Because Being Ordinary Is Boring

Friday, September 25, 2026

Run the Rockies (Race Recap)

Frisco, CO

Saturday, September 19

Half Marathon #201

Weather - Chilly at the start, cold and rainy at the end

I had run this race only one other time, and that was back in 2015 when it was held in June. This was a last-minute race as I thought it might be good to do a longer "training" run. Ironically, this was my first half marathon distance in over a year. Crazy that I used to run dozens of these a year.

Race Day

We got out the door on time and parked near the start line with about 40 minutes until the start. We took Olive for a quick walk on the bike path and then I had to start my bathroom line cycling. I was standing around with Ben and Olive waiting to start. It was hard to hear, but I finally figured out that there was a moose on course and they were holding everyone at the start until we got the all-clear. Don't think I have had that happen before. I had Ben put Olive in the truck before the gun went off because she was getting anxious and I didn't want her to trip anyone.

My only goals originally were to run and feel good. Secondly, I wondered if I could beat my time from 2015, which was a 2:27.

Finally, at 8:15, we started. I was in the back and had one headphone in to start until we moved onto the bike path. The fasties surged towards the front and I quickly moved into a rhythm that felt sustainable.

It seemed like it was going to be a beautiful morning for a run. The air was crisp and we had nice, blue skies. I was chasing a few gals and leapfrogging with an elderly man who was wearing a 2016 NYC marathon jacket.

I passed all the ladies that I had been chasing and ended up mostly alone on the course. Every time a mile clicked I was mildly concerned that I was pushing too hard and that I would be suffering on the back half of the course if I burned out my legs too soon.

I was coming up to the turn into town (where the 10k runners would peel off to the finish) when a lady on the side of the trail yelled that the moose (that caused the delayed start) was in the trees on the side of the trail. While I did see the moose, this is not my picture - mine didn't come out - but this is one my friend Carol got.

About this point I was thinking I really needed to use the bathroom. I thought I had seen that there were four aid stations on the course and we were over seven miles in at this point and I had only seen one. I was also just praying there would be a bathroom.

I had to take this pic because I actually DID see a moose

I was leapfrogging with a different elderly guy at this point. FINALLY saw the aid station and thankfully there was a bathroom and no wait. I grabbed some water (I was not running with a pack or bottle) and a single gummy worm and headed back out. At this point I was thinking I was getting warm and that I may be overdressed. I also felt like I was losing my mojo a bit. The stop seemingly killed whatever energy I had left.

At some point I realized this was NOT the same course I had run in 2015.

This is the back of the old guy I leapfrogged with the whole back half - he beat me in a finish line sprint

We were on the path behind the hospital and then went under the highway and briefly onto the perimeter trail - of course we went by the stables and I had to get a picture. At this point it was raining pretty heavily. I was no longer wondering if I was overdressed!

Just when I thought I knew where we would be going we did a random loop through a neighborhood before doubling back and going under the highway through this cool tunnel.

Back up towards the bike path to town - thankfully it had stopped raining at this point and it was just misting a bit.

I really struggled the last mile or so, probably doing the most walking of the race. Ready for this to be done! Finally got back to the junction where the 10k had split off and I knew I didn't have much more to go. I could see downtown Frisco and knew I was close. I was still neck and neck with old guy #2 and then I saw Ben and Olive. I could tell Ben was talking to Olive trying to explain to her where I would be coming from. He handed the leash off to me so I could run into the finish with her. She is pretty good on leash but I was definitely worried about her tripping the old guy. Ben managed to get closer to the finish line and got some great pics of us coming into the finish!

I was DONE. It was still misting a bit and I was soaked. Thankfully Ben had brought me my rain jacket to put on because I was definitely getting cold. We found some chairs near the finish line and I told Ben I wanted to sit for a few minutes. He grabbed me a diet coke and then we discussed plans for what to do next.

Official Time - 2:25:33

Garmin Time - 2:25:42

Garmin Distance - 13.10 miles

Garmin Pace - 11:07

Elevation Gain - 344' (more than in 2015)

Mile 1 - 10:54

Mile 2 - 10:53

Mile 3 - 10:08

Mile 4 - 10:14

Mile 5 - 10:14

Mile 6 - 10:19

Mile 7 - 10:59

Mile 8 - 13:10 (bathroom)

Mile 9 - 11:14

Mile 10 - 10:57

Mile 11 - 12:33

Mile 12 - 11:20

Mile 13 - 11:22

Mile 13.1 - 9:17 (felt faster)

Week in Review (September 15 - September 21)

Tuesday (13,457 steps) - Woke up exhausted. Olive was scratching all night and it kept waking me up. UGH. Peloton and walk with Ben and Olive. Had a quick interview and then went to the gym. Strength workout and a walking video. Went for another walk in the afternoon. We are only in the mid 70s right now and it is so gloriously comfortable compared to all the days of 90s we had this summer. Ben made tacos for dinner. Took Olive for a walk before Yellowjackets.

