13.2...Minus The Bumper Sticker

You guys! I recently just finished my 4th half-marathon in Colorado and I am super excited to share this story with you!  Last year I had knee and hip issues...let's face it, I am in my 30's...ok, closer to hitting 40, but I was on a mission to continue running this race.  The Slacker Half Marathon has a special place in my heart.  It was my FIRST ever half marathon and it's in the beautiful state of Colorado.

I have been preparing for this race with physical therapy since November 2017.  Strengthening areas around my knees so that maybe when I ran this year, I wouldn't feel like I was going to die at the end! I began running only about 6 weeks prior to the race.  I started with an easy 4 miles and there was zero pain.  I think the PT paid off!  Plus, I was on a mission to better my time.  Last year was the worst time I have ever had, so I knew I had to kick it in to get my PR.

Race day!  It was a cool 39 degrees which for me is actually the perfect temperature.  The skies were clear, the sun was shining, and I just had a feeling this year was going to be the bomb.  I started in the first heat as always and my Colorado bestie was right beside me cheering me on the starting line.  I wish I could explain the view this race gives you; the Rocky Mountains, waterfalls, crystal clear streams, towering pine trees, and blue skies.  I don't think I will ever run a half marathon anywhere else...for me, it's about running in nature and taking in the fresh Colorado air.  Speaking of air, people always ask if that altitude bothers me, it doesn't. I don't know why, but let's face it, that is one less thing that I have to worry about.

Almost 6 miles in and I was making record time.  But also at 6 miles hits what I call the "hill from hell" and I always struggle with it.  Once I get past that, I am golden!  At mile 9, they are offering gummy bears and I may or may not have taken 2 cups of them...but this is when I just know I am almost to the end! Four miles to go and my adrenaline kicks into high gear. At this point it's about 60 degrees but feels much hotter as the sun is shining down on you.

As I rounded the last corner of the race sporting my KC shirt from Made Urban Apparel, I was jamming to Tech N9ne, and knew I was going to beat my goal time.
Time 2:27:37. I placed 656the overall, 71st in my age category, and 378th in my gender position.  I'll take it!!

Now, where's the beer? It's at Guanella Pass Brewery, that's where.  After the race, Alec and I headed to grab some local brews in Georgtown, which is where the race ends.  Opening at 11, we were first to get in and grabbed a seat on the patio.  Joined by Parker the Snow Dog, a one-year old Bernese mountain dog that I have been following on IG and who is a frequent guest at the brewery, even has a beer named after him.  Parker and his owner Dustin are well known in the Georgetown are so it was cool to meet them.  He has been named the Breweries Ski Dog, is the Loveland Ski Area Mascot and is frequently seen with the Broncos. Not to brag, but I was the first person from KC to have their pic with Parker, just throwin' that out there!  The brewery owner stopped by to say hi and everyone there was super friendly and helpful.  Parker even took the time to pose for a few photos, shades and all.

Take the time to explore the gorgeous little mountain town of Georgetown.  Be sure to stop into Guanella Pass Brewery; I recommend the Raspberry Blond, Season Pass Pale Ale, the Kataka Mountain IPA, and the Bernese Mountain Brown Ale. It's Parker approved!

Cheers to running and cheers to beer!
Shona

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Loveland Ski Area --> Georgetown By Way of Running

I do it for the view, seriously! This run, although called the Slacker Half Marathon, isn't as easy as it may sound.  It is mostly flat with some downhill running, but there are definite inclines too!  The race starts at Loveland Ski Area, an altitude of 10,800 feet and ends at Georgtown, an altitude of 8,530 feet.  Thirteen.1 miles of the most beautiful scenery....and even though you are running along the highway in the last 3-4 miles, it's not a bad site to see!  Besides, at that point, you know you are almost done!

This year I did not hit my personal best, but I finished the race and was still walking so there's that. The air is thin but that isn't what gets me.  I feel better running in that altitude than I do here in Kansas.  Besides that, the temperature was in the upper 50's at the starting line, so it was perfect weather.  I started having trouble with my knee last year before running but decided to still go for it and last year I hit my PR and was extremely happy considering I was having some pain while running.  The doctor said I should probably have an MRI, a likely small tear that could easily be fixed, but I chose to put that off....

This year, at Mile 4, both knees were shooting pain up and down each leg.  I knew then it wasn't going to be my best race or time.  I stopped when I needed too, but kept going and crossed the finished line regardless.  At Mile 9, besides them handing out gummy bears which I savored as long as I could, I knew I had 4 miles to go but it was going to be tough. And at Mile 12, I really thought I was going to have to walk the rest of the way.  Lesson learned, guess who's getting her knee's checked out? This girl...otherwise I know my running career is over.  And I'm not done running so I guess I better make that appointment.

