Fall Series #1

North Monument Valley Park 3.5 Mile
Fall Series #1

I woke up Sunday morning still in pain from the pulled muscle in my back. I really did think I would not be able to run, since running the day before caused me some serious pain! I was really worried with only two weeks left till the marathon I can not have any injuries. I have come so far I can't back down now.

Walking around the house for a few hours, I thought I could loosen her up. I stood in the shower and let the hot water beat on my back, took a few aspirin and stretched as much as I could.

I played it by ear all the way to the start. As I got near the start I spotted my teammates and the pain got put to the back of my mind. I felt like I could not let my girls down, so I sucked it up. But the little voice in my head was screaming at me, "What are you doing, you know this is a bad idea you could really injure yourself further."

I mentioned my teammates,tThis year I joined a team known as DFL's. We say it means Dam Fine Ladies, but any other acronym will be just fine too.

Example: Dead Flippin' Last, Don't Forget Liquor, Don't F*%# Looser...ect

I wasn't going out for a good time I just wanted to finish in one piece and not in pain. So I just jogged slowly and talked with Kimmy. I really miss having her as my running partner, but put us back together and you'd swear no time has passed.

This race you get the lovely opportunity to run up Monument Valley Creek for half a mile. With all the rain Colorado has gotten the water was icy cold and smelled really bad. I really hate this part of the series. I will do the hills I will face the cold, but I really dislike running in the water!

Overall I am okay with my performance all things considered. I felt strong on the hills and I didn't walk except in the water. I think I could put out better times if we didn't have to do the water.

I will miss the second run since I will be in Denver for the Rock -n- Roll Marathon. Yep here I go again.

Time: 0:57:02
Age Place: 40/44
Gender Place: 144/373
Overall: 345/375


"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"

Women’s Distance Festival - 5K

Some of you may know that I took time away from my running.  I had some major changes in life that kept me from my running. I am working hard to make my come back and with each day it gets a little easier and I get stronger.

Saturday the 18^th was the Women’s Distance Festival.  There were a few reason's I choose this run:

 

# 1.   It was cheap….$15

# 2.   All the proceeds went to help “Girls on the Run of the Rockies”, an organization that teaches healthful living and empowers girls 8 to 13.

# 3.   Did I mention the medal?

# 4.   I needed to see what I could do

# 5.   I signed up when I had endorphins rushing to keep me motivated

# 6.   Did I forget to mention the medal?

 It was a gorgeous morning and I felt like it was a good day for a run! I started out the run in a nice comfortable 10 minute pace and I thought okay, if I keep this up I can hit my goal. I tried to tune into my music and just run let the road carry me along.  

As you can see at the start I am really feeling good:

 

From my time you can guess it, hills! There were four inclines, which normally are not bad but I lost my umph on them. I blew thru the first water check. After I hit 1.5 I wanted water there would be another one at 2. I can tell that I had not hydrated enough for a warm day and I got that dam cotton mouth! ICK! Between 2 and 3 the wheels started to come off. I really lost my momentum and knew I started out too fast. I got frustrated because I remember where I was last year and where I am now….starting over is really hard to do.

 I got irritated when the younger boys that had finished already where cheering us along. I just looked at them and scoffed to myself. I could be your mother! This just sucks. I know they are really trying to encourage all the participants and it really was for a good cause, but I got mad at myself because I know I could do better.

When I got the medal placed around my neck, I remembered something someone had once said it me and it made me feel a little better,

 “No one ever gave me a medal for being a good sister, daughter, wife or mother. When I get a medal placed around my neck after I finish a race it tells me look at what you did, you did this yourself and you did an amazing job, congratulations”

Usually, after a race I get something to eat and I walk around and wear my medal proudly.  I like to wear it as long as I can that day. People as you about it and you hear things like, wow that is really neat, wow I don’t think I can do that, wow you’re crazy! Okay, that last one is usually only comes from family and friends and they usually say things like wow you did a 5K how long did it take you to run that marathon?

 

I am doing my best to look at this run as a starting place.  We all have to start somewhere right? I have my base line to start with and I can only go up from here. I just have to keep moving on foot in front of the other and repeat.

"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"

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"

Fall Series Race #1 North Monument Valley Park

This is race number one of the Pikes Peak Road Runners Fall Series.

The course started out in a grass field. As usually everyone started out fast. I had to hold Kimmy back so she wouldn’t crap out.  But after running this course we should have gone out gun blazing! I felt really good and settled into a nice 10min pace which felt really good. As we rounded to Mile two I could hear splashing.  I looked down and I see runners in the creek!

 I knew we were running in water, but guess I should have read the fine print! We ended up running ¾ of a mile up Monument Valley Creek! ICK you know that all flows downhill from the something really smelly.  At times that creek reeks and yep we were running in it.  Needless to say we all smelled lovely!

 

After I exited the creek my feet felt like each one weighed five pounds. There was so much gravel in my shoes and I refused to stop and empty them. There would have been no way to get them back on!

 I finished with an okay time not very good but I had a good time.

