Kim Dobson beat her own race record on Saturday at the Black Canyon Ascent, covering the six-mile course in 44 minutes, 53 seconds, about 12 seconds faster than her previous best.
After having a baby and enduring some injuries, Dobson said she cherishes the times when she can get out of the house and run.
"I'm just thankful when I can get out and push hard," she said. "It doesn't matter the time or results. When your body feels good and you can get out and run hard, it's something to be thankful for. So if I can do it, I'm going to go out and give it my all."
Dobson 31, took the lead among the women early and was running with the faster men by the time she sailed by the black cattle in the green grass of Bostwick Park at about Mile 2.
She looked at her watch with a mile to run and realized a new record was possible.
"I just told myself I'd better get going," she said.
She'll run at Mount Washington in New Hampshire in June.
The Black Canyon race gains about 2,000 feet and finishes at the lip of the Black Canyon. Now in it's 41st year, it has become a popular early-season event for mountain and trail runners.
Josh Eberly of Gunnison had forgotten that the race was scheduled for Saturday. He is the new Black Canyon Ascent champ thanks to Pete Maksimow who texted him on Friday.
"I had planned to do a workout so I might as well do a race instead."
A two-time member of the U.S. Mountain Running Team, Eberly clocked 41:23.
Maksimow, racing for the first time in months as he recovers from a chronic achilles tendon injury, finished secondin 43:21. Timmy Parr finished third in 43:30.
Ashleee Nelson, 35, of Colorado Springs, was second in the women's race (49:58), followed by Erin McMahon, 34, of Montrose (57:14.)