Yesterday I was introduced to the Mighty Marmot Nation.  This means I get to run in the Triple Crown for the first time in a long time.  The first race will be the Garden of the Gods 10 miler, followed by the Summer Roundup Trail Run, and culminating with the Pikes Peak Ascent in August. 

I'll be joined on this year's team by Anna Meehan, Danielle Spivey, Jen Samora, David Mulligan, and Mike Mazzola.  .  

I have not run the Garden of the Gods race since 2009.  I swore after that race that I would not run on asphalt again.  But this year I decided I would put my name in the hat for the Mighty Marmots and, if chosen, I would pound out the Garden and see if I could manage to run a decent race. The GOG is in 2 weeks, and I have only been training in the mountains.  I hope that is adequate.

The Summer Roundup is a race I haven't run since 2007.  It doesn't seem like it was that long ago, and the race has changed a lot since I last ran it.  But, from what I understand, it's still a trail race, so I should enjoy it.  I prefer the dirt over the asphalt.

The Pikes Peak Ascent: that is the race I train for.  I love this race.  I have run either the Ascent or Marathon every year since 2000.  I made a goal in 2000 to run either the Ascent or Marathon every year for 20 years in a row.  So rolling into 2016, I have completed 80% of my goal.  I have had some great days, and some horrible days, and plenty in between.

I could be the poster child for this race.  I wear the shirts and hats pretty much everywhere I can:  casual workdays, church, weekends, vacations....  I've recruited friends and family to join me in this journey.  Love or hate it, this is the race I run come hell or high water (and in recent years we've had both). 

I also run the Pikes Peak Ascent for Keep Kids Alive Drive 25.  This is an organization that helps neighborhoods throughout the country to make streets safer for all who walk, cycle, play, drive and ride. My brother, Tom, is the founder and director of this organization.  I have been running for them for the past 10 years, and the Pikes Peak Ascent is a huge part of what this organization does to help families with deceased loved ones in the healing process. 

If you are so inclined (get it: INCLINED!), you may go to their website at

http://www.keepkidsalivedrive25.org/donate/

and click the red Donate button.  

I'm looking forward to running with the Marmot team and had a great time last night at the newbie dinner with alumni Phil Goulding, Brianne Pierson, and Brandon Stapanowich, and Pikes Peak Race Director Ron Ilgen.  Thanks Tim Bergsten for putting us all together.  I'll be blogging all summer on my training and racing.  Hope you enjoy it.  This is going to be a great summer.