Rampart Reservoir

Rampart Reservoir

June 30, 2010

14.05 miles

2:43:40

11:39 min/mile

Tracey and I finally got together to run. We haven't run together in awhile; well, that's not exactly true, we did run the Mt. Evans Ascent road race together less than two weeks ago. But then again, we didn't really run together then; since she was way ahead of me the whole time!

However, today, it was a slow day for both of us and we were able to run together. We chose the lovely loop around Rampart Reservoir up behind Pikes Peak for our jaunt. Rampart Reservoir has a great mountain bike trail all around it that is rated moderate in difficulty with an average finish time for mountain bikers of 2 hours 42 minutes. Take a look at what Tracey and I ran it in and you'll see how great a trail runner Tracey is!

This trail has some Pikes Peak granite, some running through Aspen, and a lot of soft trails through the pines. It is almost all single track at an elevation of 9000+. All in all, an excellent trail for a run!

We started at the trailhead off the dirt road leading up to Eagle Lake Camp and ran to the reservoir. Once there, we began the loop running clockwise. By running the reservoir clockwise, you get most of the long fingers of the reservoir out of the way first before crossing the dam. Plus, the sun hits that side more strongly than the other side of the reservoir in the moring.

Tracey also brought her dog, Georgie, who is an excellent running dog this morning. Georgie likes to take the lead and then double back to make sure Tracey is following along. Therefore, Georgie led us with Tracey next with me bringing up the rear.

This morning's run was fantastic. I filled Tracey in on my new job in Casper, Wyoming, she talked about her training with the Incline Club and we both shared our hopes and dreams for the third week of August. Tracey is doing the Pikes Peak marathon on the same weekend I'm running Leadville. The weather was nice, little wind and sunny skies with the views of Pikes Peak from the reservoir absolutely gorgeous.

At the ten mile point, Tracey said it was time for me to start getting fast. Ha! I told her I don't speed up, I just continue running! Tracey has the speed and a phenomenal ability to run uphill. I kept up with when I could; when I could not, I power hiked the inclines. I need to power hike anyway for Leadville.

Once we reached the trail back to the car and had completely circumnavigated the reservoir, I took the lead and power hiked up the dirt road. This was excellent training for me and I told Tracey this was just like the road going into Winfield and the half-way point of Leadville.

Once back at the car, we stretched, and finished any water we had left in our camelbacks. What a great run with a good friend.

Finishing My Twenty

Santa Fe Trail

June 29, 201o

7.51 miles

1:12:10

9:37 min/mile pace

Rick gave me the idea to run the rest of my 20 miles today that I didn't get in yesterday and I decided to do it. I have a long run planned tomorrow with Tracey (Rampart Reservoir - 15 miles) so I didn't want to over-extend myself after Elk Park yesterday and elected to run the Santa Fe Trail from Monument up to Palmer Lake and back.

I got started 10:30 am and the temperature was already 76 degrees. I ran with just my shorts and running bra since I knew the temperatures would just climb higher as the hour passed. A nice tailwind for the uphill first leg and I came into Palmer Lake with a 9:30 pace before I hit the bathroom and stretched for my 3.5+ miles back down.

That nice tailwind turned into a strong headwind on the way back. Here, where I live in Colorado, there is virtually no wind early in the morning. Then it gradually picks up midmorning to a rather brisk wind (20-25knots) in the afternoon before evening when it finally subsides; that is, unless you have stormy weather then all bets are off. One of the reasons I like Fox Run Park so much is that the trees protect you from the majority of the wind. If I see the trees swaying a bit at my house, I know the wind is pretty brisk a thousand feet below where the Santa Fe Trail is. There aren't many trees on the Santa Fe. But I digress and now back to my mid-morning run.

At the end of my run, I hit the garmin and am not surprised that although I ran downhill on the way back, my pace was slower due to the wind. The wind is my friend, the wind is my friend ...

Elk Park

Elk Park to Barr Camp+
June 28, 2010

12.7 miles

3:22:50

15:58 min/mile pace

Chris chided me on Saturday and said I needed to get on the mountain. Dude! I did a fourteener road race last weekend! I guess in his book that doesn't count. So, with Bob's directions fresh in my head, I decide to head up the Pikes Peak road and hit the trail at the Elk Park overlook. My plan is to get in 20+ miles today since I didn't do my long run on Sunday - instead, I watched four games of softball between Saturday night and Sunday -- all with Jessica pitching. Her team came in third in the tourney (5 wins, 1 loss - yup, single elimination sucks).

I got up at a decent hour; however, I just couldn't get out of the house until 9:30 am. This proved to be way too late for a run on Pikes Peak above treeline as I will explain.

By the time I got to the trailhead almost 14 miles up Pikes Peak road, it was already after 11am. The Elk Park trailhead is .9 miles past the Glen Cove brake check station and barely visible from the road. An old gate was my only marker and before I spotted it, I thought I had driven way past the trailhead. Elevation up here is at 11,850' (Matt Carpenter's website gave me this figure and I'm sticking to local legend to know!) - perfect elevation to begin a run. Bob warned me last week that you run down to Barr Camp (elevation 10,200') and then have the long slog back up to Elk Park on your way out. Yikes. After a quick look around the parking lot area, the only trail I see is one down a bit. This trailhead does not say "Elk Park;" however, it is the only one I see and therefore, I decide to take it. Bob told me it was about 5.5 miles to Barr Camp and I know he's spot on when it comes to distances. With that in mind, I start down the trail and hope for the best!

At about 1.4 miles down the trail there is this sign that gave me proof I was on the right trail! Whew! I was glad I didn't make a rookie mistake here. The trail begins above tree line but after about a mile, hits the trees for good. This section is very nice as well as continuously downhill.

I am enjoying the views and the trail. It is beautiful; however, I am already dreading the return trip up this trail later in the day. Thankfully there is cloud cover and the temperature is not too warm at this elevation. I started with a long sleeve shirt on but quickly shed it and tied it around my waist. I have my camelback and my 24oz water bottle with me plus some money for a bottle of gatorade at Barr Camp if I'm out all day.

This trail is absolutely gorgeous. You run along the side of the mountain, exposed to start this trail; but then, you drop into the trees and have wonderful, soft, pine needle coated trail along with some meadows to run through. One creek crossing and I find an old log half eaten by termites to traverse and I'm across.

After 5.6+ miles, I roll into Barr Camp and turn up the Barr Trail toward the top of Pikes Peak. I don't plan on summiting today; just want to get in 3 miles up the trail to A-Frame and back. However, when I look up, I see storm clouds forming over the peak and I begin to get concerned. Lightning on Pikes Peak is a scary thing, especially above tree line. I started this run above tree line. If I do 20 miles today, I'll be ending my run after 4pm in the prime time for afternoon storms ... above tree line. Double Yikes.

After about a little less than a mile up the trail, I elect discretion over valor and turn around. I've gone over 6 miles, all above 10,200', and now it's time to be smart and get my butt off this mountain as quick as I can before the thunderstorm rolls in. Did I mention we had thunderstorms the two previous afternoons?

I quickly do the math in my head and questimate if I'm lucky, I will get to the top of the trailhead before 3:30pm. That's cutting it close; especially above treeline but I don't have many options unless I want to leave the Jeep on Pikes Peak and run the six miles down the Barr Trail to Manitou Springs. I decide to head for the jeep and not pay another 12 bucks for the road fee to rescue the Jeep.

Ouch. This trail back up sucks! I am powerhiking, running, walking, doing whatever I can to keep moving up this mountain before I have the misfortune to get hit by lightning! I pause just long enough to take a couple of photos. The first one here is what I am anxious about -- the dark clouds coming over the tops of the mountains.

