10k- First 3 miles were pretty good. It felt really hard, and I was having a tough time mentally. I couldn't seem to get rid of all the negative thoughts, "This sucks! I hate this! Why do i do this anyway? I could just quit, or walk. I really don't want to do this. Maybe, I won't even run the 5k, but I don't want a DNF. This sucks!", you get the idea ;), but my pace was pretty good 9:05 to 9:15 miles. Then, just after mile 3 the road started a very gradual incline. My calves/achilles tightened up and my ankle was aching. My pace slowed to 10' miles even though my exertion level and hr stayed about the same. Tons of people passed me in mile 4 and 5. There was a short downhill at the end of mile 5 and my legs loosened up a bit. I was able to bring my pace back up for the last mile. I didn't have a final sprint in me, but I was happy to cross the finish line in under an hour with the way I was feeling. Finished in 58:17. Gary was waiting for me at the finish. We walked back to the start together to run the 5k. Poor guy had to listen to me bitch the whole way about how much I hated this run.

5k- Went a little better than the 10k. The 5k course didn't include the gradual incline, so no problems with my achilles/calves. My legs felt super heavy and my ankle ached, but my mental attitude was a bit better since I knew the longest part of the day was over. I still didn't have anything in me for a final sprint at the end. I was happy once again to cross the finish line. Finished in 28:45. I grabbed some powerade and headed back to the start for the last 1 mile.

1 mile- Just pushed through it the best I could. I was able to pick up the pace a bit at the end, and finished in 8:27.

Oh, I have lots of excuses.;) Taper before the race instead of doing 2 long bricks in the week before with one of them being 2 days before the race. Not run a marathon 3 weeks before... loved the marathon though, so I probably wouldn't really change this :). Not race at high elevation when I've been doing all my training at sea level. Try to have a more positive attitude. :)

Walked around a bit, then had lunch and a mocha in Missoula before driving back to Kalispell.


No taper... elevation... marathon recovery... achilles/calves... attitude.


This race is very well organized, and the trifecta option is unique, challenging, and fun. I just wasn't feeling this one. I'll be back next year though :)