A Year in Review

I've been running for over four years now.  However, this is the first year that I started racing.  I remember cheering my husband on at his first 5K over five years ago thinking, "He is crazy.  Who runs that far to see how fast they can go, and then try to run it faster next time?"  I didn't understand the adrenaline and commitment.  It isn't always about winning, it is about dedicating yourself to an experience and laying everything on the table.  When you pin on that bib, you can't lie about how fast you are or how hard you trained.

March

• Highlands Ranch St. Patty's Day 5K (March 17) - I didn't run this race for time, which I regret.  Had I speed trained, I know I could have posted a better time as the course only has one real hill.  I remember crossing the finish line thinking, "Really, are we done already?"  That was a hallmark sign of not pushing hard enough.  I would love another go at this race to obliterate my previous time. (30:30)

 April

• Highlands Ranch Highland Heritage Adventure 10K (April 7) - I'd never raced 10K before, and honestly never ran any single track trails.  The initial hill climb measuring between 6-9% grades for a mile made me think of walking from the gate.  I didn't walk though, and while I am sure I could run faster if I had the opportunity to run it again today, I was proud of my 62:05 time.  I plan to toe the line next April, as I now run the Backcountry trails weekly.  (62:05) 

May

• Barking Dog Duathlon (May 12) - I heaved my giant Trek Mountain Bike from the back of my husband's Subaru at 5:00 in the morning while I watched other competitors pull their bikes from their cars with one hand.  I felt like a complete underdog and hoped nobody would laugh at my bike.  What astounded me was how friendly the other racers were.  Men with rocket bikes and time trial helmets were just as pleasant and helpful as race volunteers.  Halfway through the bike ride, a man passed me on his time trial bike, weighing 5 pounds at the very most and traveling over 30 mph.  He told me I was in the lead of the other fat tire racers, "keep it up," he said, "you're killing 'em!"  I can't describe the boost that gave my depleted energy.  I took first for the Fat Tire division, beating the men by over 10:00 and the women by 15:00.  The culture at duathlons is unmatched and the friends I made this year kept me coming back for the series. (2K 15K 5K - 1:15:50)

June

• Big Sky Duathlon (June 9) - This was my first race on a triathlon bike.  In fact, I never rode this bike before June 8.  My biking speed went from an average of 14.4 mph on a fairly flat course at Barking Dog, to 17.7 mph of rolling hills at Big Sky.  The bike ride was over 6 miles longer than the previous race and my legs were jelly by the time we were done.  I focus too much of my energy on running when I train for duathlons.  Next year, I need to place more emphasis on biking hills.  Once I I crossed that finish line,  I knew what exhausted felt like.  I wasn't ready to race again for a few weeks, but it felt good to push through a wall and finish 3rd in my division. (4K 25K 4K - 1:35:22)

 July

• Highlands Ranch Independence Day 5K (July 4) - This was the hottest and most unbearable race I ran all year.  I didn't enjoy it.  I was weakened by a horrible stomach flu the week before and the hills were so much harder than I expected.  I started out too fast and sadly, when I saw the finish line 300 meters ahead, I was too exhausted to finish strong and I walked for a few feet.  I finished at 25:03, which wasn't a bad time, but I trained for better.  I have no desire to run this race next year.  Instead, I plan to find a nice place in the shade, cheer on the spirited runners, and enjoy the parade with my boys. (25:03)

September

• Denver Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon (September 22) - I loved this race with all of my heart.  It was by far the most fun I had racing this year.  I will rock Denver next year, not for the music but for the great course and hopefully a new PR. (2:01:49)

• West Side Duathlon (September 30) - One week after running the Denver Half, I took first in my division at West Side.  The bike portion of the course tours a part of HWY 93 between Golden and Boulder.  I've driven this route numerous times while visiting Randall in college and later when I attended CU Boulder, but I gained a new respect for those hills while taking them down on a bike.  (2.4K 15K 5K - 1:15:59)

October

• Boulder Half Marathon (October 21) - I consider this race the worst of the season and I wouldn't accept any amount of money to run this again.  The water and food at the finish line was almost non existent, water stations along the course were under stocked, and the starting line wasn't corralled, which messed up most runner's finishing times.  It took a while to get over the disappointment of this race.  I sounds silly to take a race so personally, but when I run, I put everything into that race.  I want to prove what I can accomplish, and how far I have come through hours and hundreds of miles of training.  If I don't post a good time because of my own failings that is one thing, but to be held back because of poor race direction is truly unacceptable.  (2:01:57)

