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

"Winter" Prairie Dog Half Marathon (Race Recap)

Sunday, January 17
Louisville, CO
Half Marathon #142
Weather - Foggy, overcast and COLD

I registered for the Winter Prairie Dog half marathon about a week after I ran it last year. They were offering some ridiculously cheap registration price, $35?

A week before the race I got an email that the race would be starting at the Coal Creek golf course this year. Never occurred to me that that meant the course would not really be the same either. I convinced Heather to join me, and we had plans on it being a nice, slow, training run.

Race weekend had finally brought "winter" temperatures in the teens and when I left the house it was so foggy I could only see about 20 feet in front of me. I had opted to skip leggings and was only wearing a sparkle skirt and compression socks. For a top, I had on my long sleeve INKnBURN wildflower tee under my singlet. I had on a hoodie, but I planned on taking it off for the run.

Arrived just before 7:00 - and I'm glad that I got there early. The new starting area had a much smaller lot and there were only maybe 20 spots left after I parked. I picked up my bib and timing chip and then sat in the car with the heater blaring. IT WAS SO COLD.

Heather arrived a few minutes later and we sat in her car (conveniently parked about ten feet from the start line) until 7:58. No sense in standing outside longer than necessary. At the last minute, I decided to keep my hoodie on.

Pre-race - in denial about how cold it is

Nice and colorful

The first few miles ticked by nicely, until about mile 3, after we ran through downtown Louisville. I had a bit of weird numbness in my left foot again (but at least I didn't have the fire calves).

Near the 10k turnaround

The roads were surprisingly icy, so we had to use a lot of caution - not such a big deal on the climbs, but I made up for a lot of my weakness on the uphills bombing the downhills. That would not be possible this year due to course conditions.

Mile 4 or so

There were plenty of aid stations, I would say they were roughly every 1 - 1.5 miles. I love not having to carry anything on me.

Miles slowly ticked by and I was frustrated at how hard this still seemed. Am I never going to get any better at this whole running thing??? The uphills killed me. The downhills were terrifying with all the ice. The flats were ok as long as it was dry.

Hilarious sign after getting to the (false) summit of another hilly section

There was a new section where we ran around a lake on some dirt. Normally that would have been my favorite part of the course, but the dirt was so rutted it was uncomfortable to run on and about half the loop was an icy skating rink. The only good part about this section (mile 8 or so), was the sun FINALLY came out.

So we ran, we finished, and the course was just about 13 miles according to my Garmin. I had one tiny slice of pizza and a cup of chocolate milk at the finish. We took some quick pictures and then I headed home. Way too cold to be hanging around outside (23 degrees at the finish).

Official Time - 2:23:46
Official Pace - 10:58
Garmin Time - 2:24:15
Garmin Distance - 13.00
Mile 1 - 10:25
Mile 2 - 10:04
Mile 3 - 10:25
Mile 4 - 11:48
Mile 5 - 12:17
Mile 6 - 11:08
Mile 7 - 11:28
Mile 8 - 11:16
Mile 9 - 11:32
Mile 10 - 10:02
Mile 11 - 10:56
Mile 12 - 11:16
Mile 13 - 11:36

When I got home, I still had snow/frost on my hat. Brr.

Thoughts:

• Very well organized race. Lots of communication prior to the event. There were signs directing participants to the parking area, which helped, especially since my directions to the start included an exit that no longer existed.
• Plenty of aid stations on the course with water and electrolytes. There were also gels on the course.
• Good finish area - a handful of vendors, chocolate milk from Longmont Dairy, pizza.
• Free race pictures!
• Have no idea what the shirt looked like because I saved $5 by not wanting one (I would not have taken it anyway though). I didn't see anyone wearing it during the race either... too cold?
• Last year the weather was in the 40's-50's and the course was dry. This year about 25 degrees colder and an incredibly dicey and icy course (even though it hasn't snowed in weeks and we've had some warm temps. Totally unpredictable in terms of weather.
• The course CAN be pretty (views of the mountains) - if it's not foggy and overcast. 
• Would I run again? Meh. Maybe.

