American Heroes Run (Race Recap)

Saturday, September 5
Longmont, CO
Weather - overcast at the start, then HOT

At run club earlier in the week, Heather mentioned that she wanted to get in a longer training run. We had briefly talked about running together and she thought she might go to Longmont to run the American Heroes run. I had run the half marathon course there in 2013 and did not especially feel like running that far. There were tons of distance options (since the course is a 1.05 mile loop), so Heather and I signed up for the 9.11 mile distance and A and Dan signed up for the 5k.

Left the house around 7 in hopes of stopping by my parents house to find my race belt (which I could not find) and to get coffee and donuts at Dunkin (success).

This is filled with Reese's peanut butter. It was a bit much.

We got to Longmont around 8 and got one of the last parking spots in the lot. The race was set up to have staggered starts, with the 9.11 race beginning at 9:03 and A's race at 9:37. I spent some time talking with Cheryll and Jim and then we lined up.

I was not feeling great. My calves were tight and my legs were tired. We took short walk breaks almost every loop and we stopped at the aid station at the start/finish each loop to get water and/or Powerade.

There is really not much to say about this race. The course is a loop, mostly on paved trail, although there is a small section of dirt/sand. It is practically flat. There is no shade.There were not a ton of people running so the course was not crowded. Like I remembered from a few years ago - not my favorite course.

We saw A and Dan when we were heading out for our second to last loop - Dan had helped A get a new 5k PR! The last loop I was just done. Blech.

Official Time - 1:40:12
Official Pace - 11:01
Gender Place - 7/15 (woo hoo, top half! lol)
Mile 1 - 10:36
Mile 2 - 12:05
Mile 3 - 11:10
Mile 4 - 11:39
Mile 5 - 11:30
Mile 6 - 11:17
Mile 7 - 11:36
Mile 8 - 11:16
Mile 9 - 10:34

So the race measured short for me, but that was fine by me. I was tired.

A's results
Official Time - 32:47 (new PR!)
Official Pace - 10:24
Gender Place - 6/20
Loop 1 - 10:18 pace
Loop 2 - 10:07 pace
Loop 3 - 10:48 pace

A and her awesome pacer, Dan

Thoughts:

• If you like smaller races and knowing exactly what to expect every mile, this race is for you.
• If you enjoy being in races where people running all distances are on the same course - you might like it.
• The one aid station was well stocked with Powerade, water, and ultra-type snacks (since there was a 24 hour division and a 9:11 race, as well as a marathon. Didn't have to run with anything on me - that was nice.
• The course was marked almost over-the-top well for a tiny loop. But there was no way anyone was getting lost.
• The race was chip timed with an ankle bracelet and you could clearly see your overall time and pace every time you ran through the start/finish area. Results were posted regularly, if you care about that type of thing.
• Every finisher received a dog tag.
• Overall - a good experience. I registered the night before, and included fees it was about $75 for both my race and A's - early registration is obviously even less expensive.

Week in Review (September 1 - September 7)

Tuesday (27,156 steps) - Cardio kickboxing. I gotta say, I don't like these. I don't have much coordination and I feel like I am "wasting" the exercises by not doing them properly. I used to enjoy the turbo kickboxing class at the gym, but these weird videos aren't for me. Met up with a couple of Craigslist who purchased my roll top desk and then went back to the doctor to get my injection. All this before 8 am! 4 slow/progressive miles on the treadmill. CIM is coming up quick and the thought of doing double digit training runs is daunting...

Wednesday (18,035 steps) - HIIT cardio & total body toning. Not sure what exercises I did earlier this week that had me feeling sore (inner thighs) and overall exhausted. J/K what I said recently about the videos not being "quite as hard." A and I went to run club (for the first time in a few weeks). Had a hot run with A, Lisa and Heather - great way to spend the evening.

