Xterra Half Marathon

So the picture above so does not show what Saturday looked like!

This is what it looked like:

 I woke up to freezing drizzle and I though great time to break out the winter gear! I pulled out my warm pants, long sleeve purple shirt black jacket and white beanie.

I filled my hydration pack one with water the other with 5 hour energy diluted with water and two Hammer gels. I wasn't very hungry so just a protein shake and half a bagel was all I could get down. I was a little worried that I wouldn't have enough energy and hit the wall. That's my second biggest fear in running. Having to"setting the turtles free" is my number one scare!

I got to Cheyenne Mountain State Park and the all familiar "oh man I forgot how hilly this place is" set in. I found the bathroom and emptied my bladder one last time.  There are not many crazy people that want to run this since, it is one of the harder Half Marathons in Colorado Sprigs.

I got to the start and was pretty nervous. I always am so worried that I will be the sweeper and finish last. As the One, two, three counted down we were off. It felt like everyone was off to a sprint! I got into my rhythm and tired to hold myself back. as we rounded the first turn there was a congestion and came to a walk, great I am thinking this will suck if its like this the whole way. But we thinned out and I was off.

You can see me just behind the fellow in the blue. Thanks Tim from PikesPeakSports.us for providing me with pictures and for standing out in the cold.

Since you are not able to use headphones it was going to be a long 13.1 miles of me and my inner dialogue. I felt pretty good for the first mile, then the hills came into play. As you can see 2-4 was a long hall and I was not happy about it and started to question why I am doing this.

On the way down about mile 5 I hit some VERY slick limestone. It was single track and wet I fell by just going to fast. I bruised my right knee, tore my jacket and hit my two ribs. Yep I went down and rolled. I though "Oh Shit I scratched my face and I am hurt they will come and get me." By no means was I about to let someone carry me down that hill. So after a few tears of disappointment I pulled myself together and started down the mountain. I was able to make up some good time until 8.5 then it was back up the bloody hills. I was starting to feel better and feeling like I normally do when I am preforming well. I am good at down hill running, I just hate going up the silly hill.

From miles 9 to 11.5 it was tough and I started to feel fatigue. I started to watch my watch closely and I wanted to finish with a sub 3 and as usual I knew it would be close.  Every down hill I tired to ride the trail but with my fall fresh in my mind and my knee throbbing I just could let go and let the trail take me.

I saw Tim once again from PikesPeakSports.us as I finished the end and I was very happy. Mostly because I like to get my finisher photos, I am always standing behind the camera!

I finished my 4th half marathon in 6 weeks. Oh yeah did I mention I also Ran a full marathon two week prior? Yeah I am a little bit of a Half Fanatic :)

Overall with the course and weather, I didn't do half bad, could have been better but some days we have off days and today was one of them.  I'll get that mountain next year!


"I run in the snow, rain, wind and heat. I run until I cannot run anymore then I run some more. I run thru the blur of tears, the aches and pains and then I keep going. I have more running clothes than some running stores, I know Fartklet does not mean like it sounds. I go to bed at 9pm; I get up early just to do it all over again. Why do I do this? Because I am a runner and that's who I am"