Friday, July 12, 2013

Crossing off a bucket list race: Missoula Half Marathon

This weekend I am getting the chance to cross off one of my bucket list races: TheMissoula Half Marathon. Ever since Runner’s World deemed this race one of the best in the nation I have wanted to run it. Unfortunately, the weekend has never worked with my schedule until this year. When my bestie Cassie mentioned that her and her running partner were looking for a July half marathon to run I immediately suggested Missoula. Missoula typically is sold out in early June so I started stalking the website to see how many entries were available. When the race hit 95% full we all bit the bullet and registered.  Registering really only meant one thing:

GIRL’S WEEKEND!

Cassie and Jen arrived in Spokane last night. It was so great to see both of them and catch up. I know I just saw them last month, BUT it really is lame to leave so far away from some of your favorite people. Today will I am at work (BOO!!!) they are on fur-babysitting duty and enjoying the sunshine. I am hoping that my workday goes by fast……

We will leave for Missoula tomorrow morning which is about a 3-4 hour drive from Spokane. Once we get into town the plan is to get our race stuff out of the way, check into the hotel and then check out some of the local breweries. Missoula is known for making some great local beer and I am excited to check it out!  I am looking forward to visiting Big Sky Brewery (love their IPA) and a couple of additional places that were suggested to me.

Missoula will be HOT and the race might be a struggle for most people (even me!) due to the elevation. Spokane sits at about 2600 feet and I believe that Missoula is about 3400 feet. The race starts at 6 am, which is technically 5 am for all of us on PST so it will be a rude early wake up call. Hopefully we will be done before it heats up too much!!!

I have no race plan or strategy. Just using this as another fun run and a chance to help prepare myself for both Ragnar next weekend and Spokane to Sandpoint in August.

I hope that everyone has a fabulous weekend! 

Anyone racing?

--Tasha


36 comments:

  1. I'm not racing again until Dumbo ;) So happy that you're getting to do a race on your list - those are the most important so that you enjoy the sport and savor living it up too!

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    1. Missoula is a new favorite. I can't wait to write the recap. I didn't want the race to end- it was that awesome.

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  2. How fun! It sounds like it is going to be a great weekend!Can't wait to hear how it went!

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    1. It was the best race. Can't wait to run it again.

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  3. I'm not racing, but sounds like an awesome weekend. Have fun!!

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    1. It was awesome, loved every second of the race. I didn't want it to end.

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  4. Awesome! Have a great time in Spokane! I can't even imagine racing a half in July. It's all I can do to finish my long runs before the sun is up. I've got a 13mi long run this weekend.

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    1. It started at 6 am so it wasn't bad at all. I actually didn't bring warm clothes to the start and froze to death!

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    1. Thanks Abbi! I can't wait to write the recap. It was a great race!

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  6. Have fun!! I am actually heading to Pullman/Post Falls on Sunday! My oldest is going to camp at WSU for the week and the rest of us decided to hang out in Post Falls for a few days:) Can't wait to hear how your race goes:)

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    1. Have fun in North Idaho. The weather is supposed to be great all week. Head out to Shooters if you can.

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  7. I hope that Jen and I survive the heat and elevation! ;-) <3

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  8. Running half-marathons before Ragnar seems to be a trend! I'm running See Jane Run on Sunday :) Have fun at Missoula! I've always wanted to do that one too.

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    1. It must be a definite trend! I think we are half marathon twinsies Robyn.

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  9. Good Luck!!

    I've been wanting to do that Marathon for a while!!!

    Drink an IPA for me! ;)

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    1. I had an IPA for you, but had an even better beer called a Cold Smoke. It rocked!

      You really need to do Missoula next year. It is so worth it. This is a race I will try and run every year from now on.

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  10. Have a great race and weekend! Missoula is on my bucket list too so I can't wait to hear about it!

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    1. You really need to do Missoula next year. It is so worth it. This is a race I will try and run every year from now on. I didn't want to the race to end and that doesn't happen often. LOL

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  11. Not racing this weekend and have also heard awesome things about this race! Sounds like it will such a fun time! Enjoy and have a great race/run!

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    1. It is my new favorite race. Loved everything about it. I had so much fun.

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  12. Ah! SOOO jealous! I didn't know it had made a list. Looks like I need to plan on a trip home next summer. Wow! Have so much fun! I know so many people who are racing it this year!.

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    1. Next year you have to do it Lindsay. It was so worth it. I LOVED IT!!!!

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  13. Yay!! Good Luck! :) It's always great to cross something off ones bucket list!!

    xoxo

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    1. Yes, but since I loved it so much I will be back. It was great!

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  14. Oh, how exciting - have fun! I hope you have a great run. I got back from an 18km earlier in the lead up to my next half marathon in 4 weeks :)

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    1. It was a really fun weekend. I loved the race times a million. It is my new favorite half marathon. I am excited that you are running another race. You will do great!

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  15. Good luck and have lots of fun! :)

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  16. Sounds fun! Hope it went well! I'm racing in Oct, not sure this heat will allow us to race before then!

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    1. This race started at 6 am so it wasn't too bad. I forgot warm clothes for the start and actually about froze to death.

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  17. I can't wait to hear how it went and how you liked the course. seeing all the people that I know posting pictures on Facebook this weekend mad me really sad I was missing it this year!
    Hope the weather was good for you!

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    1. LOVED the course Christy! It was such a good race. The weather was perfect, but a little chilly at first. I didn't bring warm clothes to the start and the first couple of miles were in shade so I didn't warm up until around the 5K mark. I didn't realize mornings in MT get so cold.

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