Lisa, A and Me (The INKnBURN crew) - Lisa is an ambassador and on the Roost race team as well

Thursday (18,219 steps) - Cardio video that left me embarrassingly sweaty. Womp. After work we went to A's curriculum night at school (fancy new name for back to school night where they also corral you in the gym to be brainwashed into joining the PTA). We then went to the furniture store to put A's bed on order (since we sold her bedroom set when we moved - she is super pumped to upgrade to a more "adult" bedroom set).
Friday (16,530 steps) - Total body toning strength and HIIT cardio. I have done this video before (maybe a year ago?) and I like it. Not too many reps, and in the standard ABAB format, and then 20/10 x 4 HIIT sets. I swear time stops when you are doing 20 seconds of jump squats though. I added this one to my favorites and I will do it again. After work we went to dinner with Jessa and Jackson at a little Mexican restaurant down the street - it was tasty.

Believe it or not, I did not clean my plate. But it was close.

We stopped at the grocery store to pick up ingredients for my project - red velvet brownies. Thankfully, Jessa is an expert baker and she assisted me with making the delicious treats to take to Nate's birthday party.

Red velvet and blackish/green velvet (blue food coloring apparently didn't work)

Saturday (29,501 steps) - Up early for the American Heroes Run (recapped separately). On the way home we stopped in Boulder for a few errands. I had to stop at Sephora for some new lip gloss (if you haven't tried Buxom, you are missing out - it is the most fantastic gloss ever invented) and to Lululemon. Like most brands, Lulu discontinued the shorty shorts (best shorts ever to wear under skirts - they have tons of pockets and don't ride up). I had seen a pair online that looked like the pockets might work but the reviews were mixed so I wanted to try them in person. I ended up getting two pairs - one of which was on clearance - SCORE! A and I grabbed a quick Cuban sandwich for a small lunch and then met Heather at the Newton store. A talked me into getting her a pair of trail shoes (her first, and also her first pair of women's sized shoes - size 5 O.o). Then we made a quick stop at Flatiron's Running where I picked up another pair of INKnBURN robot capris for A in the next size up. Really happy that they brought in the kid's line! I hope these fly off the shelves so more styles will be made for them. Although at this point, A is now ok wearing women's XS tees, so it's not as urgent as before.

Went home and took a shower and then waited for Jessa and Jackson to get back so that we could drive up to Heather's house (the other Heather) in the mountains for Nate's 18th birthday BBQ. It was a ton of food like always, and I always love seeing all my friends.

A and the adorable Levi

Tried to stay up and watch a movie but was too exhausted.
Sunday (9,009 steps) - Slept in until something like 8:00. After a delicious breakfast of pancakes and peaches we went to my parents house to pick up a few things and then Target for a few others. (Which of course meant that I left with a lot of things I did NOT need). We also stopped by the animal shelter and looked at cats. My mom thinks Batman Sour needs a friend to keep him company as he seems very lonely at their house. I don't know about that, but figured it couldn't hurt to look? We went to Sprouts to pick up stuffed chicken for dinner. In the meantime, we needed to install her storm door. The box claimed it could be done in 45 minutes. Spoiler - even with the assistance of a neighbor it took close to three hours. Ended up eating really late, and by proxy, going to bed really late. Exhausted.

How many people does it take to install a door?

Monday (34,474 steps) - Up crazy early (after not sleeping at all the night before) for the Highlands Ranch half marathon (recapped separately). Was home by 10:30 and treated to a fried egg sandwich (yay, because I was starving). I tried to take a nap but couldn't sleep. So tired and exhausted. Quick lunch and then after watching a marathon of Tiny House, Big Living, A and I left to go to the Salomon fun run & BBQ at Bear Creek State Park. The turnout was HUGE and we had a great time. We started with a 2ish mile trail run (man, my legs were DEAD), and then A participated in the scavenger hunt (which required more running). There were burgers and beers and lots of friends. This was a lot of fun.

Dan and A running the trails at Bear Creek

Dan, Margo, Maureen holding Colfax and A at the top of the hill for the scavenger hunt

A looking "cool" in her hoodie

Heather and I wearing our matching "Will Run For Beer" shirts

This is what happens when A takes my phone - selfies...

A at the top of "mini Mt. Everest" - which she ran up a second time with Dan

Got back home around 7:30 for second dinner of stir fry, and then we watched the season finale of Walking Dead to get us pumped up for the new season starting next month.

