Rock Hawk 10K (Race Recap)

Saturday, May 27
Weather - The sunniest

I was unable to run Rock Hawk last year as the date was announced very late and A and I already had plans for Memorial Day weekend. This year, I was on the fence about running because the race (half marathon, 10K and 5K) were only a week after Palmer Lake. I managed to score a comp entry, and kids 12 and under get their registrations 50% off, so we signed up for the 10K.

Then... we had a TON of rain, so the race was postponed until Memorial Day weekend. We had no plans to go out of town, so we were fine with the race being rescheduled.

Race Day

The informational email said that there would be plenty of parking, so I didn't figure we needed to arrive super early, although I did want to see the half marathoners start at 7:00. We arrived around 6:45 for our 7:30 start. Picking up our bibs was easy, took just a minute to get that and our neon yellow race shirts.

After we watched the half marathon start we cycled through the bathroom line and applied sunscreen. Listened to the pre-race instructions and then we were off!

A had toed the line pretty close the front of the pack, while I started in the back with Maureen. We ran together for a few minutes before she pulled off for a walk break. I was running in front of Sheila and managed to run the entire first mile without taking a break - pretty amazing for me in a trail race!

I had never run on these trails and they were gorgeous! After a bit I could see A up ahead, taking frequent walk breaks. It was WARM out and she really struggles in the heat. I had times where I certainly had to walk, but never for very long. Although the course was certainly more hilly than I expected, most of it was runnable.

The first aid station was a few miles in and  Pete and Kristen were volunteering. I love seeing familiar faces on course! A decent climb coming out of the aid station, and then we ran around the top of the plateau and headed back down the other side of the hill we had just ran up. Our second aid station was the same as the first one - and I had finally caught up to A!

We ran together for about a mile. She took off with about a half mile to go - she desperately wanted to beat a teenage boy. I absolutely LOVED that we had a mostly downhill finish and I was able to come in strong.

A:
Official time - 1:17:03
Overall place - 22/37
Gender place - 12/23
Division place - 1/2

Me:
Official time - 1:17:42
Overall place - 24/37
Gender place - 13/23
Division place - 2/5 (although the person who was first was on the podium)
Garmin time - 1:17:51
Elevation gain - 735'
Mile 1 - 11:38
Mile 2 - 13:55
Mile 3 - 13:37
Mile 4 - 12:12
Mile 5 - 11:30
Mile 6 - 13:07
Mile 6.2 - 9:12

We stuck around for at least an hour after we were done to watch people finish. A and I both somehow came in first in our age groups (much more of a surprise for me than for her). The clouds began to roll in - thankfully it was after we were all done when it started pouring rain.

Me, A, Jandy, Mo and Colfax

This is the newest addition to the Bear Chase trail series and I ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT. By far the smallest of all the events, but it is on a fun section of trails that I would normally never be on. I can't wait to go for the half marathon next year!

Edited to add the FREE race pictures that we got! (Courtesy of David Manthey and Twain Wilkins):

Week in Review (May 23 - May 29)

Tuesday (22,188 steps) - With A having a cold, I didn't want her to get up early and go to speed work. Normally with my new schedule I wouldn't try to go, but this one was pretty close so I decided to go by myself (for the first time).

15 min. w/u (1.35 miles)

4 x 800 repeats w/ 2 min recovery

4:05 (8:02 pace)

4:45 (9:26 pace)

5:04 (10:05 pace)

5:07 (10:18 pace)

This was one of the worst runs that I can remember in a very long time. I don't know why my legs just could NOT work. I have not felt this stiff and fatigued in a long time. I talked to Coach Joel and he had some sage words...  "sometimes all you can do is just get out of bed." Haha. Hopefully next time will go better, that was so bad.

After work A had gymnastics and I took Bee Rad for his claim inspection. As I feared, the inspector told me that the damages were nearing and possibly exceeding the value of my car. I have to wait another few days to find out if they will cut me a check to repair or if they will salvage. Ugh.

Wednesday (19,282 steps) - Denver run club - and HOLY COW WAS IT HOT. Mo and A decided to do a short run/walk and I stupidly set out by myself for 4ish miles. It took forever to get satellite, but I got my miles in. Almost 90 degrees - so crazy after it was snowing and freezing less than a week ago.

