After multiple weeks of travel, found myself content/happy to be home & enjoying our fair weather summer. With the exception of two hot weeks, temps have been super mild this year — in the 70’s to 80’s with short bursts of rain most afternoons.
Recommitted myself to running on Saturday (felt really good after 4 weeks of healing the knee & laying low). Running outside shirtless reenergized me – yeah, I think I do like summer…snow can wait for another month, maybe even two 🙂
Woke Sunday with the same Colorado endorphin rush & wanted to hike. Eldorado Canyon (hiked in May 2012) – I remembered amazing canyon views & a river where Ro could swim. In the car, done.
Eldorado Canyon is a hidden treasure right in Boulder’s backyard! Whether it’s hiking amidst the towering sandstone cliffs, picnicking along scenic South Boulder Creek or climbing Eldo’s sheer golden walls, Eldorado Canyon State Park truly has something for everyone!
Sunshine, fair temps – gorgeous weather. Let Ro take a quick dip in South Boulder Creek, then hit the trail.
Ponderosa pines, amazing canyon views and only 25 minutes from Boulder. Next time I host flatlanders in Colorado, we’re doing this hike. 3-4 miles roundtrip, not a lot of elevation gain – and did I mention the amazing views? HA!
Soaked in the river after our hike return until my feet started to numb (mighty chilly water). Medicine for the soul 🙂
-
- Eldorado Canyon State Park
-
- rock climbing paradise
-
- Colorado fly fishing
-
- Rattlesnake Gulch trailhead
-
- mighty nice day for a hike
-
- beautiful vista – only 25 minutes from Boulder
-
- Continental Divide overlook
-
- yep, my dog CAN smile 🙂
-
- view from the top
-
- scoping my climb down
-
- lotta natural hand holds (climb UP was much easier)
-
- summer & butterflies – happy August day
Just 5 days ago ran my fastest 10K at the BolderBoulder – next up, the Taste of Louisville Half Marathon.
Far fewer folks running this race than Monday’s 54,000+ participants in Boulder. That said, really enjoy supporting my local hometown – and most of this race was run on trail (better on the knee than road racing).
Goal today was to stick to marathon pacing (& simmer my competitive juices). Followed a lady matching my stride for 3 miles – but then she dropped off. Ho hum. Next was ‘coughing’ guy who stayed just wing-span behind me ‘til mile 6. Small hill, he finally lost the lung or took an oxygen break. At mile 8, followed a guy my age who consistently out-kicked me uphill, but whom I later passed at the 10 mile water station.
Mile 12 – Aquarius Hill. Why a huge hill so near the end? Ugh. Saw it coming but kept thinking the race route would loop around the hill – not straight UP. Double ugh. Made peace with the situation and focused on running UP – not walking like many of the competitors ahead of me. Can’t say I ran much faster than their walk – did this more as a mental victory.
Last half-mile finished on Main Street (literally right into the Taste of Louisville). Because this last section was flat, I caught a glimpse of the ‘Finish Line’ early. Sucked up air & decided to sprint — picking up serious pace. Passed tens of confused runners wondering where the heck I’d been hiding all this time.
Crowd cheered my fast finish & the race announcer called out my name – that was kinda cool 🙂
Finish Time: 1:53.37 – 49th overall, 7th in my age group
3 races over 13 days – taking a break.
Watching Rockies/Padres game Friday night, climbing RMNP’s Hallett Peak Saturday morning.
Taste of Louisville Half Marathon
2013 Door of Fame
5 months of running has led me back home for my last 2 races before Alaska.
The Bolder Boulder is an annual 10-kilometer road race in Boulder, Colorado. The most recent race featured over 54,000 runners, walkers, and wheelchair racers, making it the largest race in the US in which all participants are timed and the fifth largest road race in the world. It has one of the largest non-marathon prize purses in road racing.
The race culminates at the University of Colorado’s Folsom Field with a Memorial Day Tribute with one of the largest Memorial Day gatherings in the United States.
Just one year ago, I didn’t think I was fit enough to complete a 1oK at 5500 ft. WOW – look at me now! Today’s run was my 7th race of 2013 – including 3 half-marathons in Moab, Fort Collins & Denver. FAAANNTASTIC!
Woke early, headed to South Boulder to catch a bus to the starting line. My qualifying wave (heat) was scheduled to start at 7:11am – just 11 minutes after the elite runners. How cool is that!
Have never run in such a large event before. As we ran through Boulder, I was super impressed by all the crowd support – live bands, crazy costumes & even belly dancers – and all at 7 in the morning. AMAZING!
Ran strong all race – only running ahead of marathon pace for the first mile. Unlike last weekend’s race in Denver, I maintained my pace & did not get caught up in running too fast. I’ve got enough gas in the tank to sprint 3 miles – but the ultimate goal is 26.2 miles on June 22nd. Gotta keep my eye on the prize!
Nothing like finishing at Folsum Field (CU Stadium) – crowd cheering, seeing yourself on the Jumbotron. 51:24 – my 2nd best 10K finish (fastest time since 2001).
Feeling strong, ready for next weekend’s half in Louisville.
CHECK OUT my video ‘BolderBoulder 2013’
BolderBoulder 2013
under 48 minutes – fastest 10K ever
