My relationship with running is a tumultuous one. Similar to couples you see that don’t seem quite right together, who argue all the time, and when you’re sure their bond is going to implode at any moment, they seem to still hang on year after year.  The reason is simple.  It’s because what you don’t see are those quiet, private moments they share that somehow generates the power and desire to keep it all together.  It is deep, it is personal and it comes from places of the heart where only love resides.

This weekend, the Garden of the Gods Ten Miler was once again that glue that keeps my relationship with running intact.  For all the internal arguing I’ve done on my runs lately, running and I managed to kiss and make up in a quiet, private manner – in the most beautiful of locations, alongside nearly 1500 other runners on the course.

First of all, it helps to start a run feeling your best.  Not just physically, but to me, more importantly, is your mental state.  I generally (and quite shallowly) turn to a cute new outfit or accessory to generate some excitement in the morning and this year, it was my PikesPeakSports.us jersey and trusty tiara, courtesy of the man himself, Mr. Tim Bergsten, team sponsor and Pikes Peak Sports founder.  Thanks, Tim!

Next, I’ve found I have to set out with some goals in mind.  For the Garden run, it is always the same.  Since I began running this race years ago, there is one particular hill that always seemed to intimidate me on the course.  There may be other hills that are steeper, or even longer, but for some reason, the hill that begins at the park entrance and heads up past the Main Parking lot has always been my nemesis.  It goes for the better part of a mile and you can see it coming in the distance, seemingly laughing, taunting and challenging you to attack.  After a couple of years of horrible defeat, I began to toughen up and decided that I will no longer be beaten by a terrain feature. In my mind, I’ve always referred to this hill as “The Big Burch” – (ok, it really isn’t “burch”, but something quite similar that I won’t quote because I have young children that read my blogs.  You know what I mean.)  Anyhow, when I run the Garden, the reality of The Big Burch looms in my mind and I know that if I conquer nothing else on the course, it will be her. This weekend, The Big Burch was barely a thought when I arrived.  I knew I was running stronger than I have in a long time when I sailed up the road with ease.  I knew the rest of the course would be gravy.

Now I would be remiss if I didn’t mention some mental assistance I had along the way. Again, every year, as I watch the elite runners on their way back in (I generally see them right before I tackle The Big Burch), I relax into my stride and take in the excitement of the race.  Although I don’t know most of their names, I like to give them nicknames in my mind as I watch them sail past, so strong and seemingly effortless.  They motivate me to be better.  This year, I watched them pass and named them in my mind – there was Lippy (weird lick lipping motion as he ran), Greg Brady (same hairstyle), the Waddler, Redtop and Pinky.  I loved watching them all.  But my favorite runner is our very own local runner, the amazing Connilee Walter. While she cements the fact that I will never be able to win my age group as long as she’s registered, I have always admired her discipline, pure talent and most importantly, her genuinely good heart. I love watching her run and always scream and cheer like a crazed groupie when she sails by.  Sometimes, she’s so focused that she doesn’t seem to notice (I would probably ignore me too, given the chance).   Sometimes, I get a full two hand wave back, sometimes a two finger salute or at least a glance and smile in my direction.  For this run, I got about a 1.5 finger wave.  It was good enough. It reminded me of the bond that all runners seem to share, regardless of ability, age or gender. In my mind, it tied together the front and back of the back as one solid entity of pure goodness.  It helped carry me up The Big Burch and all the way to the finish line, another five miles down the road.

I finished with a smile and remembered once again why I do love to run.  Quite simply, because I can and because when it’s good, it’s REALLY GOOD.  I love the community, the team, the challenge and yes, the chance to do it all again.  See you in the Garden next year!