2:15am alarm set on my iPhone – early start to marathon day. Struggled to wake but left Jackson on time & hit the road, destination Ashton Idaho & the Mesa Falls Marathon. Kept the radio dialed to KJAX Country 93.5. An hour half later I pulled into Ashton Elementary school’s parking lot, picked up my racing bib & potato sack 🙂 then scored a free bowl of oatmeal before boarding the Marathon Start bus at 5:15am.
Lotta rain in the Teton Valley, resulting in bumpy travel as we travelled over dirt & gravel roads in Targhee National Forest. Still dark with temps in the low 40’s; I was happy snow stayed above 11,000ft – first snow of the season. Lover of the white stuff but hadn’t planned on winter precip when I packed my bag 3 days ago in Colorado (jeez, it’s August).
Was concerned [re: training] coming into the race. I had tapered 2 weeks before Ironman to focus on swim & bike. Ironman fail, a week of recovery, a week of the blues, then BAM it’s Idaho marathon time. Fingers crossed.
Smallest marathon field to date – less than 200 runners – but one of the most organized events I’ve entered.
First 9 miles all trail. After days of rain & flash flooding, dirt trail = lotta mud. That said, trail running felt really good.
Transitioned to highway & the sky opened – heavy cold rain until mile 17. So saturated that my shorts drooped – whole lotta water. Brief rain reprieve, one mile more of trail then a 3 mile hill just before mile 18. Trail running was slow going, requiring runners to closely watch footing but gotta say, body still felt good.
Legs started to tighten & my mind panicked – “the Wall” – but instead of mentally collapsing at mile 20 or 21, I had already passed mile marker 24. Brief water break, another mile, another water break…and I’m running mile 26. Sweet.
Either I’ve made a serious break thru mentally or it was the rain but…either way, finished strong.
By far the highest elevation I’ve ever raced, over 6,000ft. Raced the last 5 miles aside golden farm fields in Idaho’s potato country – something simple, yet spectacular to see.
9th consecutive marathon month — that’s stamina baby! 6 long weeks ’til Nebraska — expecting good things in September.
Bib 97 K R HAGA Marathon » Louisville, CO Finished 04:38:08 Overall 63rd
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- Idaho FINISHER – marathon #10
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- only 40 states to go!
WHY RUN MISSOULA…
“Fireworks at the start. Sun rising over the distant mountains. The only hill worth mentioning was so gentle and brought you up along a ridge line overlooking the river on one side and endless supply of shady trees on the other. Two spectators sitting atop their horses to encourage runners up said climb, which was also the image on the well-designed race shirt. The number of spectators is about what you would expect from a relatively rural marathon, but their enthusiasm and offering of support (food and mist stations) was enormously helpful – one guy played his piano on his yard. A truly enjoyable event!” — SK from New York
Earliest race time to date – 630am start – but no argument here. Hottest day of the year forecasted for Missoula. Ugh – not a fan of heat. After securing primo parking downtown (near the finish line), walked to UM where runners took a yellow school bus to neighboring Frenchtown for the Marathon start.
Firework ignited start – took a mile to work my way thru the initial herd of runners. Surprisingly, today’s course was relatively flat. After spending the last few days in Glacier, I had expected a lotta hills. Folks flew by until the first stretch of rolling hills at mile 12 – hills proved to be my strength, wow how times change.
Duluth spoiled me. I now know sub-4 is possible – that’s the new bar, my expectation.
The sun soared & I seared. At mile 17, I felt its heat on my cheek & neck. At mile 21, the 4 hour pacers caught me in a quiet neighborhood, turning on 4th heading downtown. Stayed close for a half mile. Mentally knew I could not match their pace 5 more miles. And then they were gone.
Many residents turned on lawn sprinklers to help [runners] combat the heat – thanks! Steadied myself on an orange traffic cone at mile 24. I struggled. A lady asked if I wanted ice. Back of my neck, exactly what I needed.
The day topped out at 97 degrees – crazy hot, but I finished. 8 consecutive marathon months, 9 states completed.
K R Haga
2014 Missoula Marathon
Full Marathon – July 13, 2014
4:27.21
Overall Place 580
Age Place 35
Body felt good so spent my last day whitewater rafting on the Clark Fork River through Alberton Gorge. No grizzlies this day, but spotted a lotta bald eagles – ‘baldies’ to locals.
BIG, beautiful, imaginative, scenic, inspiring. I’ll be back Montana.
Just 3 weeks back, I thought I’d knock off marathon #8 in Minneapolis but fate stepped in & I needed a June make-up race.
Late Friday nite flight, picked up my rental at Enterprise, then headed 2 ½ hours north to Duluth — tomorrow’s race destination: Grandma’s Marathon. Easy drive; powered by Sirius Radio I listened to Country Classics – yep, the super twangy stuff from the 1950’s & ‘60’s 🙂 20 minutes outside of Duluth, heavy fog rolled in. Pulled off momentarily, then realized it wasn’t dissipating anytime soon so dropped my speed to 35, hovered in the right lane & stayed über alert to other motorists and wildlife.
Located a safe stop to catch some zzz’s (no hotel this trip), then woke to my iPhone alarm 4 hours later.
Fog, accompanied by mist & temps in the low 50’s. Surprisingly cold for June. Boarded a race bus which ferried me & fellow racers to the Start Line in Two Harbors, northeast of Duluth. Waited ‘til the last possible moment to shed the jacket & drop-off my gear bag – sooo late [that] I was blocked from joining my race wave, relegated to joining the 5:30 pacers.
Didn’t reach the official start until 6 minutes after the gun sounded, trudged thru a pack of runners, resulting in a super slow 11 minute first mile. Music cranked up, I started to work my way around folks. At mile 3 I passed the 4:30 pace team & at mile 6, I put the 4 hour pacers behind me. Now the trick – run my race, stay loose, don’t panic.
For a guy who struggles to run in heat, this was my day. Caught a glimpse of Lake Superior thru the fog & drafted closely behind a fast-footed runner with crazy long hair. I matched him on hills (which better suits my Colorado training), then fell back on the long stretches. Goal: stay close for a half marathon – revised goal, I’m drafting thru mile 15.
Reached down for water & just like that, he was gone. Thankfully, still felt strong. No grabbing water again ‘til mile 19, then again at mile 21. Felt the burn at mile 23 & punked another 11 minute shuffle.
Water, I need water. Or air, maybe I can’t breathe. Stopped at the mile 24 aid station & turned my head to see the 4 hour pace team pounding behind me. Where did they come from? I am NOT giving up on my first sub-4 with only 2+ miles to go.
Crowds lined the final mile thru downtown Duluth to Canal Park. I reached deep & ran. Pulled out my buds & let crowd energy breathe blood back into my legs. I’m blowing hard now. I can hear the race announcer, I’ve got to be close.
Almost 4 minutes under my marathon goal – boo-yah, first sub-4 marathon.
(Race Time) From Grandma’s Marathon sponsor, Verizon Wireless: K R Haga has crossed the Finish in 3:56:38
Slipped to the ground & was done. Couldn’t stop shivering, finished in the medic tent. Super low sodium but high hemoglobin numbers. Released 30 minutes later. Thanks Colorado for my high hemoglobin – high altitude living does a body good.
sub-4 – FINALLY!
sub 4 FINISH!
next month Montana!
