My first 10K took place today in Boulder, Colorado. (Bolder Boulder) Friends Kristen and Renee had told me how fun this race was and I accepted their invitation to give it a try! (BTW Kristen and Renee are also the cuties who encouraged me to do the sprint triathlon last summer!)
I must say that this was indeed a GREAT race to do as a beginner! The route was so very entertaining. I found myself wanting to take pictures of all the attractions along the way. You'll have to be satisfied by my listing the sights.
- Blues Traveler's impersonators
- Elvis impersonator
- Many, many other live bands
- Belly Dancers
- Tons of costumed runners
- Free Hug people (I collected 2)
- Hoses and sprinklers aimed to cool off runners (LOVE!)
- Slip and Slide
- Hula Hoopers
- Free cupcakes (I only saw wrappers)
- Free bacon (I only heard about)
- Free beer bong (not me)
- Marshmallows (I got one!)
- Air Force fly by at the end (awesome!!)
I had no idea how long it would take me to complete the 6.2 miles and guessed at 2 hours, 15 minutes. The sprint tri took me 2 hours 20 minutes, so that's all I had to measure by. After I looked up some past finishers in my division, I changed my hopes to finishing in under 2 hours.
My official time is: 1 hour 28 min. I couldn't be happier!!
I placed 34,588 - at least I wasn't last!
GO!!!
I was in the PC wave, which is to say we signed up as Walk/Jog. We started at 9:11am.
My heart rate averaged 160 sometimes hitting low 170's, which made my heart monitor beep. I really tried to push myself while having a good time. There was a breeze throughout most of the stretch which made it nice. Most of the race was through Boulder neighborhoods. Block parties were being held around every corner with cheering spectators sitting in comfy chairs in the shade drinking cold beverages!
Urban drew encouraging things on my arm to keep me motivated during the race.
L-R a two toned heart, a racing shoe and the word GO!
Urban and I drove up to Boulder last night and spent the night at my dear friend Annlee's home. I work with Annlee at the quilt shop. Urban and Annlee's boyfriend, Matt had a ball telling each other goofy jokes and looking at silly animal pictures. Annlee and Matt had prepared a delicious dinner of steak, chicken, roasted potatoes and salad.
Urban and I went to bed in the coziest bed ever!! How pampered can one be? Continue reading!!
Because I CAN NOT do anything the easy way, I was sent into a panic this morning when I went to put on my shoes only to find that I had not packed them!!! Fortunately, Annlee had a pair of trail runners that fit me perfectly!! I tell ya, I don't know what I'd do without such great friends!! I had NO blisters on my feet when I finished and the shoes were a perfect fit!
Urban stayed with Annlee and Matt after they dropped me at the race drop off. I told them I would text when I was at the half way mark, mile 3, and they planned to walk to mile marker 4 to watch me go by. Well, I was too fast for them! That's OK, Urban still got to see all the fan fare of the race.
Approaching Colorado University Stadium
Look at all the people to cheer us on!
The finish line!!!
I was embraced by Kristen and Renee when I found them in the stadium at the end
Top L-R Alice and Kristen, bottom L-R Renee and Me
We got to watch the pro men and women runners come into the stadium.
Back to being pampered . . .
Urban and I got to soak our feet in Annlee's hot tub in her gorgeous backyard oasis!
See the butterfly?
After relaxing in the backyard and a long shower I packed up our things and headed home.
Urban was tuckered out too!
More facts about Bolder Boulder 2012
- Largest race in the US in which all participants are timed
- The fastest civilian time was 31 min 10 sec. Colorado born and raised, Josh Eberly also won BB in 2004
- This is the 34th year of the race
- There was close to 50,000 runners. WOW!
So, how did I train for the Bolder Boulder? My amazing trainer Maria from Golden Shape was KEY!!
In 2011 she helped me get into shape while loosing 90 pounds, train for the Cresent Moon Sprint Triathlon and climb my first Fourteener. Maria is a young, beautiful, tiny, blonde, enthusiastic girl from Poland who knows my limits and pushes me to achieve my best. I love her!!!!
I can't say enough about Maria (and her fiancé and parter in business, Adam). They have helped me gain an inner confidence that I know will carry me through any trial that comes into my life.
I had to stop and take a pic of this quote
4 comments:
Love the pictures, especially the toes!!
I can't wrap my mind around 50 thousand runners!!! Good Grief!! Seems like you would be bumping into each other all the way. You're a champ!!
Way to go! And what a race! Nice job.
Mel, I came across the blog and wanted to say how proud I am of you. I have been scared to try a 10K but told myself I would this summer. Up to 4 miles so far, but have a ways to go. Mark is out running me, and I am not keeping up very well! You've given me motivation to keep on going! Thanks!
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