Got the call from State Farm - and the news was not good, but what I expected. The damages Bee Rad endured from the storm were thousands more than the value, so he was being totaled. I was given a few options regarding Bee Rad and was told that I didn't need to make a decision right away, so I didn't...

Thursday (14,912 steps) - A's last day of 5th grade! Where did the year go, it just FLEW by...

Jury duty! I received a summons a few weeks ago and my juror number was in the range of folks that had to appear. I ended up being in the second set of people called and somehow ended up on a jury! It wasn't as bad as I thought, got done shortly before 5 and was told to come back Friday morning.

Belmar run club. Run/walk with Mo,Colfax, Dulce, Matilda and A.

A took off with Corky because we were going to slow - barely could get a pic of them!

The most exciting part of the night was winning an entry to the Bolder Boulder! I hadn't run it since 2009, largely because of the steep price tag. Can totally handle free though!
Friday (10,986 steps) - Back to the courthouse for jury duty. The parties did some negotiating and we heard closing arguments by 11 am. I was elected foreperson and we came to unanimous verdicts on the two allegations in less than fifteen minutes. That meant that I had to go to work in the afternoon - it was really slow, I'm assuming because people were taking the day off for a long weekend. After work I headed down to Runners Roost to volunteer at Bolder Boulder packet pick up until 7:00.
Saturday (21,809 steps) - Rock Hawk 10k - recap to follow.

After the race we went the car dealership to look at our options. Didn't find anything we really loved so we went home. Had a few hours of rest and relaxation until 8:00 when we met Jessa for dinner and a beer at Grand Lake brewery. Home late-ish.
Sunday (31,394 steps) - Drove to Lisa's house so we could go to Evergreen to hike Bergen Peak! I was hoping it would be an easy recovery day, but my quads were burning from Rock Hawk. A and I had forgotten our lunches in the refrigerator, so we were STARVING by the time we got down with our almost-ten-mile hike (that took just over 4 hours).

We went into town to Lariat Lodge for brunch. The service was terrible but the food/beer was good.

Quick trip to the store, and then napped on and off for the remainder of the afternoon.
Monday (24,898 steps) - Bolder Boulder - recap to follow.

I was home by 11, which gave me enough time to shower before driving down to Highlands Ranch to meet Jackie for lunch at 12:30. It had been months since we last got together so we were at the restaurant for quite a while again, didn't head out for about 4 hours. More car shopping, didn't get home until after 10 pm!

Stats:

• 145,469 steps
• 22.3 miles run
• No barre classes (!!), 9.8 mile hike

Week in Review (May 16 - May 22)

Tuesday (22,341 steps) - Speed work! We had to drive alllll the way down to Greenwood Village for this one.

1.75 mile w/u

10 x 200m repeats w/ 200m recovery

1:06 (8:17 pace)

1:12 (9:11 pace)

1:14 (9:15 pace)

1:11 (9:06 pace)

1:10 (9:13 pace)

1:10 (9:18 pace)

1:14 (9:36 pace)

1:12 (9:26 pace)

1:10 (8:56 pace)

1:04 (8:11 pace)

.5ish mile c/d

Took A to the doctor for a follow-up appointment and then on to work. The staff took me to lunch at Marlow's, I had a filet mignon steak sandwich. Holy cow was it good! Gymnastics, then home.

Wednesday (21,113 steps) - Denver run club. A decided to run with Heather. Mo, Colfax and and I ran a modification of the route, ending with 4.7 miles. There was another beginner trail runner panel, but it was upstairs and there was no seating so we ended up leaving to go to dinner with Mo, Sheila, Ted and Dave. I had a key lime beer, which was strange, but not terrible. Burgers were on special so I had one and it was really good. I was very surprised when I got back from the bathroom to see the table had bought me dessert and sang happy birthday to me. Turns out they also paid my bill. So nice! We didn't get home until almost 10 though - way too late!

Thursday (16,835 steps) - Forecast was NOT wrong. It was snowing when we got up - enough that I had to scrape the car. Good lord, it's mid May?! It snowed all day, so A's soccer was canceled yet again. Luckily I was able to arrange a ride for her - I picked her up around 5:15 to go to Belmar. A decided not to run, Mo, Colfax and I still went out for the big loop. Brrrr. It was wet and cold.