The second one, below, is the trail ahead of me with about 1+ miles left. Up on the grassy knoll is my Jeep. I can see it with the naked eye; but it doesn't look like it came out to well in the photo. This is a very welcomed sight for me and I hope the weather will hold long enough for me to make it without getting electrocuted!

Those white puffy clouds do not accurately protray what is rolling in over my shoulder!

A little after 3 pm I make it to the trailhead! Yes! As I look around, I notice more dark clouds but thankfully, I do not hear anything except the wind which has picked up significantly. I hit the portapottie there and shed my sweat-drenched clothes for the long-sleeve and fleece in the Jeep. I was sweating so much I didn't realize how cold my fingers were on the return. Summer in the Rockies above 11,000' can still be pretty cold!

Once in the Jeep and safe and sound, I head back down Pikes Peak and back to normalcy. What a run! Even though it was much shorter than I planned, still a good run.

Saturday Run with the Guys

Monument Valley Park

Cache Le Poudre Trailhead

June 26, 2010

7.81 miles (2.5 & 5.31)

70:28 minutes

9:31min/mile & 8:49 min/mile

The emails went back and forth from Thursday evening and it was decided we would run six miles at 7am starting at Cache or Monument Valley Park. I need more than just six miles and if we had run a straight shot down the Santa Fe Trail, I was going to run with the guys and then turn around and run back up the trail. However, since we are going to run and out and back, I elect to get to the trailhead early and get a couple of miles in before the rest show up. And this is what I did.

I cannot drag my sorry bag of bones out of bed at a decent hour unless it's for a race it seems. I finally wake up, drink my coffee, and head out the door a little past 6am. This puts me at the trailhead at 6:30 and I begin my pre-run run and loop Monument Creek twice before I see Bob and the others at the trailhead.

I am busted! When I come up to the guys, I tell them I just ran to the bathroom. Yeah, right. Why is there so much sweat on you then? "Secret Training," they crow and I admit I got a couple of miles in early. After so much back and forth bantering, Bob ropes us in and says we've wasted too much of his time and now he can only run 5 miles today. Guess we'd better hit the trail.

We run up the downtown section of the Santa Fe Trail. As we go, we run next to one person and then another and catch up with each other in this manner. I've been busy running races and have not run with Mike, Jeff, Chris or F in awhile. I ran with Bob last weekend doing the Mt. Evans Ascent.

At the turn around point, we stop, stretch, and perform other vital bodily functions as needed and then head back down the trail. F and Jeff are in the lead and appear to be loping along pretty easily; I decide to stretch my legs a bit on this slightly downhill section and try to catch up to them. This proves impossible for me. It is only with less than a mile to go that I get close to Jeff; however, this was due to dogs in his way and I try to take advantage of it. However, he hears me behind him and pulls away again. At the end of the run, I give it all I have and still cannot catch Jeff. What an improved runner! I keep telling him he needs to run ultras! He needs a bigger challenge than six miles if you ask me.

Bob heads off to home and house guests while the rest of us get bagels and coffee. Jeff and I get out our garmins and compare our times. To my surprise, my last two miles were faster than his; but I still couldn't catch him. The guys tease me and tell me if I had 12 more miles, I would have caught him! Nah, make it 10; I think I could of caught him in 10!

Evening Falcon Trail

Falcon Trail

June 24, 2010

12.83 miles

2:27:21

11:29 min/mile pace

Ah, the joys of having an athletic daughter. Mondays are spent walking the golf course watching her play 18 holes in a local tourney; Tuesdays and Thursdays, and sometimes Wednesdays is softball practice in the evening. A misjudgment of time on Rick's part leaves me to take Jess to her practice this evening; even though I wanted to get out and run. Therefore, I am later than I wanted to be when I hit the Falcon Trail this evening. My goal was to endure the last heat of the day at 5:30pm and then do one full circuit around the Falcon Trail before darkness descended.

I actually get out at 6:35pm, an hour later than planned. We'll see if I have enough daylight to do what I want or not.

I park by the stadium since this gives me a "downhill" finish and I hop on the trail going clockwise. This is my favorite starting point, around the five mile marker and 3 miles before the gas station and restrooms and water. I am dressed very lightly since it has been a scorcher and I am wearing my camelback for the first time since the Dirty Thirty and the resulting sores on my back. All has healed and I now have a better relationship with my camelback -- I cover my back better and it provides me with needed hydration.

The beginning of this run is pretty hot and I am kind of glad for the delay in the start to my run. After stopping at the gas station to refill my handheld bottle and top off my camelback; I get back on the trail.

After the fire station, I hit my favorite section of the trail that runs along the bottom of a canyon or ridge. A stream passes through and you cross a couple of bridges and have some larger rocks thrown in for good measure. This is a very peaceful, quiet section covered by the trees and always makes me feel good when I run down here - except for the rock overhang on one section that seems to me would be a great place for a mountain lion to lie in wait for a runner to pass below. I run that section faster than the rest each time I'm on this trail!

At the top of the official trail beginning, I see a couple of cadets who have just raced each other up the switchbacks I am about to descend. They are young, and panting, and full of energy I wish I had when I was their age. Besides these two young men, I only see two other runners on the trail this evening - both are younger women enjoying their solo runs. I applaud them silently in my mind as I pass them and wish them good running for years to come.

On my way down the final hill/mountain, past the cadet area before the golf course, two mountain bikers overtake me from behind and inform me there is one more in their party. I wait for a moment but do not see him, therefore, I continue to run down the trail, looking behind me every-so-often and picking up speed. Nothing like the threat of being mowed down by a bike to give wings to your tired feet.

As I cross the road to the golf course, I notice the two mountain bikers have pulled off the trail and one is on his cell phone. Evidently their friend is either in trouble or the increasing gloom of night is making visibility not to his liking. I run past them and now really feel the speed pick up for me.

It is getting darker and darker on the trail and this section is through the pines. I can still see the trail and not to worried about that; however, now I have three mountain bikers behind me and I run this section pretty well waiting for them to overtake me at any moment. This never happens and I don't know why - maybe they parked at the B-52 and took the spur back or maybe they double-backed and helped the other mountain biker. In either case, I run scared of them all the way back to my car.

As I hit the gravel road next to the backside of the golf course, I debate whether to pull out my headlamp or not for the last half mile in the trees coming up. I decide against it; the trail is still visible and I pick up my feet a bit more to forestall me tripping over a root in the darkness.

Finally, after 9pm, I stop the garmin; I have completed the entire loop and I am ready to stop. Visibility is nil and I'm getting hungry!

Round and Round Fox Run

Fox Run Park
June 22, 2010
8 miles
1:36:51
12:07 min/mile pace

I took Sunday and Monday off. Although Mt. Evans was only 14.5 miles, it was all above 10,000' elevation and was the 4th weekend in a row I raced. I thought I deserved two days off there; and boy was I tired anyway.

This morning, I wanted hills, not flats, and I wanted longer than my usual 5 miles in Fox Run (outer loop); therefore, I decided to take every trail I could in the park to make this run long without having to loop the park twice. My strategy worked perfectly!

Late morning and I only had to contend with a few hikers in the park; most people were picnicking by the playgrounds or strolling alongside the ponds. Coming off of one of the trails and hitting the dirt road in front of the playground is not fair when you smell hotdogs and burgers on the grill!

A fine run and a nice hour+ spent in my favorite local park!

Mt Evans Ascent

Mt Evans

Idaho Springs, CO

June 19, 2010

14.5 miles

3:09:44

13:06 min/mile

15th in age group (45-49)

Another day of getting up predawn to run a race. What am I thinking?! Thank goodness Rick volunteered (or did I volunteer him?) to drive Holly and I to the start and then meet us at the finish on the summit of Mt Evans. Holly agress to meet us at 4:30am then drive the 2 hours to the Mt Evans park entrance and packet-pick up.

