I’m posting this week’s song about the Portland Marathon one day early since it is appropriate for tomorrow and since, yes, my brother-in-law Joel and I will be two of the thousands out on the road, trying (for some insane reason) to run 26.2 miles.  The song, “Amazing Race (King Of The Portland Marathon),” takes you through the entire marathon mile by mile, and follows the landmarks along the actual route.  It also reflects pretty accurately, I think, what goes through a person’s mind as she or he runs a marathon, from “I’m awesome” to “This feels funny” to “Why did I do this?” to “Nirvana!”  Enjoy.  And if you see me on the course tomorrow, stop and say hello.  (I’ll be the one gripping his thighs and crying.)

Lyrics:

(Amazing race: my feet, the ground.)

I’m feeling good, I’m looking great, (one)

My legs are strong and my gait is straight. (two)

Down Barbur now, the course it runs. (three)

Who says that running can’t be fun? (four)

Along the Waterfront, scenic and sweet, (five)

The volunteers have cleared the street. (six)

Of fitness I am the paragon— (seven)

The King of the Portland Marathon. (eight)

Heading for the turn around, (nine)

The steps of others smack the ground. (ten)

Now veering off into northwest, (eleven)

Hope I’ll avoid cardiac arrest. (twelve)

I’m halfway there, now half to go, (thirteen)

My pace unsteady, getting slow. (fourteen)

Of stamina I’m the paragon— (fifteen)

The Heart of the Portland Marathon. (sixteen)

Across the Saint John’s, aching knee— (seventeen)

I know this can’t be good for me.  (eighteen)

A sudden pain, a little fall: (nineteen)

Oh no, I think I’ve hit The Wall. (twenty)

(Welcome.  You’ve just hit The Wall…)

The east side’s nice, but who gives a flip? (twenty-one)

I probably won’t live through this trip. (twenty-two)

Of throbbing I am the paragon— (twenty-three)

The Wreck of the Portland Marathon. (twenty-four)

But wait, what’s that, just past the Steel? (twenty-five)

The finish line!  I’m done—unreal!  (twenty-six point two!)

(Amazing race: my feet, the ground.)