The first leg of the Triple Crown of Running, is complete. The Garden of the Gods 10 Miler and 10k were ran yesterday. I competed in the 10 Miler. My goals for the race were:

My Goals, My REALITY for tomorrow:

1. Have fun!

2. Run hard, push my body!

3. Finish strong!

4. Stay healthy!

For more details see my previous blog.

Results of Goals:

#1. ABSOLUTELY! Garden of the Gods is the most beautiful park in the United States and I got to run through it will several thousand of my closest friends! It always great to be out in our running community. i enjoyed the new course!

I got to see my Mighty Marmot teammates and some of my Pikes Peak Brewing teammates! In addition, I got see members of all of the running groups I have run with over the years (Rampart HS, University of Colorado Colorado Springs, Women's Fit Team, HART, Redline, coaches I have coached with and against, and numerous individuals I have trained with, coached and raced against). The best part about seeing these people is that not all of them were running the race. Several came out just to support other runners. Some of them came out for a specific person or people, but many came out just to support everyone they saw.  

Another one of my favorite aspects of this race is the High School Challenge. High school cross country teams work the aid stations and compete against each other. They support runners by brainstorming ideas to have the best aid station. I have worked these aid stations, as a coach, and I truly enjoy them as a runner.

#2. DEFINITELY! The course was tough and my training is on the low end coming off my injury. This past week, my total mileage was 22.5 miles. 11.5 of them were from yesterday's race. I ran 1.5 miles for warm-up, then ran the 10 mile race. I ran smart and pushed when I could .  There were several times during the race I had to slow down due to pain in my foot. The steeper hills really aggravated my achilles tendinitis and plantar fasciitis. I tried to make sure I was landing mid-foot and on the down hills or flat, I would open my stride and lean forward. Trying to let gravity do most of the work for me. 

#3. YES INDEED! Once I turned onto the dirt path, I picked up my pace and pushed the last half mile. I passed several people and was actually feeling pretty good. Then the last "hill" caught my eye and I stayed strong up the hill but my foot was pretty much done. I did my best to finish hard, but several people passed me back. I was happy for them to have the legs to finish so quickly. One lady passed me like I was standing still. She had an amazing kick and it was fun to watch her eat people up the last 100 meters!

#4. FOR THE MOST PART...I did all the things I stated above, but what I am most proud of, is that I listened to my body. I slowed down when I needed to and pushed when I could. Seeing as how my longest run (since March) has only been 6 miles, I knew I had to race smart. I did not hurt myself any more than I was when I started the race and that is a win! I took today off and plan to run and lift tomorrow! YEAH!!!!

For those of you who like the stats, here are mine:

Time: 1:26.42

Pace per mile: 8:40

Age Group Place: 12/72

Overall Female Place: 48/416

Overall Place: 227/918

DEFINITELY the PERFECT 10!!

A HUGE THANK YOU to the Triple Crown of Running, Ron Ilgen, Tim Bergsten, all the amazing volunteers, police, and the running community!

Here are some great pictures from the race!

THE MIGHTY MARMOTS IN ACTION!!

THANKS FOR THE PICTURE CJ!!

DID SOMEONE SAY BEAR?? Great picture taken by my fellow Marmot, Don Sanborn. I think this picture has gone viral. It is on news broadcasts across the country and on the Runner's World website!

HERE IS AN EXAMPLE OF THE AMAZING RUNNING COMMUNITY! SHE CHEERED FOR EVERYONE AND LYNNE DAY WAS GIVING AWAY FREE HUGS!

AND...WE DID IT!! GREAT JOB MARMOTS!