Ok sorry for sappy part, now onto recap of Rockies Marathon this past weekend. This was a smaller race but challenging at the same time. They had a nice and small expo where you could get in and out. Also a bonus they had a shirt swap! Big plus in my book. Of course we had to do a few photos before heading out.
I mean who doesn't love a mountain backdrop?
The night before the marathon I went to bed super early, we're talking 8pm. I know, I felt like a toddler having a bedtime before the sun goes does, but having to get up at 230am and out the door before 4am is no joke. I wanted to make sure I was rested and ready to go. 230am came quick, got up, ready, did traditional photo before the race and off we went. Thankful patrick was so willing to get up and drop me off at shuttle at such a crazy hour. Gotta love, early morning marathon times.
Check out awesome shirt patrick got for me to run in.
So they had a shuttle bus take us up a mountain and through some rolling hills. We went through a really cute town along the way and mentally I tried to remember what mile marker that was at so I would know how far along I was when running. Don't worry it was pitch black and I had no idea where I was at so that brilliant plan majorly failed. Oh well, so we got to the start around 530am, which was perfect bc race started at 6am, so I could use the porta potty and prepare myself to run.
The course was beautiful, it had rolling hills through the mountains. Beautiful creeks, lakes, and towns we ran past. Couldn't ask for a more beautiful course.
As for me, my stomach was not happy, I have never had to stop to use a porta potty during a marathon and lucky me, this one I did twice. Once at mile 3 and another at mile 10, just thankful my belly cooperated after that. Sorry if that is too much information, but it's the truth and I cannot make this stuff up. Anyways, I felt pretty good except when the up hills came along. They were brutal and at certain times I thought about walking. I swear it's all mental and sometimes you have to tell that little voice to shut up and just keep running.
As I passed each mile marker, I kept a close eye on my garmin watch. I tried to quit staring at it but I wanted to know my pace at each mile. Since I was trying to qualify for Boston, I had to beware of my time. Mile 24 was terrible, I got an awful stitch in my right side and the thought of walking reappeared back into my mind. Once again, I just kept thinking I did not come 24 miles to freaking give up and walk. Plus if I walked it would take even longer to finish this beast. So I continued to truck along. As soon as I got to 25 mile marker I could see the finish line, funny little thing is they decided to make it uphill. How kind of them, not!!! Not nice of them at all.
I don't know what it is but once I see the finish line I try to sprint through it. It's like I am on mario kart and I just received the rocket and I can blow past it. Needless to say, it works and gets the job done.
Patrick was awesome enough to be waiting at the finish line and got some pics of me running to the finish. Pretty awesome huh?
Afterwards, they had some treats and wet towels. I went over to get my official time and to my surprise I won third in my age group. I asked the women if they made a mistake and she laughed at me. I think she thought I was joking, but I was kinda serious. Either way, I will take it. A finish time of 3:25:07. Cannot even freaking believe it. It's been such a dream and now it's becoming a reality that I qualified for Boston. Cannot wait for it and going to enjoy the next few marathons I have before Boston. So nice to know I can just run for fun and no pressure.
Check out the bling ?? Fancy huh?
After the race, we did a little site seeing. Headed out to Red Rocks Amphitheater and checked out the red rocks as well. It's an awesome place and a seeing a show would be incredible there.
Next, while driving back to the airport we spotted a few prairie dogs. Kodak moment if you ask me!
Alright folks, that's all I got! It was an incredible weekend, one I will never forget. For right now, I am giving my body a break and taking it easy. Have a fabulous week and keep dreaming big, ya never know when it will come true.
