Week in Review (October 9 - October 15)

Tuesday (10,882 steps) - Walked on the treadmill for a few miles until the guy who is repairing the drywall showed up.
Wednesday (20,359 steps) - Runners Roost Boulder! We had the first snowfall in the metro area. I didn't think it would be THAT bad for a run.

The trails were a muddy mess, and we probably should not have been running on them. Temperatures weren't too bad. Overall, felt just "ok" on this one.

Our winter team gear was finally in and I spent way too much money. Went out with people after to celebrate JT's birthday.
Thursday (9,622 steps) - Berkeley Park for the Oktoberfest Mile! Initially I thought I might do a few miles for warm-up. Then decided I would just stay and socialize with the Brandons instead.

Phil had created a new twist on a beer mile - the Oktoberfest mile would include a soft pretzel, bratwurst, streudel and THEN a beer. As could be expected, the pretzel was pretty much the worst ever. The other stuff wasn't as bad. Never again.

Friday (12,667 steps) - Core & strength before work. I found out that my trainer is leaving us!! He is going to be managing a new gym. Sucks, I really like his classes. Supposedly they are interviewing people this week. Wah. Went to lunch with Nicole at Rock Bottom. The guy who is replacing our drywall was over. I cooked a casserole (that I had made once before, and forgot about. It was so good) and also baked two pumpkin cheesecakes.

Rest of the evening was spent chatting on FB.
Saturday (40,138 steps) - Skipped Runners Edge to go to a free pop-up Runbarre class at the Lululemon in the Highlands. I ran with Mo and Colfax.

Then we took the Barre portion, which was super crowded. I can tell all my strength work has been helping though, I didn't struggle as much in the abs portion. Spent way too much money at Lulu, then drove downtown to drop A off at the Convention Center for her friend's tournament. Got home just in time to meet the drywall guy again. As soon as he finished up, I headed out for my 14 mile long run - I figured it would be better to run on tired legs in warm weather than get up super early to run in the snow. The first 10 or so weren't that bad, but my ankle wasn't feeling great by the end.

Rushed through a shower and then drove to Dulce's for Second Saturday. Fun night!

Sunday (5,651 steps) - Stayed in bed until after 9. Spent the morning watching TV, then drove up to Thornton to pick up A. Met up with Chris, Mo and Dulce at the Alamo Drafthouse to see "A Star is Born." It was really good! I was a bit worried that some of it might be "too old" for A, but she liked it too. Stopped and picked up Panda Express on the way home before watching way too much TV.
Monday (17,394 steps) - I saw my trainer still on schedule for lunch classes, so I headed over for a core class, hoping it wasn't a lie. He was there, and so were 5 others! Interesting and challenging "partner" core work. Finally headed back to New Terrain for run club - we haven't been out as much this year. I was really concerned I would hold everyone back and told Eliot not to wait, but turns out, I was just fast enough to keep up with the next slowest guy.

Stuck around for a beer (the new Imperial Stout!) before heading home for leftovers.

Stats:

• 116,713 steps
• 27.7 miles run
• 2 trips to the gym - 2 core classes & 1 strength

Desert RATS Stage Race, Day 2 (Race Recap)

Tuesday, Day 2

 

Having never really been asleep, I was out of my sleeping bag EARLY. Thankfully, there was instant coffee and hoped I would be able to get more alert before heading out for the second longest day. We found out at our meeting the night before that due to flooding (in the desert, who knew?) that we would not be running the "normal" course and what was supposed to be 39 miles was "only" going to be about 34. We were also told that day 2 is sort of the "make it or break it" stage and that if you could complete THIS day, chances were pretty darn good that you would be able to complete the entire distance.

 

Can you see how hot it is going to be? Millions of degrees, at least

I had NO idea what to expect. I didn't know if my legs were going to rebel completely and if I was even going to be able to run. The "fast" people started out... fast. I figured I would start with a run/walk (no set interval times) to conserve energy. I knew it was (obviously) going to be hot and I had tons of time on the course so I figured I would just take it easy and hopefully not bonk. The first section of the course was relatively flat on dirt roads.



 

There were some amazing views early on and we had a short jaunt through a small canyon where I made sure to take a selfie.