The drive is uneventful and we arrive in plenty of time to pick up our packets. Weird though, I don't have a race shirt or goodie bag waiting for me; instead, the volunteer tells me to come back after the race and I can pick up one of the no-show bags. Interesting. I signed up before Bob and Holly and I don't have a goodie bag. I'll remember that in the future!

I decide to run with my arm warmers, a light jacket tied around the waist, my new "glove" hand warmers with skulls on them, and my Whitworth Pirates tech shirt. My armwarmers get comments and questions all day long - "cool armwarmers; where'd ya get them?" The jacket is not optional, race rules state you must have a long-sleeve shirt or jacket with you at all times due to changing weather and climate zones we will be traversing today. Yes, that is a snowbank I am running alongside in the top photo~

Once the gun goes off for the start, Holly looks back at me and I tell her, "I told you, I was going to be slow, go ahead!" and she's off along with Bob. I don't mind being where I am; I know it's another training run for me - this time all at altitude. Mount Evans Ascent begins at the park entrace at Echo Lake and at an elevation of 10,600'. From there, you wind up 14.5 miles of road, almost to the summit of Mt. Evans at 14,264'. This is the hightest road race in America and another great opportunity for me to get elevation and training while running supported!

In addition, this one is close enough for the family to come and cheer me on which Whitney and Jessica do. This surprises me; the girls woke up at 4:15am to drive up and cheer their mother on! Wow, do I have great kids or what? Because of an error in directions given by me to Rick (he actually drove up the wrong road waiting for me), I see and hear Whitney and Jessica on the route before I see Rick. Yeah! Finally, Rick pulls along side me and I apologize profusely for leading him up the wrong road; no worries. He's happy the girls are here and they begin to leap-frog me one after the other along the race route up the mountain.

I run the first 3+ miles then get into the pattern of running and power hiking. I run to a point on the road and then walk to another and repeat, over and over and over again. This strategy has helped me numerous times in my ultra training and does wonders today.

As I pass my girls in Whit's car, I hear cowbell! Yes! They are ringing it for me. Runners around me remark that we need more cowbell and I pass this information on to the girls and Rick and from there, the cowbell ringing becomes more clear and more loud.

Each time Rick and the girls leap-frog me in their vehicles, cowbell rings out and I have a huge smile on my face. I love this day - It is filled with great weather, great views, and great family support! Mount Evans is gorgeous today and the sky is so clear you can see for miles in the distance. Once above tree line, the vistas open up as a flower to the dawn and it is almost breath taking. I think to myself, is there anywhere else I want to be right now? Is there anything better I could be doing at this moment than being on this mountain in this beautiful day?

Back to the race. Yes, there is a race going on despite me. We have 2.5 hours to run the first 9 miles; however, I am operating under the misconception that we only have 2 hours. I pull around the bend to see Summit Lake (9 mile point and 12,850' elevation) in 1:53 hours and minutes and I am thankful I made the "cutoff." It is not until I round the bend past the lake, that another runner asks me the time and I tell him we're under 2 hours - we just made the cut-off. What? The cut-off is 2.5 hours. Whew! I feel much better even as I stare up the next section of road winding around the mountain.

I have 5.5 miles left to go and less than 2000 more feet of elevation to climb. From this point, I begin power hiking in earnest and get into a very good groove. This is where the lessons learned from Chris begin to pay off for me. Chris has stated numerous times that often you can power hike faster than someone running uphill. I put his theory to the test here and boy, is it ever on the mark. I check my garmin frequently during this section just to make sure I am keeping on pace. My goal is to finish in a 15 min/mile pace or less. How fast can I powerhike is the question I ask myself. How fast can I powerhike for 5 miles, uphill, at an ever-increasing elevation?

In the last sections, there are numerous switchbacks and you can see the runners ahead of you on the road above you. In one of these sections, I finally spie Bob and yell up to him. He hears me and waves to me as he trudges up his section. This gives me new life and I am happy again. My power hiking is not only overtaking those around me; but I am also ever-so-slowly gaining on some.

Finally, I round the last bend and I see the finish line! From here, I force my legs into a run and cross the finish line in 3 hours, 9 minutes, 44 seconds (Rick was late snapping the photo - that's me already past the finish line waiting for them to take my timer off my ankle).

I see Bob and Holly and apologize for making Holly wait so long for her clothes in Rick's car - she tells me she wasn't waiting that long and I am surprised I was was within 5 minutes of her finish time (3:04:12). Bob finished in between both of us at 3:06:10. Training will tell, we all run together and finished within 5 minutes of each other! Speaking of excellent training, my friend Tracey smoked all of us (2:54:28); she has continued training with the Incline Club and has made such great progress this year! I hated moving into her age group this year!

Once we have warm clothes on, Bob states he wants to officially log this and that means a hike up to the actual peak. My family quickly agrees so off all six of go to "summit" this fourteener! What a great day and back at the start, we stop and I go up to the race tent and they hand me a "no-show" goodie bag and I get my race shirt along with lunch!

Santa Fe Before Ice Cream

Santa Fe Regional Trail
June 17, 2010
6.20 miles
1:00:01 (one hour)
9:41 min/mile

Once again the day has slipped by and I am running in the evening. Actually, this is good training for when I begin my "real job" next month and will either run at 5am (yikes) or after work.

I have a race on Saturday - 14.5 miles up a mountain with a final elevation of 14,000+ feet. This translates to another easy run today. I decide 5 miles is plenty and begin at the Baptist trailhead. As I approach the town of Monument, I realize that their Thursday evening Art Walk is in progress - people abound on the sidewalks and I meet a few walking toward town. It is a great summer evening and I envy those going to the art cafe in front of the trail headed for a glass of wine while they peruse the local art.

Once I hit the center of Monument, instead of turning at the the 2.5 mile point, I elect to continue until I've run 30 minutes to make my total evening run an hour in length. This puts me almost to the 3 mile point just past the Hwy 105 trailhead. Once I turn, I powerhike back up the underpass and retrace my steps down the Santa Fe Trail.

I approach the Baptist trailhead with not quite an hour; therefore, I decide to continue on past until I've reached the hour point. This puts me at over 6 miles and I am happy to finally see the hour mark. I stop my garmin, turn around, and walk back to the trailhead for a nice cool down. Once at my car, I return a missed call and find out the family is going to Cold Stone Creamery for ice cream. Yes! I'll meet you there!

A great way to top off a nice run this evening - coffee lover's delight!

Evening Fox Run

Fox Run Park
June 15, 2010
5.5 miles
58:50 min
10:42 min/mile

It's after 7pm and I need to run. The Sawtooth Relay was on the 12th, I travelled all day the 13th and half of the 14th; therefore, it's time to stretch the legs and enjoy a nice jaunt in the wilderness park up the road.

What a great time to run - the dirt trails fairly hum with the patter of kids' feet as they dart from one cool discovery to another along the paths followed by adults ambling along at a more sedate pace. I am immensely happy to see so many people enjoying the park. And, even more happy to see no dogs off leash!

Tonight, I take one long loop around and enjoy the cool evening air as I lope through the park.

A great run with one more scheduled before the Mt. Evans Ascent on Saturday, my last race for the month of June.

