The Garden of the Gods is such a spectacular place to run and a perfect way to kick-off the Triple Crown of Running!  Thanks to Pikes Peak Marathon, Inc. for putting on such a well-organized event, as well as, the Pikes Peak Road Runners for their support and timing, all the high school track/cross country teams that manned the aid stations in the Aid Station Challenge, the Colorado Running Company and all the sponsors, and of course all the great volunteers!

Using a reference from Mike’s blog, I’m glad to be a part of this congregation.  The local running community is awesome.  I finally got to meet my fellow Triple Crown Runners teammates before the start and the Mighty Marmots represented well with Anna and Lindsey taking home some age group hardware, Mike setting a course PR, and Danielle, Jen & Mike rocking it!  Congratulations to all!

My day probably went as expected.  The last couple of years has been more about long and slow, so I really didn’t expect to set any land speed records and I certainly didn’t.  But I do feel I turned in a solid performance because I managed to stay in front of Danielle, even though it was because she stopped to hug her kids (twice), who were out cheering for her, and I’m sure there was probably a dog or two along the course that needed petting.  These days I’ll take the small victories when I can get them as she kicks my butts most runs.

Up next the Triple Bypass ride followed by the second leg of the Triple Crown of Running, the Summer Roundup Trail Run, the very next day.  The should be interesting!