Anyway, did I mention I do it for the views? Besides, all of the food they hand out afterward. I also have a tradition to stop by the cutest little bakery, The Cake Bakery, to reload with some carbs and their refreshing Mountain-Berry lemonade. I always get a chocolate croissant, but this year, the blackberry scone was calling my name! It didn't last long!

We finished that day with a trip to Manitou, a quick game of horse racing where somehow I managed to place 1st...Horse #4, thanks for playing! I handed off my winning tickets as we left to head to the The Loop for their famous Margaritas.  It was a good day...other than at this point, I could barely walk!  Thank you to my Colorado Bestie and baby Cohen for driving me to and from the race and supporting me the whole way through!  

11 Months to June 2018!! I think I better plan on making it 4 years and Running!
Shona

Me, Myself, Friends, and the Rockies

From a night out in Denver to running at 10,000 feet to hiking a one-mile, 2000 foot elevation increase at Manitou Springs...I have to say, my last trip to the lovely and always amazing Colorado was one to be remembered.  I decided to take a solo venture across the state of Kansas to visit friends, run my second half-marathon, and take on the incline...just 8 hrs of driving by myself.  Stopping whenever I wanted too, although there just happen to be a Starbucks at every stop, listening to any genre of music or even just listening to silence...this journey alone was something I had never done. What it turned out to be was something more than expected.

I arrived in Denver during rush-hour, I planned that perfectly...driving through what seemed like never-ending traffic to get to my destination.  I was meeting a friend for dinner and arrived early so I decided to scope out the spot but then venture into downtown Denver to hit up a favorite of mine, The View House. I also timed that perfectly...the Rockies were playing and as drove into the area, I realized getting a seat let alone a parking spot wasn't going to happen.  So back to the Highlands area. I scored a close parking spot and decided I was going to tackle my fear of going into a bar alone, having one hour to waste, I really didn't want to sit in my car.

As I walked into Ale House a Amato's, I felt instantly comfortable. I marched to the bar like I'd been there before, hopped into a seat on the end which meant I wouldn't have to worry about anyone sitting next to me and started looking at the beer menu. The bartenders, both male and female were informative and gave me info about the local beers and offered up samples.  I sat there for an entire hour, drinking a beer...ok beers...and watched the Rockies game.  My friend Katie joined me later and we had an awesome time catching up and enjoying some wonderful food!

The next 4 days were amazing too! I spent my time with one of my besties Alec and her family... I hadn't seen her since last August. We visited the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, my favorite mainly because of the giraffe exhibit, ate lots of food and I was able to get plenty of Baby Cohen time.  We dined at Amanda's Fonda, The Loop (a must), and Narai Thai for carb-loading!

I planned this journey around the Slacker Half-Marathon, which I ran last year as a relay, running 9 out of the 13.1 miles.  This run starts at Loveland Ski Basin and ends in the cutest little town of Georgetown; 10500 feet elevation at the start and ending around 8500 feet.  I decided this year, I was doing it all and I was going to run it faster than last year. My goal was to be under 2:30 and I hit 2:26...the damn bathroom spot wasted about 7 minutes, but there was no way I was going it make it the last 7 miles without stopping...too much water!  Breathing at 10K feet is much different than in Kansas, but this year, breathing wasn't my issue.  I started having left knee pain about 3 weeks before the race, so I started wearing a knee brace to help. The race went well, I beat my goal, I felt good, but I did have issues with my knee...I often wonder if I didn't, what would my time had been? That night, after carb-loading at the Thai restaurant, I soaked in the hot tub...with a view of the Rockies.

The next day, Alec and I decided to tackle the Manitou incline.  I did not know what I was getting in to.  I figured I would go for it, who cares that I just ran 13.1 miles...let's beat another goal of getting to the top! I.almost.died.  A little over half-way, she asked me.."How do you feel?", my reply "I'd rather be running another 13.1!" It was tough and I know I was worn out from running, but one mile straight up, even being in shape, was hard as hell!  But guess what, we did it; 1:20 later and we made it to the top. The only thing left to do was go back down.  3.5 miles down a winding trail and we managed that in about an hour...that tells you how hard going UP is!  I could admit that old, "older" age was the reason for part of my pain...at this point both knees and my left hip was aching, but I refuse! Now, where is my margarita at The Loop?

The next day, I awoke early to get a head start back to Kansas and back to reality.  Another 8 hours of driving by myself meant more time to let the last 4 days really sink in.  I realized I had conquered fears, beat goals, and spent time with people who are very important to me.  You never know what life will throw at you, but I have decided to make the most of mine. I am 35 years old and in the last year and a half allowed myself to take risks...and what I realized is that those risks have paid off. Live your life...no one else can do it for you.

Thank you Carpenter Family...
Thank you Colorado...
Shona