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"

Denver Half Marathon

This is my third Half Marathon. This qualifies me to become a Half Fanatic. Being that I had just run a Half 5 days prior I was not so sure how I would do. I felt a case of the nerves coming on and for once I thought I would toss my cookies. This race only had 416 people registered so I was worried I would be left in the dust.

The start was crowded, and once again the start was fast! That's funny, see the guy in the green shirt standing in front of my picture? I passed him about mile 11. I remember that head band. SEEEEE starting out fast is not a good idea!

The trail was decent and had rolling hills. I saw parrie dogs talking to each other and the views were nice.  About mile 3 we headed out into so single track running, and I was scared I would be the slow one who would keep people from passing.  I used the though process my friend Jeff uses. He says he just looks down the the feet and keeps moving.  Surprisingly it works!

As we rounded mile 4 we headed into the wooded area.  This is what it looked like:

This was more of a paved road trail so wearing my trail shoes was not such a good idea. Although they did hold up well in the sand, loose thick gravel and the dirt.

Since I knew I was not going for time and didn't want to burn myself out 12 days before the big race I decided I would stop and take pictures along the way.

Mile 6:

Mile 7:

 

Mile 9:

 

Mile 12:

 

Yes, I was a little alone feeling. Overall I was okay with my time, little down feeling though. I though I could do better. I have to remember to tell myself that we all have bad day and this just happened to be one.

Official time: 2:42:04
Overall: 377/416
Gender Place: 211/242
Age Place: 85/93

"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"

American Discovery Trail Half Marathon

 

This Half Marathon is the second of three that I have set out to become a Half Fanatic.  Also since Kimmy and I have already gotten out qualifying times for the Pikes Peak Accent, we wanted to have fun with this run.

 

The start was fast! Kimmy is notorious for starting out to fast so I had to remind her to take her time, we will pick off these runners later. Looking down at my watch at mile 1 we had gotten a 9 minute mile. I knew there was no way we could keep this pace for another 12 miles so we slowed down and settled in to a nice pace where we could still talk.

 

The aid stations where well placed about every two miles but as always I carry my own stuff. I would rather be over prepared then under. Kim and I did our usual okay run to each aid station and walk thru it. After the first station, we saw the camera man, and as usually we ham it up for the camera.

 

Yeah, we always look like we are having so much fun.  Truth is we do. When we run we talk about what is going on in our lives, cry it out sometimes and even take diggers now and then.  This is "our time" as we like to call it. When all the worries of life can slip thru our minds and when we are done running we feel relaxed and free. If you don't run it is really hard to explain the liberating feeling you get after a good run.

The course was on the Santa Fe Trail and it was flat and uphill for the first 6.5 miles then down hill for the rest. The cheering crowds were great. I loved the gal at mile 4ish giving out free hugs, she was great! On our way back down Kim and I picked up another female runner. We learned it was her first half Marathon and was worried she wouldn't finish. She was tired and running low on fuel.  I gave her one of my GU's and Kim and I paced her out.

When there was three miles left, Kim told me it was time to go in her head and run it out.  As I slipped into my train of though I started to pull away from Kim and the gal we were pacing. I concentrated on my stride and kept telling myself, Kick, kick, kick with each stride. Once again I saw the camera man. Better look go for the camera, don't show the pain!

 

 

As I started to come into the finish I could see the end. Always such a great feeling, but as you can see I am tired.

 

 

Overall it was a good run and I am fairly happy with my time. Now time to rest, I've got my next half in 5 days, then I will be an Official Half Fanatic!

 

 

Official Time: 2:38:20

Age Place: 28 / 32

Gender Place: 177 / 240

Overall Place 359 / 445

"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"

Georgetown to Idaho Spring Half Marathon

Official Time: 2:28:04

Age Place: 220 / 278

Gender Place: 1137 / 1550

Overall Place: 2044 / 2575

Heading into the Georgetown to Idaho Spring Half Marathon I felt very nervous and uneasy.  My longest training run had only been a 10K at Jose Muldoon’s; and their 10K is rather hilly.  It made me feel inadequate that I wouldn’t be able to finish the Half Marathon in the time I needed to qualify for the Pikes Peak Accent.  

