Colfax Marathon (Denver)

Colorado was on another euphoric level. Capitol Building.

5k race/Tune up for Marathon Sunday

Recently returned from an awesome trip in Denver, Colorado. I was in the Mile High city for the Colfax Marathon, my first time running in the Centennial State. A few days after running, it was a great opportunity to reflect on my performance. Initially, I was irritated with the result. After walking around the city reflecting on the race, my feeling turned from irritation to fulfillment. I got asked constantly about altitude. That factor is not controllable so the only way to adapt is arrive early to get acclimated.

Approaching marathon weekend, I did not have any objectives achieving a personal best. My goal was running a smart/methodical race. No mile splits below 7:30 and do not go out too fast. On Saturday, the day before the marathon, I ran in a 5K race to serve as training/tune up. After running the 5K distance and four months of training, I felt really confident heading into the race the next morning.

Six AM was the earliest marathon start I have taken part in. Luckily, City Park was walking distance from a house I rented for a few days. Headed over to the start at 4:40 to do gear drop off and last minute preparations (stretch and food). Colfax was the first marathon wearing a hydration back pack filled with water. I practiced carrying that in my last two long training runs. Very grateful that piece of equipment got me through the race. Carried six energy gels (one every 4 miles) in my belt pack and hand held bottle sack. My hand held bottle was filled with Nuun Electrolyte Hydration. Overall, my race preparation was very good. Now, it is time to toe the start line in City Park.

Just after six, the course marshall yells into the microphone, "On your mark, get set, go…"

The Colfax Marathon is under way. Leaving City Park, heading towards downtown,  I focused on setting the pace, not going out too fast. Winding through City Park onto Colfax Avenue, an Elvis impersonator entertained passing runners. Aside from the bathroom stop at mile four, I felt really good setting the tone for an excellent race. Running through downtown Denver was an amazing experience. How many races do you get to run through a Fire Department with the staff greeting/cheering you on? So far, only Denver offers that (Fire Station No.1). Onto the Cherry Creek bike path towards Confluence Park. Turn left across the bridge to South Platte River trail that runs along Centennial Gardens and Elitch Gardens Amusement Park. The route goes back onto Colfax Avenue but I have to make my first run through Denver Broncos Mile High Stadium. Really enjoying my run through downtown Denver as I exit the stadium back onto West Colfax Avenue. That is only 7 miles.

Just past the seven mile mark on West Colfax Avenue, the altitude started to effect me. I kept moving forward. I realized my times were getting slightly slower but I focused on enjoying the scenery because a loop around Sloan's Lake is coming up. Halfway mark was at Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design. Once I got into the second half of the race, it became a struggle. Just past mile 18, the 3:30 pace group passed me (Colfax Avenue). I focused on keeping my legs moving and staying hydrated. It was a struggle sipping my hydration products. That was the least of my worries. Just keep moving forward. Just past mile 19, my friend Samantha held up a sign cheering me on. That made my racing experience that much better. Encouraged me to keep my legs moving. It also got me very excited for the final ten kilometers including the second run through Denver Broncos Mile High Stadium.

Once I ran through downtown again, I really considered walking the last couple miles to the finish line. Kept telling myself, you did not come here to walk. Run the marathon all the way through. Keep my legs moving. That motivation kept me going despite my slow mile splits. Leaving downtown returning to City Park got me very excited for the finish. Once I entered City Park, my excitement began to grow knowing the finish line is very close. Once I saw the time clock at the finish, I felt very satisfied with how the day turned out. Finishing time 3:35:45 with a pace of 8:14 was not a personal best. I told myself I would not be upset if I did not set a personal record. As I crossed the finish line, I let out a big roar indicating I was relieved to finish the race. It is unbelievable that I have completed five marathons in three years. Definitely have come along way from no accolades in sports during high school and college.

Letting out a roar of relief after completing my fifth marathon. It was an amazing day.

The reason why I was irritated was I had a chance to obtain a personal best but it did not happen. After talking with Marla about the race and walking around the Mile High city reflecting on my performance, it turned out to be an excellent day. It was a very good performance running at altitude for the first time while carrying a hydration pack. I definitely want to come back to Colorado for a vacation and/or running race.

I met so many amazing people while I was visiting Colorado. Thank you to friends and family that send me encouragement; Colfax Marathon staff for putting on an awesome race weekend; Volunteers for making my race experience enjoyable; Police, Fire, and EMT staff for keeping the runners safe.

Thank you Sam and Chris for cheering me on Colfax Avenue. Really appreciate the sign.

Showing off my finisher medals at Red Rocks

"I can do all this through him who gives me strength"-Philippians 4:13
"I want to be number one in everything"-Pat Bowlen

Spartan Tri-State Beast (New Jersey)

Spartan Beast was a success. Can't wait to do it again soon.

WHAT AM I!? I AM A SPARTAN!

On April 27th, I participated in the Spartan Tri-State Beast event in Vernon, New Jersey at Mountain Creek Resort. Thirteen miles with thirty obstacles to challenge those who are brave enough to conquer the beast of a course. This was my first Spartan race. Picked a great race for my Spartan debut. As a marathon runner, this was a different challenge for me but eager to take it on. Running marathons is a wonderful achievement. Completing a Spartan race is on another level.

After completing the Beast, I learned so much about myself physically, emotionally, and mentally. Part of the reason why I return to running events time and time again. Spartan events will be no exception. This post will focus on lessons learned from Saturday's Beast event. It will not have an extensive recap on the course and obstacles. Here are some lessons I took away from my first Spartan race:

Train
Sign up for Spartan Workouts by email. Check out their YouTube page for obstacle tutorials. Despite struggling with some of the obstacles, I was able to get through the course with little trouble. Having running experience helps. I ran a variety of road and trail races prior to my first Spartan Race. Went to the gym regularly to help with upper body strength, legs, core, and back.

Having fun
Races are not always going to go as planned. It is important to not get discouraged. Whenever, I feel upset during a race, I adjust my race objectives. Yes, I got upset when I had to do burpees for not completing the obstacles successfully. When that started to happen, I took the failures in stride and focused on having fun along the course. After completing your first competitive event, you go into the next event better prepared. It builds character. Thank you for making the Spartan Beast race fun.

Listening to my body
Studying the course, I walked along the trails in between obstacles and narrow paths on the trail. It was a perfect opportunity to conserve energy. Talking to other competitors on the course made my experience more enjoyable. For fuel and hydration, I carried a hydration backpack with two liters of water. Also, three gels and FIT AID supplement drink got me through the Beast course. Prior to the race, I ate oatmeal with cashew butter and sliced banana. Drank Coconut Water to get a supply of electrolytes prior to the start. Spartan competitors fuel and hydrate differently. Plan accordingly. You can never have too much food supplements and hydration.

Building a Community
Talking to other competitors puts my mind at ease. Whether it is asking for advice on race experiences to completing difficult obstacles, competitors are happy to provide in their insights prior to the race. Since the Spartan community has been wonderful, I am coming back for races in the future. Talking to competitors on the course and shuttle bus has built up my confidence and broadened my social circle too. This is the main reason why I keep coming back to endurance events time and time again.

My first Spartan event was very memorable. Too many burpees to count, a few blisters, great obstacles, awesome competitors, and a challenging course. My body was muddy wet, sore, and tired. The finishers medal was worth all the trouble and hard work. Thank you very much for making my very first race a memorable experience. The staff, volunteers, and photographers made the event safe and fun. Can't wait to do it again in a few months. Next stop: Massachusetts

AROO!