ran the Bolder Boulder 10K, the world's best 10K (according to Runners world) and one of the biggest (if not the biggest, with about 54,000 runners). this is a seriously well done race, with very organized wave starts, great staff, great entertainment, best expo, this is the one I look forward to each year. My brother lives in Boulder so we have made a tradition of visiting and running this together every year.
The course is point to point, net elevation gain of 50 feet, ending in Colorado's stadium. Lots of turns and lots of hills- not big hills, but hills nonetheless, and I am none too good on hills.
My PR for this race is 38:00 at age 46 in 2008. Last year I ran it for fun to pace my brother on his 50th birthday so didn't race. This year I was hoping to go 37:15-37:30 but things didn't work out as I had planned. I got to the start a little late, but managed to meet Aaron and Nan at the start and lined up with Nan in the A wave. My plan was to hit the first mile in 5:55 and then run 6 minute miles. But I just didn't have it.
Mile 1 was 5:50. downhill, little faster than I wanted but I thought I was OK.
Mile 2, 6:00, just where I wanted to be.
Mile 3- this is where I always get in trouble in this race, the hills are subtle but they kill me. 6:08, still decent pace, but now I am wiped out already and know I am in trouble.
Mile 4- 6:08, but there is some downhill here, I needed to run this one faster for the trouble ahead, but I am struggling.
Mile 5- 6:09. Now my sub 38 is in trouble.
Mile 6- up hill at a bad time. 6:16.
last 0.2 (0.24 in my garmin). steep climb into the stadium, ran out of gas. 6:30. ouch.
missed my BB PR and sub 38 by 3 seconds. But that's OK, it was still a fun race and given the circumstances (higher altitude than Logan, big hike on Saturday with the family where I think I messed up my calf, not enough sleep, etc) I will take it. You can never be disappointed at the BB, it is a good time no matter what. The highlight was Nan's 35:50 breakthrough, just amazing, i am still in awe. Got some great pics with her and Aaron after the race, great to meet them in person finally. They are way cool.
The only downside of the day is I tweaked my right calf again- I think hiking Eldorado canyon Saturday- and now it is pretty aggravated, hurt pretty good at the end of the race. May have to take some time off or cross train, we will see.
After the race we packed up, drove to Rocky Mtn National park, hiked around Bear lake (kids liked that with the snow and 70 degree temps), drove through the park reaching 12,100 feet, then to Steamboat Springs for the night where the kids are swimming and I am blogging. Happy Memorial day!
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