Sawtooth Relay

Sawtooth Relay
June 12, 2010
62 miles total
my legs: 4.45 and 6.1 miles
Pace: 8:24 (4.45miles) and 8:09 (6.1miles)

Sean, my running buddy from Boise, emailed me about two weeks ago and asked me if I could fill a spot on his relay team since a runner dropped. Oh yeah Sean! Not a problem! I've run with this team twice before, once when I lived in Boise and another time when Whit and I road tripped up two years ago. The Sawtooth Relay is great and I've run it three times before - first year was with my own team. I love the race and the scenery so much that it was a no-brainer to say yes again this year despite the 10.5 hour drive from Steamboat Springs.

The Sawtooth Relay is 62 miles long and stretches from Stanley, Idaho and the Sawtooth mountains to Ketchum, Idaho - or Sun Valley for those ritzy types. You have 6 team members who run two legs each. The first set of legs are gradually uphill except for leg 6 which tackles the 1300' gain in elevation up Galena Pass - this is Sean's leg and despite all the grumbling and mumbling, he loves it. From there, the legs are gradual downhills except for leg 7 (Mary's second leg) that is the screaming down the pass section. Each runner runs about 10 miles except for the 6/12 runner - after 5.35 miles up Galena Pass, he is rewarded with only 2.63 for his last leg.

The drive from Steamboat Springs, CO through Wyoming to Idaho is absolutely beautiful and I make it into Stanley, Idaho and the starting parking lot a little after 10pm Friday night. Originally, I planned to continue past Stanley to Lohman and the O'Connor compound; however, since it is already so late, I elect to unroll the sleeping bag, blow up the air pad, and sleep in my car. This works great and I am not the only one doing this as there are already half a dozen other cars parked here until their start time. Our team start is 5am so I snuggle in the bag and sleep until 4:10 am when my alarm tells me not-so-gently it is time to get up.

Saturday morning and it is 35 degrees at 4:30 am. Whew! I am glad I packed for every weather condition I could think of for this race. After changing into my running shorts and pants, shirt, arm warmers, long-sleeve, fleece jacket, gloves, headlamp and stocking cap, I finally brave the cold for porta-pottie and coffee! Contrary to the Dirty Thirty last weekend, this race always has coffee at the start and this year, they've opened the school for check-in where it is warm!

Once in the school, Sean picks me out and I'm introduced to the rest of the team. Doug, the captain, and Sean are the only two that I have raced with before; Sue, Mary and Dave round out the team and we quickly shake hands, introduce ourselves and head out to the starting area. Sean reminds me that I have run with Dave around the streets of Boise but that was a while ago! Sue's husband, Ron, is our volunteer and also providing his big truck for us to use as the team vehicle.

Mary is our first runner and she's off like a flash when our wave sets off down the hill toward Stanley and her 5.96 mile 1st leg. I am running legs 4 and 10 and bundle into the team vehicle with the other four runners and head down the road. One of the first questions Sean asks me is if I brought my cowbells with me. No! I forgot them and besides, two years ago, I tell them they stole one of the clappers from my cowbells. It actually fell out somewhere; but I like my version better. Sean's a real Navy dude and all this "cheer leading stuff" is not really his cup o' Joe.

After Mary, Dave jumps out and runs leg 2 (5.83 miles) with Sue getting ready for leg 3 (5.03 miles). I am relaxed and joking with Sue and catching up with Sean and Doug until Sue heads out for her leg then it's my turn to prep for my leg. When Dave jumps back in, I ask about his attire, he has shorts on and he said it was perfect. Great. I know I can shed a couple of layers and I settle on shorts, short-sleeve shirt, arm warmers and my knee high socks that Jess gave me for my birthday with skulls and crossbones on them! I am so excited - I now have more skull earrings (birthday gifts) another pair of short armwarmers and socks with skulls and crossbones for my B.A. racing!

We can see Sue down the road so I jump into the exchange point and yell, "Run to the Cowbell!" Since we've forgot the actual cowbells, we have resorted to yelling "Cowbell!" at our runners and are having a blast with this tactic. Sue runs strong into the exchange and I take off for my first leg - leg 4. This leg has only 190' elevation gain and is relatively short. I try to be smart on the first mile and then build; however, I'm also concerned since I ran that hard 50K a week before.

As I continue in my leg, I am very happy that the legs do not feel like lead and I continue to push myself. I look at my garmin when I think I've gone 1.5 miles and realize I've actually gone 2.5miles and only have around 2 miles left! I am running the shortest first leg and don't want to disappoint the team so I try to concentrate on running and forget the view; however, that is almost impossible! The weather is absolutely perfect and I am enjoying the stunning view as I run. The Sawtooth Mountains are off the to the right of you and are very difficult to ignore their snowcapped beauty this morning.

37:22 minutes after I took off, I pass off the "baton" to Doug who has legs 5 & 11 and he takes off up the road for his 5.83 miles. I feel great and even though I've pushed myself, I don't feel the effects of the altitude as my teammates are since I run at this altitude every day. I'm happy with the 8:24 min/mile pace that I averaged and how well I feel at the end of this leg.

Sean is psyching himself up for the most difficult leg of the whole relay, the 5.35 mile slog up Galena Pass' winding road and 1331' elevation gain. Doug comes in to the exchange running hard and strong and gives Sean the slap wristband (baton) and Sean begins his "Little Engine That Could," mile-eating, head down, focused run up the pass. All along the relay, those of us in the team vehicle shout encouragements out the window as we pass our runners and then stop along each leg to cheer and offer aid as our runner passes by. This relay is well set-up for this tactic; contrary to the173 mile Colorado Relay where it is difficult to do this frequently, or at all.

As Sean passes us, he looks strong, in control of the run, and therefore, we move up to the summit for Mary to begin her second leg (#7) and her 6.02 miles downhill with a 1,411' elevation loss. The views from the summit are stunning and we are all happy that the weather has cooperated and provided a gorgeous day. Tales from last year's relay, which I didn't run, abound with snow, sleet, rain, wind all buffeting the runners.

Sean finally appears around the bend and Mary jumps into the exchange and takes off with the hand-off! Sean is happy with how he felt going up the hill and we are all doing well as a team. Mary powers down the hill and hits a pace I can only dream about! She is doing so well as she passes us on one our stops during her leg. As she runs into the exchange and the end of her racing day, Dave takes off for his final leg (leg #8 - 5.09 miles) and continues the blistering pace! Sue and I are feeling the heat to put it all on the line with the fast times Mary and Dave are turning in!

As Dave finishes, Sue heads out on her last leg (leg #9 -4.64 miles) and now I'm getting into prerace mode for the second time today. Sue's leg is short and I know I have about a half an hour before I head out on my last leg. As Sue runs, I once again check with Dave about weather and running garb and I get a good comm check as what to wear.

As we continue to leap-frog our runners in the team vehicle, Doug and Sean have decided we also need to do the "Wave" as our runners pass by us and Dave and Sue get the benefits of our uncoordinated "waving." Our shouts of Cowbell are also becoming famous down the course and a team that actually has cowbells begin to give us a jingle as our team vehicle passes by.

At the exchange point, Sue comes into view and I wave my arms and let her know by my shout of "Cowbell!" that I'm in the exchange for her to run to. She picks up the pace for a sprint into the exchange and I take off with the "baton" on my final leg (#10 - 6.13 miles).

My leg starts off with a lazy uphill turn to the left and then begins the loss of elevation. That first mile can offer a challenge when you are expecting all downhill; however, the hills in Fox Run are paying off now and I take it all in stride. As I come over the top of the hill and begin the downhill, the tailwind that was present in the previous legs has shifted and now hits me head on. Sue later told me it hit her about half way into her leg. This is not what I wanted. This headwind threw me right into thoughts of running down the Santa Fe trail and I tell myself, "Don't sweat it, you are used to this."