Went to Rocko's and got quesadillas, nachos AND a beer. Jeff bought me sopapillas and the table sang happy birthday - probably best birthday I could hope for on a Thursday. 

Friday (10,877 steps) - A was going to the Royal Gorge with her Scout troop right after school so I made plans with Jessa for a birthday dinner and drinks. (This is the most I've gone out to eat in an eternity). I worked late to make up hours and then home to change clothes before meeting up with Jessa at Grand Lake brewing. Grilled cheese and a stout for dinner, headed home around 9. 

Saturday (31,414 steps) - I should have been running the Palmer Lake half, but it has been postponed until August because of all the snow. So in my head I thought I might run 12-14. I wasn't feeling great and hasn't gotten enough sleep, so I just ran 10 with Alison at Runners Edge.

I had enough time for a quick trip to Target before going to barre (for the first time in over a week). It was tough! I barely had enough time to pick up some pho for lunch, eat and shower before heading to the Colfax expo. Chatted with some people before going to Sparkle Skirts. I had signed up to work for a few hours in exchange for "sparkle dollars." Time flew by and it was a fun experience. Mo and I met up and went to Champ St for burgers (again). I had never been there. Food  was good and they had $1.50 beers on tap.

While I was doing all that ^, A was at the Royal Gorge with her Girl Scout troop bridging from Juniors to Cadettes.

Picked up A at a friend's house and then home. 

Sunday (17,745 steps) - 4:15 wake up call for volunteering with Pete at the Colfax marathon. We were assigned to Sloan's Lake aid station, which runners would pass through twice. It was way colder than I expected it to be - especially since we were set up in the shade.

I saw lots of people I knew, which was fun. We tore down by 9 and then went to the finish, where we ended up staying until about 1.

All the food was gone early so we w went to IHOP with Mo for a very late lunch. Quick trip to the store and then finally home for some sitting. Volunteering may be more exhausting than running!

Monday (13,453 steps) - I got my standing desk at work! Unlike my last job, all I had to do was ask for one and they told me they just want me to be "comfortable." Still waiting on my second monitor, but that should arrive soon.

Barre with Jen after work.

Stats:

• 133,778 steps
• 21.9 miles run
• 2 barre classes

Week in Review (May 9 - May 15)

Tuesday (10,737 steps) - Nothing. A had gymnastics and got her obligatory participation ribbon for the spring session.

Wednesday (19,890 steps) - Sculpt in the morning, then took A for her semi-annual dentist appointment before school.  Denver run club after work. Weather was weird so I wore a singlet and thin jacket, which ended up being perfect. Dave joined A, Mo, Colfax and me for the 3.5 mile Belcaro loop. Fun night!

Thursday (15,689 steps) - Belmar run club, big loop.

The Mizuno shoes matched my skirt perfectly!!

Headed right home after so we could pack for Grand Junction.
Friday (11,647 steps) - My last day at my job. Janna took me out to lunch at La Loma. Tried very hard  to get all my work done as I was leaving early so we could get out of town.
Saturday (34,930 steps) - Rabbit Valley half marathon.

By the time we got to Denver we were both hungry. I had a birthday reward from Old Chicago's so we shared a pizza and an appetizer.
Sunday (14,765 steps) - Met Mo and Colfax in Louisville so we could do a short trail run Mo had never run on the Singletree trail and we all enjoyed it.

After the run we went to Runners Roost Louisville for some Mother's Day yoga. I found it a little boring, but stretching is always good. There was a raffle afterword's from Brooks and Mo won the shoes! Since she doesn't wear PureFlows she decided to give her free pair to A, since that is what she's been running in the last few years.

We went home to shower and get ready for our next activity - lunch and drinks with Lisa! She picked us up at 12:30 and we went to Kokopelli down the street. A and I both got "small" pizzas - mine was BBQ chicken and hers a breakfast pizza. We spent a few hours there before heading back to our house to chat for a bit longer. A and I started the series "13 Reasons" on Netflix.
Monday (10,455 steps) - Day one of the new job and I had to be there at 8:30. I got there about 15 minutes early and spent all day training. Two of my attorneys took me out to lunch at Earl's, which was delicious. Picked A up at her last Scouts meeting of the year and quick trip to the grocery store.

Stats:

• 118,113 steps
• 23 miles run
• Only one barre class and some yoga