 

Kim and I are on a team of four, known as the DFL's, I will let you decided what that stands for :)  Two of our ladies are missing from our photo.  But we ran into two other runners we know Jeff from Barefoot Inclined and Dennis from our Wednesday night  Jose Muldoons Run Club. Yep Jeff ran in those Huaraches! He said it was great with every lift of the foot the water ran right off and flushed out the sand and gravel......CHEATER just sayin'











"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"

Summer Seriers #2 - Panoramic 4M

This is a very low keep run where only 50-100 runners show up for this event.  The Panoramic was originally conceived in the mid 80's as a fund raiser for the planned Olympics Hall of Fame which was to be part of the Jimmy Camp development.  When that fell through, the event was moved to Palmer Park and the Deaf and Blind School was designated as recipients,  The race was a 5 miler in Palmer Park, and was changed to 4 miles when the venue changes to Bear Creek Park in 2000.

This is really a beautiful course, and has a pretty hilly climb for hill training.  The course is mainly on dirt trails in Bear Creek Park, but there is a short distance on a paced entry road and a gravel parking lot.  There are a few decent hills to keep you pushing yourself.  The elevation is around 6,200 feet.

I started off the race well.  I was not ready for the hills and the heat so Kim and I as usual had fun and hammed it up for the camera!

To my surprise I placed thried in my age group! Who would have ever known that I could do that?

 

Here I am with my friend Lisa she got 1st in our age group (30-39) Myself and Kim.

 

"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"

Are you a Muldooniac?

 

It’s was a rainy Wednesday evening, and you can hear laughter coming from the patio of Jose Muldoon’s on South Carefree. It may have been raining and hailing,  but that did stop the runners, joggers and walkers of the Muldooniac Running Club. 

One by one members returned from the 5K or 10K route smiling with pride and wet.  Stefan starts to make his way around the room bringing everyone chips and salsa and taking everyone’s FREE post run beer or house margarita orders.  

I asked Jennifer McDonald what she like most about Jose Muldoon’s Running Club?  She smiled and said,  “I like the friends I have made and continue to make every week.  Even as we get bigger, it feels like we are family.”  This is very true, I have been around since the second week of this club  and I have seen new friendships made and grown as the club grows.

 After asking Kimberly Lindsay what makes her run Jose Muldoon’s Running Club? She said,  “I think the course is great, I like free the beer or margarita that you get after you finish your run, which gives me motivation as I make it up the hill.  What keep me coming back is after 12 runs you get your “beer shirt”.   The group is small enough that you can sit around and talk to your friends and hang out. I find it great that Stefan always remembers your usual order even when you come in on non-running days.”

 Jose Muldoon’s started their run club in the fall of 2011 with just a few runners.  As word got out more runners started to gather and now the club has 250+ registered runners. Running in the club is free, and there is no commitment required.  Participate in twelve 5K’s or ten 10K’s, and you qualify for your free Muldooniac’s technical running shirt.  Both Men’s and Women’s sizes are available.  Wear your Muldooniac shirt to either Jose Muldoon’s location and receive one free beer or house Margarita.

Jose Muldoon’s 5710 S. Carefree Circle, Colorado Springs, CO 80917

719-574-5673

www.josemuldoons.com

RUN LIKE A MULDOONIAC!

St. Mary's Falls

St. Mary's Falls is located off Gold Camp Road in Colorado Springs.  It is to have reported 33 waterfalls leading up to St. Mary's Fall.  The trail is 5.6 miles round trip.  The first half of the trail is pretty easy, the second half of the trail is where you gain some altitude and hit rougher terrain.

To get to the trail head there are two different tunnels that you pass thru.  As you can see this one is only about 100 meters. No head lamp needed here.

Second tunnel, this one is about 1/4 mile. Once you get past the bend, you can see the "light at the end" I don't think you really need a head lamp, but it is helpful.  Inside the walls are jagged, and the way the light bounces off the walls is rather cool.

Before you reach the tail head there is an old closed up rail tunnel. The trail head is just to the right or the rail tunnel. The trail will lead you up and around this around this.

 The trail follows along side a stream. The trail is not heavily traveled so one can get lost in the sound of waterfalls as you hike to St. Mary's. Here is one of the many waterfall that you will see along the trail side.

Almost there! Notice that Orion and I are matching, we are both in orange! This is the last .2 miles of the hike, there are a few tight steep switch backs.  This was the steepest part of the whole trail.  There are a few rock steps before you reach the fall.

There she is! St. Mary's Fall! This fall is 181 vertical feet up! Honestly this picture does not do her justice. 

Just right of the fall is a memorial for a fallen climber.  The plaque reads:

In Memory of Eamon Murphy 1948 - 2008
Who fell to his death here on May 24, after solo climbing Stove Mountain above these fall, He was a darling man, loved by all who knew him.

The boots are filled with rocks so that they do not blow away. As I experienced it can get rather windy.

The view of Colorado Springs, is breath taking, you can see the Broadmoor from here.  The elevation at this point is 9,300ft. At this time the sun just happened to be shining down on it.  After a little snack it was time to head back down. 

 

This hike overall was pretty good.  It is labeled as a family friendly hike, but when you gain almost 2,000 feet in about 3 miles, the last 1.6 miles being the steeper of the hike. I don't think is a great from smaller children.  If you can climb Palmer Loop, Section 16, then this should be fairly easy for you. 

 

 

Lat-long GPS coordinates: N 38.77079 and W -104.91893

 

 

~Happy Trails!

 

 

”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"