With my personal pep talk done and digested, I get back into the swing of things and just enjoy the run as I push myself continuously down the road. At about the 4 mile point, I really get into the groove and turn in a couple of sub 8 miles during this leg for a strong finish in 49:43 minutes and an 8:09 min/mile pace overall. During this leg, I am happy I pass about 8 people and have not been passed by anyone. In the first leg, I passed about 5 and was not passed by anyone either. The finish here is within site for about a quarter of a mile and I push to a sprint finish and give Doug the "baton" as I hit the exchange. I am breathing pretty hard after this run; however, no pain anywhere else and know that I am a much stronger - not faster! - runner than last year.

Doug has 4.97 miles and once again, we motor on! He's pushing hard - as the team captain, he has all the numbers from the previous years and knows where he wants us to be for an overall time. With only one stop to cheer him on, we get Sean to the start of his final 2.64 mile leg and wait for Doug to come in.

While waiting, a team who actually has a cowbell graciously allows me to borrow it and I wildly ring it for each runner we see coming in until Doug powers through the exchange and Sean takes off! We have less than 20 minutes to collect Doug, get out of the exchange point and drive to the finish before Sean comes in. We hustle and find a parking space near the finish and quickly walk to the finish line to wait for Sean.

Before we know it, Sean comes into view and he's hoofing it for all he's worth and we scramble to run in and keep up with him as our team crosses the finish line together! Sean has run this leg in a little over 18 minutes! Team Curro Ergo Sum IV (I run therefore I am) finishes the Sawtooth Relay in 8 hours, 24 minutes!

At the finish, we gather for a team photo (hope I get one of those) and then relax in Atkinson Park in Ketchum with bratwurst, trout, strawberry shortcake and beer! A quick recon mission by Dave and Sean reveal that thus far, there is only one team close to our time at 8:35! (As of Monday, it still looks like we won Master's Co-Ed for the 4th year in a row!)

After carb-loading and stretching, we say goodbye to Mary who is driving back to Boise via Sun Valley and Doug and Beth who are staying in Sun Valley. Dave, Sean, his brother, and I pile back into Sue and Ron's truck and make the trek back to Stanley and our vehicles there. It is amazing; however, there are still runners on the course... we've finished, ate and are now making our way back to the start.

Once in Stanley, I say goodbye to all and thank them once again for inviting me to run with them! What a great time and a great team! I head back down hwy 75 and the lovely ride along the Salmon River toward the Wyoming border. I camp outside of Idaho Falls before the WY border for the night and wake up to a great view and another gorgeous drive for Sunday.

My trip back will take me past the Tetons, into to Casper, Wyoming along the Sand Creek Massacre trail, and then onto Cheyenne, Denver and finally home. I cannot adequately state how much fun I had on this trip and how much I enjoyed all aspects of it!

Steamboat Springs

June 11, 2010
Road
3.08 miles
28:47 min
9:21 min/mile

Yesterday was my brithday and I didn't run! However, I did have a road trip with my girls to Steamboat Springs. Jess has a tournament up here and I'm going to continue up to Stanely, Idaho today for the Sawtooth Relay tomorrow; however, I do need to quickly stretch my legs so here I am, running a few miles before Jess' first game this morning.

I headed out from the hotel and hit the pavement for a little bit to get my legs ready for tomorrow's road relay.

Santa Fe Short Run

Santa Fe Trail
June 9, 2010
3.03 miles
29:22
9:42 min/mile

This was a very short, easy run today. I wanted to stretch my legs after the 50K on Saturday and walking the golf course watching Jess on Monday. Monday, my legs felt like lead walking up the small hills on the golf course. Tuesday, I was dog tired. Finally, the events of the weekend were catching up to me and yesterday (Wednesday), I just ran out of time for anything longer.

Hit the ground running at 9am with errands to be run for Jess and myself. We finally returned to the house around 2pm and I had only an hour before I needed to shower, change, and head up to Denver. I also wanted something easy and flat and therefore, the Santa Fe was my choice.

At the trailhead, the wind was really blowing. I check the windspeeds - 17 mph with gusts up to 27 mph. Therefore, I ran up toward Monument with the wind at my back knowing I'd have a strong headwind on the return.

I began really easy; no muscle strains, tears, or pulls and continued up for 1.5 miles in a nice, easy, steady pace and then turned. Yowsers! That wind was strong and made me work more. Good news, the legs were fine. Bad news, the core was tired and so were my lungs from breathing above 7300' for 8 hours on Saturday!

Less than 30 minutes total; but, a good, solid recovery run getting ready for a longer one tomorrow and then the Sawtooth Relay on Saturday in Stanley, Idaho!!

Golden Gate Dirty Thirty (50K)

June 5, 2010

Golden Gate State Park

31 miles (garmin had 30.36miles)

8 hours 19 minutes 53 seconds

16:27 min/mile pace

I have never run such a difficult race in my life. Even the Collegiate Peaks 50 miler last year with upset stomach at mile 44 cannot compare. Some of the features of this race included 11 water crossings in the first half; rock scrambling (black bear trail), a 2 mile slog up Windy Peak (miles 24-26.6), rocky, steep descents, and elevation gains from 7200' to 9100'+ numerous times. This course was truly the most difficult I have ever run; and the most beautiful at the same time.

How can I describe it? Well, if you take the Incline, Barr Trail, Section 16 - the rock side, Waldo Canyon and put them on the Falcon Trail, you'd have a slight idea of this race. Most races advertise beautiful trails and then you run it and find out there trails are fire roads or pavement and not single track. This race is 90% single track through Aspen groves, pine forests, alpine meadows and windswept peaks. Absolutely gorgeous with gorgeous weather to boot.

Before the race, I got online and went to the Pick up Pal website to find a ride to this race since the race director, Megan, stated numerous times that parking was limited at the start. I was lucky enough to hook up with two fellow runners from my area, Larry and Brandon. Not only did I get a ride, I also got a place to stay - Larry had reserved a campsite earlier this year and volunteered half his tent space to me. You know, the ultra running community is the best - we are so laid back and giving and yet, so darn competitive!

Brandon and his fiance Chrissy and Border Collie Spyro, along with Larry, picked me up in Monument Friday night and we made our way up toward Golden, CO. At dinner in Castle Rock, I asked them the all important question, "Will there be coffee in the morning?" Brandon was incredulous! You drink that stuff?! It has caffeine! Larry murmured no, he didn't drink coffee, he ate chocolate instead. Oh man! I've never run a race without my two cups of coffee in the morning; and an ultra on top of that! How would I survive?!

After dinner and a very nice ride, we arrived at dusk at the campsite and pitched tents as the light slowly faded away. Thank goodness we all had our headlamps. What a beautiful night. We sat around the fire and compared what we wanted to do in this race. I was hoping for a time between 6.5 and 7 hours. Brandon wanted close to 6 and Larry was hoping to run the 12 mile race in 2 hours. I pulled out my garmin to see what the elevation was and noted we were at 9100'+. That was great - sleeping at elevation! Yes!

After a short's night rest, 4am arrived too soon for me. Brandon wanted to get to the start an hour ahead and thank goodness he did because after driving down to the start, confusion reigned. Chrissy drove Brandon and I down (Larry was running the 12 mile race today) planning to drop us off and go back and get Larry for his start. However, we were ushered into the parking area which was not near packet pick up. Okay. So, we backed out and headed back down the road to packet pick up, no parking what-so-ever down there but we made do until the volunteers swooped down on us like vultures asking us to move over and over. Okay, okay, we were just leaving anyway.

Brandon jumped out and picked up his packet while I pleaded for a cup of coffee from the big urn sitting behind the counter. Oh that's for the volunteers. Oh no! NO COFFEE?! Well, maybe I could give you just half a cup. "Yes! Please! I'll take it!" I cried like a junkie as I held out my hands in supplication.