I got on the road at 4am to make the long drive up to Idaho Springs. I drink my banana and chocolate protein shake on the way up. The nerves made it hard to get it down so the shake got thick and warm quickly. Once up there and parked I had to walk to the bus that would take me to Georgetown.  Standing in line I ate the last of the breakfast I brought, I slice of toast with peanut butter. Hopefully it would tide me over and I wouldn’t run low on energy. Standing in line I looked at the other runners and I just thought to myself, what did I sign up for? Everyone looks to be in great shape, I am going to be the sweeper and I signed up for this race and it was a waist.

We loaded on to the bus and headed over. I sat to a guy that had this wet messy hair that I found rather eye appealing. Immediately I felt insecure, I swear he had less than 10% body fat on him.  I am sure as I sat next to him and tried not to stare, he was thinking

“great this frumpy girl is staring at me. Look at her with her running gear on thinking she can run a half marathon, look at her she doesn’t even look like a runner.”

Like how I channel my insecurities on to someone else J

 

I hopped off the bus and made my way to the packet pick up.  I always get a tad nervous that they wouldn’t have my registration and I would have to pay again. Of course grabbing my receipt would be way to easy. Of course they had my number.  I made a stop at the port-o-john’s, beside the fear of hitting the wall my other fear is having to stop and “set the turtles free”.  I spotted a few other running friends chatted up a bit.  Kimmy and I had our traditional start photo taken.
 

I found the 2:20 pacer and gathered around her. I stretched out a bit and got my music set. I told Kim before we started that I needed to go inside my head if I wanted to try and qualify for my time. I knew I needed to stay ahead of the 2:30 pacer and I felt that 10 minutes was a good cushion.

After the National Anthem the gun went off and the masses set out for the 13.1 mile run. I have learned from running many races never to start out too fast.  I settled into my pace quicker that I normally do. We made our way into down town Georgetown and looped around a lake and back down the trail to Idaho Springs.  This course has a gradual decent from 8,500 feet to 7,500 feet.  You follow the creek side, the course is mostly paved with a few trail spots.

 I felt really good and was ahead of schedule most of the run. As I passed the 10K split time I clocked in a 1:07:00, which was a great time! I wish I would have not known that because I started to relax and I started to see the 2:20 pacer slip out of view about mile 7.  I knew when the 2:25 was close by the crowd of people that started to pass me. I wanted to stay in front of them so I let my body “ride the road” and let my legs carry me thru the down hills.  Since I carried my own water I was able to run thru the next two water stations. I wanted to gain any extra time I could get. I know you should never glance over your shoulder, but I had to know how close the 2:25 group was.  I couldn’t see the flag so I started to feel less frantic. I settled back into my easy pace, which was about 10 ½ minutes per mile.

 I started to get tired about mile 10.  With the slanted road, I feet were sore. I really need to work on strengthening my feet muscles. Once again the 2:25 pacer stared to creep up on me. I decided I would use them as a buffer to keep me on track for the next three miles. I talked to the gal for a while and she told me she would be running the Accent next weekend. I told her I am trying to get my qualification time for next year.  She told me they were ahead of schedule and I would be just fine. This made me feel better. I felt like they started to speed up a, reality is I slowed down and the group started to slip away. I started to feel down but I told myself:

 

“you can do this don’t let the pain get the best of you, your almost there.”  

 

I craped out about mile 11.5. My feet hurt and I was tired, should have had more GU. I really started to feel the pressure of not getting the time I wanted. I slipped into a run walk for a mile just to try and recover anything I could.  When I saw the 12 mile marker I told myself:

 

“only one more mile that’s a little over 10 minutes, you can do anything for 10 minutes”.

I picked up my pace and started to jog. I kept looking at my watch keeping a close eye on the time. Rounding the last turn I could see the finish and the clock. I pushed every last ounce of energy I had left and I could feel the tears welling up in my eyes. I knew if I lost it I wouldn’t get my cut off time. I pushed thru my watery eyes, thank goodness for sun glasses and as I passed the finish lines I looked at my watch, 2:28:04 I did it! I couldn’t believe it. I thought for sure I was off. I sat down to catch my breath and waited for Kim to finish.

