Missoula Marathon Recap My Sub 3 Hour Finish

So the title of my post may have been a spoiler alert already. Yes, I did PR and meet my goal of running a sub 3 hour marathon. I guess you could say I had the baby boost, or that’s what everyone is telling me.

I didn’t go into this race with a PR in mind. I wanted to PR, and really wanted a sub 3 hour finish, but I also knew how drained my body was. I have been dealing with some health issues in the past 3-4 months, and I hadn’t allowed my body the proper time to recover with my high mileage and training for a marathon.

In fact, I was dreading race day. Ever since my half in April, I haven’t been feeling strong in my runs. I was mentally and physically drained, along with other issues, so the missoula marathon was the last thing I wanted to do. The last 6-8 weeks of my training were so tough, and I began to dread my long runs. I was worried about race day, and worried I wouldn’t be able to finish.

A month before the race, I began to pray for a race strategy, because I was scared my body couldn’t handle the demands of a 26.2 mile race. I was fighting health problems, breast feeding and not sleeping. I have never dreaded a race as much as I dreaded the Missoula marathon.

Right up to race morning, I was wishing I would have switched to the half marathon instead and so nervous about covering 26.2 miles. Marc did the half and I envied him. My mom came to watch baby R for us, and I had her pray for me.

We had a 3 a.m. wake up call. I fed R before we left the hotel, and we made our way to the bus pick up. The race started at 6 a.m. I managed to eat my breakfast, and spent most of pre race in the port-a-potty breastpumping. The joys!! I didn’t have time to go back to the bathroom to pee before the race, because the lines were so long, so I ended up having to stop and pee at the 10k mark instead. It only cost me 20 some seconds.

I knew there was a few girls going for sub 3 hours, and the course record holder was going for an olympic trial time qualifier. I wasn’t even going to try to stay with her. I settled into a groove, not far behind the first women. I kept her in my sights until around mile 10.

I didn’t pay attention to my pace, and just ran for feel. I didn’t look at my watch until mile 9, the half way point, mile 19, 21, 22.5 and 24. I wasn’t concerned with over doing it, and just wanted to finish. It wasn’t until mile 7 that I finally accepted the fact I was racing, and there was no turning back. If I wanted to get to R to feed her, I would have to cover 19 more miles. Joy!!

It was perfect running conditions. We had a light sprinkle for a few miles, but it was 60 degrees and overcast. It was a little muggy feeling, but I was grateful for the cooler morning. Most of the race I ran by myself. Every now and then I would pass a pair of men, or a male would pass me, or I would run with a few guys for a couple miles before one of us would drift behind or move ahead.

• Mile 1: 6:28 Mile 2: 6:33 Mile 3: 6:27 Mile 4: 6:28 Mile 5: 6:32

I enjoyed the quiet, lonely miles. I felt good and relaxed. I focused on my breathing and ran each mile, trying not to worry about any future miles. I was the second place female for the entire race. By mile 10 a biker accompanied me, riding about 10 feet ahead. She would have the spectators cheer me on, telling them my name and my place. As we reached the back of the packers from the half, she would let them know I was coming and would pave a path for me to get by.

• Mile 6: 6:36  Mile 7: 6:32 Mile 8: 6:34 Mile 9: 6:37 Mile 10: 6:36

We didn’t reach the last bit of half marathoners until around mile 17-18. The first 16 miles are spent running through the country on paved roads, and along the river. Its so pretty and quiet, besides the few spectators and aid stations. I powered up the only big hill of the race, passing two guys, who eventually passed me back on the down hill. I almost wanted to yell to them “See you on the downhill.”  I accelerate on hills, and feel like I put the brakes on during any big downhill.

I only took some honey stinger chews at mile 11 and mile 15, 4 total. I only grabbed gatorade twice and water 5 or 6 times. I didn’t feel dehydrated or like I was running on empty. I hit the half marathon mark at 1:25:29 almost faster than my half PR.

• Mile 11: 6:39 Mile 12: 6:42 Mile 13: 6:39 Mile 14: 6:56 Mile 15: 6:44

The closer we got to downtown, the louder the spectators became and the more spectators lined the streets. As the second place female you feel like a celebrity. Everyone knows your name, and everyone is cheering for you. I think it helped me keep a steady pace throughout the race.