Chrissy took off back to the campsite and Brandon and I wandered around looking for the actual start. Conflicting information had us walk halfway up the road to the parking lot before we turned around and headed back toward packet pick up. I found a porta-pottie and had plenty of time to do what needed to be done before the prerace brief. Look for pink ribbons, the water level has dropped so getting wet is now only an option, (logs and trees were across the streams), and have fun folks! With that, we were off at 6:05 am.

The first part of this race went up pretty gradually and then had a nice downhill in the early morning light and I loved it. I was so happy to be out there running on these wonderful, single track trails through the mountains. I knew my euphoria would wear off later and the mental and physical fatigue would set in and take its place but at that moment, I was deliriously happy. Then the water crossings began.

I am not the most graceful when it comes to balancing on logs over creeks and to have 11 of these crossings in this section was nerve racking for me. Thank goodness I had people behind me - I had no choice, I had to cross! But man, did my legs shake! For me, this was probably the worst part of the whole race; however, once I crossed the last one the sense of accomplishment was fantastic - knowing I conquered one of my fears not once, but repeatedly.

From there, the race wound around the park and up and down peaks and valleys. I stopped a couple of times in the first half just to take pictures and once, as we ran into a campsite parking lot by a porta-pottie, I ran in for a pit stop! The Golden Gate State Park trails were all labeled and marked with wonderful trail markers with animal names. Some of the ones we ran on were snowshoe hair, burro, black bear, elk, rabbit, racoon, etc.

I was running great and had plenty of water and fuel on me so I decided to by-pass the first aid station at mile 5. However, at the second, I had my camelback filled and I pick up a handful of animal crackers and a gu. It seemed that each aid station was strategically placed after a wonderful downhill run and right before a hellacious uphill slog and at aid station 2, we began the second really difficult uphill up the coyote trail and some rock scrambling at the top. This climb was a mile in length and these long climbs began to take their toll on me.

Of all the trails we were on, two trails stood out as my least favorite, black bear and burro trail. We caught the black bear trail after coyote and it continued up, up, and up. As we got closer to the summit, the actual trail disappeared and rocks took its place with trail markers drilled into the rocks. Thank goodness too, it was the only way I could tell which way the trail went besides the little pink ribbons. It did not look like a trail at all! This trail was technical and for over half a mile up to the summit, it was rock scrambling. But man! What a view of the snow capped mountains in the distance! As I descended down the other side, the rock scrambling continued to rob me of any chance of speed until three-quarters of the way down and then a wonderful run down into a meadow and the third aid station at mile 16.8. Over half way through the race and I felt really good and happy.


My drop bag awaited me here and I quickly chugged half a bottle of Poweraid, grabbed a handful of pretzels and put them in my pocket, refilled the camelback and headed up another trail. This section was uphill most of the way and was my slowest section overall, the ten miles from aid station 3 to mile 26.6 (summit of Windy Peak).

In this section, I began playing tag with another runner, Scott, who would power up the hills and I would catch on the downs until we hit the Windy Peak uphill, then I never saw him again. He told me his girlfriend came into Leadville and up 6th Avenue as the horn sounded the 30 hour cut-off. She was currently running way ahead of us now and "training with a vengeance" as he stated. He also commented on my coordinating attire today. I had a loose neck gaiter with skulls and crossbones on it from last year. Earlier, I picked up some arm warmers with skulls and crossbones and just before the race, the Dirty Girl Gaiters I ordered came in with skull and crossbones! My girls just shook their head sadly at me and told me I could never be as "B.A." as I thought I was. Mom, you're just too nice! That didn't stop me from buying skull and bones earrings at WalMart and wearing them! I told Scott the story as we ran alongside at one point and he said he would tell everyone he met a Bad Ass ultra runner on the course. Thanks Scott!

For the first half, I did pretty good at keeping my overall pace at a 15min/mile. The climbs were slow; but I made up time on the downs if they were not too rocky. Seven of my miles were 20+ minute miles spaced over the entire race and another seven were 10-12 minute miles. However, as I came into the fourth and final aid station at mile 23.4, things began to change for me.

My earlier euphoria was gone and the mental game was about to begin. I came in at 12:15pm, with an hour to spare before the cut-off and the temperatures were rising as well as the sun. I could feel the heat affecting me more. And with nine miles left, the blister on the inside of my right heel really began to get hot. However, I told myself, I could do anything for nine miles and that it wasn't too bad. A lesson was learned here but I didn't realize it until later.

While in this aid station, one of the volunteers asked me if I wanted ice in my camelback, yes please! What a great idea! This kept my water cooler longer and was definitely a welcomed reprieve. I also joked with another, "just one more climb right, Windy Peak?" He looked at me soberly and said, "No, there are three with the Peak the worst." Ouch. Reality bites.

It was after this aid station, at mile 24.4, that we hit the burro trail and the 1,100' climb over two miles long up Windy Peak. And it was here I seriously began to think about Gimli the Dwarf and his mantra, "Keep breathing" as he chased Orcs with Legolas and Stryder. I altered it a bit and repeated to myself, "Keep moving." I didn't care how slow I was, just that I kept up the forward, upward, momentum. It was really important to me not to stop on this uphill section to the Peak. I only pulled off the trail once to allow some runners to go by me. This part of the race had two sections where runners were going up and down the trail. This became all consuming for me -- to not stop.

Keep moving; ignore the heel, drink water, eat a pretzel, take an electrolyte tablet, keep moving, drink water, keep moving ... these thoughts occupied the little section of my brain that was not focused on the trail in front of my feet. It was in this section where 3 women caught me on the uphill. I just could not hike up this Peak as fast as they could! But no Men!

Finally, at mile 26.6, I summited Windy Peak and heard the volunteers clap and tell me just 50 feet more to get my bib marked! Yeah!! I had one of the volunteers record my summit for posterity by snapping my picture on top of Windy Peak!

Now for the downhill. I was hoping to regain some of the time lost in the climb; however, there was a lot of loose rock on this section of the trail and I was not pushing my luck and falling down now. Over the last four miles, I had stubbed my toe a couple of times and this alerted me to how tired I was getting. That made me even more vigilant along with the trip in this section, in which I caught myself before falling completely.

The good news is that after you summit, you know you have less than five miles in this race! At the 27 mile mark, I met up with some hikers who passed me going down the trail as I was trudging up toward the peak. They had made the comment that the "Dirty Thirty" must be a 30K; however, I was too brain dead on the way up to process or retort. When I caught them on the way down, I jokingly corrected them and stated it was actually 31 miles and I had only 4 left!!! Geesh! Wow! Way to Go! Were some of the comments they showered on me as I jogged past them!

A couple of small climbs awaited on the way out and took more out of me. However, the last mile was along the side of a mountain and gradually sloped downward toward the finish and I was able to do it in 11:20 minutes. During this stretch, I told myself how proud I was of ME! For never, once thinking about not finishing. For pushing myself continually up those mountains. For being smart and treating this like a training run. Yes, I was happy again! Maybe not as euphoric as in that first hour; but grinning from ear to ear and definitely happy to be alive and doing this!

The finish came into view along with the shouts of the volunteers and I pulled my skulls and crossbones arm warmers back up my arms as I cruised around the last bend and dropped onto the dirt road to a sprint finish! Total time: 8 hours and 19 minutes!

Things done right for me: I hydrated pretty well until the end when I was afraid I would run out of water. I should have just drunk it despite my fears, knowing I only had five miles left.

I also took my electrolytes well and stayed away from the potato chips and ate pretzels I brought and picked up at the aid station. No problems with my stomach!

