Bolder Boulder

Early this morning, we arrived back in Connecticut from a trip to Boulder, CO. On Memorial Day, in Boulder, we ran the Bolder Boulder 10K. Fifty-thousand some-odd runners were expected, starting in 34 waves, 23 of which were qualifying waves. We qualified, by submitting recent race times, for the 12th wave. We were late to the start, as there was traffic from construction, but able to start in a later wave. (Runners were permitted to start in a later, but not earlier, wave.) Despite starting in a later wave (with slower runners--not that I'm fast), we were able to run without tripping over other runners, which I did a lot of at the Manchester Road Race (the only other big race I've done) two years ago. I was shocked at how well-organized the race was. Dr. Oz was at the start. Ryan Hall was in town, too. However, we didn't get to see Ryan. We learned at the expo the day before the race that he would be at Folsom Stadium, in which the race finished. Running into the packed stadium for the last few hundred yards was such an adrenaline rush. I highly recommend this 10K. It's not billed America's best 10K for nothing.

For having run 16 miles two days before the race, I'm happy with my time of 48:37. In fact, it's my 10K PR. Despite running 21 miles at 5,000 some-odd feet through Boulder (I biked it), Jess beat me by about a minute. Pictures from Jess' long-run can be seen embedded in the text above. The picture on the left was taken on S. Cherryvale Road. The picture on the righ was taken on the path that runs along S. Boulder Road.

My race photos can be seen here: http://www.brightroom.com/view_user_event.asp?EVENTID=61703&BIB=DA506&S=230&PWD=

Jess' here: http://www.brightroom.com/view_user_event.asp?EVENTID=61703&BIB=DA509&LNSEARCH=1&PWD=

On Memorial Day, after the race, we took a ride up to Rocky Mountain National Park. The Rockies were snow-covered and impressive. My new favorite animal is the Rocky Mountain Elk, although they seemed to be quite a nuisance.