Arctic (Winter) Prairie Dog Half Marathon (Race Recap)

Sunday, January 18
Louisville, CO
Half Marathon #125
Colorado Half #58
Weather - Windy and Sunny

The "Arctic" (Winter) Prairie Dog half marathon is one of the "four seasons" half marathons in the series put on by 3W. As only one of two half marathons offered in Colorado in January, we signed up like 11 months in advance - I think for $35 or something??) L had run it last year and warned me that it was "a confusing and hilly course." Well, that sounds awesome.

We dropped off the kids with my parents at 6:30 and drove up to Louisville. We parked, as instructed, in the parking lot of the now closed Sam's Club. Only to later have to move the car because apparently the Sam's Club is now an unmarked church?

Anyway, we picked up our bags and used the bathroom in Albertson's before the start. Yes, I enjoy looking at kitten calendars when I am in line for the bathroom.

So it is in the mid to upper 40's ALREADY. We are, again, some of the only people in tanks and skirts. A woman behind us in the bathroom line commented that we were going to freeze. DID YOU KNOW THAT IT IS THE SUNNIEST EVER AND I AM GOING TO SLOWLY BOIL WHILE RUNNING?

We headed out to the corral(?) start area, a few minutes before 8. The race started just a minute or so late, and I started probably middle of the pack (honestly, I probably should have started a bit further back).

Immediately, I could see what L was talking about. We did a loop through a neighborhood, then it was one turn after another. Thankfully, the course was very well marked and there were lots of volunteers. The first 3 miles felt EASY. I was running pretty easy and I was wondering where the hills were.

I found out when we got to downtown Louisville (basically where the Turkey Trot A and I ran was). The hills started, fairly gradually. I finally caught up to Ross around mile 4. Then the first big climb of the course. I was super impressed with myself for running up the whole thing.

AND THEN MY LEGS DIED. I walked through the aid station at the top, but my legs were TRASHED. My legs below the knee (through my feet) had gone completely numb. (Does this ever happen to anyone else??) I ended up walking a lot longer than I wanted. We crossed a street, and then ANOTHER CLIMB:

We turned and then ran on dirt up yet another hill for I don't know, FOREVER.

Finally got some relief when we finally got done with the steep climbs around mile 6. I have been trying not to look at my watch, and when my legs were finally ready to go again, I was pleasantly surprised when the mile markers beeped and my pace was substantially faster than I expected.

We were rewarded with some nice downhills, and then we were finally back near the start. Around mile 10-11 we had a gradual downhill for a mile, then crossed under the street to run back miles 11-12 with the gradual uphill.

The last aid station at roughly mile 12 was when my iPod died. That was sad. The last mile was a little rough, but since it was a reverse loop through the first neighborhood we ran through, I knew what to expect. I actually had some kick for the finish. I was really surprised at my "fast" finish (although, my watch measured about .3 short - let's just assume the course was accurate and the GPS just got confused with all the turns).

Bib #1401
Official Time - 2:16:27
Official Pace - 10:25 (FOR THE HILLIEST COURSE EVER?!)
Overall Place - 270/423
Gender Place - 140/256
Division Place - 54/88
Garmin Time - 2:16:29
Garmin Distance - 12.82 miles
Garmin Pace - 10:39
Mile 1 - 10:30
Mile 2 - 10:18
Mile 3 - 10:10
Mile 4 - 10:57
Mile 5 - 12:44 (when I wanted TO DIE)
Mile 6 - 11:18
Mile 7 - 10:32
Mile 8 - 10:43
Mile 9 - 10:08
Mile 10 - 9:23
Mile 11 - 10:26
Mile 12 - 11:16
Mile 13 - 9:50

Thoughts:

