Snow Mountain Ranch 33k (Race Recap)

Saturday, September 12

Granby, CO

Weather - Partly cloudy and cool

I had some credits from deferring my Coldwater entry a while back AND from volunteering, so I decided to run Snow Mountain ranch for the 7th (!) time, although this would be my first time running anything other than the half marathon AND the first time running under Aravaipa and not ERS. Since I figured I could use a longer run as training for my last big race of the year, I went for the 33k, thinking I didn't really want to run another 50k this year.

Race Day

I always drive up in the morning and had planned on doing the same this year. Ben wanted to go with me, which was fine since it was a lot darker driving up for an 8 am start! Got there with enough time to get my bib and cycle through the bathroom line a few times. Ran into Stella and Anita and Ben got a picture of us at the start.

Ben also likes a selfie before race starts:

Historically, one of my favorite things about this race is the fall colors. The race seemingly was earlier this year, so not as many yellow/oranges, but still so pretty and MUCH cooler than we have been in Denver.

The gun went off right at 8 and I started in the back, like I always do. It had been a few years since I had last run, but the course has been pretty similar over the years and I thought I knew exactly where I would be going. Up the hill, to the right. So far so good. I was surprised to see an aid station about 2/3 of a mile in - seemingly not necessary at all, but I would find out later why it was probably placed there.

For the whole first mile I was vying for DFL with a couple other people. By the time we got to the flatter grassy field area I was comfortably in second to last place. Got to the road and thought I knew where we would be going - I was wrong. Up a dirt road. 

I really needed to use the bathroom, so I was happy to see that the permanent bathrooms near the first "real" aid station were open. I had to backtrack to go over the timing mat, but off I went. In the time it took me to use the bathroom I was back to being DFL. OK! I have work to do. We are going up a road that I swear we normally come down and suddenly I don't know where the course goes. 

I didn't even think to look at the course map, so I have no idea long the climb is. I can fast hike though, and I pass a few people. At some point I see 50k runners coming down a different road - including Carol! Continue up... seemingly miles in and then finally the trail levels out. I finally was able to pass the old guy that got past me when I was in the bathroom on the downhill. There was one section where the markings were not clear of where to go and I think I only chose correctly because I'd previously run the half here (SIX TIMES). 

We moved over by the reservoir and I was surprised to NOT see an aid station at that location (would have made more sense than where the one was at less than a mile in). Passed quite a few people on this climb/descent, but I think those might have been 10k runners?

The rest of the course was similar to me - run close to the finish line, aid station (I did not stop) and then up the hill (saw Carol again) and by the shooting range. Then the loop on the backside.

Thankfully the grass was NOT long in this section. I passed another few people in here and I was headed back to the start/finish area. For some reason the bottles in my pack were driving me NUTS and I couldn't wait to drop by empty one. I saw Ben when I was running up the hill to the timing mat, but he didn't seem to hear or see me. I finally threw the empty in his direction and told  him I was leaving it because it was pissing me off.

At this point I would have been happy to be done, having completed roughly the half marathon. I knew it was a shorter loop this time and kinda thought I would just be doing the 10k loop. Did NOT like having to do that lower grass section again. This picture of the cabin really shows how little the leaves have changed so far!

I was just trying to run as much as possible as I didn't want to get passed by anyone. Up by the shooting range and the grassy loop again - UGH I CANNOT WAIT TO BE DONE. 

Ben was at the finish line with Olive and since there wasn't anyone coming up directly behind me in the  chute, he let go of the leash and Olive was OVERJOYED to see me. Love this sequence of pictures.

We went to sit at the picnic tables right after I crossed the line. I was TOAST.

Official Time - 4:23:27

Overall Place - 20/31

Gender Place - 10/18

Garmin Time - 4:23:21 (pretty darn close to official)

Garmin Distance - 19.41 miles

Garmin Pace - 13:34

Elevation Gain - 2,456' (up to almost 10,000!)