 

 

 

 As the reality set in that I finished with almost two minutes to spare I felt a huge weight lifted off my shoulders.  I did something I didn't think I could do. I guess when you push yourself you will find you can do things you never thought were possible.

 

 

 I look back at this race, I don’t know if I would do anything different. I enjoyed every minute of this race.  The people cheering along the course were fantastic.  The views were relaxing and I just let go and let myself be one with the road. Only a few times in my running career have I ever really let go and just let the road take me.

 







 

“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"

2012 Race Schedule

Today I was asked if I have my race schedule posted.  I thought I had posted it, but after reading my post  The Year Of... I realized that I never narrowed down my goals for the year. It looks to be a busy year this year.

January:
14th - Winter Series Race #1 Cheyenne Mountain State Park (3.3 Mile)
28th - Winter Series Race #2 El Pomar Youth Sports Park (4 Mile)

February:
4th - Nielson Challenge (2 Mile)
5th - Super Bowl 5K
11th - Winter Series Race #3 Santa Fe Trail @ Baptist Road (5 Mile)
25th - Winter Series Race #4 Black Forest (10K)

March:
3rd - Nielson Challenge (2 Mile)
17th - 5K on Saint Partick's Day (1/4 of The Grand Prix)

April:
7th - Nielson Challenge (2 Mile)
14th - Villa Sprint Triathlon (Swim 200 meters, Bike 10 Miles, Run 5K)

May:
5th - Take 5 in the Garden 5K (2/4 of The Grand Prix)
28th - Bolder Boulder (10K)

June:
2nd - Nielson Challenge (2 Mile)
16th - Sailin' Shoes 5K (3/4 of The Grand Prix)
23rd - San Lorenzo River Half Marathon Trail Run (13 Miles)

July:
7th - Nielson Challenge (2 Mile)
21st - Classic 10K (3/4 of The Grand Prix)

August:
4th - Nielson Challenge (2 Mile)
11th - Georgetown to Idaho Springs Half Marathon (13 Miles)

September:
1st - Nielson Challenge (2 Mile)
22nd - Denver Rock and Roll Marathon (26.2 Miles)

October:
6th - 5K Great Pumpkin Race (4/4 of The Grand Prix)

November:
3rd - Nielson Challenge (2 Mile)

December:
1st - Nielson Challenge (2 Mile)
So this year is winding up to be rather busy, and I am finding that I am trying to sneak in a few extra races here and there.  I will use a lot of my other races as training runs for my big ones.

”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"

The Year Of...

At the end of the year I tend to drive myself crazy and think about what I did or did not accomplish over the year. For once I feel really good about what I have done this year! I am not a one to set a "New Year's Resolution" mostly because I can never stick to all the things I set out to do (eat better, drink less, cross train more, build a bigger nest egg).

One thing that I can follow thru with is my training schedule. Right now I am focused on planning out my race schedule for next year. I have a few ideas on the docket but I am not sure where this years road will lead me. I have thought about adding trail running.
Here is what last years schedule panned out to be:

March 12, 2011: Saint Patrick's 5K (1/5 of the Grand Prix)
May 7, 2011: Take 5 in the Garden (2/5 of the Grand Prix)
May 23, 2011: 100th Bay to Breakers in San Fransisco
June 18, 2011: Sailin' Shoes 5K (3/5 of the Grand Prix)
July 16, 2011: Alex Hoag Run for Sunshine 5K (came in 7th for my age group)
July 23, 2011: Classic 10K (4/5 of the Grand Prix)
August 13, 2011: Starlight 5k at the AFA
October 1, 2011: Great Pumpkin 5k run (5/5 of the Grand Prix)
October 9, 2011: Denver Rock and Roll Marathon
December 3, 2011: Rock Canyon Half Marathon

Last year turned out to be busier than I thought it would be. I had only planned to do the Grand Prix and the Bay to Breakers, but the "bug" bit me and I kept going. This next year I have planned just a few races:
Grand Prix of Running (Short Series May-October)
Sprint Triathlon (April 2012)
Bolder Boulder 10K (May 28, 2012)
Georgetown to Idaho Springs (August 11, 2012)

I know that I want to do another Marathon in there somewhere. Denver sounds good to do again, but then there is the Xterra Marathon, which would get me trail running, but again no to thrilled about it. I would love to do the Colorado Marathon, but $250 for an entry fee is a little steep! There is the Big Sur Half Marathon which I could stay at my parents so I would just have to pay for a flight. But as you can see I already have a bit on my plate, and I should see what falls on it next.

