26th Birthday Marathon

I started running again a little more than a month ago. After a month and half off you could say the running legs were rusty. Several weeks of rapidly increasing my mileage and summoning up the willpower to experience my first ever birthday marathon was one of the best choices I made all year. And, this was my 26th birthday. Perfect!

My strategy for the day was to run slow with a 3:1 run:walk ratio, pack all of the food and water I would need into a small backpack and run on only trails. The day was partly sunny, mild temperatures and full of positive energy.

I set foot out of my front door at roughly 9am and started running down the peaceful river trail near my house. The miles ticked by as I enjoyed the music pumping through my mind and the sound of my feet pounding the trail.

Near mile 16 I approached a slope with ice and BAM. I crashed straight the the ground, land on my tail bone and instantly begin questioning the worst. Did I break or bruise anything? After moments of self check I realize i’ve managed to scrape up my arm pretty good, but other than that all is well. I recollected myself and starting running again.

As I approached mile 22 I could really start to feel the miles wearing me. Oddly my mind was in stronger running condition than ever before and was ready for the final miles ahead.

Mile 26 clicked on my watch as I approached my neighborhood and as always I was engulfed in a feeling of euphoria. My eighth marathon is now in the books.

My 26th Birthday Marathon Stats


Summit as friends!
Scott Rowley

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26th Birthday Marathon on the Deschutes River