I felt great, even through mile 18 when I usually hit the wall. I did feel my legs getting heavier, and I felt like I was slowly down immensely, especially by mile 21 but I didn’t feel I couldn’t go on, and I actually wasn’t slowing down to terribly much.

• Mile 16: 6:35 Mile 17: 6:39 Mile 18: 6:39 Mile 19: 6:45 Mile 20: 6:40

So many halfers were cheering for me as I ran past, and I had so many comments about my hair. You would think you would get compliments like “You look strong” “Nice stride” or “Speedy”, and yes I had a few of those, but most were “I love your hair” “Your hair is so pretty” “Did you see her hair?” “Great hair.”  It made me laugh. I was thinking to myself “Peeps I threw my hair in a pony tail, it’s not washed and it’s super greasy and sweaty.” But just run with it. 😉

The last 5 miles are always a mental battle. You move further and further from the finish line, weaving back through the residential area. You know the finish line is in the opposite direction, but yet you’re not moving towards it. It usually drives me crazy, but this year, I accepted this (I have ran the full 4 times and half 3 times) and knew that after I looped around the park, we’d be heading towards the finish again.

The streets were more crowded with runners finishing the half and by mile 22 I was beginning to feel a little tired. I owe it to the spectators, volunteers, and half marathoners for cheering me on. I think it helped. I told myself, it’s only 4 miles away. That’s less than 30 minutes, you can’t give up now.

My sciatic nerve was killing me by this point. I hadn’t really noticed it or paid attention to it throughout the rest of the race. It wasn’t until mile 18 that the pain was shooting down my leg, and at one point I felt like throwing up it hurt so bad.

•  Mile 21: 6:39 Mile 22: 6:45 Mile 23: 6:45

Now it was excruciating. I couldn’t pick up the pace even if I wanted to. I tried at one point, but it was too much. I realized at this point that I was going to PR and could even break 3 hours if I just kept with it. Even if I went to an 8 minute pace, I would still break 3 hours. I couldn’t believe it. I didn’t feel I was going all out, in fact, this was the best I have ever felt in a marathon, especially the last 5 miles.

Mile 24 hit, and I was feeling good. My legs were dragging, but mentally I had a boost. The worst was over for me, that’s what I kept telling myself. I surprised myself with a new PR and a sub 3 hour finish. I felt a little regret for not pushing it just a little more in the last few miles, or even throughout the race.

The last mile actually flew by. A young man passed me and said come on lets go. There was still a mile to go, and I was thinking “I am not ready for that quite yet. Maybe in 1/2 a mile.” He ended up beating me by 20 seconds.

• Mile 24: 7:00 Mile 25: 6:59

I rounded the last corner, came up on the bridge, saw the finish line and I punched it. It wasn’t my best kick ever, but I tried. I almost caught another guy. I saw the clock read 2:55 and I couldn’t believe it. I kind of wanted to cry. The announcer said “Here we have our second place female folks, Bryanna …… from ……., Washington. Her first marathon post baby.” I have no idea how they knew that.

• Mile 26: 6:47 The last .3 1:53, 6:41 average for a 2:55:31

 

The next few moments after crossing the finish were kind of a blur. The elite coordinator came up to me and said we would be doing awards once the third place girl came through. He said he would be giving me some paperwork to fill out for prize money, and to just wait here at the elite tent. I snuck off to get my bag, and tried calling Marc. (I wasn’t even an elite, so I think they were all surprised and wondered where I came from).

I texted him and told him I would be getting my award now and to meet me at the finish. He almost missed the awards ceremony. They were running late with R, and missed me finish. I ended up winning $600 and have the third fasted time for this course, and 16th overall of 1016 marathons, 2nd out of 504 females. First place was a 2:46:54. An awesome time.

After awards I wobbled my way to the car and enjoyed a post race high, which I think I am still riding on. I had some gas left in the tank at the end, and I regret not giving it all I had to give. I guess I was scared. My mom kept telling me “You don’t even look tired. Look at you, you look like you could run a few more miles.” 

It was a great race, and even though I regret my efforts, I am still happy with a 2:55:31, second overall finish, and a new PR. One of these races I will leave it all out on the course. 😉

Until Next Time Be Whole and Be Fit