 

I got passed by a huge group of kids on their bikes (we think it was a Boy Scout troop) and one of them yelled "we think you are awesome!" In fact, I think I am awesome too! There was a decent amount of climbing on this day as well, but nothing that took my breath away like that steep climb on the first day. Unfortunately, as time has passed I already cannot remember a lot of what happened on that second day.

 



 



 

 

 

The first aid station cut off of the day was at mile 17.5. I was never so happy to arrive at an aid station. I was SO DAMN HOT. I filled my buff with ice and draped it around my neck. It cooled me down substantially. We had four miles to the water drop at mile 21. Then we had a LONG stretch until the next aid station around mile 28. I was behind Tara (who power hiked with poles) and I was DYING of heat. It was for real so hot. We were on a boring stretch of road that paralleled the railroad tracks. And it just went on and on and on and on. While the aid station cut off for Westwater at 17.5 had been generous (1:45 pm, allowing almost 7 hours to arrive), the one at Cottonwood at mile 28 was 3:30 pm. I did NOT want to miss that cutoff. I passed Tara with a few miles to go and did a lot of walking to get to that aid station. I made the cutoff by about 15 minutes (although we found out later the cutoff was a misprint in our journal and really had until 5 pm to get there). Leaving the aid station and the bottoms of my feet felt like they were ON FIRE. I walked almost the entire last 6 miles to the finish. On the longest road EVER.

 

Coming into the finish line for this one was AMAZING to me. I was so happy that with completing this day that I had an excellent chance of finishing the whole thing. It really put me at ease for the rest of the week.

Day 2 was unfortunately NOT the day for everyone. There were quite a few drops, including Traci (a super talented runner from Florida that was having difficulty with the altitude and the dry climate), Anita (who got lost very early on) and Jane.

Garmin Time - 9:47:01
Garmin Distance - 34.43 miles
Elevation Gain - 2,172 feet
Mile 1 - 12:58
Mile 2 - 12:54
Mile 3 - 14:23
Mile 4 - 14:22
Mile 5 - 16:50
Mile 6 - 17:39
Mile 7 - 14:34
Mile 8 - 15:08
Mile 9 - 14:04
Mile 10 - 16:48
Mile 11 - 16:32
Mile 12 - 17:12
Mile 13 - 24:28 (climb to the top of the mesa)
Mile 14 - 14:53
Mile 15 - 17:06
Mile 16 - 15:07
Mile 17 - 15:12
Mile 18 - 14:52
Mile 19 - 26:09
Mile 20 - 15:13
Mile 21 - 16:09
Mile 22 - 16:02
Mile 23 - 18:00
Mile 24 - 17:57
Mile 25 - 17:29
Mile 26 - 16:23
Mile 27 - 16:52
Mile 28 - 16:43
Mile 29 - 22:29
Mile 30 - 19:03
Mile 31 - 18:45
Mile 32 - 19:14
Mile 33 - 19:11
Mile 34 - 19:18
Mile 34.43 - 16:14

The end of the day did NOT go well for me. My feet hurt SO bad when I got back to camp. After taking off my shoes I discovered I had the biggest blisters, on both feet, in matching places - on the ball of my foot. It felt REALLY good to sit in the shade. While I hadn't been exceptionally bothered by the heat on the first day, THIS day seemed insanely hot. I was drinking and drinking and drinking and my body was just soaking it up. It was also a bit disconcerting that I was not that hungry. Maybe that can be the new diet plan? Exert myself on the surface of the sun to reduce my appetite?

The other issue I was having was with my contacts. My right eye felt like I was going blind. Over the course of the day my vision got cloudier and more blurry. By the time I took out my contacts my right eye couldn't see color or focus on anything. While my contacts had also bothered me the day before, it was not this bad. I was seriously concerned. Even closing my eyes hurt. I made the decision that I would have to run the next day in my glasses - which was not going to be fun, especially with how bright and sunny it was. Boo.

At the nightly meeting we were told that our short "9" mile day was going to be closer to 12 to make up for some of the distance we were missing from current day due to the course changing. I was really dreading trying to run on my torn up feet.

Sheri's awesome husband, Pete, loaned me a sleeping pad. I still did not sleep great but at least every rock in the desert wasn't jabbing me in the back.

