Black Hawk trail half marathon (Race Recap)

Sunday, July 18

Golden, CO

Half marathon #

Weather - Sunny and warm

I volunteered at the ERS Westminster Trail half marathon back in April and got a comp entry to a future race. Initially, I picked Snow Mountain Ranch since I expected to be running Vermont 100 the weekend of Black Hawk. When Vermont cancelled, I opted to run Black Hawk - it's a lot of climbing, so I figured it would be good training for Bigfoot.

Ben opted to not sign up, so I was going to be running solo. Even though I had mapped it out the night before, I managed to get out the door about 10 minutes later than planned - which is not a good idea for this race since parking is so limited.

Either way, there was no traffic on the drive and I managed to get a parking spot on the road (not the lot) and had just enough time to get my bib and use the bathroom before it was time to start. They opted to do a few wave starts of about 25 runners each to keep the congestion down. I had no idea what my body was going to feel like doing after covering so many miles, so I started in the last group of folks.

Unbeknownst to me (because I guess I didn't read the pre-race emails, nor did I listen to the RD at the start line, haha) the course was going to be done in reverse. I've done the half three other times and the 10K once, and we've always done the loop counter-clockwise. You wouldn't think it would make that much of a difference doing it the other direction, but it really was a lot harder in my opinion.

We started up almost immediately. Even though I had intentionally started towards the back, I was not the last one, so I was very conscious of my pace. Right of the bat, I felt like shit. My calves were insanely tight - to the point of being painful. I obviously had no intention of running the climbs, but even hiking briskly didn't feel great. I didn't enjoy being in the conga line. The same little spur where we have gone off track in the past got a bunch of folks on the way out, so in addition to them adding mileage, we all had to wait while they scurried back up - since the people closer to the front were supposed to be the faster ones anyway. I wasn't really sure what the course was like since I hadn't looked in advance, but when we took a turn down to the first aid station, I knew I could at least jog that part. I did manage to pass a few people in this section. I didn't stop at the aid station at the bottom, other than to grab a package of Honey Stingers.

Nothing improved from here. I thought that the nice section of downhill at an easy jog pace might loosen up my legs. It didn't. Things got even worse from here. I was wondering how stupid it might be to just turn around and go back to the start. I mean, people DNF short races too, right? This was awful. It was sunny, it was warm, I was sweating like I had been sprinting. I couldn't believe how hard this felt. The climbing seemed to go on FOREVER. We arrived at the cute lake I always take pictures of, and I remembered how nice it was to run by this and have a few miles of downhill. Sigh.

Climbing continued up, then we had a short out and back (which we actually had in the past as well, but it was much further in the race previously). I had actually been listening that the next aid station wasn't until mile 8.5 and I was wondering if there was any way I would even be able to make it that long. Even though I had down this route (in reverse) before, I was having a hard time remembering where the trail actually went. We came to the section where we had to go up the sweeping switchbacks which are a blast to come down and NOT super fun to hike up. I had to actually pull over on the side of the trail a few times here to catch my breath. At this point I was wishing I had looked at the course info to see how much gain there was actually supposed to be now, because it certainly seemed like we had been climbing F O R E V E R.

I was happy, briefly, when we got to the top, because it was cooler and because I knew the downhill was coming. The downhill, however, was pretty steep, so I wasn't able to blaze down like I normally can. Plus, my legs were burned out from all the climbing, so it was more gingerly hopping down the trail and trying to stay upright.

We entered into the pretty area by the river that I've always enjoyed coming up in years past. I had never done this section going down, and I didn't care for it. I don't know if it was the time of day, but it was really hard to see all the roots and rocks and I felt like I had to go a lot slower through here than I would have liked. I did actually manage to pass a few people coming through here, although that would be short lived when we had another big climb coming out of there. When we finally got out of that section, we were at the part where we would be on an exposed double track. I remembered this section from the beginning of every other year. 

It was SO hot. I knew we had an out and back that was probably close to three miles. Hit the second aid station, and friend Pete was working. I didn't stop long at this station either, just filled up my bottles. I was able to run the downhills and made note of how miserable everyone looked on the way back up. I just felt so incredibly defeated. Came to the big climb out to the turnaround and I kept having to stop in the shade to rest. How the hell am I going to do Bigfoot? How am I still so horrible at climbing? Why why why???? Ugh. Finally hit the turnaround, and I walked a bit with a gal on the climb out to the aid station. I tried to run a bit when I could - I was just SO SICK OF BEING OUT ON THIS COURSE.

I thought I knew where the course was going, but then we somehow ended up on a trail I had never been on out here. It seemed like it wouldn't be that bad, but then we had another grueling climb around 11.5 miles in. FINALLY we got to the intersection where we had originally gone down to the first aid station and I really did know that it was actually all downhill from here. Finally. I had absolutely nothing left, so what I did was a pathetic run at best. Thankfully, the course "only" measured 13.25, and not the rumored 13.5. SO HAPPY TO BE DONE.