Wednesday (19,294 steps) - Walked Olive to the lake before clocking in.

I worked from home for about over an hour before Ben and I took Olive to the vet. She has been itchy and scratching for a while now - nothing we have tried has worked. So... allergy shot, hopefully it works. Traffic was weirdly horrific going into Denver. Later lunch to do my workout. It was mostly fine but had a hard time keeping my heart rate lower.

Qdoba for dinner. Reacher season finale and more Yellowjackets.

Thursday (25,184 steps) - Walk with Olive to the lake before starting work. Had to take Olive back to the groomer so she could get the rest of her undercoat treatment - a blowout! So fancy. Went for my run at lunch. It was lightly raining so I ran on Big Dry Creek for my workout. SO HUMID.

Quick Peloton ride, an Olive walk, upper body workout. After work I headed down to Golden for trail work with Trail Sisters on Chimney Gulch. The map took me up Lookout so I had to find somewhere to turn around and get to the correct trailhead. Annoying! This was a nice night for working and I was glad that we only worked until about 7 because again, HUMID.

It was Brit's birthday so we had some cake in the parking lot before I headed to Torchy's to meet Ben for a late dinner. Barely had time for an episode of Yellowjackets. Lordy, longest day ever.

Friday (12,174 steps) - Quick walk with Olive before going to work. Took Olive for a walk at lunch. We left early so I could get my things packed for the weekend. I have never been one to wait until the last minute to pack and the last few trips I have done that and it is always so stressful! We started the drive up to the mountains about the time I would normally be getting off work, so that meant I did not need to bring the laptop with me. We got to the town hall in Frisco just after 6 so I could pick up my bib. Super fast and easy! Then it was to Outer Range (of course).

Lee met us there and we stayed until about 7:30. Picked up pizza from Whole Foods and then back to Lee's house. We had dinner and then spent an odd amount of time researching the Sri Chimnoy Transcendence race.

Saturday (27,909 steps) - Up at 6 for Run the Rockies - race recap to follow. We drove up to Copper Mountain for the start and took Olive for a quick walk on the bike path. There is snow on the peaks?!

Since the weather was still being iffy, we planned to go to Highside so we could be inside and get food. Managed to get a pic of my NA beer but not the nachos we got.

I took off my wet clothes in the bathroom and put on one of Ben's truck hoodies and could NOT get warm. He grabbed the moving blanket from the truck, but I was still freezing. How am I possibly going to be able to survive winter?? I heard back from Greg that he was leaving Leadville and we agreed to meet him at Outer Range. They had half their patio closed for their Summit members gathering, but we were thankfully able to get some seats at the outdoor bar. We stayed chatting with Greg for a bit - it was great to see him, we don't cross paths much anymore. Time to head to Lee's house and I was really glad to change out of my race clothes and put on my joggers. Lee picked up JJ's Chinese food for us and we spent a decent amount of time watching the Run Rabbit livestream.

Went to bed early because I was totally exhausted.

Sunday (18,107 steps) - Took Olive for a walk around the block. I love that people are already putting out their Halloween decorations!

We decided to go to Vail for a trip up Berry Picker. We weren't sure if we were going to miss the changing leaves or not and decided not to risk it since the weather was nice. TONS of parking and the jaunt up the hill was beautiful and tough like always.

We stayed at the top for a beer (NA for me) and then took the gondola down.

The fear when Olive remembers she has to get on the gondola

Lunch at Garfinkel's. Sidenote: We are such creatures of habit that even though we have only done this 3-4 times Olive knows exactly where to go and what to do. Pretty silly.

Quick window-shopping stop at Patagonia before heading down the hill. Met Lee at Outer Range and then started the drive down.

We had waited until it looked like traffic wouldn't be that bad - spoiler - it was horrific and it took us almost three hours to get home. It was dark by the time we got there and we had to unload the truck. Did some things around the house and had a frozen burrito for dinner before an episode of Yellowjackets.

Monday (22,986 steps) - Olive walk to the lake before I clocked in for the day.

Greg actually gave me a workout (!) to do, which was surprising to me since I had raced on Saturday. I had some apprehension about it, but it actually went REALLY well.

Saw this guy both times I ran by!

Ben and I went to Costco at lunch since we have ZERO food in the house. Another walk around the block with Olive. We made dinner, a random chicken carbona lasagna - weird combo, but it was really good! More Yellowjackets.

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