With only a handful of hikes to go in 2012, been putting a lot of thought to 2013 goals.
Being outdoors every weekend for an entire year has not only improved my health, but improved my overall mental stamina. AND I’ve almost done it – completed a New Year’s resolution. Wo-hoo!
Whereas 2012 was the year of K* the Hiker, 2013 most likely will be the year of K* the Runner. And what better way to figure this all out than running my maiden Colder Boulder around scenic CU campus.
Only a 5K but in addition to my weekly hike challenge, so that’s plenty for now – and actually my 3rd road race of 2012. AND lucky for me, Kimberly flew in for a Christmas party at her friend Annie’s home & joined me in the race.
Unseasonably warm December race day, slow finish time – but mighty proud of my official Colder Boulder beanie 🙂
START
racing bibs
FINISH
Who sets their alarm for 6am on a Saturday?
Anyone who plans to run a 5k, hike a 13er, then play 2 hours of tennis – talk about a jam-packed SUPER Saturday.
The intention is not to run and hike every remaining week of 2012 – just dumb luck last week’s 10 mile run in Louisville was scheduled back-to-back to the Waneka Classic 5K Fun Run in Lafayette (one of Ro’s regular weekly walks). ALSO, today’s race supported Centaurus High School’s cross-country track team…so came out for a mighty good cause (local youth). And come on…how many races are so close that you can walk there from home? Absolutely no excuses this day.
I competed in the local Citizen’s Race (which kept all varsity track kids out of the field :)). Stayed close and followed a guy named Dale before I blew past him at the 2-mile race marker. Overall, finished 19th!
Ran home, showered, and packed for my next Saturday activity – week 36’s hike challenge starting at Loveland Pass.
Don’t expect another road race out of me again until early December – the ‘ColderBolder’.
Not sure if I was inspired by my sister’s aggressive running regimen or whether I simply missed the excitement associated with running in an organized race…but on Saturday September 1st, I competed in my first road race since 2009.
As a kickoff to the Labour Day weekend, my town holds an annual 5k/10M road race named Coal Creek Crossing. Sure I only started running consistently again in July…but with me it’s always ‘Go Big or Go Home’ — so sign me up for 10 miles. LOL>
With such an early start, was able to snap a shot of our Blue Moon followed soon after by a pic of the Saturday morning sunrise.
The race wandered over local trails in both Louisville & Lafayette — very little of the running required on paved road. Kept my pace slow & consistent, really enjoying the experience. THEN came mile 9. Ok, strike that. Rather I saw the 9 mile race marker ahead — high high UP on Aquarius Hill. Can’t say I had ever heard of Aquarius Hill previously, but I will remember it now.
I survived of course, completed my race and headed over to the pancake breakfast pavilion. FAAAANNNTASTIC finish!
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- ‘blue moon’ still visible at race start
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- bib pick-up
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- 7am sunrise start
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- ‘Go Big or Go Home’ – local 10 mile road race
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- pancake breakfast finish — FAANNNTASTIC!
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- road race booty — why we really do this
Fast forward 2 days. I received an email detailing my race results (which I thought had been halfway decent). Talk about humbling. Ouch! These Coloradans are machines. Ok, ok — just wait ’til next year.
Thanks for participating in the Coal Creek Crossing 10 Mile.
Results for K R Haga:
You placed 96th out of 132 finishers in a time of 1:36:57 for a pace of 9:42 per mile.
Out of 67 men you finished 56th. The winning time for men was 59:19.
