Early a.m. start – marathon morning. Hadn’t actually run 26.2 miles since my race in New Brunswick, 3 weeks ago. Cut things kinda close this morn. Heard the anthem play while in the porta-john. Made it to the Start as runners were just on their way. Yikes!
Tight first couple miles. Race wound on pedestrian paths thru Aspen downtown & John Denver Sanctuary, allowing little room to pass – super congested. Crossed 2 footbridges. Water rushed wildly below; crazy scenic.
July temps remained cool-to-moderate for 9 miles. Followed the bike path just outside of town, thru Snowmass Village.
The Aspen Valley Marathon is primarily on the Rio Grande Trail…this mostly paved trail follows the Roaring Fork River and is closed to motorized vehicles.
Struggled a bit with elevation, breathing bit more labored at 7900ft (versus my Louisville home, 5500ft) – however, a super forgiving course. Gradual decline for long stretches, ultimately finishing in Basalt Colorado 6600ft.
Tree cover loss near [town of] Snowmass. Sun cooked the last 10 miles. Ya’ll know how much I love the heat…argh.
Eventually slogged my way to the Finish, just under 5 hours. I’ll take it. 67th marathon done – & my streak of monthly marathoning continues…32nd consecutive month. FAAANNNTASTIC!
No post-race shower but gotta kick my feet up while Stephen drove us 4 hours back to Louisville. Capped off the weekend with a little dinner theatre – Ash & I love our seasonal shows in Boulder. everybody get Footloose! 🙂
Aspen Valley Marathon
July 16, 2016 in Aspen, CO
K R Haga
bib number: 138
time: 4:52:07
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- 32nd consecutive month marathoning
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- Aspen leaf design
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- Aspen to Basalt 26.2 miles
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- everybody get FOOTLOOSE!
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- theatre tradition
Last month kicked off the series with my local ‘go-to’ run, a quick 5 miles ‘round Waneka Lake.
This month thought I’d highlight one of my sis’ favourite runs in St. Louis. Past 3 years have FaceBook-followed Sis’ love/hate relationship with Queeny Park – summer time she’s red-faced, spring time: rain soaked, dodging lightning.
Family Reunion 2016 in St. Louis: HAD to experience Queeny.
4th of July weekend; most of Sis’ running group no-show’d (think there was a competing run in Forrest Park). Luckily this day, also missed St Louis’ infamous hot humid summer weather. Overcast skies kept morning temps in the 70’s/low 80’s. FAAANNTASTIC!
Shaded deciduous, big leafy vegetation, long patches of wildflower, multiple lake views AND hills – lotta up n down. Let’s the body know you’re alive. Often I zone during mile-stretches of flat road.
Don’t get me wrong, LOVE my Colorado trail runs…but St Louis’ Queeny Park did not disappoint. GREAT morning run!
Post-run food reward at The Shack. Family that runs together, stays together 🙂
Welcome to the fourth annual edition of The Go! List, a celebration of the best people, places and things in St. Louis. Here are our critics’ and readers’ picks.
Best breakfast • The Shack
Where 13645 Big Bend Road, Valley Park • More info 636-529-1600; shackstl.com
Where 731 South Lindbergh Boulevard, Frontenac • More info 314-736-5900; shackstl.com
The Shack began life as a midtown restaurant serving larger-than-life sandwiches. Since relocating to Valley Park and later expanding to Frontenac, it has made larger-than-life breakfasts its main calling card. (Lunch is also available.) Feast on waffle-breaded fried chicken, corn-flake-encrusted French toast or any of the omelets, skillets or other dishes, and you can skip lunch. Maybe dinner, too.
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- GREAT morning run in S-T-L!
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- action shot fail
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- food reward: chili & Fritos burrito at The Shack
morning run series: Queeny Park (StL)
Run the Year Motto: Run, Crawl, Walk, Conquer, Dominate 2,016 miles in 2016
June 2016 update: COMEBACK month x2! Second month of consistent training, multiple day run streaks & 3 more marathons – including my first 2 Canadian provinces (five-year goal to run all 10).
Positives? Over the past 2 months, buckled down & caught up a 71 mile deficient (April injury fail).
2 month focus (July & August): ENDURANCE
Never been a summer runner – completing my miles, just getting it done in July & August will be a personal victory.
Race ReCap: 3 marathons – 2 at altitude (Steamboat & Banff), 2 in Canada (Alberta & New Brunswick) – including my first in kilometers (had never previously seen a ‘40’ marathon marker). Highlight: BANFF. Bucket list hike destination – Lake Louise, WOW!
Mileage ReCap: HUGE – 2nd straight month, 200+ miles; ended June at 1,008 miles (half-way thru 2016).
- 31st consecutive month marathoning. Streak started with my second 26.2, December 2013 in Tucson.
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- half-way mark: ended June at 1008 miles
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- Milestone 900
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- Milestone 1000
Run the Year – July Newsletter
Hey 2016ers. Did you know this challenge is supposed to be difficult??
If this challenge were easy it would not hold the same appeal. Taking on a challenge where there is a real possibility of failure is exciting and terrifying and nerve-wracking. The desire to face our own limitations, to overcome obstacles, and finally accomplish what we could not manage previously, is what makes a challenge like this so enticing. That’s what makes this challenge, and you, special.
No matter where you are on your journey, commit to going extra hard this month. Commit to getting in more miles in the next 31 days that you have all year. Embrace the difficulty of the task you have chosen and know that the more obstacles you have to face, the greater the feeling of personal satisfaction and fulfillment you get from each milestone. Keep rocking the miles!
