Greetings all!

Tthe first part of the Triple Crown of Running is now complete. Before I get in to my ramblings, I feel I have to give a shout out to everyone who made Garden of the Gods 10 Miler possible. So, thank you to Tim Bergsten, Race Director extraordinaire, and the race staff: Ron Ilgen, Micky Simpson, Susan Gyunn, and Alicia Pino. Also a big thank you to those who did the timing, and as always, HUGE SHOUT out to the volunteers! What a great group of people. I was a race director long ago when I lived in Germany, and I can tell you that you can't have a race without volunteers. So THANK YOU to all of you for your encouragement and for giving of your time on Sunday.  I shall also thank Colorado Running Company and Mountain Equipment Recyclers for being such great sponsors of the Mighty Marmot team. Thank you so much!!

What a day huh?? I was super nervous. I got to the parking area promptly at 6:08 am. I normally like to arrive very early before a race, and I don't usually see lots of people getting there super early,but I was shocked to see how many cars were already there and how many people were arriving with me. I don't know why I was so shocked, but the sheer number of people there was so cool to me! I love it when people come together for a cause. It's so cool to see people of all shapes, sizes, colors, shoe sizes, etc. coming together to do the same thing. Maybe that is why running means so much to me. It's something we all can do, something we are biologically made to do, and even if you're in a crowd full of strangers, you are all bonded by the experience that you are going to have together. I just love that thought.

I was giddy and giggly at the start line, as I had predicted. Even when the race got delayed for 20 min (very good call, by the way), I was still feeling the energy from the others around. Thankfully, we also got some cloud cover, which was perfect. I am not too keen on running in the heat. My first 10K ever was in Kuwait while I was on a deployment. I remember it was the Georgia Peach Tree Shadow race, and it was so hot! They had little water stations for us and the water was as hot a bath water. Heat just drains me, so I was extremely happy to have the sun hiding behind the clouds for the run.  I have to say that one of the most memorable things about this race was the number of people who recognized the Mighty Marmots jersey and gave a little shout out to me while I was running. I felt a little famous and that was just wonderful! So thank you to all of you who gave me a little cheer. It was super nice of you to do that! And, how about that bear?! My teammate, Don, was just a bit ahead of me so he got a really good picture of the bear. I have never seen one that close before, and I recall turning to the man next to me and asking him if we really had, in fact, seen an actual bear. The bear has been all over social media today. He was on Canadian Runner Magazine, and even Runners World. Gotta love free publicity!!  

Today, some of my euphoria has worn off. The DOMS (delayed-onset muscle soreness) has set in.  I will admit that I also went on a 7 mile mountain bike ride with friends after the run yesterday, so that too is contributing to my overall worn out feeling today. I felt great during the ride, and my legs loosened up from the regular post-race tightness that comes on after finishing a race. However, today, I feel much like a bowl of Jell-O, cherry flavor. However, I am very proud of all things that happened yesterday. I didn't go in to this feeling very ready, and I finished, so I am happy with that. Now it's time to look forward to Summer Roundup on July 9. I have never run in this race so I am very much looking forward to training and doing some running in Bear Creek Regional Park. I think that loops will be fun. I I love the diversity in this Triple Crown series!

Today is recovery day. I will take my wee man to the pool and just have some fun. I hope all of you had as good of a time as I did at the Garden of the Gods yesterday!  I am eager to share more of this journey with you soon.

 I have to give it up for my Mighty Marmots teammates. They are splendid people, and so uplifting and encouraging. I get a super warm and fuzzy feeling inside when I think of them.

Until the next run!!!