Westminster Trail half marathon (race recap)

Saturday, April 28
Westminster, CO
Half marathon #180
Weather - hot, sunny

Even though I have resigned from being an ERS ambassador, I really wanted to run this one. For the last 5 years the course has been on Big Dry Creek - NOT EXCITING. This year, ERS got permission to run around Standley Lake - my backyard! A's friend had spent the night, but with the race start being only 2 miles from our door, we didn't have to leave until 7 am.

We arrived at Wayne Carl Middle School less than 10 minutes later (yes, even though we could run there in two miles, it's probably 4-5 miles driving because of the lake/neighborhood). There was already almost no parking left, and until the race started I watched people frustrated and annoyed that there wasn't more parking. But who shows up to a race with three distances 15 minutes before gun time and expects to be able to park right at the start?

Anne had the Roost tent set up, so we left our stuff there, made the rounds saying hi to people and picked up our bibs. I love that ERS listened to our suggestions and made shirts an add on, versus just giving it to us in our bags. Literally just a bib. Love not getting all the junk! Got into the bathroom line, then decided to run back to the car to grab my aftershockz in case I wanted music later. We saw our buddy Ross, who took about a half hour early start.

The race started right on time, at 8. It was already super sunny and H O T, and I knew there was no shade at all on the course. This was going to be a long day. Annette and I ran together for about the first 2-3 miles. First we ran north and then west. This was perfect, as there is very little climbing on this section and I hoped that it would give my legs a chance to warm up.

First aid station was manned by none other than Michelle and Scott, great to see familiar faces at aid stations!

Then I knew we had the LONG climb up - and I DIDN'T HAVE TO WALK. Hurray!! We were on the lower trail section near the water, then onto the new Rocky Mountain Greenway connector.

Another aid station at the bridge by Kipling, then onto the section I was really looking forward to. Every time I have run out here I have run the single track nearest the road. I hadn't ever really been on the trails closer to the water on the south side. It was in this section that I saw A!! She looked happy (and fast) and was a few people ahead of Tom, who was supposed to be pacing her. Right at their turnaround I saw the "hill" we would have to go up later. Ugh.

There was actually a LOT more climbing than I expected on this course, over 700'! I was heading up one of the climbs and saw Becki already heading back from doing the lollipop loop. That section was where I finally started making some ground on passing people. Some nice single track on the way back, hit the aid station, then it was time to go up the hill (ugh!) and head back. Running along the lake was nice, and not technical.

Passed the aid station near Kipling, then headed back to the next little loop we would have to do. We had a very small section of pavement, and then looped on some overgrown trails, and then back up to the aid station. Thankfully, the course was going to measure a bit short, so I gave it everything I had and ran to the finish, one of my fastest times in ages (and on trail!)

Official Time - 2:19:36
Garmin Time - 2:19:39
Garmin Distance - 12.76 miles
Elevation Gain - 735'
Mile 1 - 10:47
Mile 2 - 10:13
Mile 3 - 10:57
Mile 4 - 11:04
Mile 5 - 11:30
Mile 6 - 11:21
Mile 7 - 11:50
Mile 8 - 11:14
Mile 9 - 10:56
Mile 10 - 10:03
Mile 11 - 10:30
Mile 12 - 10:57
Mile 12.76 - 10:54

A, meanwhile, ran the "10K" in 52:07 (her watch measured 5.82 miles). She took first in her age group (by quite a bit), and was NINTH FEMALE OVERALL. She is still starting out a bit too fast, but she is getting better. Thankfully, her friend got a picture on the podium since awards happened while I was still out running.

Lots of Roosters out today, although a few left long before this was taken

ERS folks ambassadors (and me and A)

Thoughts:

• Man oh man, is this course so much better! I mentioned to Jeff that the course was a little short, and he indicated that was due to some rerouting from overgrown trails that were on google maps, but not there in reality. 
• Three distances, with the half starting first, and then 10 minutes between the 10K and 5K. Mid to back of the pack joined up with the slower 5K runners, although this was on a very wide section, so congestion was not an issue.
• FREEEE race pictures. Free! And they're really good, AND there is actually one of meee this time :)
• Post race party was awesome like always! Plenty of food & drinks.
• This was a great time, and it was awesome to see everyone. A bit sad that I'm not running all the races this year, but looking forward to some new adventures this summer.

Week in Review (April 17 - April 23)

Tuesday (15,037 steps) - I had planned on taking a rest day. Tired from high mileage and this run is the least "race training specific." Turns out, perfect day for a break since we had record-breaking winds. Near us winds were reported at nearly 90 mph! Crazy!!
Wednesday (17,167 steps) - Roost Boulder! Ariel actually ran with me, mainly because she didn't get satellite on her watch before the run started.

