I hadn’t run an organized race since grade school.

I doubt I’d ever run over 15 miles at once.

And I wouldn’t have even called myself a serious distance runner.

But my girlfriend, Brooke, had long wanted to run Portland’s Wildwood Trail, which covers a whopping 30.2 miles.

And we made plans to try it together this fall.

Gulp.

We were in good shape, having spent the previous several months backpacking, climbing and staying pretty active. Plus, I ran more than half the distance two weeks before, just to know what it felt like.

But were we ready to run an ultramarathon distance?

We’d find out.

We set out from the Wildwood’s northernmost trailhead on a crisp morning in early November, crunching our way through fallen leaves as we began the first section of our all-day journey.

Brooke had broken our run into four legs, the lengthiest of which spanned about 15.5 miles between trailheads. And while many runners traverse the trail without any support, we enlisted the help of a pair of Oregonian/OregonLive videographers who documented the trip for our latest episode of Peak Northwest, the adventure video series I host.

As a result, we were treated to food, water and encouragement during our stops.

Thank goodness.

Brooke and I cruised the first two legs, traversing over 20 miles with no significant hiccups. We ended our second leg in good spirits, joking that we were in decent condition, all things considered.

Our third leg began with a mild section of trail that eventually wound its way down to the Stone House at the junction of the Wildwood and Lower Macleay trails before climbing back up to Pittock Mansion and its famous view over the city.

Brooke crushed the downhill, finishing several minutes before me — and not even gloating about it on camera. Then we settled in for the steady climb to Pittock.

The mansion served as a milestone of sorts. If we made it to that point, I reasoned, we’d be able to finish the trail.

After all, it was (mostly) downhill from there.

Staring down an early sunset — and feeling pretty fatigued — we spent little time admiring the view from Pittock.

Brooke and I bumbled down the trail, traversed the new Barbara Walker Crossing over West Burnside, and continued schlepping toward our finish line, now only a few miles in the distance.

She even took this time to tell me all about the horror flick she’d watched on Halloween — a gory picture called “Zombeavers.”

It doesn’t sound like a terribly memorable tale. But we had reached the point in every extended journey where conversations run long and topics vary considerably.

By this point, I joked, our walking and running paces were essentially one and the same.

But we made it, completing our 30-mile trip as darkness set in.

Brooke, immediately afterward, said she’d do it all again.

Me?

I’m good. For now, at least.

Here’s what you need to know if you’re interested in planning a trip of your own:

Who should try? Long-distance runners and hikers, as well as physically fit people looking for a challenge. Those not looking for a 30-mile trip can take on any number of shorter sections.

What will you do? Run or hike 30.2 miles between Northwest Newberry Road and Washington Park. We chose to run north to south because it would be easier to coordinate from my house in St. Johns and provide more visual highlights later in the day. (Think: the Stone House, Barbara Walker Crossing, Pittock Mansion.)

When should you go? The trail is open year-round, so have at it whenever you please. Be mindful of slick conditions during the rainy months, and watch out for trail closures.

Where should you turn for more information? Trail maps can be found online, and Portland Parks & Recreation can be reached at 503-823-7529.

How can I be a good steward of the Wildwood Trail? Pack out what you pack in, stay on designated trails and be courteous to other trail users.

— Jim Ryan; jryan@oregonian.com; 503-221-8005; @Jimryan015

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