Uintah & Mesa

5 Miles 35:10 7:02 average per mile
4:30 pm) 60's
Was going to take today off from running but got the itch. I told
myself make it a easy run. Well I'm not good at taking it easy.
My fastest run this week pace wise.

B/Launch/17

Gold Camp Road

10 Miles 1:15:21 7:32 average per mile
1:30 pm)upper 60's Sunny & Breezy
Second time running this road and wanted to make it to the
second tunnel this time. The second tunnel is just before
the 5 mile mark. Unlike the first tunnel this tunnel is open
and you can go through it. Pictures above. First 5 miles is
slightly up hill 7500 ft to 8400 ft. My miles were in the
8:30's range. Coming back it's slightly downhill and I was
running 6:30's and pushed hard last mile for a 6:06 mile.

Colorado Running Company

6 Miles 44:18 7:23 average per mile
6:00 pm) 60's Cloudy
Took it somewhat easy. Picked up the pace last mile.

B/Launch/12

Jack Quinn's Running Group

6.5 Miles 48:00 7:23 average per mile
5:00 pm) Partly Sunny 70's
Still sore but not too bad. Ran with Paul.

b/a10/40

Race Director and myself from Sundays Race

Trinity Brewing Company

8.2 Miles 1:00:56 7:26 average per mile
6:00 pm) cool 60's
First time running with this group. About 25 runners showed up.
I was looking for a easy recovery run as I'm pretty sore from
yesterday. We started out easy 8:07 first mile but I was having
a hard time catching me breath. I settled down a bit by mile 2
7:40 pace. We ran to the Garden of the Gods and ran some of the
roads that go through the park. The last mile is down hill and
felt good to run fast without working too hard. mile 8 was 6:07.
So I pretty much didn't run this as a recovery run. Oh well I
felt okay at the end and no worse than when I started.

b/a10/33

The Bear Chase 50k Trail Race Report

31.1 Miles 4:16:54 8:13 average per mile 2nd Overall
6:30 am) cool at start 40's warmed up into the 60's sunny.
Lakewood, Colorado Beer Creek Lake Park
Well not a bad day at all. I had no goals going into this race.
Just wanted to finish. I was not confident in my training leading
up to this race. I'm still adjusting to living in Colorado and
dealing with the altitude. Also normally I do several long runs
before an ultra and I didn't get them in.
The race started and I went out easy. Actually almost everyone
went out easy. First mile was 8:49. It was still pretty dark
and chilly so I think that was the reason. I wore a singlet, arm
warmers, shorts and gloves. I shed the gloves and arm warmers
after the first loop. The course was 2 loops plus a shorter
loop that the 10k runners ran. I got into a okay groove after
a few miles and actually pulled away from the pack. The course
has a few hill climbs and I just didn't have the legs to run them
I walked all the steeper hills. I think it helped me in the long
run though.
I started the second loop and I was feeling weak mentally and
physically. I decided I should back of the pace and just run at
whatever pace feels good. This helped and by the end of the
second loop I was running better. Note first loop and a half I
made 3 restroom stops. Not sure why? I also used the restroom
3 times before the race. I didn't even drink that much. I need
to figure that out. Nutrition wise I also didn't do very well
I only took 2 gels and a few honey stingers. I did however eat
bananas and oranges at the aid stations. I also drank some coke
at a couple.
The last loop the 10k distance loop I ran as hard as I could.
I still at this point didn't know what position I was in. We
started out with the 50 milers so I never took count. With
about 5 miles to go one of the volunteers said I was 6 minutes
back. That's allot with 5 miles. I kept pushing. I passed a few
runners but I think they were half marathoners that now were
also on course. At around mile 27 I see some kids and two
women. I get by the kids okay and go to pass the women on the
left and at the last second the lady moves to the left. I hit
her and lose my balance and fall down. No big deal I got up
and kept going. It was a bit frustrating though.
I arrive at the final aid station at about mile 28 and the
volunteer says I'm in third place. This is the first time all
day I now my position. I was surprised since I didn't feel
I was that far up. I figure that's it I will finish in third
and be happy with that. I keep pushing and see a runner ahead
didn't know for sure if he was a 50k runner or not. I get
closer and sure enough he was. I remembered running with him
earlier but lost him due to a bathroom stop. I passed him
and finished in second. I found out that I was less than 2
minutes behind the winner. Those bathroom stops really cost
me.
Really pleased considering everything. I feel I have lots
more room for improvement so that's exciting for the future.
I loved this race and it was done so well for a first time
event. I plan on going back next year.