Pacific Northwesterners
03-Aug-04
I will be in Portland, Oregon on October 2nd-5th, and would like to meet up with some of my LJ friends. In fact, I’m gathering with so many friends that weekend, I may end up renting the back room of a restaurant!
Saturday, October 2nd: John and I fly in, not sure what time yet. In the evening, there’s a pasta party that I’ve got to go to, and I will be going to bed early.
Sunday, October 3rd: At 7 AM, the Portland Marathon starts, with me in it (click the link for course information). I invite all of my friends, online and offline, to come out and cheer me and the other marathoners on. In fact, I really hope you do come, because it means a lot to me to have people I know and care about in the audience. I run taller, with better form, and a bigger smile when I’m showing off for others. 
I plan to complete the race in roughly 6 1/2 hours, which would have me finishing sometime around 2 PM. I will be hanging out at or near the finish line and the Team in Training booth/tent afterward, rehydrating, eating the right balance of post-race food, drinking some electrolytes, stabilizing my temperature, and basically making sure I don’t end up in the hospital post-race.
Sunday night, there’s a post-race party for the TNT’ers. Again, I have to attend (le sigh).
Monday, October 4th: This is the day to celebrate with friends. My commitment to Team in Training will be over; indeed, the other team members will be flying back to San Jose that day. John and I will stay over for an extra day to visit with friends. I’m thinking a brunch with the Evanston crowd, lunch near Powell’s, and dinner with all friends in the area, online and offline, would be spiffy.
As some might know, October 4th is an important anniversary for me [No Pity. No Shame. No Silence.], so I plan to spend the day celebrating my empowerment, my ability to help others, my own personal heroism because I do not particularly enjoy feeling like a victim.
Tuesday, October 5th: John and I get back on the plane and fly home. I’m hoping to do this in the afternoon or evening. After all, it’s only a 3 hour flight– I can’t believe I haven’t come up before now to visit!
Please comment and let me know if you want to join in on the festivities, if you think you might make it to the marathon or any of the events the day after.