My time at the Garden of the Gods 10 Mile was 1:20:31. That was way faster than my goal and I surprised myself. My splits were pretty close (except mile 7-8) which tanked by about 20 seconds. I even got there before the thing started - which was my main concern! I took some video along the way but the only one that is even watchable is this one of the start. The others are basically just of my fingers (ha!). I tried.

In some ways I'm elated. In others I'm hungry for more (even a bit down on myself). I know I shouldn't be down, but I'm thinking, "Gosh, just 32 seconds faster and I'd have broken into the teens. That would have been cool." I also got thrashed on the last hill going up to Balance Rock - which I knew was coming - which I knew was going to hurt - but I think it broke me a bit. I'm angry at that hill. Angry at myself for succumbing to the will of my body rather than my mind.

Hey, I'll get better. First race down. Two to go.

Next stop: Summer Roundup Trail Run 12 K!

I'm so proud of the other Pikes Peak Sports Team members. They crushed their goals as well. Alexis finished in under two hours - something she hadn't even imagined possible. Brandon smoked the course and Amy beat her time from last year. Impressive group.

A big thanks to Chris Bittinger and the High Altitude Running Team for the encouragement and coaching they've given. I'm positive that without them I wouldn't have had any confidence to come into this thing with a goal, let alone a sub 1:30 goal.

I passed HART team member Darryl around mile 1. He said, "Remember, the goal is to survive the first six miles so you can finish strong." I think I survived!

I also came up on Amy around mile three. She and her friend Dave were talking strategy... well Dave was doing most of the talking. "OK, here comes the downhill, deep breath, regain your pacing," Dave instructed. I was eavesdropping. Those words were ringing in my ears for the next hour.

Deep breath.  Regain your pace.