Run the Rockies (Race Recap)

Saturday, June 6

Frisco, CO

Half Marathon #133

Colorado Half #66 (on 6/6? that's creepy)

Weather - pretty perfect

 

The Run the Rockies half marathon was planned as one of our only double weekends because it is one of the busiest race weekends in Colorado.

 

The race started at 8 am near Copper Mountain ski resort at 8 am, about 75 minutes away. We had to get there early enough to pick up our bibs and take a shuttle to the start since it was "sort of" an out and back.

 

We arrived at about 6:45 at the town hall in Frisco and easily found parking and where to get our stuff. Now that I no longer take race shirts it's nice to only have a bib to worry about. The indoor bathrooms were closed so we used one of the three port-o-potties outside. Sat in the car until about 7:20, used the bathrooms and then took the bus to the start. It was all very efficient and organized.

 

We were dropped at the Conoco station off the frontage road and it had indoor bathrooms for us to use before the start.

 

There were tiny corrals at the start line. (Which, by the way, I'm not entirely sure where it was, I just started my watch when everyone started running).

 

 

The course was going to be mostly downhill for the first 5.5 miles until we got back to the town of Frisco. The course was only on the frontage road for maybe a half mile until we got onto the bike path. WHAT A PRETTY AREA. Due to all the rain there were some areas that were partially flooded off the path, but there was no mud on the course.

 

I was really hoping that just by taking it easy I would have a good race. Turns out the fire calves would start screaming about a mile in. Grrr. I took a couple fairly lengthy walk breaks in the first 1-2 miles.

 

 

Somewhere around mile 2 I started to feel better and ran. I didn't even stop at the first aid station since I had my handheld. I had took my gel around mile 4. I was passed by the first 10k runner about a half mile later (for reference, the 10k started 30 minutes after we did).

 

 

Luckily I only got passed by about a half dozen of the speedy 10k runners. We turned right and headed out towards the high school, which was apparently the turn around at about mile 6. We did not hit the second aid station until about mile 6.5. I was glad I had my handheld as that was pretty long to go without water.

 

 

The course was JUST GORGEOUS. Just outside of town the people who live there actually drive on the bike path, so that was weird to be watching for cars there. From talking with people on the shuttle to the start I knew there would be some rollers on the second part of the course, with a biggish hill around mile 10. By miles 7-8 I was already pretty tired.

 



 

 

 

And then I figured out where the hill was going to be. I saw L heading the other direction around mile 8 or so. And then I saw people walking. If there are people HER pace walking, it's relatively tough. It was a nice downhill until the turnaround at the high school around maybe mile 9.5. The way back was substantially more difficult. Lots of walk breaks.

 

I manage to run the entire distance from mile 11 to mile 12. A few more breaks during the last mile. Just. Tired.

 

Ran it in for the finish and was rewarded with L handing me a beer right when I crossed the finish line. I think I like the beer mug more than a medal anyway.

 

Official Time - 2:27:16

Garmin Time - 2:26:55

Mile 1 - 10:27

Mile 2 - 11:40

Mile 3 - 10:09

Mile 4 - 10:16

Mile 5 - 10:37

Mile 6 - 10:46

Mile 7 - 12:02

Mile 8 - 12:12

Mile 9 - 10:48

Mile 10 - 12:22

Mile 11 - 12:13

Mile 12 - 10:27

Mile 13 - 11:59

Mile 13.1 - 9:10

 

More comments on our outfits than ever before

 

Thoughts:

• This was the 39th year for the race, and I can see why. It isn't very expensive and it was very well organized. The website could be a little more informative in terms of aid station locations and a map that is easier to read, but I had overall no complaints.
• I didn't take a shirt, but from a distance they seemed nice.
• Really like the glass mug that we got as a finisher piece.
• The aid stations were well stocked with water and I think lemonade - or at least that's what the kids were calling it. They also had "ultra" snacks like candy (although I did not take any of that either).
• There were plenty of shuttle buses and no line.
• Plenty of bathroom opportunities - there were some along the course as well.
• Course was very well marked with a marker at every mile.
• GOOD beer at the finish from Backcountry Brewery. There was also pizza!
• I have no complaints about this race. It was a good time.

