I’m behind. WAY behind. Every time I think about posting an update on the blog I remember that I still have previous updates to do. I have a handful of posts drafted that I still need to finish, but I thought I’d get a head start on a simple updates post and then go back to finishing the others that beg for a bit more colorful commentary (i.e. Grand Canyon, Wild West Relay, and Leadville!).
Grand Canyon – May 2016
Descending on the Bright Angel Trail at sunrise
The Grand Canyon is hands down one of my favorite places on this planet. One week after the Collegiate Peaks 25M my friend CoCo and I headed to the big ditch for a R2R2R attempt. I had a rough go and turned around at the Manzanita rest stop for a 42-mile day, while CoCo succeeded in the full trip. This adventure deserves its on post, which is already in the works.
Cottonwood Classic 5K – May 2016
Shae’s killing it at her first 5K!
One week after the Grand Canyon trip I spontaneously registered for the Cottonwood Classic 5K in Thornton to run with Shae and see how she’d do in a race. We had a blast and Shae ran her first 5K in 23:20, good enough for first canine and 3rd AG for me.
Rock Hawk Trail 10K – May 2016
Game face.
Geez, May was busy! The last race I did in May was the Rock Hawk Trail 10K in Castle Rock. What a doozy! The course is completely singletrack with zero flats, just 700’+ of elevation gain and loss. I went out way too fast (what’s new?) but was able to hang on for 3rd place female overall. What’s even more exciting is that the Roost swept the ladies’ podium, and I was absurdly excited to be a part of it and among such amazing athletes.
Runners Roost podium sweep
Dirty Thirty – June 2016
Badass Mike and I at the start
This race is insane. Like stupid insane. It has 7,400’+ of vert over 32 miles of pretty technical terrain. I was simply happy to survive, finishing up in 7:30. Of course I’m already thinking about next year.
Great Grandma’s Challenge – June 2016
William A. Irvin 5K – 20:49
Quite possibly my favorite weekend of all time, Pete and I headed to Minny for Grandma’s Marathon weekend in mid-June. We had an amazing time with friends who stayed with us up at Superior Shores, and I ran the William A. Irvin 5K on Friday night and Grandma’s Marathon on Saturday morning. The 5K was fun, and I finished up 12th female, 5th AG. The marathon was even more fun, even though I went out a little fast and bonked early on. I ended up just settling into an easy pace and enjoying the event, finishing up in 3:51:43.
Longmont Trail 10K – July 2016
One day after running the Peak to Peak trail with Ben, I ran the Longmont Trail 10K.
Frisco to Breck OAB on the Peak to Peak Trail: 17.6M, 1,760′ Vert
Needless to say, my legs were DEAD for the 10K. I struggled early on and finished up in 49 minutes, surprisingly grabbing 3rd in my AG.
Best part of the day: hanging out afterwards with Beck and Mur!
Classic 10K – July 2016
I registered for the Classic 10K with the hopes of some 10K redemption. While this race is much different than the previous week’s 10K (downhill on mostly paved sidewalk), I was still elated to finish up in 45:40.
Rocked the Manitou Incline after the race with Roosters Malia and Christie.
Chase the Moon – July 2016
Three laps (30 miles) at Chase the Moon – great training and great company!
Wild West Relay – August 2016
The Hallucinettes – 3-Person Super Ultra Team
Hands-down one of the best experiences of my life. Badasses Becki Lynn and Mur joined me on team Hallucinettes (sponsored by Hallucination Sports) for the 200-mile Wild West Relay. We set a new course record (among both men and women) for the 3-person super ultra category, finishing in 29 hours and 58 minutes. Stay tuned: this event deserves its own post!
Georgetown to Idaho Springs Half Marathon
Marie and I paced the 2:20 group
Leadville 100 – August 2016
In fabulous spirits at mile 30
I’m not going to say much about Leadville, other than missing the cutoff at Twin Lakes Inbound (mile 60.5) due to a knee injury. I’ll write a separate post soon.
I took some time off after Leadville and tried to cross train as much as possible and rehab the knee. I’m still not 100%, but have been slowly trying to get back into the swing of things.
World Orphans 5K – September 2016
First race after Leadville – OUCH – 22:29 – 3rd female
Denver Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon
No photo – just paced the 2:20 group with Marie.
Backcountry Wilderness Half Marathon – November 2016
Mona Lisa smile
Holy hell did this race remind me how out of shape I am right now! Last year I ran this race in 1:47 and change. This year? 2:02 and change. YIKES. My legs died right around mile 6 and they did NOT come back. I can’t help but simply shake my head and remind myself that I’m not 100% and it’s going to take time to come back from the knee injury.
What’s up next?
No clue. I don’t have any races on the horizon and I’m going to continue to rehab the knee. I’m looking forward to jumping into things as they come up and getting the knee to 100% so I can plot and plan for next year. The wheels are already turning, now I just need to get my legs to do the same :).
When It's All Said and RUN 