Garmin Time - 3:33:15

Garmin Distance - 13.26 miles

Elevation Gain - 3,090'

Official Time - 3:33:08

Overall Place - 108/127

Gender Place - 37/49

Mile 1 - 18:50

Mile 2 - 12:04

Mile 3 - 17:06

Mile 4 - 16:36

Mile 5 - 15:53

Mile 6 - 18:11

Mile 7 - 14:49

Mile 8 - 16:09

Mile 9 - 13:10

Mile 10 - 17:05

Mile 11 - 17:50

Mile 12 - 19:02

Mile 13 - 13:30

Mile 13.25 - 11:45

No, I did not place in my AG. I think I placed about 6th from last

Alison, Maureen and Me

Maureen and Alison were hanging out by the red barn waiting for me - apparently I took took too long, lol. We stayed for a few minutes - ERS was finally able to have food again! They didn't have a BBQ like usual, but they at least had beer and seltzers, which was nice. I even had a chocolate milk (for like the third time ever after a race).

Thoughts:

• I really do/have liked this course. I did NOT like the course done in reverse, at all. Normally I enjoy myself at least most of the time, this race, I did not.
• Medal is cute - not as big and blingy as years past, but I'm fine with toning it down a bit.
• Shirt is cute, although I didn't get one. They usually sell them for $5 as an add on after the race, or I think you can pay extra at registration for one, but the last thing I need is more race shirts.
• Will I run this again? Probably, I already gave my feedback on the course to the race director, and sounds like I was not alone in my thoughts!

Week in Review & a Bonus Day (June 13 - June 20)

Tuesday (15,118 steps) - Literally nothing.
Wednesday (23,780 steps) - Bee Rad was hauled away as we were heading out the door for work/camp. Sad, sad day.

Denver run club! Our regular run club coordinator couldn't attend, and I was asked to head run club for the night! It sounds a lot more important than it really was, basically just stood on a chair and did announcements. Altra was there demo-ing shoes, and A tried on a pair and really liked them. I asked her which ones they were, and she said "the blue ones." That's super helpful!

Maureen wanted to get in about 4 miles, so we did a random route - which ended up being really pretty as we went by giant homes with beautiful lawns. There was supposed to be a presentation with Jason Schlarb (Hardrock winner!) but no one could seem to get it together. Went out to eat with Mo, Heather and Eric. Fun night!
Thursday (20,213 steps) - Barre with A before taking her to camp.

Belmar run club, which again, we were really early for. I ran with Mo and A walked with Heather and some other people.

Ben, A, Dulce on the left, Ang on the right

It was stupid hot out. Summer is terrible.
Friday (15,851 steps) - Nothing! Stopped and picked up a pizza on the way home.
Saturday (20,981 steps) - Runners Edge season kick off at the Denver Roost.

We had the aid station at the start/finish so we didn't have to leave incredibly early. We ran 6 miles with Heather and Doug and then hung around the store until about 10. Quick stop to get some new flats for work (and A managed to talk me into a pair of Converses) before heading over to Heather's house. Quick shower and lunch, then on to Gateaux, where we met up with Maureen for cake testing!

Full size slices of cake - yes, please!

On to Olde Town, where we met up with Lisa and Jessa for the grand opening of Denver Beer's second location. We were having a good time on the patio until it started to rain...

Tap & Dough for dinner before heading home.
Sunday (40,458 steps) - Had my alarm set for 4:12 in the morning. Being an ambassador and season pass holder for the Endurance Race Series for a second year means I run all the races... except that I'm going to be out of town for the newest race, the Eagle Trail half marathon. Jeff, the race director, allows pass holders to run the course on their own and still get credit for the race towards the series awards. Not knowing when else I would have the chance to run it, I opted to get up stupid early and drive to Eagle (which is about 20 minutes further away than Vail).

The start was a the elementary school and the "trail head" was a neighborhood path. Thankfully, Jeff had posted the mapmyrun route and given turn by turn directions. I had the foresight to screenshot the turn by turn directions, just in case.

I had not used the mapmyrun app in so long that I didn't have the location turned on. Once I adjusted my settings it was actually very helpful! Shockingly, I had not looked at the profile or course. The first 1.75 miles or so were on paved bike path and felt like a gradual uphill. I had started the run at 7:00 and I was already feeling hot, there was NO shade. We finally got on some single track and looped around the golf course. There was one bathroom maybe 2.65 miles in, which I did not end up needing. The terrain was mostly jeep roads, which I don't love running on. My ankle, that I had twisted at Dirty 30, was screaming a bit. I hadn't taped it because it had felt fine during my runs earlier in the week. I had thought that there was a decent amount of climbing and was wondering where/when that would be. Well, about mile 5. Lots and lots of climbing... right around  mile 6 I accidentally turned the app off and then since I had no cell phone service, I couldn't use it properly. That's where my foresight in taking screenshots of the turns was helpful.