• Early registration made this race very affordable. I don't even think late registration was horribly expensive. There is a 10K option in addition to the half marathon (which starts separately).
• The bibs are cute and SMALL. I hate the trend of the big giant bibs. I do not, however, like shoe tags. For real, I can't believe races are still using these.
• The shirt is gender specific, but sort of "cheap" - the shirt I got at the last race was better (I think).
• The medals and ribbons are nice. However, Peedy (the prairie dog mascot) was given a makeover since last year and I don't like his new, slim appearance. Doesn't he look like a chipmunk?
• Also, a customized pint glass for all finishers.
• AWESOME post race food. They had Domino's pizza, Evol burritos, and then regular post race stuff. No beer though :(
• Aid stations EVERY MILE. This is the best. I liked that they used small cups (like they 4 oz size). I think most of the aid stations also had electrolyte drink (can't remember what it was) and a few also had gels. There were also port-o-potties on course, which is always nice.
• Overall a nice race. It sold out this year, so not sure you can wait until the last minute to see if the weather will cooperate. I probably would run this race again.

Unrelated to the race. HOLY CRAP WITH THE WEATHER. It had been so warm all week that most of the snow we have gotten had melted. There were a few shaded areas that were icy, but overall, the course was clear. It was sunny, it was warm - NO REALLY, it was near 60 when I finished?? Is this winter? Is this January?? I think "Arctic" was a poor descriptor this year (not that I am complaining).

Lucky Louisville "5k" (Race Recap)

Saturday, March 16
Louisville, CO
A's 9th 5k
Weather - chilly and overcast

You might be wondering why the Lucky Louisville 5k is in " " - well, it was NOT a 5k... I've run one other race put on by this group, and that one also measured extremely short. No biggie to me, but for people who at least want to run their best, a short course can be extremely frustrating. I mean, how hard is it, really, in this day and age with GPS to measure a 5k? Anyway. That's my ONLY complaint (no, really!)

I thought I knew where the start area was, but then they just gave an intersection and warned an iPhone might tell me to go to Kansas. So.... we left early. We stopped on the way up and got pre-race fuel:

A had the one with the sprinkles - I'm NOT a huge sprinkle fan

We got there about 50 minutes before the race started. Out of all the races this weekend, I picked this one because it was close and it was inexpensive. $25 for me, and all kids under 8 were FREE. FREE!!! I picked up my bib (and really NICE shirt). Even though A's entry was free, she got a shirt (but no bib).

Since it was so chilly, we sat in the car until about 9:30, then we headed to use the bathroom. There was no wait so we were back in the car a few minutes later. We were literally only about 200 feet from the start line, so we didn't head over until 9:57 (with a 10 am start).

There was also a one mile option, and dogs AND strollers were allowed. It was a pretty small race though, and people were overall pretty considerate where they staged themselves. Those doing the 5k were asked to go to the "front" and we placed ourselves toward the back of the front (does that even make sense?)

A started off fast - always a concern for me since she tends to burn out fairly easily and then isn't too happy towards the end. She kept sprinting ahead and then stopping to wait. I told her she could just keep going, as it was a smallish race and I could see her ahead of me. We got to the turnaround point and that's pretty much when she started to get tired. Originally she told me she "wanted to catch the girl with the piggy tails" - but then she didn't really want to run.

Colorado isn't all that pretty in the dead of winter (yeah, I know "spring" is supposedly here this week but you wouldn't know it):

She jogged a large portion of what was left, and when we could start hearing the bagpipes, she knew we were close. She had been chasing a little boy (apparently HIS goal was to beat A - his mom kept saying - she's going to beat you!) and TOOK OFF with about a quarter mile to go. We did end up beating the little boy and his mom, and I barely was able to keep up with her to the finish.

Time - 28:07
Mile 1 - 11:34
Mile 2 - 13:10
Mile 2.35 - 9:14 (seriously, she is so fast!!)
 

A is wearing the race shirt - nice, right??

