Denver RnR Race Report

4:15am my alarm went off. I’m getting kind of used to this early morning stuff and I’m not sure how I feel about that…

My stuff was already laid out and ready to go from the night before. I have this fear of getting dressed in the early morning only to show up in the light of day in 2 different colored socks, crappy run shorts that I hate, and a sports bra that makes me bleed and no running shoes. So, I make sure to have all my running gear ready to go the night before so I’m not making too much noise in the house (everyone is still snoring at that hour).  I made my usual pre-race breakfast of 2 whole wheat english muffins smothered in peanut butter and a cup of coffee and headed out the door.

I made some cheap-o arm warmers out of Target socks ($1.00) and I cut out finger holes. They worked perfectly. Kept me warm without the bulk of a long sleeve drop shirt. I dropped them at the mile 4 water station.

Things that went wrong:

• I walked out the door without my Garmin.
• I missed the train to take into downtown Denver so I had to drive and find parking.
• I could only eat 1 of my peanut butter english muffins. Not enough food.
• Walked up to Corral #2 with 2 minutes to spare (kind of nice, but then again, I had no warm up- other than my 1 mile walk to the start.)

I was excited, don’t get me wrong, but you know how it is when things don’t go smoothly or according to your “plan” – it can throw you off. But I didn’t let it.

So what that I left the Garmin at home? They had pacers that I could follow or I would just go by feel. So what that I didn’t eat all my breakfast? I had plenty of Honey Stingers chews and waffles to help me out, if needed.

My race plan: Stay with the 1:40 pacers and pull away after Cheeseman Park (mile 11) if I felt good.

Here was the plan for the 1:40 pace group (Runner’s Edge of the Rockies were the race pacers).

The course was really great. It had a couple of little hills, but nothing bad. I had the itch all throughout the course to go faster but stuck with the pacers. They did take off through City Park. I didn’t think I had slowed down that much; I think they just got a little pep in their step or felt they needed to step it up a notch. I had no idea, really because I had no Garmin. I would tell myself every now and again “Relax, trust your pacers. Let them do the work. Just follow.” It was actually kind of nice.

5K- 24:25

10K:- 47:40

I saw my Distance Divas at Mile 8 cheering (thanks Kathy, Melissa and Tina- also my roommates for Detroit International) and that was super awesome to see them there. It definitely put a little fire in me. This was also the turn around point. I was distracted looking for a few friends and running buddies so that mile flew by mindlessly. We ran through Cheeseman Park. I have never run through there and it is really pretty. This is where some of the hills were but I just kept plugging along. I also caught up to the 1:40 pacers here and decided to pass them.

10 mile- 1:16:10

The last 2 miles were downhill and that was fun. The crowds of people toward the finish line really help to keep you pushing. It felt good. It felt great to finally get that  1:40. It felt even better knowing I did it as a training run and not an all out effort.

13.1 miles- 1:38:13 (7:30 pace)- a bright and shiny new PR

Me and lil Meg after the race. Isn’t she the cutest! She is doing a half marathon each month this year. She’s awesome! We were already discussing our plans for the Silver Rush 50 next year. I look so dumpy next to her. That’s it. Diet starts now!

Speaking of looking hideous… Can someone please teach me how to take a good race photo. I mean, really!! It. Is. Awful!

There were several stories from other bloggers, Daily Mile friends, Distance Diva friends, but one of my favorites came from my friend and co-worker, Erika who ran the full. She told me how she just became really ticked off at mile 16 and was hating life and every peppy person around her. So, when she came across this mascot and he kept jumping in her way, she finally just shoved him away and her friend brilliantly captured it in a picture. Love!

Post run pictures!

Great course, great organization, fun post race party. I’m debating on doing the Highlands Ranch 10mile/20mile trail race next weekend. We’ll see. Otherwise, I just have Detroit Marathon on Oct 21st and Rim Rock Marathon in November! Woo-Hoo!

Related articles

• Rock n’ Roll: Philadelphia Half Marathon (lvrunsnyc.wordpress.com)
• Rock’n and Roll’n (triathlonmomma.wordpress.com)
• Race Recap: Air Force Half Marathon (onerunatatime.com)
• Denver to Detroit: Marathon Training Week 12 (kandjcolorado.wordpress.com)

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