Three Creeks Half Marathon (Race Recap)

Saturday, April 4

Denver, CO

Half Marathon #128

Colorado Half #128

Weather - Sunny, nice

The Three Creeks half marathon was an inaugural race this year, put on by Racing Underground (they are the ones that put on the Ralston Creek half marathon I have run the last four years). The race was announced last fall and we registered on Black Friday (opening registration day). With a price tag of $60, it was a pretty reasonable race for Denver.

My dad came over at 6:30 race morning so that we could head out and get to Cherry Creek High School by 7. We assumed an hour would be plenty of time to use the bathroom and pick up our bibs. What we didn't really remember was the walk took about 10 minutes each way. So by the time we used the bathroom, got our bibs, and got back to the car it was already 7:40. I felt panicky and rushed and felt like I had to pee again. We got near the start about five minutes before 8 and the bathroom line was LONG. Luckily, it moved quickly and the race started right as we headed to the start.

UNFORTUNATELY, that meant that Heather didn't wait for me (we had made plans to run together). I didn't have my iPod and L and I were the last to cross the line. L took off immediately and I was alone, with no music.

Coming off all sorts of aches and pains and little running, I had low expectations for the race. I tried to take it easy the first mile, but I could feel that my legs were already tight and tired. I had a feeling I was in for a long day.

I managed to make it through the first mile without walking...

Dan got an awesome shot of me - not even sure where this was on the course, but it was early

And then it was pretty much all downhill from there. (Not literally, this course did not feel especially "flat and fast" to me. I started taking walk breaks. A lot of walk breaks. It got to the point where I don't even know that I was really feeling THAT bad, I was just... tired and achy and not really into it? The course was a little barren, I was in the very back of the pack and I was... mentally bored and agitated?

Some of the course was hard packed dirt, some of it was bike path. Finally there was a turn around section and I saw Heather and Lisa. Mile 5-6 was pretty much the only mile where I ran and actually felt good. There was another out and back section at mile 6. At the loop turnaround I saw a coyote. That was probably the best part of my race. He was pretty cute. He was a bit too far away to get a good picture.

Mile 8 or 9 is pretty much where I gave up. Lots and lots and LOTS of walking.

This was mentally one of the "longest" half marathons I have ever run. I kept telling myself that this was no big deal, I have done this distance literally hundreds of times... why why why was this time so unfun? I could see the finish line from mile 12. That last mile lasted an eternity.

Garmin Time - 2:32:55
Official Time - 2:32:54
Overall Place - 503
Gender Place - 296
Division Place - 57
Official 5k - 37:23 (this is almost TEN MINUTES slower than my PR)
Official 10k - 1:12:29
Official 10 mile - 1:57:37
Mile 1 - 10:26
Mile 2 - 11:58
Mile 3 - 11:34
Mile 4 - 11:46
Mile 5 - 11:22
Mile 6 - 10:47
Mile 7 - 11:23
Mile 8 - 11:35
Mile 9 - 12:19
Mile 10 - 11:39
Mile 11 - 11:27
Mile 12 - 12:41
Mile 13 - 11:51
Mile 13.2 - 10:32

We hung around a bit at the finish talking to Jim and Cheryll and the Runners Roost people. Like usual, we couldn't hang around too long because we needed to go pick up the kids.

Thoughts:

• Outfit turned out to be ok. I was concerned the skirt wasn't going to work out well. I've put on about 10 pounds since last summer (yeah yeah yeah, maybe that is why I am not tracking weight). I was glad to have arm sleeves, I left them on the entire race. I kept gloves for about 4-5 miles.
• Course measured long for everyone. Won't get into the argument over GPS, but I measured the "shortest" at 13.2.
• Course was well-marked. Plenty of aid stations. I didn't bring my own water and I was fine. They had Hammer gels at 2 or 3 aid stations. Maybe other things? I already don't remember. I should not have waited so long to recap this.
• Didn't really care for the course. The terrain was "varied" but it was just not "scenic" for me. Early April is a tough time in Colorado... everything was pretty brown :(
• Packet pick up was easy enough, I guess I didn't realize it would take SO LONG to get our stuff. They did have bag drop, but I needed stuff out of the car anyway so that would not have helped.
• Cool race shirt in gender specific sizes (black 1/4 zip with the race logo as a crest) - no picture AGAIN because I'm lazy.
• Nice medal and ribbon
• GREAT post race! They had soda (LOVE), water, Propel AND it was catered by Noodles & Company.
• Prizes, if I were fast enough, were AWESOME. AG winners got growlers with the race logo on them!
• Overall a great event. I just wish "I" had been great....

