Fourth time here with the same awesome course and same awesomely organized event. This year I have Jody and Nickie running the half. I sure hope they like it as much as I do.
Last dry day of the Summer. Rain will come tomorrow, but today will be so nice and sunny and not too warm. Trail is dusty in lots of places and I don't have my gaiters, but it does not matter.
Start - Uneventful drive and shuttle to the start area. Pleasant cool temperature. Nice to see Monte. Another year where I am surprised at how small the race is, given my rave reviews. We start off right on time.
Mile 2 - We should have thinned out sooner, but I am near the back of a lengthy bunched up group. I count 9 right ahead of me and three behind me. The pace is fine, but moving right along. I know it will be a long day so I step aside and then walk a bit. Now I am alone and will be mostly alone the rest of the way. If I am lucky I will pass most of that pack.
Mile 5 - Passed one at the aid station, now making a move on another. Feeling good and enjoying the day. Fun to be here again and see the same sights. Just when I remember the abandoned vehicle in the middle of the woods, there it is, with another year of rust.
Using the elevation on my watch rather than distance. Walk a little up the steeper parts, but still a very runnable course. I know that when I reach 1,900 feet I am at the top of the first big hill. Then the gentle downgrade.
Mile 13 - Join the half course. Fun to think that Jody was here a while ago. Hope to catch up to her, but it is unlikely.
Then the clear cut and amazing view of the straight and Canada. Back into the deep woods.
Mile 18 - Did I mention that I am under trained compared to previous years? No injuries, but no marathon in 9 weeks. Since July my mileage is OK, but long runs of only 18 and 15 have me concerned that I will not endure. And now it does get tough. And I think of the Bellingham marathon next weekend. Lots of walk breaks and in fact it is getting very difficult to run at all. The slightest uphill and I am walking whether I want to or not. Try to keep drinking fluids and eating what I can.
One more hill, then the semi clear cut and the rocky downhill road to the real dirt road.
The long slog on the road is better than expected. I run slowly for a mile at a time, chugging along OK. Even pass one half marathoner and a full. Near the end I am pretty sure that I will not beat my worst time here. With no one in front and no one behind and a long race next weekend, I have little motivation to push it.
So happy to get on to the paved road and know that I am almost done. Look back and no one catching up. I walk up the steep hill, then cruise in to the finish.
Finish - Decent run today. No falls and nothing hurts. So great to see Jody with her feet in the water and in great spirits. She really liked the race too and we both plan to come back next year.
5:18:31
31st of 41
Marathon#158
Race#425
GOAT Run#4
*****
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