What are your race goals/schedule for 2012?

Do you like to make "New Year's Resolutions"?

Rock Canyon Half Marathon

KOAA News forecast predicted Saturday's run to be cold. The high for Pueblo, CO was 26 and at 9am it was only 20 degrees with winds at 17mph which made it feel like 13 degrees! Talk about cold! 

This race was a very low key run so there was no chip timing, but what do you expect when the entry was only $35 bucks.  I didn't hear a got star so I think it was just a 1-2-3 off you go start.  everyone started off slow since the pavement was quite icy!  Kim and I started out of the gate a little faster than we normally do so we lost valuable energy.  Also, with the ice, you are using different muscles and watching where you are stepping.

Here is a map of the route:

We did two laps around the city park and then headed out to the trail.  The first right turn into the
trail was a paved downhill.  It was very steep! This run is an out and back trail run with gradual rolling hills. There are a few open areas where the wind came ripping thru and made it feel like my face was going to fall off!

I finished with a time of 2:51:00 give or take a few.  I am waiting for the vendor to post the finishers photo's so I will add them later.

Here are a few photos that we got from the race:

Kim and I at Mile 2.5 as you can see we are having alot of fun. Seeing other crazy people out there fighting the cold made it more motivating to run.

Kim and I after the finish! We had just gotten out medals, so it's time to wear them proud!

                                                                                                                        

What's Next?

I have noticed that I have been asked a few time

"now that you have finished a Marathon, what's next?" 

Just as the high of running a Marathon starts to wear off, you do start to ask yourself that same question.  What am I going to do next; this can't be it, can it?  To answer myself, yes I have been kicking around some ideas.  I have thought about working on my 5K times, placing in my age group is something I really want to accomplish and I am almost there, completing an accent, trying a 14er, becoming a half fanatic.  All of these would be tougher than a Marathon and I like pushing myself to do tougher things.  As of today, I have committed to doing the Rock Canyon Half Marathon on December 3rd with my friend Kim.

The Rock Canyon Half Marathon will be a challenge within it's self.  Pueblo is 45 miles south on Colorado Springs, even though it is at a lower altitude, Pueblo can experience cold weather.  This time of year, there is little to no snow, however in December, temperature averages can range from 49°F and 18°F. The trail will be an out and back and settles in the "banana belt" this means usually when it is snowing around the area, the trail tends to stay dry.

So, that being said, it can get COLD.  I don't mind running in the cold, as long as I am prepared for it.  Today, makes day one of getting ready for this run, I will not have to train as hard for this run since I am all geared up from the Marathon, I will just tapper up a little and then back down, I am planning to run at least 20 miles a week and 30 being the max that I hit.  Today marks day one of training, so away we go again. 

Today's run felt ready even though it was cold, but guess I should start getting used to that.  I also run better in the cold, since I have been training in the hot summer days. I decided that I would stick to the outlined Half Marathon training guide a little better than I did the Marathon.  Today, I did an easy four miles. I ran at my goal pace for two miles then, I ran a little harder for 5 minutes, then back down to my goal pace for five and repeat for the last two miles.  I was happy to see that I had negative splits at the end of my run.This is what my splits looked like:

At mile 1 I like to walk a quarter to get my legs warmed up and then I start my run, so this will typically be slower.  However, for there on out, I steadily got faster. I will defiantly have to incorporate the leg work into my routine.  You know something I discovered.  When I was running faster, I did breath deeper, and when I slowed down, my breathing became faster? I have yet to figure this part out.  If any of you know why let me know.