Glory Days

This past Saturday night Mary and I entertained some long time friends.  We have known Andy and Lisa for 22 years.  We have shared the joys and challenges of raising children.  For dinner we served Barbequed Baby Back Pork Ribs from the Buckhorn Exchange, Denver’s oldest restaurant.  I cashed in the $70 gift certificate I won as the 2^nd place masters finisher in this year’s Platte River ½ Marathon.

Earlier this week I cashed in a $25 gift card at the Runners Roost for two pairs of very nice socks.  That was for winning one of the RMRR 20 mile races.  I should also mention the box of assorted gels I received which was the award for running 200 miles in four weeks as part of a promotion from Strava.  We are almost half way through the year and as I reflect on my running, one conclusion is clear.  I have been darn lucky.  The last time I ran this well was 2006.  

The Colfax Marathon is a quickly fading memory; so quickly, in fact, that I am contemplating the fall marathon season.  There are three well run fall marathons within an hour, or so, drive from my home: the American Discovery Trail Marathon in Colorado Springs, the Boulder Marathon and the Denver Marathon. 

In 2006 I caught the Dean Karnazes multi-marathon craze and ran three marathons within six weeks.  I registered for the American Discovery Trail Marathon, which is held on Memorial Day.  Vacation plans took the family to Orange County, California so I registered for the Long Beach Marathon in mid-October.  I won a free entry into the Boulder Backroads Marathon by virtue of winning one of the RMRR 20 miles.  How twisted do you have to think that running a marathon is a reward for running a 20 mile race?

At the Boulder Backroads Marathon Dean and I passed each other on Oxford Road.  I was heading up the hill at mile 19.5 and he was coming down the hill at mile 14.5.  I saw him coming from about a mile away.  He had an entourage of about 40 runners with him.  Dean was mid-way through his quest to run 50 marathons in 50 states in 50 days; a truly remarkable physical achievement.  

This year, through some marathon kismet, the three marathons I am considering have arranged themselves in a very tempting order: 

The American Discovery Trail Marathon on September 3^rd

The Denver Marathon on September 22nd

The Boulder Marathon on October 21st.

I ask myself; do I dare run all three?

Today was the June installment of the RMRR Trophy Series.  The 4 kilometer event was held at Bible Park and was quite well attended.  It was also the annual Pancake Breakfast.  A very special thanks to the Dailey family for cooking the food.