Marathon State #8 Missoula, Montana

Missoula Marathon

July 14, 2013

Now this is FUN!

Currently, I am sitting here typing as a hot flash hits...wishing I were rafting down the river instead! Montana is a great place to visit and run a marathon...

So FUN...did I say that already!

Preparing to run a marathon in July however~is not fun~it is tough and hot and sweaty! Our summer time weather averages between 100 to 110 degrees. If you don't get up to run super early you must wait until 8 pm when it may still be 98 degrees as the run begins. I can't really complain, I will take the heat over the cold any day, the heat is easier for me to handle. I do not enjoy running in the blazing sun, but the air temperature doesn't bother me...except when a random hot flash hits.

Our travel to Montana begins with a drive to San Francisco the result of a reasonable airfare. LAX is the usual route for our travel excursions and SFO is a change in routine.  Unfortunately, a week before our trip a tragic plane crash kills two young girls when the plane crashes on the runway. Anytime there is tragedy, it leads to reflection. It reaffirms how fragile life is and how important it is to appreciate and cherish each and every day. Being in Boston, (April 2013) and crossing the finish line minutes before the bombs explode keeps the fragility of life ever present. There is always a wonder in mind every time I take my sit on a plane, about my destiny. Fear can't consume our thoughts, we must keep living, but it is normal to question whether we are on the right path? Will there still be time to make amends for misdirection's and questioning what I am here to do? What is my fate? We just don't know when our time is up...but I want to make the most of my time. The older I get the stronger my desire is to seek and find my way!  

Once we land safely on the ground, the vast openness of Montana is what we see. They don't call it "Big Sky Country" for nothing. It is a cute college town. One of our first activities is a hike up to the "M." The hike seems to be a mandatory activity and we do it before and after the marathon for good measure.

The trail looks down at Montana State College. The first time we do the trail there are no problems, the second time I end up with a parking ticket. Dang, upon further investigation of the back of the ticket, it states visitors can mail it in and be excused for a first offense! Lucked out again! We meet some really nice people who are visiting and vacationing from Georgia. They have the sweetest dialect and we take pictures for one another.  

Sneak into the Maniac photo!

After the little hike we get ready for the three mile beer run. Lots of runners show up for a warm-up run followed by beer. But first a summer thunderstorm pours rain delaying the run. Once the skies clear runners take off in a mass with Jeff Galloway leading the way. One guy obviously not paying attention slams into a metal pole. Wow, that looks painful luckily  he is able to continue. Get that man a beer. After the run we enjoy a few beers, listen to the music, and talk to a few other runners before eating at "The Iron Horse Brew Pub." 

Flying in a day early allows time for a white-water rafting trip on Saturday.  After packet pick-up we drive to the Clark Fork River for some rafting fun, thanks to the gouge created by Glacier Lake Missoula. Our guide is handsome, muscular, and strong an especially good thing because the raft is full of women with the exception of my husband. Needless to say, the men do most of the paddling. The ladies are too busy laughing and having fun!    

Riding the rapids through the Alberta Gouge is pure exhilaration. Rafting is one of the coolest things we have done on a marathon trip. It should be the reward after every marathon. When not maneuvering the rapids we get people wet in the other boats and even jump into the water. The poor guys battle to heave and pull all the ladies with no muscle or strengthen back into the boat. It is hysterical to witness the guys lift our weak dead body weight out of the water! It is the funniest thing and such a great experience...

On our way back into town dinner is the next order of business. Water activities make me extra hungry and what better food than pizza to fill our stomach before Sunday morning's race. We finish off the night in the hot tub before for bed. Missoula can get warm in the summer, but not on race day!  Catching the 4:30 am bus to the start, we freeze our butts off before the 6 am start. Once the fireworks go off the cold is forgotten and 26.2 miles of beautiful wide open spaces is the only obstacle between the runners and the finish line. I enjoy the landscape, the homes and the horses. We are greeted by two locals on horseback who wave to runners as we ascend the only major climb of the race. It is a killer climb forcing many to walk.  Homeowners are out offering encouragement along the way. 

My husband gets ahead of me as I try my best to catch him in the last few miles, but he beats me. The final few miles are in a heavily shaded cool tree lined residential area providing a cool break from the heat before powering through to the Missoula Marathon finish line. There is something good about every marathon. This race has so many great qualities especially the big quiet spaciousness and the sense of freedom. Who doesn't love a peaceful runs in wide open places. After the race we meet up with the 50 States group for lunch. We will not be official members until we reach ten states, but getting close.

 Our final stop is a local landmark for ice cream at the "Big Dipper!" The long lines are proof of its popularity. The delicious Huckle Berry ice cream makes Montana definitely  worth another trip...