Bolder Boulder 2009

Another Bolder Boulder has come and gone. We weathered through the rain, the late nights and endless supply of alcohol to come out a little bit happier and healthier after reconnecting with those long lost friends. Although the group has changed over the years, and we’ve begun to age to the point that… 3 days of staying up late, getting up early and dancing the nights away take their toll – I think the general ambiance of the weekend remains the same. So, hurray for another great racing weekend. Hurray for the ability to drink a margarita while running a 10K and stopping at slip and slides and house parties. And even though the weekend was rainy and overcast – it’s always sunny in Boulder!

17 Miles

Oh the highs and lows of my marathon training. This past Saturday I ran the farthest distance I have ever run before… wait for it…. wait for it…oh shoot, the title already gave it away. I did my 17 mile training run. Not only that, but I did the whole thing averaging 9 min, 47 second miles… which means I might actually break the 5 hour marathon mark! I did it all before 10am too – which just made my weekend even that much more spectacular. There was a glow about me all day. While I walked the aisles of home depot, picking up fertilizer with my husband; “Oh, hi there – you look like you know something about planting tomatoes. Did you know that I ran 17 miles this morning?” At soccer on Sunday a team mate said “I’m a little slow, I ran 7 miles training for the Bolder Boulder yesterday.” To which I nonchalantly replied “Yeah, I know how you feel. I ran 17 miles yesterday.” (Casually stretching my quads), “I feel a little slow too” (sprinting off onto the field so fast I was just a blur). I think the best part about that training run was it was the first time I thought to myself “I can run a whole marathon”. And it was the first time there was no doubt in my mind that it could be done, and that I might not feel like dying afterwards.

Monday however, there was a slight glitch. I went to register for the Seattle Rock and Roll Marathon on June 27th. The date and race I have been training for. It was full. No exceptions. I will admit it, I cried… I cried a lot while going over the glory and shame of the whole situation. I had come so far! I could do this! Why have the Running Gods damned me so?! But out of tragedy – triumph, or at the very least a Plan B was formed. I am now signed up and will be running the San Diego Rock and Roll Marathon exactly 1 month earlier than my anticipated Seattle race. I am a little concerned about the timing. I won’t lie to you. Have I sabotaged myself with this little stunt? Maybe. But I think there are several key factors working in my favor here.

1. Many marathon training programs keep you at 18 miles for the longest distance. At 17.12… I feel pretty confident that I could easily have gone that extra mile.
2. Altitude, Altitude, Altitude. I train at over 5,000 feet on a regular basis. Sea Level is for Sissies as they say. I think that should give me a few more miles – EASILY!
3. Time is not a factor. I’m planning on running the Nike Women’s Marathon in October – so for my first 26.2 mile race… it’s all about finishing. And if I have to walk, so be it. The victory here is not the time, but the completion of the distance.

So, wish me luck. Come cheer me on if you’re around. I’m going to be waddling 26.2 miles on Sunday May 31st in San Diego. Here’s to training!!!