November

• Highlands Ranch Backcountry Wilderness Half Marathon (November 10) - I need another crack at this race!  I loved the terrain, the challenging hills, the amazing runners, and completing another half with my husband.  Trail running doesn't seem as monotonous as road running.  I find myself 3 miles into the run and not remembering how I got to that point because I was so lost in thought.  That rarely happens for me on the roads.  Since April, I've made trail running a consistent part of my training because it pushes my aerobic capacity to new levels, and it is so much more fun.  I feel like a gazelle bounding over the rollers.  This race was well organized and the runners' energy on a freezing cold morning kept our spirits high.  This trail race was a nice refocusing run after Boulder. (2:07:55)

December

• Las Vegas Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon (December 1) - My mind needed this weekend away from my kids more than I initially thought.  It was freeing to sleep for the first time without a monitor blaring next to my head, and eat some great food while it was still hot.  I didn't have to wait on my kids for a few days or clean up any messes.  It was just a good friend and me taking it easy.  My body, on the other hand, was exhausted from five major races in only 10 weeks.  I came face-to-face with that reality at mile 9.  I will plan out the timing of my half marathons and duathlons better next year.  They were formidable distances that pounded my body.  Each race, I felt slightly less energized at the start and knew I hadn't left ample time to heal. Even though I didn't post a new personal record as I'd hoped, I will always consider Vegas one of my favorite racing venues.  Running the strip at night, with my friend Monica, was an unexpected highlight of 2012. (2:02:05)

From my first 5K, to my fourth half marathon in 2012, I changed as a runner and a competitor.  My training plans became more complicated as my addiction to posting faster times increased.  There are 6 races I would love to try again in 2013: St. Patty's Day 5K, Barking Dog Duathlon, Big Sky Duathlon, West Side Duathlon, Denver Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon, and Wilderness Backcountry Half Marathon.  Maybe some strength and speed training will reduce my times, but more importantly, I am excited to try some new courses, meet new people and see where this sport takes me.

Vegas Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon

I got back from Vegas twelve hours ago, and I am still overstimulated!  That was the loudest, flashiest, and most interesting race I've run to date, and I thoroughly enjoyed it!  I was lucky enough to have a friend go with me for the weekend, and while we didn't party afterwards like planned, it is a race that I will forever treasure. 

We attended the Fitness Expo first thing on Saturday.  The energy level was through the 200+ foot roof and everywhere we looked people were excited, friendly, helpful, and proud to call themselves runners.  Knowing we had a full weekend ahead, and having bought the merchandise we came for, we didn't go row by row through the expo.  We chose an ally, walked down it, made a turn and headed for the exit. 

On our way out, I saw a sign sitting next to an expo table, "Scott Jurek, Author of Eat and Run, here today at 4:00."  A volunteer was pulling the sign down and I mumbled to my friend, "Scott Jurek?  Holy cow!  He is amazing!"  While continuing to move forward, I glanced behind me to see where he probably once sat.  Like a star struck 12 year old girl, my heart raced.  "WAIT!  There he is!"  I ran over, waited a few seconds in line, talked to him for a few minutes, got a great picture, and had him sign my racing bib.  I am sure I looked like a crazy person because I was so excited to meet him, but that was by far one of the biggest surprises of the whole trip.  For hours, I couldn't stop smiling. 

That night, we got dressed, saw Le Reve and took it easy - Sunday was bound to be exhausting.

Neither of us knew exactly how to eat for a night race.  We knew we had the entire day to make decisions that would impact our run directly and we were careful not to mess it up.  Each of us had a large but healthy breakfast, but opted to snack for lunch.  I didn't want to repeat the cramping nightmare that ensued during the Boulder Half Marathon.  Figuring it was better to run on a emptier stomach, we had Cliff Bars and fruit salad a few hours before the race.

When we toed the line, I heard my stomach rumble violently.  "That's not a good way to start!"  I told Monica.  But the crowds were enthusiastic and the lights from the strip were flashing beautifully.  No matter how hungry I felt, I wasn't going to let anything take that moment away. 

Before the gun, we reminded each other one more time that this was wasn't about a PR, it was about the experience and sticking together.  We were out to have fun.  Each corral was separated by about 90 seconds.  This provided enough time to spread out.  I only felt boxed in a few times during the race and it didn't last long.  When we started, I was pleasantly surprised how much open space each runner had between them.  We took off at a good speed and I felt the lower altitude working towards my advantage immediately.  We ran for 4-5 miles at a 8:26 pace, faster than I usually start.

By mile 3, we were heading down the newest part of the strip.  The hotels, live shows, flashing lights, thousands of spectators, horns, whistles, music, and smiles were more than I could have imagined and I couldn't help think, "Man this is GREAT!"  My muscles, lungs, and heart all felt okay.  We had a nice 20mph wind right behind us which gave a nice push to our speed every few feet.  But I worried about the near future when that wind was going to meet us head-on as it was an out and back race.