Stats:

• 152,924 steps
• 29.7 miles run (wow, it's the most miles ever)
• 86 minutes of cross training (other cardio/HIIT)
• 35 minutes of strength/stretching

Everything Else:

• Obviously I still haven't moved. Shockingly, there were problems. Maybe this week?
• That's about it. I'm so boring.

Normal (Week 2)

Tuesday - Last day in California. Womp. We didn't do much except get MORE donuts and then Chili's for lunch. Our flight was mid afternoon, so we pretty much had to head to the airport right after lunch. Flight was uneventful. However, get to Denver and the lot tech at the parking lot I always use neglected to write down my car's location... THANKFULLY, one of the other people on the bus was parked in my same row or we could have been driving around all day. Beautiful sunset on the drive home.

Wednesday - 8.17 miles on the treadmill at a sub 10:30 pace!! WHAT!!!! I'm so happy I picked up the Tokyo Pop shirt at the INKnBURN warehouse sale. I just love it so much, it is so "me." Also did the arms, core and butt/thigh videos. Especially after taking a week off from doing these, they were The Hardest. I am so weak!!

Thursday - Munchkin mile with A at Lake Arbor. I was too weak to bother with anything else. The heat is so draining!

Friday - NOTHING. NOTHING. NOTHING.

Saturday - 22 miles of The Hottest Hot ever. I had been registered for a local half marathon, but since I have done the event before, I chose to skip the race and run with Runners Edge and Hope instead - to get in more mileage. The group run started at 6:30, but with highs forecasted to be in the mid 90's, we opted to "moonlight" and start at 5:30 instead. The first 1.5 hours were great, and *almost* chilly. But then the sun came out and we roasted. We ran a nice section along the Louisville Trail and the turnaround was on Marshall Mesa - exposed and HOT. The last aid station ran out of water, and the second half was MISERABLE trying not to die. But, got it done! Later that day A and I met up with my friend from work and her son and sat at a park while the kids played FOR HOURS.

Sunday - American Heroes Run half marathon in the morning. Then A had a birthday party at the local amusement park. We went right after lunch, getting there about 2. We didn't leave until almost 7. She had a blast. The night was spent doing laundry and picking up EVERYTHING off the floors as we were having our carpets cleaned for the first time since we have been in our house (4.5 years). After all THAT, I did the three videos - arms, core and butt/thighs. DEAD.

Monday - Three or so weeks ago, the passenger window in my Mini decided it no longer wants to stay shut all the way. As soon as it hits the top, it drops back down. If I manually tick it up, I can get it to stop CLOSE to the top. I had this SAME issue last March. Long story short, I get to the dealer and they claim they have NO record of me ever having this issue before and they want to charge me $125 just to look at it and I SNAPPED. Finally a manager came over and said that I'm "barely" out of warranty and they will take care of it for me. I did get a loaner car - THE GIANTEST VEHICLE EVER, the Mini Countryman. HUGE. (FYI, as soon as I got home I found my service records and in fact, DID find the paperwork for the window issue). Did NO exercise again.

Gain - 2.6 pounds

• So... I skipped my weigh in last week since it was the day that we got back from #eatallthethings in California. I'm up 2.6 pounds in the last two weeks, even though I have run a jillion miles. So, apparently, I need to remember that I simply cannot eat everything. So disappointing.
• Beer was a bit higher intake the last few weeks after sort of leveling out, so guess I will have to watch that a bit too.
• After a lot of internal debate, I shelled out the money and joined match.com. I have not had a ton of creepers contact me, but I've had a lot of responses. There are a few guys that I even gave my number to that I have been texting with. One in particular is going to be my first "meet up." We were supposed to have lunch Monday, but rescheduled for today, so hopefully it is good!
• Work has been INSANE. In addition to being busier than usual, I am still not caught up from the days I took off from Disney. Time has been going by fast, which helps.
• I have one half marathon (a night race!) scheduled for Saturday, and then the next race is the Bear Chase 50K! I am really excited to be running with Hope for her very first ultra! (I hope she does not hate it, since I am the one that encouraged her to run it!). I love the event and have run the 50 mile (in 2011) and the 50K (in 2012). I am sure I will be back next year too.
• And... I think I am ready to attempt a 100 miler again. I have been in touch with the race director for the 100K I am registered for and think that I will be upgrading to the 100 mile. L and Hope have both offered to pace me, as well as another friend. It is  a local race, and I feel I'm as trained as I will ever be.

