

Uberthons put on a great event! The volunteers were awesome and cheered us on. There was plenty of water/elecotrolyte stations and they were even handing out full water bottles if you wanted. I didn’t need any since I had my trusty Simple Hydration Bottle. There was a Qdoba Mexican buffet for the finishers but I couldn’t stay to enjoy it. I like how this race is part of a series. The Oregon Half Marathon series consist of the Spring, Summer, and Fall races. Two more to go in the series. You can learn more here http://www.theoregonmarathon.com/. Hope to see you at the next one!

Here’s my awesome support! 🙂

My hubby took these cool pics at the winery while they waited.

Alpacas

My next race will be the Portland Rock’n’Roll Half on May 17th. What race are you looking forward to next?