We had contemplated staying in Boulder for the Ultimate Direction event at Neptune, but went home to watch the season finale of Criminal Minds instead.
Thursday (19,462 steps) - A was spending the night at her friend's house, so I met up with Kristin for a run at Apex. I hadn't been there since last summer! I love this trail, wish I got out there more.

Stopped at Rocko's on the way home to say hi to Dulce.
Friday (8,548 steps) - Barre with Gabi! Nothing else, except finally finishing Game of Thrones!
Saturday (27,908 steps) - Up stupid early for Runners Edge. I had 14-16 on schedule and we had an alternate route because of the snow. It was a sketchy drive all the way to Englewood. Luckily, David was putting out my aid station flag right as I pulled up. Not sure I would have found it otherwise. Started solo right after Duffyroll opened at 6 (so I could use the bathroom). Probably my least favorite run of the year. Spring, heavy & wet snow. For the first time (ever) I ran with my hood on the entire time. I had to keep my hat on OVER the hood because it kept coming off. I called it quits when I turned around at my aid station, getting in just under 13 miles.

Headed up to the Stapleton Roost to meet up with the team, who had done a group run earlier. Spent a while there before realizing I was freezing and headed home.

Yay! Ang!!

Took an insanely long, hot bath. Batman and I took a nap on the couch. Grocery shopping and looooots of TV.
Sunday (28,028 steps) - With the trails super wet, Kristin and I opted to head to Boulder to do NCAR repeats on the road. This actually wasn't as terrible as I had thought it would be. This time we DID get in 13 miles.

Alllll the deer the first few repeats!

Summit selfie after the 4th repeat

Grilled cheese & a beer after we got done. Then, I met up with Lisa for a beer on the patio. Insane what a difference a day makes in the weather. No recollection of the evening.
Monday (16,184 steps) - Barre express with Karen. New Terrain run club! I was tired and sore and planned on doing the regular group route. At the last meeting point before heading up to the summit, Elliott decided we should stay low because it was thundering.

I finally made it in a group picture!!

Good call, I managed to get rained on a bit during the last half mile or so. Stuck around to chat with Sean for a bit before heading home for dinner.

Stats:

• 132,334 steps
• 41.9 miles run
• 2 barre classes

Week in Review (April 10 - April 16)

Tuesday (16,732 steps) - I had grand plans of running three loops at Sloans. Then I got off work late and was only to start a few minutes early. I had a great run, and finished two loops "super speedy."
Wednesday (18,489 steps) - Runners Roost Boulder!

There were talks about adding a mile-ish of technical climbing that I was sorta down for, but then it was added that it would be "fast," which I'm not. I was still tired on this run, but once again, I finished faster than I thought I did, so that was nice.

Thursday (14,432 steps) - Barre with Sienna. After work, Belmar run club. I ran with Mo and Colfax for the first time in ages, which really helped the miles fly by. This has been a big mileage week, and I'm definitely feeling it.

Funny hands, and who knows what's happening with my skirt

Friday (14,102 steps) - Rest day!
Saturday (45,861 steps) - Loooong run with Runners Edge in Boulder. 22 on schedule, and it was everything I thought it might be and more. Funny how 20 just a few weeks ago was "hard," but not "awful." Anyway, go through it with minimal whining.

We went to brunch with Alexa and Under the Sun (using our $25 gift certificate from Stout Month). JT met up with us for the last half hour or so, crazy as usual.

Then, picked up our aid station and proceeded to do nothing for the rest of the day, going to bed at 8:30.
Sunday (25,589 steps) - Left the house at 7:30 to drive to Deer Creek canyon for the Fear the Deer training run. I had only run out there once, for the race, back in 2013. I knew that there was a decent amount of climbing on this route. We had plans to do the 6-7 mile route. Unfortunately, Alison and I misread the map and ended up taking a lengthy detour. We ended up doing just over 10. Oops?

Mo, Ariel and Colfax did NOT do 10, because they are smarter than I am

Went to breakfast at IHOP with Mo, quick trip to the grocery store, then A had to go to a scout meeting. I did some laundry, some yoga, and watched an episode of GOT. Then, Walking Dead finale.
Monday (25,672 steps) - Barre express with Karen. New Terrain run club! I had it in my head all day that I was going to do a big loop, and that's exactly what I did. I knew that sunset was just after 7:30 and assumed it was going to take me around 2 hours. I started just before 6, and finished right as the sun was setting. No falling, and actually, a decently "fast" pace for me.

Meanwhile, A had a great time running with the group and Sean got some great pictures of her. 

 

Sean, Ryan, Becki Lynn & A

Becki bought me a beer and we had a great time chatting until we realized it was super late and we still needed to go home and make dinner. Fun night!!

Stats:

• 148,187 steps
• 56.7 miles run (can that be right??)
• 2 barre classes & some yoga