Race Report: Bolder Boulder 10K 2012

I had vengenance on my mind the morning of the race. I needed redemption. My husband and I ran the Bolder Boulder pretty slowly last year (cut me some slack…I was only 8 weeks post-op) so I felt like I had something to prove this year.

Based on our slowass times from 2011, we were placed in a jogger wave this year. Do you have any idea how much I hate being called a jogger? Hell no. I’m a runner. From the start of the race to the finish, we swerved our way through the course. There were many slower people to pass and my runner’s honor to be reclaimed.

I felt confident in my body throughout the race and am positive I have a solid year of Crossfit training to thank for that. There weren’t many training runs before the BB this year but it didn’t matter. I never had any doubt I would have a strong finish, didn’t have any pain during the race and if you can believe this, wasn’t even sore AFTER the run. It’s like this whole fitness thing is really clicking.

(It also helped that all of my training runs had been with the baby stroller. Funny how much smoother and faster I run without pushing Eli.)

This was my ninth running of this race and I love that it’s become a Memorial day tradition. It also kicks off our race season and gets me amped up about being a runner. Because I am.

There were a few differences this year. We normally get to the race start by taking our scooter. Unfortunately, the scooter’s taken a turn for the worse and is in dire need of repair. Since the race starts just a few blocks from the bike path, I suggested we ride our bikes to the starting line. This turned out to be an amazing idea.  Our legs were nice & warm and we avoided all the closed roads & crazy traffic.

Also this year, my sister and her boyfriend drove up from Wyoming to run the race. This was their first time running a 10K and they were very excited. It was fun talking about the race with a first-timer and sharing helpful tips I’ve learned over the years. They did an awesome job running the race. But the real fun started when we were sitting in Folsom Field enjoying our post-race snack bag. And beer.

My sister’s boyfriend leaned over to me and stealthily asked if I would take some pictures because he was about to propose to my sister.

Long story short, she said yes. Women around us in the stands were weeping. Strangers were clapping. And we were all enjoying our runner’s high.

It was awesome.

I told my sister that not all races end like this one. But big props to my future brother-in-law for riding 3 miles and running 6.2 miles with a huge rock in his pocket.

In the end, my sister is getting married and I’m back to being a sub-70 minute BB runner. Happy endings all around.