Missoula (half) Marathon

Hi All,

I wasn't sure if I should even do a race report this time,  but here goes.

I woke up Sunday morning at about 4 am so I could get some coffee in and out of me before the race.  I ate about a handful of cheerios, but then again I rarely eat before any of my workouts.  I hadn't been feeling like this would be a good race - had the long runs but not the base miles I'm used to, but since I paid the money, I had to do it.  Into the shower at 5 and out the door before 5:30 for a 6:00 start.  Hubby dropped me off and went home since there wasn't any parking at the start.  Stood in line at the potty for about 20 min, and once I get in and look at my feet, I realize "Oh no!  My timing chip isn't there!"  So as luck would have it, I hadn't dropped off my gear bag with my phone in it yet, so I called my sweet husband and asked him to bring it to me.  He got it to me about 3 minutes before the start.  I got it on my shoe and stood in line just in time for the national anthem and the cannon shot starting the race.

It was a slow start since I was at the back and had a LOT of people to contend with, but away I went.  Saw someone I know at the first aid station at mile 3, and was able to pass on waiting for a potty, so on I went.  At this point I'm thinking."Why am I even doing this?  All I need to do is get to the first aid station and have them take me to the finish line."  I didn't stop, and told myself I should just keep going.  By mile 5 I knew it was time for the potty, so I ended up waiting in line for my turn.  Off I went thinking, "Well, I'm almost half way, so I might just as well keep going" and didn't need to stop again until mile 7.  This was another longer stop, since it was my guts that were bothering me, but away I went once again and reminded myself that I was over half done now, so just keep going.  By this time we were getting into town, so there was a lot more people on the route cheering.  That was nice.  There were hoses, and sprinklers, and music to help pass the time.  One final stop at mile 9 for the potty, a gel, and a little water to wa**** down with.  I realize it's not so far to go, and even though my pace had slowed, I knew I'd be fine.  By mile 11 we went around one of the city parks, and there were people all the way around it.  I saw quite a few people I knew who cheered me on.  That helps more than you can possibly tell anyone.  

The course then turns away from the finish line (which is somewhat dejecting), but then on the last mile there were quite a few signs, and the last one I really noticed said "Only 3 more turns!"  That was nice since at this point I was certainly ready to be done.  From the last turn you can see the finish line balloons.  One last little uphill (the overpass) but then you get to finish going downhill!  There were a few more people I knew near the finish line who hollered my name, and then I saw my husband.  That was truly special to see him smile and wave and call out my name proudly.  My time was the worst of any half I've run (2:27:49), but it was also a time of inner struggle just to decide to both start AND finish the race.  Then again I knew I had to because so many people were counting on me to do just that - do the race and finish - like I always do.  These are people I see every day and look to me for that one little bit of inspiration that helps them do what they need to do for themselves.

Anyway, I don't have any photos yet, but here's a link to the finish line cam.  I'm wearing a white top and gray running skirt and always run with my hair down.  I'm on the right hand side of the video.  Enter my bib number (3503) into the search field and you can see me finish.  By the way, I finished just mere seconds before the men's marathon winner (the cheering isn't for me).

http://www.runwildmissoula.org/index.php/fuseaction/missoula Marathon.main.htm

Thanks for listening to me babble,

Linn

Way to stick with it Linn,

That's the best effort.  When  you can finish the race even though you don't want to and aren't feeling it.

Scott

Thanks Scott.  The more I think about it, the better I feel about the whole thing.  By the time I decided I was going to stick with it, that was that.  That's the main reason I did the race report.  I wanted to remind myself that it was worth it  - and that the mind games never go away.  Always inner demons to conquer.

Linn

Great effort and great time considering the mindset you went in with!  All those potty breaks would really distract me, I don't know how you do it. I've been known to keep running just cuz I gotta go. LOL

Great report, and congrats!

Sue,

Thanks!  By the way, I've been dealing with potty issues for as long as I've been running, so it's nothing new for me.  I get the runner's trots pretty bad and I know just about how much time I have when I start getting the cramps before I had best find a potty.  Three stops during a half is actually pretty good for me. 

Linn

i agree, that is a heckuva time considering the bathroom stops!  it is also so much sweeter to accomplish something through adversity vs. having perfect conditions (haven't found a race yet where all the planets align, but when it happens i'm sure singing angels will be lining the streets).  congrats on a successful race!

Thanks Bill!

Yep, a successful race is one you can finish.  Three potty stops is about the norm for me during a half.  I've yet to have less.  In fact, the last half I did was this one 2 years ago and it was a MUCH better race for me.  The stars were'nt quite aligned just right, but close.  My time then (even with 3 pit stops) was 2:09.  My ultimate goal is a 1:45 half and a 4:00 full.  One day...

Linn

 

Not much to say except.... YOU ROCK!!!!

Congratulations on your accomplisment, Linn.

Jenny

Thanks Jenny!

I actually wish I enjoyed swimming like you do.  Time for me to get back into the pool since I have a couple tris coming up in the next couple months.

Linn