I (for the first time in my LIFE) had a cup of green beer. Overall, a fun day, but not something you want to run if you are super serious about the little things like accurate distance and such :D

PS - SEPARATE from my regular raffle, I'm doing a"flash giveaway" for anyone that donates to my fundraiser HERE. ANY donation I get today or tomorrow will be entered in to win a FREE INKnBURN tech tee of the winner's choice. ($10 minimum for the regular raffle). So get your entry in before 11:59 pm MST tomorrow!

Big Hit Half Marathon (Race Recap)

Louisville, KY

Sunday, October 30

Half Marathon #49
State #41
Weather - Really chilly, hovering around freezing. Overcast.

The drive was LONG. It was L’s turn to drive, and I kept dozing off. Even though I tried not to, since I know it is annoying and lonely to be driving with no one to talk to.

We stopped a few times to get drinks and gas, but we pretty much drove all the way through, and managed to get to an Applebee’s within 20 miles of the hotel (on the way) around 7:30. Dinner wasn’t quite as good as last night, but judging by the complaints of THREE tables around us, we were pretty lucky that our food was “ok.”

Got to our motel around 8:30, L was in bed within about 15 minutes. I stayed up reading, and then had a mild panic attack when I spent about 20 minutes on the race’s website and could not find ANYWHERE where they allowed race day pick up. Finally found it, and went to bed.

Tossed and turned ALL night. I woke up probably 5 times in the middle of the night, constantly checking the clock. Still one of my nightmares is that I will oversleep and miss a race. L didn’t sleep well either, she thinks it was too hot in the room. I had turned the heat up pretty high, that was a possibility.

Get ready, head out. It feels even COLDER than yesterday. My phone says it is 33 degrees. That’s about what it was like in Colorado. BRRRR. We have no trouble finding where we need to go, we are able to drive right up to the gates of Louisville Slugger Field. We parked literally about 20 feet from the start line. Awesome. There was no signage indicating where we needed to pick up our bibs, so we ended up walking about halfway around the field before we found it. Got our bib, and then had… about an hour to kill until the start. 

Louisville Slugger Field

Remember how we parked RIGHT BY THE START? We pretty much dozed off waiting for the start. Went to the bathroom at the potties RIGHT BY THE START twice, and with 3 minutes to go, walked to the start.

Start Line

Cycled through the bathroom line one more time, and about 10 minutes late, the race started. This time there were timing mats, and we had lined up with the 10 minute per mile pace sign, and of we went. The first mile of the course was in the city by the river and a lot of it was running under the highway. Slight turn right before the first mile and we head up a hill. Mile 1. Then a right turn and the course flattens out. Only. That pain in my calves? Back. And seemed to include my thighs too. I wanted to walk. Curse L for being so fast. I didn’t want to give up and walk – I haven’t the last three races, so I figured I’d hold out the best I could until the first aid station. Got passed by the 2:10 pace group. That sucked. It was still SO early. My legs were just super tight/cold.

First aid station right before mile 2. I stretch a bit off to the side, and luckily the pain went away. The next few miles went pretty well, flat and we ran by a “haunted house” and a cemetery, then we ran downtown a bit, where the ¼ marathoners split off from us. We headed to the right for an out and back, and the course here was NICE. Really flat and again, the changing leaves. I’m such a sucker for fall! I just wish it wasn’t so COLD. My hands were FREEZING. So yeah, I was still wearing my awesome free gloves from yesterday.

Speakers played the theme to "Halloween" in front of this spooky house! About mile 3.

The aid stations were spaced pretty well apart, but around mile 6, I felt I had to use the bathroom again. Damn! But at least no wait, in and out pretty fast. Then we head under a few bridges, up a HUGE overpass and out by the University of Louisville Cardinal Stadium. There was GU at the turnaround, and I had to mess with my socks because I could feel them bunching up under the ball of my foot. Annoying!! Back up the ginormous overpass, and then heading back down the same residential road. Flat!