Run Time - 3:14:03

Walk Time - 1:08:33

Idle Time - 0:45!! only my bathroom stop - otherwise I was always moving

Miles 1-5 - 13:05, 13:56, 15:53, 16:40, 15:36

Miles 6-10 - 12:10, 10:57, 11:08, 12:23, 12:32

Miles 11-15 - 13:31, 14:04, 13:03, 13:34, 14:16

Miles 16-19.4 - 13:18, 13:39, 13:40, 14:53, 12:20

Thoughts:

• I really like this race overall, but didn't love the extra mileage/distance of the 33k. I would likely do again (one of my favorite fall races), but would go back to "just" doing the half marathon - that is plenty.
• I am sure the aid stations were fine, but I did not stop at a single one of them. I had filled two 600ml flasks before the race started and did not need to top off at all, with the cooler temps I had enough fluids, although I did run out right at the end.
• Course markings were "mostly" good, but there were a few intersections where key markings I think were lacking. Had I not run this before I could see where it might be confusing. Apparently the website said the 33k would be over 20 miles but I got 19.4 (which is what official tracking also listed).
• Saw photographers, my pics are horrific, will not be purchasing (as an aside, pictures used to be free under the previous organization).
• Gear used - UltrAspire Zygos 5.0, INKnBURN skirt, rabbit deflector with a rabbit EZ tee over. Rabbit socks and Mount to Coast H1 shoes. LMNT added to my water and the only calories I had on course was 3-4 Hi-Chew. (I did eat before the race, but I just wasn't hungry during it).
• I would recommend this race overall.

Week in Review (September 8 - September 14)

Tuesday (13,883 steps) - Peloton ride and Olive walk before going to work in office. Went to the gym at lunch and did some strength training and treadmill walking. 

Ben had dinner ready when I got home, which was nice. Took Olive for a walk before settling down for the evening. 

Wednesday (19,336 steps) - Walk with Olive and Ben before going to work. I had a workout to do at lunch, but it was an easier one. Not bad at all! 

Took Olive for another walk when I got home. Ben got held up in a meeting so he had food delivered. Yum!!

Lioness? Cannot remember what we ended up watching.

Thursday (18,357 steps) - Took Olive for a walk to the lake.

I only had a short run to do, so I got it done early. 

Took Olive to her grooming appointment. They were a lot quicker this time around, but we were sad that she didn't get hair bows this time. Also, her ears seem to be a little uneven - still adorable. Hoping it helps with all her itching recently. 

Over lunch she wanted to go on another long walk, so back to the lake we went. After work we went to Torchy's for dinner. Maybe this was the night that we started Yellowjackets. I have already seen all the episodes that are currently out, but since we are out of things to watch I suggested we watch this so I don't have to find time to watch when the last season comes out in November. 

Friday (15,659 steps) - Ben joined me and Olive for a walk to the lake before work. It was a really nice morning!

Took her for a walk at lunch - definitely warm.

Took Olive for a walk. Ben ordered Dominos for dinner. Yellowjackets?

Saturday (47,181 steps) - Snow Mountain Ranch 33k (recap to follow).

We stopped in Winter Park at Wake N' Bacon for brunch on our way home. Food was pretty good and Olive was allowed on the patio. There was a little bit of rain and we both were wearing long sleeves, but seemingly fall is on the way!

Took a shower and then walked Olive around the block. Leftover pizza for dinner. We were hoping to watch the new Fall 2, but it's not out yet. We settled on Alien: Romulus. Kinda cheesy, but I've seen worse.

Sunday (15,015 steps) - Did some things around the house before going to Boulder for our normal Sunday hike. 

Stopped at Runners Roost to 1). try to exchange my socks (which they wouldn't do because I didn't have a receipt) and 2). to try on the new Mount to Coast M1s. I would have bought but they apparently don't do a team discount on them, so I will wait and decide. We went to Resolute on the way home. I got a Ziggi's shaken pumpkin espression and Ben got us some Filipino food. Was pretty tasty.

Took Olive for a walk. Lioness new episode and then part of a Yellowjackets.

Monday (17,139 steps) - Walked Olive to the lake.

Went for my run relatively early since there was a chance of rain in the forecast. Spoiler, we got no rain. Run was good!

Blah day, but at least I was at home! Took Olive for a walk at lunch. We went to Costco when I got off work so I could get my glasses fixed. I really need to get a new prescription soon. Made dinner and then Yellowjackets. Glad I am re-watching this, there is a lot of new things I am noticing and things I had forgotten. 