Things I could have done better: I think I went out too fast and tried to hang with the big dogs - Anita Ortiz was here and won the race; I know I'm not in her league, yet it is still difficult not to try and stay with her when I feel great!

I need to pay attention to the blister. It became a blood blister and next time, as soon as it begins bothering me, or even before the start, I need to use moleskin.

Another thing I ignored was the chafing from my camelback on my back. I noticed this coming down Windy Peak and stopped to have a volunteer pull my shirt up enough to cover the chafing but that was unsuccessful. I am now sporting two raw spots on my back the size of softballs. I've already added Body Glide to my Leadville supply list!!

Things the RD could do better: Have a starting line and let us know where it is. Also, post what the trail markings will be on line before the race. Have coffee for runners like the Sawtooth Relay does!! And the most important in my book, after running an ultra -- HAVE FINISHER MEDALS! I'm not one to complain; however, I run for the T-shirt and medal!! Okay, not the only reasons, I run; but I do like my trinkets!

I did get a free hat from Montrail when I showed them my Mountain Masochist trail shoes that I ran in. And I did get a free pair of socks from the RD due to a misunderstanding regarding my finish time and standing.

Final standings: I finished 73 out of 92 finishers (yikes!) and 9th overall in the female Masters Division.

To give you an idea of how much more difficult this race was compared to Greenland Trail 50K I did on May 1st; my time at the 25 mile mark at Greenland was 4:37; today, it was 6:37 - two hours longer! Overall times for each: Greenland - 5:43; Dirty Thirty - 8:19.

What a great training run for Leadville and one that got me motivated to get up that Incline more!

Email Update to Family and Friends

Hi All!

I know I am sending this to some who are not going to Leadville; but, I wanted to update all of you on my progress. Really, the best way to know what and how I am doing is to check out my blog. I began this last November and have just added this weekend's runs to it. Here is the address for you all: http://leadville100teri.blogspot.com/

I am running my second 50K this year year on Saturday - the Golden Gate Dirty Thirty in Black Hawk, CO. It promises to be my toughest race to date with a lot of elevation gain and frequent ups and downs. I'll let you all know how I do via the blog. I'm also camping out the night before up there ... yes, it looks like it will be an adventure for sure!

From there, I am driving up to Stanley, Idaho the following week to run the Sawtooth Relay again and on June 19 - the Mt. Evans Ascent. Yup, that's up a 14'er; however, it's a road race - 13+ miles up a mountain! I know, I know, I'm crazy ... trust me, Whit and Jess tell me that daily.

With my immediate race plans laid out, I also wanted to double check and make sure my pacers were doing okay. Nana, can you forward this to Woody and Michelle? I don't seem to have their email address or it isn't listed as Woody or Michelle!

Remember, Chris will be in charge of my pacers. He has the experience, knowledge and know how to get me to the finish. I also have asked Mike and Jeff, two runners I run with, to consider coming up and pacing as well if any of you are concerned. Tentatively I have Chris and Woody taking the two mountain passes, Michelle and Dad pacing me and I have the last section in daylight mostly open. I want the town portion reserved for Rick, Whit and Jess. Whit - you'll be carrying the camera! Jess - I'd better hear Cow Bell!! The rest of you I plan to run/walk/hobble toward at the finish!

It will be a great experience in either case, no matter what role is taken. This is a huge undertaking for me and I want all to enjoy it; yet, I also want you to, and need you to, push me to my utmost limit, and then push me past it. I'm pretty good at pushing myself; however, after 50 miles on my own, I'll be relying on you to not let me rest, not let me use excuses (please Chris, don't squeeze the back of my knees like you did Justin!) and to help me meet my goal.

Those of you who do come to Leadville are all important in one way or another. Nana will be in charge of clothes and reapplying sunscreen. Rick is my main gear man and food man. Whit is the videographer and camera guru; Jess is in charge of the cold, wet towels and cow bells as well as the lookout at aidstations for me and then texting or calling my presence into dad (Your cowbell will let me know I am close to family, refreshments and an aid station!). The rest of you will be the ones carrying all the gear, shining the flashlight ahead of me on the trail in the middle of the night, forcing food and water in me and cajoling me into running whenever possible. If all goes as planned, I hope not to get sick, not to have diarrhea, hope to pee often, and hopefully eat along the way. I'm not going to be pretty, I will have no shame, and most likely, some of you will see a side of me you've never seen before. Ask Shannon how I am after running 20 miles into the wind at Indy!

So, there it is ... about 2.5 months out and doing strong! Love to all of you in various ways!

Teri

Running and Golf

Falcon Trail

June 2, 2010

4+miles

I told Jess last night if she wanted to go to the driving range, I'd take her and run while she hit golf balls. My knowledge of golf is limited to knowing that the white ball is supposed to go in the hole. I once referred to the putting green as the putting range and Jess and her friend Rachel howled with laughter. let me also state that Jess and Rachel were the two freshman on Lewis Palmer's Regional golf team. They know golf, I don't. I freely admit golf is not one of my strong points.

So this morning, Jess loaded up her golf bag and I donned running gear and we both took off toward our brand of fun or exercise. I ran the section of Falcon Trail that ran along the golf course up toward the Academy stadium and back down. It was nice to run an entire stretch of Falcon Trail ... both ways :)

After 45 minutes, I met Jess at the Driving range and watched my 14 year old hit golf balls next to retired Air Force types. Yup, the only female and for that matter, the only teenager there ... that's my girl!

Whitney and the Incline!

Incline & Barr Trail

June 1, 2010

4.38 miles

6pm

Whitney played with Ari all day yet told me she wanted to do the Incline. I had a 9am massage with Marsha and she wasn't awake when I left this morning so I wasn't sure we were still on for the Incline today until she came back to the house at 5:30pm. Yes Mom! Of course I still want to do it. Okaaay.

I quickly changed clothes and we drove down to Manitou Springs. Once there she got her backpack ready to go ... you aren't taking that are you, I asked. Yup. Please don't. Why? Because I will be carrying it. Mom! You have no faith in my ability! It's not that Whit, this is no walk in the park. Here, take a hand-held bottle. Okay.

I could tell Whit was a little upset at this exchange; however, having done this so many times before and this being her fist attempt, I knew what was best, trust me.

When we arrvied, the wind picked up and storm clouds were threatening in the distance. I almost said maybe we should do this some other time; however, once I looked up and saw other hikers on the Incline, I decided we could get as far as we could before weather turned us back.

As we approached the bottom of the Incline Whit told me she wanted to do it in 45 minutes. Whit! My best time has been 42-44 minutes! Okay, an hour to 1:15. That's a much better goal Whit; and we began the Incline.

The first part is not too steep and she and I did it pretty well. About half way up, a look of concern past across her face as she stop to rest and catch her breath. Truly, it's not the breath you need to stop racing, it is your heart. This is 2000' of elevation gain in less than a mile, straight up over uneven railroad ties. It is a workout no matter what condition you are in!

As we continued up, the breaks became more frequent as her heart continued to race. At one point she asked me, "Is this what an aneurysm feels like?!" No Whit, this is more like a heart attack!

However, I must say, Whitney did an awesome job, never looking back! Later I found out the reason for that. The weather stayed great and the threat of rain never materialized. Even the wind died down once we were on the Incline.

As we crested the last steps, I pulled ahead of her to catch her actually topping the Incline! Whitney completed the Incline in 1:06 hours!! What a great time for her! We stopped at the top for a bit; however, the increasing darkness led me to push us along pretty quickly. I asked Whit what she wanted to do - head back down the Incline or take the Barr Trail back down? I've never gone down the Incline and voted for the Barr Trail with her legs feeling like Jello and Whit agreed.

