Run Smart

Many a thrill can be had on Colfax Avenue in exchange for a few Federal Reserve Notes.  Few sane people would find what I, and over 1,100 other people, did on that thoroughfare thrilling.  We wonder why people give us strange looks when we tell that we pay someone so we can torture ourselves.  That entry fee is really a sick tax on masochists. 

The week before the Colfax Marathon I was filled with apprehension and self-doubt.  Had I trained appropriately?  Had I gone long enough on my long runs?  Had my intensity been high enough?  Had I tapered adequately?  Was I rested? 

For two weeks I had been sitting in a room.  Looking out of the window I could see hundreds of trees and shrubs, all but one was full of big green leaves.  That one was budding when I arrived and I watched as the leaves filled in so that by the time I left, it was indistinguishable from its neighbor.  That bush reminded me of myself; a little late to the race, but ready to run. 

While in Rochester I did everything I could to prepare myself for the race.  I ran 25 miles two weeks ago and 19 miles last week.  I stayed well hydrated with water and Powerade.  I ate a banana, an apple and a baked potato every day.  I did indulge in a dozen Buffalo wings at the Original Anchor Bar, though.

I also spent time contemplating race strategy.  The Colfax Marathon starts with about 6.5 miles of downhill running.  While the next 8.5 miles are up hill, the three mile section around Sloan’s Lake is almost flat.  Miles 15 through 21 are downhill.  The last 5 miles are an uphill slog back to City Park.  I decided I would use the Sloan’s Lake section as a time to gain some time.  Those last five miles were brutal.  After 20 miles of running we are tired mentally as well as physically.  Our fragile minds have trouble doing simple math. 

The altitude definitely affected my performance; how much is difficult to quantify.  I was taxed from the start.  In relative effort terms this was a much harder race than the 2:57 I ran last fall.  I am very pleased with the effort, if not the time, it took to run the course.  And on that note…  I know of three runners, including the first female finisher, who ran this year’s event around ten minutes slower that last year.  That’s almost a mile and a half.  Something is afoot here.

Here are the highlights that I can remember from today’s race:

Creigh Kelley at the firehouse through which we ran

Running through Mile High Stadium twice

The crowds at the relay exchanges

Running around the Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design campus

The tour through “The Glens” at the high point of the course

The people who called my name either because they knew me or they read it on my bib

Doug and Bonnie at mile 20

Scott D. at Confluence Park

Mike Q. welcoming me at the finish

For the record: 
3:02:39
23rd overall
6th in the 40-49 age group (3rd place age group award winner)