Missoula Marathon.
Awesome race- organizers did a fabulous job.
I started out right on pace 7:00-7:05. Ran with 2 girls until about mile 13. I took some Gu and water and/or gatorade at mile 13 and ended up with another side ache. I could feel it coming on so I did everything I could to stop it, but the tricks didn't work. Luckily we hit the hill at the same time so I slowed down my pace and fought it off with another round of tricks. This time worked. Couple girls passed me, but stayed patient.
My watch died at mile 14 so I just had to run on feel, which in the later miles I have found is harder than it seems. I stayed patient and passed a few girls around mile 18. The 3:10 pace pacers (no people in the group) caught up to me so I ran with them the rest of the way- just ahead. Looking at the race results, my last 15k spilts were around 7:20.
I didn't place top 3, which was my original goal or at my goal pace (7:05), but for my first marathon with training (I ran 2 about 5 years ago with no idea what I was doing) I was pleased. It hurt more than I thought it would when I finished- my legs were trashed.
Today my muscles are just a little sore, but my joints- specifically my hips- are on fire. Never hurt there before...
Our hotel had a pool outside, so when I got back the hubby and girls were swimming (girls are little fish) so I took off my shoes and jumped in. Cold water felt really good and they had a hot tub so I was alternating between the cold water and jets.
Now a few days of resting/cycling and then half this weekend and next. Half is so much easier than a full!!!
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