Bolder Boulder

Kasey and I went to Colorado on Saturday so I could run in the BolderBoulder with my brothers Bobby and Jimmy, my sister-in-law Ann and Jimmy's girlfriend Rachael.

I have to wait to post some pictures cause my mom had the camera that day. The day I arrived I tried running and after 2 miles I couldn't bear the feeling in my lungs..the second day I did a mile and half....felt a little better but I was still thinking...Lord, I have to do 6.2 miles the next day! How?!?!

I was nervous. My only goal was not to walk any part of the race. I didn't walk at all. Ann and I stayed together the whole time. When we got in the car at 6am that morning...Jimmy tells me that I can't wear my I-pod. OK....well, I can't run without my I-pod! He tells me it's all in my head. Well, Yes, it is but that's ok! I was determined to sneak it in! We saw some people wearing them and I kinda shoved Ann into asking a guy that was wearing his if he wore it during the race...she came back with good news....he had always worn it! WHEWWW!

There were 53,000 people in this race...it was incredible. I tried to put into perspective to my mom when I told her the concert that she saw at the arena recently had only about 15,000 people.

Everyone started in "waves" depending on the time you submitted with your registration. Jimmy was in BB because he runs like a 7 minute mile...Rachael and Bobby were next and then Ann and I were in EE. They let everyone go maybe 5 minutes apart and psyched up each group that came alone...with a bugle and gun start. The race ran thru neighborhoods and an outside mall.

We went to this "mall" the night before and I am posting a picture of a man playing the piano...groups of people just hang out with him and sing all night.

There were lots of musicians just sitting and playing bongos or singing...it was pretty cool. Very relaxed hippie"ish" feel to Boulder.

Another pic I'm posting is one I found in the airport with Kasey. The race ended in the stadium of the University of Colorado. We came around the left curve of the stadium and finished on the other side. It was awesome. I honestly crossed the line and could have cried...I almost did! This was a huge accomplishment for me...with the altitude and I hadn't properly trained for it...I'm really proud of my and Ann's results. They are mile 1=10:11, mile 2=10:17, mile 3=10:40, mile 4=10:37, mile 5=10:27, mile 6=10:21 Finish 1:04:37. When we took off Ann started what felt like a 7 minute mile : ) I had to rein her in!! Jimmy finished in 50 minutes...Rachael just 15 seconds behind him...and Bobby 52 minutes. We had a great time...Hopefully we can make this an annual thing!