The Bear Trifecta: Day One – Montpelier, Idaho, June 8, 2023 – Marathon #19
The first word that comes to mind is nervous. The second? What on earth was I thinking, signing up to run three marathons in three days across three states? But then, I remembered why I was here. This is just the beginning of something much bigger.
I have a tendency to sign up for races and avoid looking at the course until race day. Part of it is the thrill of the surprise, and part of it is the challenge. I don’t remember exactly what was going through my mind when I signed up for this Bear Trifecta series, but clearly, I was feeling confident in that moment.
There are a few key elements that make a successful race: good sleep, good nutrition, proper hydration, strong muscles and bones, and a clear, confident mind. Going into today’s race, I felt I had one of those in the bag—strong muscles and bones. I train hard, but smart, and listen to my body. The others, however, were hanging in the balance. My hydration was better than usual, but my nutrition wasn’t quite where I wanted it to be. The biggest challenge, however, was a lack of sleep and an unexpected lack of confidence. These are things I don’t typically struggle with, so it caught me by surprise.
The race itself was beautiful. However, right away, my lungs reminded me that I was at an elevation of 6,000 feet higher than what I’m used to. Anyone who believes that elevation doesn’t impact your running plan is fooling themselves. My strategy for today was simple—take it easy, go slow and steady. After all, I had 78.6 miles to complete in three days, and I needed to pace myself. I started at a comfortable 10:18-mile pace and was cruising through the first 13 miles.
Around mile 4, I met a new friend, Bob, from St. Louis. He kept me company until mile 13, when I had to make a pit stop. He went ahead, but I’m grateful for the support and companionship during those first 13 miles. The course was an out-and-back route, and I’m not usually a fan of this format for a few reasons. First, seeing the hills on the way out and knowing I’d have to face them again on the return can really mess with your head. Second, I tend to get bored. Once I’ve seen something, I’m ready for a change of scenery!
I finished with a time of 5:09, which I’m proud of, especially considering the tough hills in the final miles. I placed 4th in the expanded age group (50-59), which felt solid. Overall, I’m happy with my performance on day one.
Now, it’s time to find some good food, get some rest, and prepare for tomorrow’s race in Wyoming. The course description promises a “gentle uphill climb,” but something tells me that’s a setup! 😄 Tomorrow will be my first time running two marathons in two days, so let’s go!