Since returning from the fine state of Colorado, I have been preoccupied with other things and have been lazy about writing something.
Isn't it amazing how you have these great 'ideas' and come to find out it was a terrible mistake. My poor decision on my part was the decision I could run 3 marathons in 3 months. We have already beat that dead horse. So I am going to leave it alone.
Elizabeth and I arrived in Denver on Friday(5/2). Did I mention it was our 1st trip alone in 3+ years without our 3 kids.What greeted us was 40 mile per hour winds and 4 inches of snow. Yeah for springs in the midwest!
We ended up staying with Elizabeth's college roommate & her husband on Friday night. It was good to see her and her family. Elizabeth spent quality 'girl' time, while the guys took in a Rockies game(great seats, but felt like I was at a Bronco's game(freezing!!) .
The next morning we started our Trek north to Fort Collins. What an incredible view we had the entire way.
We checked into the Hotel, stopped by the expo(small, but the people were incredibly nice..), , grabbed our traditional Spaghetti dinner, and got to bed early knowing I had to catch a 4am shuttle bus.
Nothing is worse that sitting on a warm bus for an hour long drive knowing you have to get off and sit out in 30 degree cold for an hour. The bus winded up and up the mountain pass to our destination. Once we arrived, we all congregated next to the Poudre River in Roosevelt National Forest. The view was amazing once the sun rose over the mountains.
After a few informal remarks, the race started promptly at 6am. I knew I was about 50%(if that). I said a couple of motivating things to myself and I was off down the mountain.
I was like alot of people who underestimated the altitude. I was running downhill, but felt like I was breathing thru a straw. I could never catch my breath. Even slowing down didnt help.
Around mile 10, I started to walk. Bad omen, but I knew it was going to happen sooner than later. I ran off and on( mostly running) till about the half marathon point. After that was mostly all walking, my legs just couldnt take the pain.
There was another woman who was in the same boat as me. Injured her foot a week before the race, so I had someone to walk/run with. It got to the point where we would say..'See that light post ahead, run to that and we will walk...' We muddled thru the 2nd half and crossed the finish line in 5:03. About 1:15 slower than I did 2 months ago.
Its the 21st of May and its day 9 of not running. I promised myself I would stop running completely until 6/1. One positive, my swim times have jumped. We won't talk about the bike. Save that rant for another day.
The next goal. 70.3(Half Ironman) in September.
Off to the pool.
Run Strong..
Rob
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