American Heroes Run (Race Recap)

Longmont, CO
Sunday, September 8
Half Marathon #92
Colorado Half #31
Weather - The Hottest and Sunniest EVER

We signed up for the half marathon portion of the American Heroes Run in FEBRUARY. Another race to cross off our list of running ALL the half marathons in Colorado. (Although, let's be real. I am WAY behind L on this one, this really could take the rest of my life to do). Anyway, the race is put on by an amazing ultra runner, David Clark, and there were TONS of different distances happening all the same time. There was a new 24 hour division this year, and although 5 runners signed up, only one started. She ran 84 miles!!!

If the rest of the country is anything like Colorado was this weekend it was THE HOTTEST EVER. The race was scheduled to follow the timeline of the events of September 11 (this was the first year the event was NOT held on the 11th, in an attempt to increase participation). The race was not scheduled to start until 8:46 am!! Which means, it was going to be HOT.

L and I convinced Hope to run the race with us and her husband and kids were planning on spectating and graciously offered to watch the girls. We left the house just before 7:15 am for the 45 minute drive to Longmont. I saw a donut place on the way up and we stopped and got THESE:

I had 1/2 the Snickers covered Long John and one of the pumpkin donuts with cream cheese frosting!

I haven't been really eating before races or long runs, so I was hoping that his out-of-the-blue donut stop wasn't going to make for a terrible race.

We had NOT read any of the information regarding the course (remember, I stopped doing that AGES ago), so we were a bit surprised when Hope told us that it was going to be... ONE.MILE.LOOPS. Oh. Well, that could be... horrible?

Anyway, there wasn't a ton of parking at the start but we were able to get a spot. We picked up our bibs and ankle chips and then used the bathroom. There was a brief pre-race  meeting to go over the course, etc. and we lined up for the half.

Um, yeah. That's about all the participants

L was STILL feeling like a cripple and Hope was a bit off from our long run the day before. Apparently, I was the one that was setting the pace every loop, and the first mile clocked by at 11:xx, which was a bit too fast for the other ladies. I was in no rush and it was THE HOTTEST EVER, so we slowed the pace down. I am still not running with music, and even though there was SOME conversation, we really just ran the loops and ticked off the miles. It was a pretty view, but again, SO HOT.

To cover the distance, we had one "half" loop (which was actually about 3/4 mile) and then 12 full loops. The course did measure long as a result. I thought I would HATE the loop course, but it actually wasn't that bad. There were a decent amount of spectators, and I enjoyed knowing that every mile I would come up on an aid station. About midway through the race, these were put out. BEST EVER!!

Not much else to say about the race. The course was flat, about half paved and half soft dirt. There was very little shade. Due to the small number of participants, the course never really got crowded. I had a pretty great day, everything felt "easy" for me.

Official Time - 2:45:02
Gender Place - 3/8 (Woot!!)
Garmin Time - 2:45:01
Garmin Distance - 13.46 miles
Mile 1 - 11:37
Mile 2 - 12:04
Mile 3 - 12:20
Mile 4 - 12:08
Mile 5 - 12:11
Mile 6 - 12:23
Mile 7 - 12:23
Mile 8 - 12:11
Mile 9 - 12:48
Mile 10 - 12:33
Mile 11 - 12:08
Mile 12 - 12:26
Mile 13 - 12:57
Mile 13.46 - 9:51 (!! - and it didn't even feel "hard")
 

Thoughts:

• I actually enjoyed running the loops - never felt alone and it was fun to count how many times we got lapped by the ridiculous fast people (the winner ran a 1:32, second place was more than a half hour slower, lol).
• Only one aid station, but it was GREAT and was being  manned by the race director. They never ran out of water, they had gels, chips, donut holes and other goodies. I was impressed.
• If the event gets bigger he will want to add port-o-potties as there were indoor bathrooms available, but only 2 stalls.
• It was fun having the kids there. Loved getting hi fives as we were heading in for our loops.
• I would run this event again, nothing bad to say about this one!