After an unseasonably warm January, super happy to wake to 8 inches of powder.
Long run day in Boulder – 20 miles.
Still not fast but slowly transforming into an endurance athlete — it’s happening. Finally reined in food intake, have stayed consistent with training – balancing short speed work with long endurance days. Feeling good, body’s strong.
4 consecutive marathon weekends in February (Fort Smith, Myrtle Beach, Hyannis & Little Rock) – have never run back-to-back-to-back-to-back in my life. Not expecting PRs – but one sub-4 would be awesome.
Re-consumed all 2600 calories burned in the a.m. during Ash’s 2nd annual Super Bowl jalapeño popper & wings fest. Another FAAANNNNTASTIC spread! [Click HERE to view last year’s grub.]
Game ended on 2 ridiculous plays – a 33-yard juggling catch by Seattle’s Jermaine Kearse, immediately followed by an interception 1st & goal, with only 20 seconds left in the game. Final score: Pats 28-24.
-
- long run day in Boulder
-
- Ash’s hot wings – I stopped at 8 🙂
-
- bacon-wrapped jalapeño poppers
Super Bowl XLIX : New England Patriots vs Seattle Seahawks
Between marathon training, work & this year’s extreme run schedule, I sometimes find myself overextended/time crunched. If only a few more hours in the day…right?
Luckily last week I synced the calendar in my head with the one on my wall & found an extra weekend – SWEET surprise!
Laundry, groceries, sleep? Nope. Mountain time – much needed time in the mountains.
Despite the weather forecast, woke Saturday a.m. with ‘hike’ on the brain & no snow on the ground. Grabbed water & light snacks, sat my backpack on the kitchen floor. Begging, almost crazed…Ro knew we were going somewhere. Road trip!
Decided on Horsetooth Rock in Fort Collins. Altitude, check. Only an hour half drive north, still on the Front Range…but just east of our snow pounded Rockies. Didn’t disappoint.
With the exception of a few icy patches & an intermittent burst of flurries, very little precip. Nearing the rock scramble finish, I unleashed Ro (for both our safety) & led the boulder climb UP.
Few feet more to summit, Ro found his way & bounded to the top. Stopped for a half hour & soaked up the immensity of our surroundings, the peaks, thin air, quiet – almost complete stillness.
During our hike return, my hiking partner Cliff suggested we drive to Severance & try Bruce’s world famous Rocky Mountain Oysters – a.k.a. bull testicles. 25 minutes to the east, Severance is a small blink of a town near Greeley on the Plains.
Bruce’s menu is anything but ordinary. What I call: “cowboy exotica” 🙂 Bison, elk & yak burgers (yeah I said yak); both Rocky Mountain & Black Hills oysters. Settled on elk & yak (each of us took a half) and a combo plate of oysters.
We were split on game burgers – I prefer elk. However, hands down Black Hills over Rocky Mountain. MyCOLORADOLife foodie review: Rocky Mountain oysters are more sinewy, a bit chewy. That said, tastes good going down. YUM!
-
- highest point in Larimer County
-
- good day to be a dog
-
- Severance – Where the Geese Fly & the Bulls Cry
-
- elk, yak AND a combo order of oysters
-
- hands down winner – Black Hills over Rocky Mountain
Early to bed, early to rise – 330am to be precise, now that’s early. Official race start 615am, a-ok by me. Concerned with Florida heat & humidity, happy to get in as many miles as possible before sunrise.
Miami would be my first major race – plan on adding San Francisco (in July) & hopefully NYC to that list in 2015. 80 countries were represented here. Heavy Spanish contingent made for a fun, unique race – lotta vocal enthusiasm, hip hop & salsa.
With South Beach closed to traffic, took Miami’s MetroMover to the Start at American Airlines Arena, the Heat’s NBA home.
Beautiful course – palm tree lined, 4 long Oceanside treks including MacArthur Causeway to Miami Beach & Venetian Causeway connecting San Marco & Biscayne Islands. Flat course, only man-made bridge inclines – had hoped to sub-4, maybe PR here.
Lined up in Corral D, ran tight with the 3:55 pacers. Grabbed water at mile 10, a banana at 14, gel at 15, salt packet at 18 & my second gel at 20. Generally am not an eater, nor supplement during races. Kept looking for answers to hold pace.
High humidity restricted breathing – never felt relaxed, fought water pushing into my lungs.
Pace group slowed & grabbed water, then quickly recaptured cadence after each aid station. At mile 18 I stopped, they moved ahead & sadly that was goodbye. I struggled on this beautiful course – the 4 hour pace lady passed at mile 23. Pulled off my headphones & used crowd energy to fuel the last mile.
Finish Line in sight, heard my name announced – K R ‘AGA, Estados Unidos
Laid on pavement, sucked in oxygen & zoned out listening to the Spanish announcer call in runners. Coooo-lumbia, Cooba, Guatemala. Never been a huge fan of Florida. Miami, however – highly recommended. So much energy.
Soaked up rays in Bayfront Park, waiting for my marathon partner Stacy to finish. Quick shower & lunch before flying home to Denver. Gator bites – perfect end to a tropical marathon get-away.
Bib 1339 K R HAGA Miami Marathon » Louisville, CO Finished 04:12:55
Ashton Congrats on another finish!!
Stephen Makes me believe there is a warmer, sunnier day in store someday even for those of us in the snowy Northeast!!!
Val God bless anyone who runs that far in FL humidity. Good job!
Kelly Nice work!
Tracy Love this pic
Stacy I might have to get a copy of your playlist & try it out. You look so focused in that weather! Great job!
Tina Go K*! Now you can eat all the Brussels sprouts you want.
Michael um…consider shaving that face for these southern courses.
Leslie Way to go!
Dmitriy Nice pic! Good result!
Carmel Well done! You are still amazing!
Tammy I miss shorts. It would take me hours to find a pair.
Thomas Great run Keenan!
Collette Way to go! Great picture too.
Many thanks for all the encouraging words – much appreciated!
-
- SUCCESS!
-
- pre- & post-race pics with marathon pal, Stacy
-
- local alligator, fried & seasoned, served with homemade spicy mayo – YUM!
-
- Game On — it’s official!