Lots of pretty wild flowers, although they never photograph well

The last half mile or so to Hard-Scrabble road was pretty much the worst. When I finally turned around, it was tough to bomb the downhill because of the steep grade. Once I got through that initial mile of downhill, it leveled out a bit. The way back was exponentially better and it took me a half hour less to get down. I had been aiming for about 3 hours, and finished (long, I think the tiny out and back spigot I ran too far) in 3:04.

It was just after 10 am when I started the drive home, and thought (ignorantly) that I left early enough to miss the weekend mountain traffic. It was stop and go all the way from Georgetown past Idaho Springs. Got home shortly after 12:30. A had made me the most adorable and touching card for Father's Day - she is such a great kid!

After lunch we went roller skating for a few hours, quick trip to the store and then picked up Tokyo Joe's for dinner. I ended up having to take a nap at 7 pm because I simply could not keep my eyes open! Got most of the packing done, which was a big relief.
Monday (14,165 steps) - Barre. Heather had picked up A so they could have a girls day. While I was out to lunch with Janna, they messaged me that they were right down the street, so I went to say hi to them before my break was over. After work I drove over to Heather's to pick up A. Re-packed and double-checked everything.
Tuesday (14,316 steps) - I had thought about going to barre in the morning but decided to sleep in instead. Triple checked packing. Torchy's Tacos and packing (again).

Stats:

• 164,882 plus Tuesday steps (8 days instead of 7)
• 26 miles run
• 2 barre classes

East-West Half Marathon (Race Recap)

Saturday, June 10
Highlands Ranch, CO
Half Marathon #164
Weather - SUNNIEST AND HOTTEST EVER

I started watching the forecast about a week out and knew that it was going to be an insanely miserable day at the East-West trail race. Due to construction, there was a course change and we would be starting at a different location. Very little of the course would actually be the same, but it was nice that there would be more single track.

Race Day

The half marathon (which I was running) started at 7:30. A and Mo would start at 8:00 for the 10K. We got up around 5:40 and headed out around 6:00. Siri sent me a totally bizarre way to this race. I've always taken C-470, and for whatever reason, she had me driving all over the place. We arrive around 6:45. Packet pick up was easy like usual and then I cycled through the bathroom line. We went back to the car to drop stuff off and apply sunscreen, heading over around 7:15. I thought that would be enough time to go through the bathroom line again, but it wasn't.

I lined up towards the back, knowing that with the course being all uphill the first mile or so, that I would be in the back. I took quite a few walk breaks, having no desire to overexert my self in the first fifteen minutes. About 1.3 miles in we jumped onto the single track trail that we usually run for Chase the Moon.

It was already getting crazy hot, but I tried to enjoy the views the best I could - to take my mind of dying of heat stroke. I was really enjoying the trail itself but my legs felt like lead. It took until I got to the first aid station (which wasn't until 3.5 miles in), when I started to feel a bit better. I could see Kristen ahead of me and desperately wanted to see if I could catch her. I somehow managed to pass her just before mile 5 - and as I told her, that shouldn't happen as she is a much faster/stronger runner than I am. She did say that she was just not feeling it with the heat.

I did manage to pass people in the second half of the course, simply by running when I probably normally would not have. Around mile 11, we turned onto a different section of single track. I had been chasing a woman that I had been in the bathroom line with. She was run/walking ahead of me and just as I almost caught her, she kept going straight on the road and didn't turn onto the single track. I tried yelling at her that she needed to turn off, but she had headphones in and couldn't hear me (or ignored me). So then I spent the next mile concentrating on running as much as I could because I didn't want to be beaten by a course-cutter.

The last mile THANKFULLY was all downhill and I bombed it. I could see the woman in front of me and I manged to catch her maybe a third of a mile before the finish. I was so annoyed I said "you shouldn't run with headphones, you cut the course!" She claimed to have run that section earlier. NO YOU DIDN'T, YOU LIAR. Ugh, at least own it if you were so focused on walking that you missed the turn. But at least she didn't beat me.

I ran into the finish and seriously felt like I was going to pass out immediately after crossing the line. I grabbed a beer, took off my pack and shoes, and went to sit in the shade. Finally, after about 20 minutes I felt better. We spent a long time hanging out at the finish - it's so nice to not have to leave right after races anymore!

Yep, this was my face right after I got my medal

Roost teammates!

ERS ambassadors (Lynette, Tom, Stacy, Me, and honorary A)

A's Time - 1:16:56
Overall Place - 93/135
Gender Place - 52/89
Division Place - 2/2 (The winner was 18)

There were FREE race pics again - a few good ones of A. (Somehow, out of the 904 pictures posted, there are ZERO of me... bummer!)