Stats:

• 146,570 steps
• 34.41 miles run
• 17.82 miles walked
• 20 minutes of cardio
• 20 minutes of strength
• 0 minutes of sauna

Week in Review (August 11 - August 17)

Tuesday (13, 375 steps) - Peloton and Olive walk (with Ben) before going to work. Realized on my drive to work that I had forgotten to grab my breakfast, so shortly after getting to the office I walked to Target to pick up some oatmeal. I guess it's been a while since I've been on that end of the mall - it was almost unrecognizable! Gym at lunch for some strength training and treadmill walk. 

Did a delivery on the way home and then took Olive for a walk. Ben got Panda for dinner, yum! Started our next show, Dutton Ranch.

Wednesday (18,596 steps) - Olive walk before going to work. Went for a quick walk before my MANDATORY lunch meeting. I can't believe I have to give up so many of my lunch hours over the next month. Lunch meeting was blah. I planned another walk later in the afternoon, but it started to rain so I just came back to the office. Went to Runners Roost in Louisville for my run. Somehow, I got confused on the way to the bike path, missed a turn and had to cut through a parking lot to get to where I needed to be. Not sure what was going on, but that was weird. 

Still walking the hills and I was pretty sore from Tuesday's cross training, so it was slow, but not bad. Went back to the store after, but didn't know anyone so I didn't stick around. Dinner and Dutton Ranch.

Thursday (10,816 steps) - Long walk with Olive to the lake before work. Peloton, Olive walk and upper body workout during lunch. Ben was delayed at work so I did a delivery before meeting him at Torchy's. Olive walk when I got back home. 

Friday (11,266 steps) - Walk with Olive before we went to work. With it being a little cooler we were able to go to lunch at a normal time for our walk. 

Second afternoon walk that we timed perfectly to miss rainstorm. 

Little Caesars for dinner (yum) and more Dutton Ranch.

Saturday (30,189 steps) - Very early walk with Olive. Ben and I were volunteering at the Westminster Trail Race at Standley Lake, and I had picked the aid station closest to the house. We showed up at 6 am and... no one else was there. 

The captain and other volunteer were both no shows. Luckily Ben and I have both volunteered a ton and we were able to get the aid station set up with ease. Weirdly, even with 50k being the longest distance we didn't do much other than give people water and coke. Most of the food was left untouched. I was also signed up to be a course sweep. Ben took the other spot since the other person that was supposed to help didn't show up. Jim dropped me off at the other aid station so I could start and try to avoid the rain. Spoiler, I didn't avoid the rain and the field area was SO muddy. Also, it is beyond me how anyone got off course in this race - I must've picked up a zillion picket signs and flags. 

Got back to the aid station and Ben met me to finish the sweeping. We finished up at the middle school and then ran back home. Ariel had been volunteering at the finish line but finished up earlier and was hanging out with Olive. We decided to go to Corona's for a late lunch/early dinner.  YUM!!  

Maybe we finished Dutton Ranch?

Sunday (13,161 steps) - I was cleaning up the house and noticed that Robin was not looking well.

When Ben got back from picking up Dutch we took her back to the ER Vet. She has ANOTHER abscess. 

This one was inside her mouth and was pretty gross also - we were there almost two hours while they treated her. Once we got home I gave her a snack and she ran away to hide for the rest of the day - kind of normal when she isn't feeling great. 

This time she got half her jaw shaved :(

Ben and I took Olive to Boulder for a hike. 

Then on to Runners Roost so I could pick up a pair of Mount to Coast shoes since they are finally in stock. Stopped at Rails End for a drink, the jewelry store for my semi-annual ring inspection. Mod Market for dinner. 

Found out that Reacher had a few new episodes and we binged all three of them. 

Monday (20,472 steps) - Walk to the lake with Olive before work. Went for my run at lunch. Still walking the hills. This felt hard, mainly because temps are back up. 

Another Olive walk. After work was over Ben and I went to Costco and picked up some groceries and a pizza for dinner. Started Marshals, kinda meh about it, but at least it is only one season for now.

Stats:

• 117,875 steps
• 19.6 miles run
• 19.33 miles walked
• 45 minutes of cardio
• 50 minutes of strength
• 0 minutes of sauna