[hansolo11]

That's cold! Great job, Mara.

[jul4evs]

It is tough to run in the cold. Great report! Great Job! I would have loved to see the evergreens you decribed. And an eagle. WOW!

[WillowDanin]

Thanks for the explanations Nora. :)

[Peggy2A]

way to stay focused even when you weren't feeling your best! can't wait to see the pictures!!

[adventures]

In my book, 2:06 is darn good.
I think my half marathon PR is something like 2:10, so you've got me beat!
And in arctic conditions? You go, girl!

[englz]

i am in complete awe of you arctic runners!! fantastic job!

[Nora_B]

Okay, the ignorant non-runner needs to ask some questions:

what's a Gu?
what does P.R. stand for?





Gu is something you eat. I think you slurp it out of a pouch--it comes in several flavors. I've never had it, but here is a description:GU Energy Gel is specifically formulated to energize your body during exercise. Using GU during your regular workouts will keep your mind alert and active, and your muscles going strong. GU gives the most concentrated form of immediate energy with no stomach bulk or distress, is quickly and efficiently absorbed, and will maintain your blood sugar at the optimal level for a great workout start to finish.


http://www.gusports.com/images/vanilla_hero.jpg

P.R. is a personal record, your fastest time for a particular distance and/or course.

[WillowDanin]

Okay, the ignorant non-runner needs to ask some questions:

what's a Gu?
what does P.R. stand for?

[Mom239x59]

And I was whining when I ran ten miles last week when it was 30 degrees outside! 1 degree when you started? Wow!

2:06 is a great time, especially when you consider how nervous you were, and the weather, and so on. Congrats!

[Nigita]

I second Nora's request for the pictures!
You rock!

[Nora_B]

Great job, Mara! Thanks for the details. Can you post the pictures?

[KSB50]

Woohoo, Mara! Great report. Hats off to you for running such a chilly race!!! I suppose you are used to it, but here we think 40 degrees is pretty darn cold. :o Good job overcoming the pre-race queezies and anxieties, too. Hope your DS and DH appreciate how tough and cool you are! (:cool: <-that's mara)

k

[magdakma]

WOW!!!

All those occurences would have convinced me to skip the race entirely! Good for you finishing the race!!!!

[MsBIA]

Great job, Mara! Not every race is gonna be a PR, but it sounds like conditions were good, and you overcame the stomach problems, too.

[maram]

My DH, DS and I left for Missoula on Thursday after work and drove in an awful snowstorm to get here. It's 186 miles from our house and over one mountain pass. On the far side of the pass, I realized that despite trying to be organized and pack everything, I managed to forget my running jacket, which had my Albuterol inhaler in the pocket. Grrrr. So, here's the deal: I was worried about not getting enough long runs in, worried about the road conditions, worried about forgetting my jacket, worried about the cost of buying a new jacket and getting a new inhaler. Stomach hailed out on my Friday afternoon: dizzy, cramps, nausea. I was quite sick at my sister's house, slept for a few hours, and then felt better, but was scared to eat. We did have dinner at a Chinese place and I had a very mild noodle dish -- ate no veggies. Drank a coke and called it a night. I can't believe I worried myself sick about this race.

Anyway, on Saturday morning, my sister and my son loaded up in the SUV and headed for the race site (about 65 miles away). Finally, the weather was nice; sunny and clear, 1 degree when we left Missoula and 4 by the time we got to Seeley Lake. I had an English muffin, ham and cheese sandwich and some milk before we left Missoula. I had about 8 oz. of Gatorade on the way. We got there with no problem and I registered, dithered about how many layers to wear and finally went with just tights, a fleece vest and the new running jacket. It was 8 degrees when we started and 25 degrees when we finished. i was over-dressed.

The course was on clear pavement (highway) for the first 5 miles, where the hills are the worst. By mile three, my stomach was growling, and by mile 6 I had to stop (walked to the crest of a hill), and used my first Gu. Felt much better, but lost a little time. After mile 5, the course turned onto a snow-packed county road. This is in the mountains so there were beautiful evergreen trees lining the road, clear blue sky. Saw an eagle at about mile 7. I just kept slogging along. I used my other Gu at mile 10. Once I got that far, I had the good mental edge to know that I was going to finish without having to walk again. I knew I wasn't going to P.R. so I just tried to have a nice time. I can't say that I ever felt great, but I didn't feel awful. Six of us from my hometown did the race, and I finished fourth out of our group. We did before and after pix :) It was a pretty good day. I'm stiff now and I have sore toes. I wore the shoes that rub my third toe on each foot because they have awesome treads. I'm glad because the snow-packed 8 miles got pretty slippery in places. My sis said she saw a runner who'd fallen and scraped his face. I saw a girl fall in front of me, but she got up and still finished before me :rolleyes: I finished in about 2:06, three minutes slower than last year's P.R. The T-shirt was cool, as usual, and red this year. Much better than last year's chocolate brown.

Anyway, now that the run is done, I want to maintain my base and lose 8 pounds before the next half I hope to do in June. :D