It was great to see the Joe Henderson Marathon Team complete the 2008 Portland Marathon... I've witnessed their dedication and hard work every Sunday morning for the last several months.  There is certainly a great feeling of challenge, adventure and accomplishment that all marathoners share.  Doesn't matter if it's your first or one hundred and first marathon, doesn't really matter if it takes two and a half hours or four and a half hours.  All serious runners who have put in the work get to share the accomplishment.  As for my own race, it went like this:  I was pacing my buddy Jill at her requested 7:00 pace but early on it was obviously not a good day for her so she told me to go ahead.  I had the infamously fast but retired Lucinator bring me along at about 6:45 pace until 19 when she stopped for a few donuts at Wifey's aid station and a ride to the finish.  I slowed to 7:30 pace over the last five miles and lost my chance for a sub three hour time and cruised in at 3:04.  I jogged back to my hotel for a shower and a nap before heading out for what must have been the biggest lunch I've ate in years.  It was a fun day in Portland.