Just back from sea level, less than a week to altitude adjust my running for May’s race – the Colfax Half Marathon in Denver.

Was sucking wind at 3 miles on Monday’s training run but by Thursday not only hit my stride, but ran 20 miles – my longest distance run in 2013.  So…on Sunday I felt super confident – this being my 3^rd half marathon of 2013.

Overslept my 4 a.m. alarm on Sunday (race day) by 45 minutes so rushed around, quickly walked Ro & barreled down the highway headed for the Denver Zoo (official race parking).  Parking was already full at 5:45 a.m. (argh) but luckily found on-street parking only another 5 minutes away.  Whew – now I could kick back and relax ‘til the 7 a.m. start time.

For today’s race I was able to use my time in Moab (my first Half in March) to qualify for a lower race wave.  AWESOME!  So instead of running in the thick of 3,000 people, I qualified for E corral (5^th wave) & wasn’t blocked in by so many bodies.

My time goal was to beat last month’s Fort Collins time at just under 2 hours.  Focused on going out fast (kinda risky) in an effort to catch “C” wave which started almost 4 minutes ahead of me…and then maintain pace ’til race finish.

Raced thru the Zoo between miles 2 & 3, then caught & followed ‘C’ wave just past mile 5.  Despite running 20 miles only 3 days prior, I felt zapped at 12 miles.  My pace started dropping off fast.  Finish line ahead.  Relieved then stunned.

Ran a 2013 personal best today 1:49.42 – a full 10 minutes faster than last month’s Half Marathon.  That’s why my energy was zapped. Additionally, raised money for my charity of choice – Autism Speaks.  Enjoyed BBQ & Blues AND still managed to shower & attend church. Busy day.  Did I mention ‘Personal Best’?  Woo-hoo!  Only 34 days left ’til my Alaska marathon.

Congratulations #6126 K R HAGA!
Here are your results for the Kaiser Permanente Colfax Marathon:

Your final time is 01:49:42.
You finished 672 out of 5165 in the HALF MARATHON.

Sunny day & 40 degrees in Littleton Colorado – sooooo much warmer than my first race in January.

Had been running 10 miles+ all week; took Friday off.  When Saturday morning arrived, still found myself with stomach butterflies before the actual event.  Training solo & running with a crowd – totally different energy.

Arrived almost an hour early, picked up my racing bib & snapped a shot by the giant Start Line snowman.

Today’s race was also the RRC’s 10 mile championship race (Road Runners Club of America).  What that means was fewer of us weekend warriors and more lean athletes all jockeying for a place near the front.

After the initial shock of wow – we’re now running, it’s finally happening – I settled into my training pace, approx 8 minute miles.  Not super fast but the plan was to finish strong – and stay consistent with pace.

Started targeting other runners ahead of me for motivation after 7.5 miles – but didn’t chump out until mile 9.  Kept it at a run but my pace dropped off significantly.  That said, looked strong crossing the Finish Line – and no paramedics were called 🙂

Overall finished top 30% and 12^th in my age group.

At this rate if I can just stay alive, expect to win my age group by the time I turn 80.  Moab in 30 days!

167  12/27     220 K R Haga 1:27:27

Snowman Stampede 10M race