Official Time - 2:47:45
Elevation Gain - 1322'
Overall Place - 66/91
Gender Place - 39/59
Division Place - 13/21
Garmin Time - 2:47:47
Garmin Distance - 13.12 miles
Garmin Pace - 12:47
Mile 1 - 13:39
Mile 2 - 12:07
Mile 3 - 14:50
Mile 4 - 12:10
Mile 5 - 12:11
Mile 6 - 12:02
Mile 7 - 11:55
Mile 8 - 14:01
Mile 9 - 14:27
Mile 10 - 12:43
Mile 11 - 13:07
Mile 12 - 12:36
Mile 13 - 10:21
Mile 13.12 - 14:03 (very cruel hill in the last tenth!)

Thoughts:

• It was something crazy like 88 degrees when we finished - too hot!! This course is very exposed, so it was pretty brutal. Glad I had my hydration pack! Jeff (race director) has already said that the half will start at 7 next year. Woo hoo!
• Course was very well marked, yet I was behind people in two different spots that missed turns. Pay attention people!!!
• The half had four aid stations, although the first one was really far away! Plan ahead and bring what you need. Water, electrolytes and sport beans at all.
• Finish line party was awesome like always. Plenty of places to sit in the shade (I love you shade) and of course lots of food and beer.
• Gender specific shirts and cool medals again (although I think I liked last year's compass medal a little better).

Week in Review (June 6 - June 12)

Tuesday (13,772 steps) - Barre.
Wednesday (17,476 steps) - Got out of work about 15 minutes later than planned and promptly ended up in the worst traffic ever, thanks to the Metallica concert and an afternoon Rockies game. A and I were about a half hour late to run club. We went out for a super short (and slow) run - it WAS National Running Day after all!

I was really looking forward to another Trail Sisters event and elite female panel. The event went a lot longer than it was supposed to (although it usually does) and I won another grand prize!! I will be collecting another pair of New Balance trail shoes! So exciting. It was after 10 before we got home.

Junko and A

Winner, again!

Thursday (18,815 steps) - Barre. I struggled more than I did on Tuesday. Seems like recovery from the Dirty 30 will take a while. I could barely get through this one and had to take way more breaks than I usually do. Belmar run club! Did another run/walk with Mo (about a mile of walking, 1.5 miles of running). Went out with the group to Rocko's for food after.

Friday (14,447 steps) - Nothing, other than having dinner on the patio!

Saturday (43,136 steps) - East-West half marathon (recap to follow).

After showering we vegged for a bit before going to out to dinner and then on to the NKOTB concert! Since I work downtown, we opted to save $25 and walk the mile from my lot to the Pepsi Center, using the money to buy a shirt from a scalper for A. Boyz II Men opened and they were really good (and did some random Lenny Kravitz cover songs), Paula Abdul was a no-show and the Kids were fantastic. We had an absolute blast!

We didn't get out until after 10:30, and with our 20 minute walk to the car it was almost midnight before we got home. Worth it!
Sunday (15,898) - 5 am came very early!! We met up with Maureen in Lakewood and then drove up the canyon to volunteer at the Roost aid station for Revel. We were stationed at mile 19 of the marathon and got to see lots of people we knew.

This race had the most organized aid station pick up I've ever seen. The marathon has a very tight 5:40 cutoff and to keep on pace they said that we would be done at 10:15. Not kidding, moving vans were throwing the tables in the trucks at 10:15 on the dot. We drove down to the finish line, getting some pizza and pie. There was no beer left (sad face), so a few of us went to the Holliday Inn in Morrison for a beer.

Around 2:15 A and I headed up to Boulder for our second volunteering gig of the day - Ironman Boulder. We have volunteered at this event every year and it's actually one of my favorites. We found street parking pretty close and then went to the info tent to say hi to Jeannene before going to our aid station. Apparently since we were last at the run aid station 5, it had moved down the path and we had to move quickly to get there by 4:00. It was a very well run aid station - A handed out cups of ice and I handed out water.

We were at our post until 8, at which point we headed back to the info tent to say goodbye to Jeannene. On our way home we stopped at the Cheesecake Factory. We had gotten enough free food at the race that I didn't have to make dinner. In bed pretty early as we were exhausted from the weekend.
Monday (13,709) - A had ENOR camp again, which was messing with my schedule. Drop off was 7:30 and they would not check her in a minute before that. I picked her up as late as possible after I got off work and then we had to go to State Farm so I could turn over the title for salvage. Sad that it was going to be our last day with Bee Rad!

A and I had tickets for a free movie at Alamo Drafthouse, so we went to see Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales - and it was fantastic! Such a good movie! Went home, took Bee Rad's plates off (sad face).

Stats:

• 137,253 steps
• 16.9 miles run
• 2 barre classes