Once we began our hike up to the trail, Whitney's spirits lifted. She was hurting at the top of the Incline and her little heart just took its sweet time calming down. However, once it slowed, Whitney's mood and physical ability improved.

Once we hit the Barr Trail, Whitney broke into a jog and I let her set the pace. We had a great 3.5 miles down the trail in the last remaining light of the day talking about this and that and laughing and joking all the way. She also confessed that her fear of heights kept her from looking down the Incline and fueled her desire to run the Barr Trail down. Now, I understand!

While running down the trail, I tried to coach her on the best way to make it around the sharp turns. I told her to drop the inside arm and run around it the turn. Well, she not only dropped the inside arm, she kept pumping it and raised the outside arm as well! Whitney looked like a windmill gone wild and I almost died laughing as I tried to restate was I meant for her to do!

After running past the Hydro plant and hitting the pavement, Whit held her hand high for a high five and I laughed! Yup, we conquered that mountain!

McDonalds' french fries called to us on the way home and we obeyed the urge!

BolderBoulder 10K

Boulder, CO
May 31 2010
6.27 miles
52:21
8:21 min/mile
7:14am


Okay, I love running with my guys and I really like it when a lot of us do a race; however, a 3:30am wake up to get to a 4:30am meet time ... what is wrong with me?!!


Mike has offered to give Jeff and I a ride to Boulder since we want to hang out a bit more than the rest and we quickly accept the offer. The meet up point is the commuter lot at Monument and all of us arrive within 10 minutes of each other. We divvy up riders with drivers and head north!


Once in Boulder, we all park in the Safeway lot and gather for a pre race photo (above) and then make our way to the start. The BolderBoulder is one of the largest races - this year over 53,000 runners - however, it is also one of the most organized I have ever raced in at the start. There are numerous waves that go off every 30 seconds to a minute and it really does minimize the bottle neck at the beginning of the race.


We have enough time left to spare for all of us to make one last pit stop before stepping into our wave (DC) and shaking hands and wishing each other luck before we begin our movement toward the start. Chris and Bob each want to run faster than their age - a feat I don't think I can do for another few years!


When the gun goes off, so do Mike, Dano, Jeff, Bob, and Chris ahead of me and F. F and I take our time at the start. I don't have enough speed at the beginning to stay with them and it usually takes me three miles to warm up so I let them go and hope to see them somewhere down the way.


The crowds are great, the aid stations fully manned and the music continues almost all the way through the course. You get reggae, alternative and even Elvis crooning to you as you run by. Seriously, this is a fun race for all - belly dancers wave to you as they gyrate their hips, college kids offer you beer and donuts along with slip and slides and kiddie pools. And the best part of the race is the finish in the CU Boulder football stadium complete with Jumbotron of racers entering the stadium. But I digress and now back to the race.


I can see Bob's and Chris' shirts for a little while after we start - both are wearing yellow - however, soon they are out of sight of me and I settle into running my own race. I know F is behind me somewhere, just not sure where and I continue to think he'll pull up beside me anytime.


My first mile I am at an 8:06 pace which is pretty darn fast for me and I know I went out a little too fast for my liking. However, my second mile I am down to an 8:28 pace and know I've settled into my normal routine. So the thought process begins - do I want to just run comfortable or do I want to push it? I finally resolve to push it if I ever want to see any of the guys again!


My third mile is just a little better, 8:26. I forgot how many little hills are on this course; but, I am also happy to note that they aren't really bothering me and I do a pretty good job of tackling them. After this third mile, I spy a familiar yellow shirt way up in front of me and realize it's Chris! Now I have something to run to and that motivates me during my fourth mile.


The vision of Chris ahead of me has worked wonders and my fourth mile comes in at 8:07 as I pull alongside of him. He told me later he could feel my presence behind him for awhile and was just waiting for me to come up. It took me a whole mile to do that! Chris looks over at me and flat out states, "I'm hurtin." I look at my garmin and know he wants to run under 53 minutes. We have 2.2 miles left and we've run 33+ minutes thus far. I know it's within his grasp and decide to stay with Chris and make sure he does it. This is the guy who invited me to run with his group three years ago. He is also my main pacer for Leadville - he can get anyone over Hope Pass and into the finish - and I want and need that. There is no way I'm leaving him!


So my cheerful "slave driving" begins and Chris and I crank out mile five in 8:19 and I give him the distance left (1.2) miles and tell him I'll let him know again when he has half a mile left. Chris is notorious in our runs for sandbagging it and then at the last quarter to half, sprinting past you like you are standing still! I'm am running in fear of that right now.


Mile six clicks by in 8:33 and I know that Chris was telling the truth. Instead of speeding up like he usually does, he's slowed a bit; however, I'm still waiting for the final 2 tenths and the stadium lap and what he'll do to me then. We've got three minutes to finish the final .2 miles - easy!


Up and around the bend into the stadium, Chris drops behind me and I slow for him to catch up - once again, he's surprised me by not powering up this incline and I glance at my garmin and notice the pace has slowed again to 8:53 and now I need him to give it all he's got 'cause he's gonna get in under 53 minutes if I have to be the drill sergeant this time!


Once in the stadium, life returns to Chris' legs and we power around the track all the way to the finish line in 52:21! What a great race! Bob is there at the finish waiting for us. We all three wait for F to come in and once he does, we head to section 215 to meet up with everyone else.


Once there, Dano gives the low down on his race. He's run faster than all of us and bested his age pretty darn well. Mike and Jeff are no where to be found; however, we know they finished between Dano and Bob. Later, I'll meet up with them in the expo outside the stadium.


Post-race comments flow back and forth as we five rehash the race. I tell the guys one of these days, I'm going to stop and do all the fun stuff that's available during the race. We all laugh because we all know we are Type A personalities and it doesn't matter if we are running for first place or 551st place, a race is a race is a race and there's no stopping for silliness in a race!


The afterglow of a run is still with us when he decide to wander through the expo and eat free stuff! Diane took my race bag with her and now I am glad I have it - more room to carry free stuff! Burritos, ice cream, bagels, nuts and coffee are all consumed as we wander around.


Chris and Diane along with F and Kelly take off first with Bob and Dano heading back. Mike and Jeff meet up with me and we go through the rest of the booths. Good thing too -- I meet Ryan Hall and have my picture taken with him! What a great kid and as the US marathon record holder, what a great runner as well! Mike, Jeff and I stand in line to get his autograph. I elect to get my bib signed while Mike quickly pulls off his race shirt and has Ryan sign it. "Great." says Mike later, "Now I'll never be able to wear it and I really like it."


After a while, we head to the stadium to watch the elite racers run the same course we finished three hours earlier. The walkers on the course cause the start of their race to delay, delay, delay and we finally decide to head toward our car and catch the runners on the course. This is an excellent decision since we are right next to them as the run by! The Ethopian runners make one stand in awe - it looked like they weren't even running, just out for a training run together!


After all elites go by, we head back to the car to Colorado Springs and a wonderful mexican lunch along the way in which Jeff and I treat Mike for driving us up to Boulder. It is during this lunch that we realize Jeff has shaved over a minute per mile between last year and this year! He has improved so much and I've told him a couple of times that he has so much more potential than he realizes. He tells me it's running behind me that does it - he can't let me get too far ahead of him! All the rest of us credit Mike with Jeff's improved speed; that and their "secret training!"



Once home, I shower, change and hang out until the movie Patton comes on and I settle in to watch it. Somewhere around 8:15pm I fall asleep... in the middle of Patton! Now I know I am tired and toddle off to bed to end this wonderful day!