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.

East West Trail

Two weeks after running the Backcountry Half Marathon, I decided to run some of the same trails again, this time solo.  I was amazed as to how strong I felt.  My latest half really built muscle and increased my cardio capacity.  I ran a total of 10 miles and during that time, I only saw one other person - a biker.  It astounds me that I can be so close to civilization, and see only one person.  These trail are so accessible, I am amazed people don't use them more.  Maybe it is the pest problem... ;)

The Backcountry Trails are an intricate web of dirt single track trails mixed with some wider groomed dirt.  They are well maintained and only Highlands Ranch residents are allowed on site.  I took lots of pictures today, hoping the views might inspire other residents to brave some new territory. 

There was a rather large brown cloud over Denver today.  We haven't had much wind to blow it away.  But the views were still worth while.  I was standing at the edge of a sea of houses.  Behind me are thousands of acres of open space.

My earphones broke weeks ago and I haven't had the energy to find new ones that actually fit.  I ran music and Garmin free.  Of course I brought my phone in my backpack and snapped some pictures, but I enjoyed the quiet and was left with my thoughts following a wonderful Thanksgiving filled with family.

I lived in Highlands Ranch for 6 years before I knew any of this existed.  I had no idea what I was missing.  It is interesting how running allows you to learn and appreciate the intricacies of your home geography.  I have become so familiar with every main trail-line in the town, how they connect, approximate distances, meeting points, detours, and yet I continue to find new trails weekly.

I love these trails because I feel like I am a part of something much bigger than me.  I can see all of Denver, the Rocky Mountains, the Great Plains, and beautiful plateaus.  These buttes remind me of the wild west.





I felt great 6 miles into my run when I came across my old friends from She Who Runs with Cows gets a Fist Full of Poop.  At first sight of them, my heart dropped.  I panicked running through hundreds of them less than a month ago, but I had my husband to keep me company.  This time I was alone and not wanting a similar encounter.  I approached cautiously and almost jumped for joy when I saw the fence dividing us.

The views from the top of Wildcat Mountain are stunning.  I didn't make it to the top today as I am running the Rock 'n' Roll Vegas Half Marathon next weekend.  While I felt great, I wanted to leave some in the tank.

There is a vast open space that divides Castle Pines and Highlands Ranch.  If you stand on the edge of the trail system, you can see all of Highlands Ranch to the north and open untamed plains to the south.  I prefer running on trails any day over roads and pavement.  At this point in my loop, I ran about 7 miles.

After Vegas, I am taking a break from racing for a few months.  I raced all spring and summer, and finished the season with 4 half marathons and one duathlon in 2.5 months.  I look forward to hitting the trails without purpose again.  I won't have to push a certain pace or maintain a distance schedule.  I feel freest when I can turn in a new direction, see where it takes me, and wind up running 13 miles when I planned on 8.  Running without my Garmin today made me feel freer than I have in months.  It might just have to be shelved for a while.

Backcountry Wilderness Half Marathon

Heading into the Backcountry Wilderness Half Marathon I had two goals: watch my heart rate monitor, and don't get hurt.  I wanted to recover easily for the Rock 'n' Roll Vegas Half in less than 3 weeks.  Adding to the stress, my heart rate has climbed to extremely high rates over the last couple months, leaving me a strict doctor's order to keep it under 185 beats per minute.  My doctor scared me enough that day to take her warnings seriously.  "You may feel good, but your heart is not.  You are on your way to a heart attack!"  I wanted a good work out.  I wanted to experience the racing environment that I crave, but I didn't want permanent damage. Therefore it wasn't going to be a race that I would go all out and take a stand to prove my running abilities.  My 24-hour echo cardiogram, and stress test are scheduled for next week.  Until then, it was about enjoying the ride.

Freezing before the race!

Randall and I ran the Backcountry Half together.  He said he wanted me to pace him so that he didn't go all out and regret it later when he was too sore to move.  But I know why he stayed, he didn't trust I would watch my heart rate monitor closely enough.  I knew he was babysitting me when he tried to take off a few times in the first couple miles and when I didn't follow, he slowed, looked around for me, and ended up letting me take the lead.  Once we hit Monarch Blvd, we settled into our pace and I was glad Randall was there.  He provided great company and camaraderie, making me laugh when it hurt.

I applaud the Highlands Ranch Race Director for making a route that was somehow uphill for the majority of the first 11 miles.  That couldn't have been easy!  Our map clearly defined the inclines, but until you run a course from start to finish, it is impossible to appreciate the ascents.  The course was extremely well planned.  The first 2-3 miles were contested on larger paths and dirt roads, allowing racers to pass easily and move into their projected pace groups.  By the time the trails narrowed to single track, passing was less of an issue and racers were polite, moving aside to let faster runners charge through.

After we reached the top of Monarch Blvd, the wind pelted our faces and a hard packed sleet assaulted our cheeks and ears.  I was not the only runner to moan at the pain of those sadistic, little ice balls.  I picked up the pace throughout those rolling hills, just to escape the torment of the cold; but my pulse fenced me in and I ended up slowing down again before crossing Daniel's Park Rd.  Once we reached the other side of Daniel's Park, the wind stopped.  Running through the scrub oak was majestic as the snow flakes politely fell on our faces.  A fellow runner took the lead, pacing us through the next 2 miles, and as he pushed to the front he laughed, "I am so glad I am not on the couch right now!"

