Moose Mountain Marathon - RunMarathon

Started slow, in the back. Think I was last for a bit. Felt good. Walked the couple steep slopes over the first 5k or so. Walked the switchbacks up the side of the mountain. I knew I was going slower than last year but that was cool. Passed some people. Passed Rob. Got to the first aid station feeling good. Had a bite. Only chips and jube jubes which was a disappointment. I had 2 gels and 2 energy bars from last week in my pack so I did eat those. Ran to the second set of switch backs. Felt good. Super loose actually. Not stressing it.

Hiked the switch backs. It was cold. My hydration was good, last year it was 29 and I sucked it back like no tomorrow but this time I didn't even refill my pack until the 29k point. Sucked back the Gatorade at the stops, hand full of chips, hand full of jube jubes and some for the road.

So yeah, cold at top of the mountain. Saw Darren coming down, he was flying. Saw Rob as I started to come down, pretty close to me, much closer than last year. I ran down the mountain, super duper duper loose, loosey goosey, felt nice, felt good. Got down the mountain, legs felt good, not too sore, had a nice jog to the 29k aid station.

Felt good, ate. Got a pack refill, headed off. Felt much better here than I did last year, not sure what my time was coming off the mountain last year but I felt good here, I think it was 3:20 last year and 3:30 this year, so didn't lose a bunch of time on the mountain.

I felt better on the 14k loop this year though. Wasn't as hot, had energy, ran a bit. My stomach was getting to me though which sucked. Had to hit the bushes for some serious business at about 4 k from finish, then I forgot my camera so went back which added about 400 meters I figure.

Oh, yeah, I peed like 5 times, so, wow right.

A guy passed me here before the bushes, stomach pains prevented me from sticking to him, maybe also lingering effects of iron legs. I finished super strong, felt excellent at the finish. I do hurt on the Monday after but compared to last Monday it is nothing so it is nothing.

My buddy finished in 5 hours so good for him. My other buddy finished in 6 hours same as every other year, only 7 minutes behind me, so good for him too.

Nothing, well executed. Maybe hit the bushes sooner, I always put that off and feel so much better when it is done.

Things to remember:
1.Dont forget hat.
2.Don't rely on the course, gels or energy bars are good, you can't race on only junk.
3.Remember how EASY it is when you take it EASY. Seriously, take it EASY.
4. Part of the problem was no buddy to run with, which wasn't great, but you can pretend you have a buddy and that helps keep you going.

bowl of soup, cookies, bbq at home. Not too painful a night sleep


50 miles the Saturday before and 100 miles planned on September 7th.


nice, could have used some gels or powerbars or something other than chips and candy.