My biggest takeaway from today's Summer Roundup 12k....my cheering section rocks!!!!! My entire family was out there along with friends and it helped me to execute a very solid race. My cheerleaders are the primary reason for it so thank you all!!

This was the 2nd leg of the Triple Crown of Running. It's the shortest of the 3 races but not easy by any stretch of the imagination. Tough climbs and trail running are always a challenge and this race delivered on both fronts.

This years rendition of the Summer Roundup featured 3 loops of the east side of Bear Creek Park. My oldest daughter, Taylor, was my tracker. I figured I should be between 25th and 35th after the first loop. Anything better than 25th and my thinking was that I would have gone too hard. I felt like I was holding back just enough early on. I didn't push hard up the big nasty hill and didn't force speeding down the ensuing hill.  

I just ran nice and steady and focused on staying relaxed. At the top of the hill, I saw Andy Shawver looking like he was a bit bored but cheering me on anyway. Based on some post race photos, it probably wasn't boredom. It's pure speculation but based off post race photos,  but it seems as it if he was waiting for a certain someone to come through to provide aid in the form of an adult beverage.

Now THAT is a good supporter! When I came through that first loop, my daughter said I was in 28th place. I felt really good and started pushing the pace early in loop two. I was passing a lot of people here which was very motivating. Once the big nasty hill came up again, I held back a little so I could keep my heart rate in check. I wanted to be able to take advantage of the downhill and flat section that was coming. I executed that section very well and as I approached the end of loop two, my daughter told me I was in 18th.

I was working REALLY hard at this point to maintain the same pace as I did on loop 2. I managed to pass a couple more people but wasn't passing them nearly as fast as I was earlier. I was hanging on by a thread when I came up to the last little climb to the finish. At his point, I was wishing I had made that last port o potty stop but I had to finish well. My daughter and friend Tiffany were yelling "fast feet, fast feet" as mine were slowing a lot as I came up the hill.

I picked it up a bit and finished well. I wish I could say I gave it a final sprint to the line but that wasn't happening with the shape I was in from this 12k effort. I finished strong and ended up placing 16th overall while winning my age group. The best part of this effort is that is vaulted me into the top 10 of the Triple Crown of Running. It's a tight battle for those top 10 positions so the Pikes Peak Ascent is going to be quite the fight. I can't wait.

Thanks to everyone out there today who supported me. I'd like to give a special thanks to my Pikes Peak Sports Triple Crown Runners team. You guys motivate me more than you possibly know. Great job team!!