Glacier Half Marathon - 2018

[llholmes1948]

I have not heard much about the Glacier Half Marathon this year but I see that it will be on June 16, 2018.

Any Chatters planning to run? Will Pizza Bob do a repeat?

https://www.facebook.com/glacierhalfmarathon/

[Selkie]

A pint of Guinness at each water station would be a luverly way to recognize Bloomsday, June 16, the day James Joyce met his wife, Nora, which he honored in Ulysses.

"Stately, plump Buck Mulligan came from the stairhead, bearing a bowl of lather on which a mirror and a razor lay crossed."

(Thus neatly introducing themes of religion and love at one go.)

Enjoy the day, runners!

[Pizza Bob]

I am indeed training, registered, and scored a primo reservation at the Glacier Peaks hotel in Browing the night before the race.

Life has been crazy busy this year, even too much to do much posting.

Yesterday I ran from Avalanche to the Loop and back, about 14 miles with 1000 foot elevation gain.
That is pretty similar to the race.

I started around 9:30am. There was a steady rain and I considered punting, by heck race day could be raining. Just do it.
On the run up I saw only 2 groups of bikers. One was a single gal who passed me, and the other was a couple families with kids. That was it on a Memorial holiday weekend. I was hoping there would be more bikers around to provide some bear protection, since I did pass two places with recent bear scat in the road.

The Loop was deserted when I got there. Nobody. This was around 11am. The rain had stopped by then. It was pretty foggy and 55 degrees. I didn’t stick around long since I was damp and didn’t want to get cold.

By the time I got to the tunnel there was a steady stream of bikers coming up. They must have waited for the rain to stop. Most memorable was the guy who saw me and said “You are one tough SOB!”. Did okay but was running on empty the last 3 miles. Just as I neared Avalanche I heard a biker come up behind me and say “Way to go, tough SOB!”.

Funny thing on the run back. I passed three piles of bear scat on the road. Yikes!!

[llholmes1948]

Pizza Bob,

Thanks for your update and I am glad you will be back in the race. We look forward to your report.

Be safe!

Lyman

[Pizza Bob]

I did another run from Avalanche to the Loop yesterday. Much better weather than the prior Saturday.
Lots and lots of bikers. Time up was 1:25; time down was 1:10.

I don’t track distances with GPS (I am not ruled by the machine!!).
Google Maps says it is 7.8 one way
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Avalanche+Campground,+West+Glacier,+MT+59936/The+Loop+Trailhead,+West+Glacier,+MT/@48.7164974,-113.7900045,12z/data=!4m8!4m7!1m2!1m1!1s0x5368a80d13bf3b61:0xa40a6ad989f1596!1m2!1m1!1s0x5368a95824a3f593:0x3b6d06bb989ac8b!3e0
which would be 15.6 miles total. Fatigued the last couple miles, but managed to keep focused with a steady pace.
I am highly encouraged by this training.

My daughter provided me gummy candy to take along for a sugar boost, which may have helped.

Next week is a “short” 11 mile run, as part of the taper down. Race day is June 16.

BTW, 3 weeks ago on a run I tripped on a tree root, and instead of falling forward, scraping hands and knees
and breaking a wrist, I attempted to roll. The full impact was on my right upper arm/shoulder.
Nothing broke, but the parts remain tender.

I’m guessing it will take months to fully recover (I’m not a teenager anymore!). Not a big impact on running, but
boy yesterday’s long run aggravated it. A day of rest would be nice, but there is grass to cut, windows to clean, a
hitch to install, laundry, and so on. Advil during the day for the pain and whiskey at night to celebrate good
training are on today’s agenda

[Pizza Bob]

Browning forecast for Saturday’s race is over an inch of rain and a high of 48 degrees.

The shuttles take you to the start at 5am, where you stand around in t-shirts and shorts waiting for the 6am start.
It will be dark, wet, and cold.

I suspect it is also possible that there may be snow at the top at Looking Glass pass.

Any race where I cross the start and finish lines in the same day is considered a success!

[Jay w]

It sounds like you're going to remember this race. Good luck. Hold off on the flask until after the race (well, for the most part).

Jay

[Pizza Bob]

Latest forecast for Browning ...
Only an inch of rain during the day, 44 degrees for the race, and now wind added to the mix.

Last year I went straight from the finish line to the Two Med Grille for breakfast, where the coffee is hot.

Post race plan is to hit the Belton Chalet tap room on Saturday night, as they have live music.
It’s a very small, cozy setting with the musicians only a few feet away. I highly recommend it.

[Pizza Bob]

Executive summary, details later .....

Mercifully only a sprinkle of rain between miles 8 and 9.

1:51 finish, about 2.5 minutes slower than last year.

2nd place finish in old fart division, better than last year’s 3rd place.

Recovery beers in progress

[llholmes1948]

Bob,

It sounds great to me and congratulations. Hope your recovery is well underway.

Lyman

[tibber]

Executive summary, details later .....

Mercifully only a sprinkle of rain between miles 8 and 9.

1:51 finish, about 2.5 minutes slower than last year.

2nd place finish in old fart division, better than last year’s 3rd place.

Recovery beers in progress

WTG! glad you got 'er done and can now enjoy the spoils.

[Jay w]

I agree. Way to ghetto.

Jay

[MarxMN]

Congratulations.

And nice that the weather forecast was not quite correct.

[paul]

Nice race Bob! Nice next year, first place in your division.

[llholmes1948]

link to an article in the Glacier Reporter about the Glacier Half Marathon:

http://www.cutbankpioneerpress.com/glac ... ef8a8.html