Somewhere around mile 5 (and 10ish)

U of Louisville Cardinal Stadium - turnaround

The rest of the race actually went really well. I felt we were running a good pace and I wasn’t super tired, and we were actually passing people. And I really like that. Right after the marker at mile 12, I feel something, and turn around, my headband had come off. WTH? That has never happened before. I’m pretty sure it was because I kept flipping my sunglasses up and they probably pushed my band back too far. Either way, L kept going, and I never managed to catch her again. That last mile was ridiculously hard. Even though there was a slight downhill, I had NOTHING left. All I could think was… when this is done, I don’t have to race again for weeks. This race also ended on the field, running across home plate! L smoked me even more than yesterday. WHERE DOES SHE GET ALL THAT ENERGY??? Oh yeah. She is faster… lol.

Yep, the "free" gloves again!

Cross the line, and they are giving out instant results. Get our medal, water, bagel, so a few quick pictures, then head out.

Loved the cool chairs!

Bib #1440

Official Time – 2:11:54

Official Pace – 10:05

Overall Place – 572

Gender Place – 202/443

Division Place – 39/81

Garmin Time - 2:11:55

Garmin Distance - 13.09 miles

Garmin Pace - 10:05

Mile 1 - 9:24

Mile 2 - 11:28 (most horrible mile ever)

Mile 3 - 9:57

Mile 4 - 9:48

Mile 5 - 9:53

Mile 6 - 9:43

Mile 7 - 10:57 (bathroom)

Mile 8 - 10:53

Mile 9 - 9:31

Mile 10 - 9:59

Mile 11 - 10:02

Mile 12 - 10:00

Mile 13 - 9:26

Mile 13.1 - 10:01

Nice medal!

For an inaugural race (ok, any race), this was REALLY good. Plenty of aid stations and course support was excellent. They had speakers set up in various places playing music. They marked every mile AND had timing clocks. Course well marked and went through the city AND a nice residential neighborhood. Good medal and efficient with timing/results. And again, can’t really go wrong with finishing on a field. Wish I would have placed, THOSE lucky folks got Louisville slugger baseball bats!

Getting back to the hotel? Again, easy. We had an extended check out, so we didn’t have to rush to get out of there. We finally headed out around 11:45, and then started the drive to Nashville, even though we had hours and hours to kill before our flight.

We stopped around 12:30 and had lunch at Ruby Tuesdays. Sliders and French fries and a salad. Wow, I’m eating fabulously on this trip! Get back on the road, stop again a few miles down and get Dunkin Express at a gas station. Not quite the same thing as a free-standing location, but I think I made L a pretty decent caramel latte. I just had regular coffee.

Then we found an activity! Ever been to Dinosaur World? It was pretty awesome. Featured “true to size” replicas of maybe three dozen dinosaurs, located on a nice walking path. It took us about an hour to walk through, and it was nice to be out of the car.

Bone from an Ultrasaurus

T Rex looks hungry...

THESE were cool.

Woolly Mammoth Garden

Trail we walked around Dinosaur World... looks nice to run on!

Drive in to Nashville, and by the time we filled up the car and dropped it off, it was about 4:00, with our flight scheduled for 6:45. You might be thinking… this sounds like a pretty smooth trip so far. Well, security was a breeze, we get to the gate, and our flight is delayed. Only 10 minutes. But L has to leave straight from the airport in order to get to work by 10:30… and those 10 minutes are pretty important since it is nearly IMPOSSIBLE to get out of DIA in less than 30 minutes. Not to mention taking the shuttle to get your car? That can easily take another 20 minutes… We postpone dinner until 5:25, and have the chicken, bacon, swiss sandwich. TASTY. And more fries. I’m going to have to diet after this weekend.

Get to the gate just after 6… the flight is delayed ANOTHER. TEN. MINUTES. I think L might lose it. Then, no kidding, the flight is delayed an HOUR. Just when I think L's head is going to explode, a miracle occurs, they manage to get a new flight crew. We are out about 25 minutes late, but the flight is uneventful. I have a beer thanks to my free drink coupon, we land, and L manages to get to work 10 minutes early. How's THAT for cutting it close??