 
The last time I went to Vegas, we stayed at Circus Circus as I was only 10 years old.  Various movies have brought the city to life, but running the strip at night gave me a tangible understanding of the most vibrant and lucious city in America.  We ran past all the major landmark hotels, drive through wedding chapels, statues, and Elvis impersonators.  Nothing that screams Vegas was left from the run and I was in awe throughout the experience.

While my mind revelled in all the excitement, my body wasn't so happy.  I was starving by mile 5, and my knees, ankles, hips, and toes regretted the treadmill stress tests I completed only days before we left for the race.  I started too fast and I didn't taper properly.  Between September 22 and December 2, I ran 4 half marathons and 1 duathlon.  I desperately wanted to PR in my final race of the season, and while I missed it, I am proud of my accomplishment.  Monica and I wanted to run together and we did.  When my legs felt like they were literally on fire, Monica looked at me and asked, "You okay? Want to walk a few?"  Because she was there, I didn't walk.  I wanted to finish strong.  She kept me going through that awful wind and I while I am sure sticking with me slowed her down significantly, it meant the world that she stayed.  As we said from the beginning, it wasn't to beat any personal records.

I found it appropriate the finish line was the Mirage Hotel and Casino.  In Vegas, distances are much farther than they appear.  Monica said, "See there it is!  Almost done!"  I laughed and thought the hotels were moving away from us with every step we ran.  We finished in 2:02:05.  Bands filled the air with live music, strobe lights flashed, and fans screamed passionately.  We were immediately handed water, Gatorade, and warming space blankets.  The walk to the food was a bit longer than expected, but there was an ample supply of bagels, smoothies, apples, Marathon bars, and pretzels. 

The after party didn't start until 11:00 that night so runners had ample time to go back to their hotels, shower, and dress properly for a night of drinking and dancing...in theory.  In our case, we returned to the hotel, showered, snacked, got dressed, did our hair and makeup, and somehow ended up lying down "just for a few minutes."  One and a half hours later we woke up, debated heading to the after party and decided it would be better to sleep.  Both of us planned for weeks on dancing and enjoying the post race festivities, but we knew we would regret it the next day if we rallied. 

The race was very well organized and more fun than I can describe.  Getting the chance to vacation and run with one of my friends was amazing.  Together we had a lot of fun and we enjoyed the views.  Monica kept me centered at the finish and reminded me we weren't out for a win. 

I need to take each race as a new opportunity.  You can't compare one race time to the next because each has very different circumstances.  I can't think of a better race to take it easy and admire the views.  Furthermore, Vegas taught me a lot about racing at night and planning pre-race food more appropriately.  It also reminded me how important it is to spread out races.  My body took a beating this year.  I ran 10 races, only 2 of which were less than 10K.  I am proud of my racing season and Vegas was the best way to solute 2012. 

We were both excited to return to our kids, but sad our ladies vacation came to an end so quickly.  On our trip back home, we agreed one race away from home a year is a must!

Denver Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon

My husband, Randall, and I wanted to run a half marathon together.  The experience was about running the entire 13.1 miles side-by-side and experiencing it as a team.  We chose the Denver Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon because it was a flat and beautiful course on the main roads of Downtown Denver.  How often can people run through the heart of Denver without breathing car fumes and dodging shoppers?  As a bonus, the Rock 'n' Roll Series is known to be full of music and entertainment for the entire race, offering a party-like atmosphere.  Our experience was slightly different than advertised but we had a great run and finished together as planned.

To begin, both of our boys came down with a horrible case of croup a week before the race.  We hoped 7 days would be enough time to nurse them back to health before we ran, but every day they got worse.  Our youngest, Owen, had it first and he couldn't sleep for more than 30 minutes at a time.  We found ourselves tag teaming throughout the night to try and get some sleep.  Ethan contracted the virus 3 days later.  He woke us at 3:00 in the morning, coughing and moaning in his sleep.  Randall ran into Ethan's room, knowing something was extremely wrong, and about 10 seconds later bounded back into our room holding a completely limp 4 year old.

I jumped out of bed, grabbed Ethan, and rocked him in the bathroom while Randall prepared a hot shower.  Ethan was turning blue and incoherent.  When he breathed between coughing spells, he sounded like he was breathing through a cocktail straw.  Never in my life have I experienced the pure terror as this moment brought.  Owen's doctor gave him steroids to open his lungs the day before and luckily I had one left.  We fed it to Ethan carefully watching him struggle to breathe with pathetic gasps of air.  Within a few minutes he was able to breathe at about 50% and another hour later he was almost 100%.  Needless to say, Ethan slept with us for the rest of the night and I questioned the entire night whether we should have gone to the emergency room.  I laid there next to him, my hand on his chest, feeling the comforting rise and fall of his lungs.