I felt the best between miles 7 and 11.  I was in my element and my heart rate settled right at 177 beats per minute.  I no longer glanced at my watch every 30 seconds to monitor my heart.  I took in the views, listened to my breath, joked with Randall here and there, and enjoyed the up and down of the rocky trails.  The Douglas County Search and Rescue crews made up the majority of the volunteers on the course and they kept spirits high with their great smiles and hilarious comments.

We charged through the final 3 miles at an 8:00 to 8:30 pace.  I felt like a gazelle galloping down the slopes, jumping rock-to-rock, until we made the hard pavement for the final mile.  My body was so adjusted to the textures of the trail, that the hard cement really threw me for a loop.  We continued our sub 9 minute pace to the finish, but I was clearly tired.  Once I saw the Colorado Race Timing finish line, I smiled.  That smile stayed plastered to my face for the last quarter mile.  As we charged up the final ascent to the finish, spectators cheered, chanted, and made me laugh through the finish.  Their spirits gave me the last push I needed to finish strong.  One spectator saw I was smiling and screamed, "She's smiling!  She still has it in her!  Go smile to the END!"

That finish was an accomplishment.  I felt really good throughout the race and I did as I promised my doctor.  I didn't take any unreasonable risks, but I felt I finished strong.  We crossed in 2:07, only 7 minutes slower than the Denver Rock 'n' Roll Half and the Boulder Half a few weeks prior.  The trails were tough and the climbs relentless.  I needed to buy new Pure Connects a month ago, as the cushioning is gone, but I didn't because I had too many races to risk breaking in new shoes.  By the end of this race, my feet were blistered and my shoes were trashed. 

The finisher's party was really small, but I understand how hard it must be for a race director to get companies and volunteers for a race that is this small, cheap, and cold.  There was ample water at the finish and enough C.B. and Potts pizza rolls for everyone to have a couple.  I wish they would have placed the finishers dog tags around our necks as we finished, but they were clearly busy with other tasks and quickly remedied the mistake.  Once we received our dog tags, we headed to the warmth of the car.  I was shivering uncontrollably and needed warmth fast.

Before heading home to the kids, we stopped for lunch.  As we ordered, I was still shivering so severely, the waitress thought I was truly crazy.  "I didn't think it was that cold outside!" she snickered.  I told her we just finished a race and I was frozen from the finish.  Her eyes widened looking at me like I was crazy.  Some people just don't get it!

Finally, we headed home and I put our youngest son, Owen, down for a nap.  Next, it was time for us to rest.  We never rent movies, but after the race, we made an exception.  Randall, Ethan, and I all curled up on the bed in our basement, to watch Ethan's movie he's wanted for weeks.  Randall and I quickly fell asleep.  After a short nap, Randall whispered in my ear, "My body hates me.  My knees hate me.  My ankles are begging, 'why?' I think my blood is pooling! But it was worth it.  Thanks for running with me, Jen."

Racing Heart

I started wearing a heart rate monitor about a month ago.  Every once in a while I glanced at the numbers and was stunned by how high they were.  I didn't feel tired, weak, or frail as my heart rate pushed into the 200s.  But the numbers scared me enough to keep an eye out for trends.  When I run at an easy pace, 9:30-10:00 miles, my heart rate settles between 167-175 beats per minute.  However, when I peak a steep hill and start the decent, or push my pace into the 8 minute range, my heart shoots into the 200s within seconds.

A few days ago I saw my doctor.  She hooked me up to an EKG and said everything looked really good at rest.  The only concern was that my blood pressure was extremely low, 80/50, and my resting heart rate was rather high, especially for someone who exercises regularly.  The lab drew a few viles of blood and my doctor ordered stress tests and a 24-hour test, which I have yet to complete.  She thinks my heart rate compensates for my extremely low blood pressure, so we need to figure out why my blood pressure is dangerously low.

Heading out the door, she encouraged me to take it easy.  "Don't let your heart rate climb above 180!" she reminded me.  "If you have to race this weekend, take it easy.  Don't race, just finish!"  

The Backcountry Half Marathon is only 3 days away.  I worked really hard training for this race as I do all of my races.  My husband and I ran the Backcountry whenever we earned a few minutes away from the boys.  I scaffolded my training appropriately.  I always make conscience decisions about food choices.  And more than anything, I ran my pants off for the last few months.  My doctor told me very sternly to wear a heart rate monitor during the race and glance at it every few minutes.  If my heart starts creeping towards the 170 range, back down, walk, and when it is significantly lower, begin again.  She didn't tell me not to run, just watch it.

First of all, I don't want to hurt myself.  So of course I will heed the advice appropriately.  However, running with a monitor really takes all of the fun out of racing.  Races are about challenging your body and pushing your limits.  Under doctor's orders, there are no limits to test, just a 13.1 mile run to complete.  Of course I knew I wasn't going to win the race even if I pushed really hard.  There are crazy good runners that will show up, ultra marathoners that will eat this race like a 6 minute per mile snack.  But I love seeing what I can do.  I don't race against the other runners, I compete against myself.  The race is about improving, seeing how far I can run up 12% inclines without tiring; bounding like a gazelle through the trails' rollers.  Racing shouldn't be about studying a watch and letting it decide my limitations.

If you aren't pushing your limits, testing your training, what is the point of a race?  I am disappointed and worried about my heart.  I am young and in the best shape of my life.  But my body is clearly sending me signals to rest for a while.  This Saturday, I will toe the line.  I will extinguish any competitiveness within me and see the race as a nice opportunity to run the most beautiful city trails in Colorado amongst some of the best people.