Louisville Turkey Trot 5K (Race Recap)

Thursday, November 27
Louisville, CO
Weather - sunny, warm, windy

Coming off Big Cedar I didn't want to pay to run a turkey trot. A few years ago, we ran the turkey trot in Louisville, a FREE (with donation) turkey trot. I figured the Louisville Turkey Trot would be the best option for me this year, and signed up Ariel to join me.

The race started at 9:00 and the race suggested taking a free shuttle to the start since parking in old town is limited. We left the house at 7 with a quick stop at Dunkin' for donuts and coffee. We found parking only a block away from the start, but we now had well over an hour until the race started. We took our donations and picked up our bibs and free beanie hats (donated from the Ugly Sweater Run), then sat in the car watching "The Croods" until about 20 minutes before the start.

Getting our turkey trot on!

Of course I had to use the bathroom after drinking a soda and a latte. There were probably a dozen port-o-potties and we didn't have to wait very long - less than ten minutes. The start line was congested, there were a TON of people. We ran into my friend Jennifer and chatted with her for a minute, but Ariel was anxious to be in the front of the line.

There were no "rules" about dogs, strollers, bikes so the race course was somewhat... congested. We started somewhere in the middle of the pack and it was very crowded. The race was timed, but no chips, and our bib numbers didn't actually correlate with our names (which was fine, this was a FREE race).

I had not run one step since Big Cedar. I had no idea what to expect, but figured running with A would keep the pace down low enough that it wouldn't be painful. I was wrong. Within a half mile I was already limping from the pain in my calves. The race was crowded, but I knew that if we got separated A would be able to find me pretty easily. We didn't stick together much on the first mile (road), as she was sprint/walking and I was gimping along.

I caught up with her before we entered the "trail" section. We did some run/walking, but neither one of us was especially into running. A did tell me her goal was to run 40 minutes, so I told her I track our time. Got this pretty shot before we hit the halfway point.

I love when I can see the mountains this clear on a fall/winter day!

Mile 2 was the low point of the run. I had forgotten to bring water and A was complaining. They had an aid station set up and she was significantly better after she had something to drink. We were running on the last section of trail before ending up back on the street when we saw a man trip over a dog leash and fall... the dog owner didn't even stop to make sure the guy was ok!! I don't run with a dog, but I'm assuming you should keep on a short leash and on the far side of the trail/road??? I was appalled.

Ariel ran a bulk of the last mile, and with some prodding, she got very close to her finish time goal.

Garmin Time - 40:59
Garmin Distance - 3.11 miles
Garmin Pace - 13:11
Mile 1 - 11:51
Mile 2 - 15:22
Mile 3 - 12:30
Mile 3.11 - 11:36

We crossed the line and went looking for water and we were very surprised to see these cool custom coffee mugs!

I got in the regualar coffee line and A got some hot chocolate. And THEN, I saw that they also had free beer??? As far as I know, there was no limit on that, we didn't have to pay or give tickets. They had a fire pit set up and we sat around for a few minutes while I was finishing my beer before we headed back to the car.

 Thoughts:

• According to their Facebook page, there were over 6,000 runners. CRAZY. They were able to collect something like 15,000 pounds of food for donations, not to mention all clothing donations. Amazing!
• I am truly shocked at what we got for a free race. Custom bibs, beanie (or Santa hat), custom coffee mug, drinks and BEER (GOOD beer).
• All that said, this is not a race you want to run for a PR (unless you end up in the very front).
• The course was a gradual uphill on the way out and slightly downhill on the way back. The course was very clearly marked, with mile markers every mile. We still saw a few hundred people cutting the course between miles 1 and 2 (why??).
• Very crowded at the start, so again, if you want to actually RUN this race, start near the front, but remember that this is truly a family event and starting too far back will get you "trapped" a lot.
• I really can't say enough good things about this. I had no expectations going into this race and I had a great time, and I'm really impressed with the amount of work that went into this event.