The Rock 'n' Roll Series requires every racer to pick up their own packet.  A husband cannot bring his wife's identification and retrieve her materials.  Therefore, only a day after Ethan's terrifying episode, we had to make a quick trip to Denver to pick up our bibs and hurry back home to our sick kids.  My in-laws are used to watching the boys.  They raised 3 kids on their own and we knew our kids were in good, loving hands.  However, this is a policy that I really wish the race directors would change.  They are not thinking about the countless couples with children who compete together and how much this one detail can complicate a family's week.  I understand the fitness expos are a large source of income and endorsements, but it almost made one of us pull out from the race entirely.

Two days after retrieving our packets, we awoke at 4:00am.  We left the kids and my in-laws sleeping in a dark house.  Our boys were still sick and miserable, but we trained 12 weeks for this.  I don't want to be a selfish mom who thinks of her needs before the comforts of her kids, but this race meant a lot to me.  The boys were showing slow and steady improvement and we figured we would run and be back before lunch time to relieve my husband's parents. 

We arrived at the race with about an hour to spare before the first wave.  Walking around the pre-race entertainment, I became energized from all of the people, music, and fanfare.  I didn't forget about my kids' health but once we decided to run, we needed to enjoy the moment and not worry.  As we moved to our gate, I felt instantly part of something.  The gun went off and wave-by-wave we moved forward to the starting line.

Randall and I trotted off at a comfortable 8:45 pace warming up for the first mile and a half.  Before the race began we promised ourselves that the focus was not going to be about passing people and being overly competitive for the first 5 miles.  We wanted to run and finish together and find a nice pace that we could equally maintain.  Neither of us anticipated the start being downhill, which offered a great warm-up mile.  We passed hundreds of racers and settled in with a wave that began over 5 minutes ahead of us.

Every few miles we encountered live bands, or stereos streaming rock and roll music.  Fans lined the streets of Downtown Denver with signs and cowbells.  My favorite sign was about two thirds through the race, "I don't even know you, but I am so proud of you!"

As my Garmin beeped through each mile, I thought about my boys.  I hoped they were happy and feeling better, but I refused to feel guilty for leaving them.  I wish I would have worn my headphones for this race because a little more music could have provided a nice distraction from my wondering mind, but Randall was by my side and provided support and conversation.

Between miles 10 and 11 my knees and ankles began to ache and I finally started to feel a bit tired.  Throughout the race I snacked on Chomps and took swigs of water from my backpack.  I think having a constant resupply of calories kept my energy high, but that 10th mile hurt.  Reactively, I started talking to Randall about random things, mainly our boys or future races I wanted to try.  But after we passed the sign reading 11 miles, I felt better, more energized and ready to finish strong.  I asked Randall if we could speed up our pace and he was game to get it over with.  So we trotted along at an 8:00 pace until our final mile where we decreased our pace to 7:00.

That final mile was exhilarating!  Scaffolding laced the streets for photographers to get a higher vantage point.  Friends and family members of the 14,000 racers lined the streets hooting and chanting.  Randall and I crossed the finish line hand-in-hand.  Running it together is the one thing that I will forever take with me from this race.  I feel fortunate to have a husband that is as dedicated to running as I am.  We challenge each other and keep ourselves focused on our goals.  Finishing together symbolized our dedication to each other and our sport.

After crossing the finish line, pictures were taken, bottle after bottle of water and Gatorade were thrust into our hands and before we knew it, our arms were full of every type of energy bar, bagel, and fruit one could possibly imagine.  For that short instant, I felt like a celebrity.  I felt disillusioned throughout the race by the lack of music but the finisher's party did not disappoint.

Overall, I enjoyed the race.  The people were spirited and entertaining, the course was inspiring, and the post-race entertainment was worth while.  The race shirts were hideous, but it is rare to find a race shirt that one actually wants to wear.  Most importantly, when we got home, the kids were okay.  They weren't the mess we feared them to be.  Sure it took a few more days to get them back to their healthy selves, but had we stayed home with them instead of racing I would have regretted it.  Sure, kids need their parents when they are sick.  But I literally give my boys 100% during every waking moment.  When they need me, I am there.  I put down everything for my kids and I am lucky to have in-laws ready to help and provide additional love and affection whenever we need them. 

Hopefully someday Ethan and Owen will look upon our race photos and see their mom and dad accomplished this goal as a team.  Sure, Randall and I could have run our own race and independently posted faster times, but it was more fun with company.  I want our kids to see their parents doing things together because we genuinely enjoy each other.