barr trail mountain race...6 miles up pikes peak and back down

After being persuaded 6 days prior to the race (by my boss), and only having been up to Barr Camp one time (the Sunday before)...my outlook on this race was simple; just finish this beast under 3 hrs 30 minutes so I can get the finishers t-shirt. But of course, having an athlete's mentality all my life- I woke up with butterflies thinking "maybe i'll try to get under 3 hrs." 

  

I picked up Beth at 5:30am...put on our super sweet 70's shades we purchased for $4 the night before- and we were on our way to compete in a race that is thought of to be: super competitive, a real trail-runner's race and a bloody battle. The race was capped at 400 runners because of the size of the trail. I learned this to be a good thing as the first 30 min or so up the W's (beginning zigzags of the trail- often the hardest part of the race) was super tight! After more walking than I had hoped...i finally made it up to Barr Camp around 1 hr 45 min. I decided that I needed to take advantage of this next part of the race-use the legs that are familiar to the quick turnover and try and bust it on the downhill! About 10 minutes from the finish I was cruising along a switchback with the brown, wood railing on my left...A guy and girl (who i think was injured by the look of her limp-walk) were walking down the center of a thin section of the trail.  They looked back and heard/saw that I was coming at them fast.  They both moved over to the right and tried to creep up the side of the dirt to give me room.  Right as I passed the girl, she slid down the side where she had pulled off and bumped right into me as I sped by her...knocking me smack into the railing.  My shoulder banged against the railing and slid...throwing me off balance. I didn't fall down but it scared me half to death...and made my already pumping heart rate speed up even faster! Arg! The girl yelled she was sorry about 3 times as I collected myself and took off yet again. 

53 minutes after turning around at Barr Camp...and 2hrs 40 minutes after the gun went off at the Cog, I found myself crossing the finish line at the top of Hydro Street...finally! Ironically- after hoping to finish in time to get a t-shirt, I ended up finishing first in my age group (20-24). My age group is definitely the least competitive...but it was encouraging, and makes me even more inspired and motivated to improve for next year! My Mom and Ken were there at the finish...it was so great to see their faces after such a tough race! I raced and celebrated after with a bunch of amazing customers/people from the store...made the event that much more fun!

Today I am more sore and stiff then I can remember being since college- holy crap. 

ummm, yeah.

So I guess I'm doing the Barr Trail Mountain Race this Sunday.  I guess I didn't get enough torture last Sunday...or maybe my brain blocked it out as the words "sure I'll do it" came out of my mouth. Who knows.  I do know that it's going to be a holy-hell-of-a early morning (race starts at 7am)... and when I finish (which hopefully will be under the 3 1/2 hr time cut-off...have to get this to get the freaking shirt!) I will be dirty, sweaty, hungry and totally wiped out.  When I asked my mom if she wanted to come over to Manitou to see the finish she said..."I don't want to see you exhausted and barfing!". I said "mom, I'm not going to be barfing...well, at least I hope not." The race starts at the Cog railroad...goes up 6 miles to Barr Camp...then back down...then the last 50 meters of the 12 mile race are up this freaking steep paved hill up to the Barr Trailhead parking lot...bugga! There are 6 women in my age group (20-24..400 racers total)...so I am hoping not to come in last out of the 6, but then again i haven't been training for this thing, and I decided to do it 6 days out...so whatever, my expectations can't be too high right! See ya at the bottom folks. 

holy barr camp batman...

Ran/hiked up to Barr Camp today for the first time! It was ridiculously hard...but so awesome!

Beth is training for the Pikes Peak Accent and is running in the Barr Trail Mountain Race this coming Sunday (from Cog 6miles up to Barr Camp and back down-12 miles total)...so she's gone up to Barr Camp the past 4 or 5 Sundays. I've been wanting to go up there for a long time and as she's been talking about it recently- I decided to finally bite the bullet. I was so excited to attempt this beast...and happy to be going up with such great company! 

Didn't start off so good as when we got to the start of Barr, I realized I had forgotten my ipod shuffle...no music!!...For this long of a deal...not good. Oh well I thought...a true runner doesn't need music...I'll just enjoy the beautiful scenery in which I am surrounded. Well, that lasted about 15 minutes as I found myself annoyed by the continual sound of my panting breath. It was overcast with minimal sun (with the exception of the last 15 or so minutes on our way down)...so the lack of heat I think really helped.  There were some super steep parts of the trail and I was quite annoyed at the amount of walking had to do...but once I accepted the fact, I was content jogging when I could. About 2 miles from Barr Camp...my brain went to a different place. I didn't feel like I was going to pass out or anything...I just felt like I really had to pay attention to what I was doing or I might just run off the side of the trail...I blame the lack of oxygen to the brain...oh, and a little fatigue too:). It took me about 2hrs 15 min to get to Barr Camp (about 7 miles from Soda Springs Park in Manitou where we started)...wow, that was long.  There were loads of people up there...a pit stop for their hike up to Pikes Peak.  It's so neat up there...a little log cabin...bathrooms, a stream & bridge...and lots of camping spots. All of these things just appear after miles of just mountain trail. After a bathroom break, water for Zena (Beth's german shepard- who continually checked on me the entire way up and down), and sport beans for Beth and I...we were on our way down. 

So the way down was interesting. This was the first time I felt such a pain in my lower extremities. I mean it wasn't a "oh, my legs are tired and wobbly"...it was more like "holy crap, my legs are screaming at me and will they just buckle on this next step?" I was wishing the turn-off to the back side of Barr was on every switchback...when will it be here I thought...how much longer can I stay standing? Once we finally got to the bottom of Barr, while Zena got some much needed water, Beth and I took our shoes and socks off and stuck our swollen, dirty feet in the cool stream.  Ahhh...felt so good! A short jog from the cog back down to Soda Springs Park and we were finished! It was, holy crap, a long work out...but so amazing and i'm glad I did it! Can't wait to tackle it again. Thanks for the support today Beth...you are so sweet and encouraging:).

Here is a map of what we did today...crazy to imagine! It's also a map of the Barr Trail Mnt Race that Beth will be racing next Sunday.  

 

Above and to the right is a pick of the Barr Camp Cabin...so neat!

Below is another pic of Barr Camp...it's at 10,200 feet! 

Here is the data from the Nike+ Sportband today. Because I calibrated the thing on flat concrete...I don't really trust some of the stats as my stride is WAY shortened going that uphill...but oh well...I'll just guesstimate! 

UP TO BARR CAMP AND BACK FROM SODA SPRINGS PARK IN MANITOU

Total run/hike time - 3:30 min 

To Barr Camp- 2:14 min

From Barr Camp back down to Soda Spgs- 1:16 min

UP TO BARR CAMP

Distance- 8.02 miles (prob more like 7)

Pace- 16:49 min mile (prob more like 18 min mile)

BARR CAMP DOWN TO SODA SPGS PARK

Distance- 8.23 miles (again, prob more like 7)

Pace- 9:12 min mile (prob close to reality...stride back down was various lengths)

Total Cals burned....I'm guessing 20,000...:). Pancakes afterwards never tasted so good...however, keeping my eyes open to get them to my mouth was quite the task. 

cool beans...

So I've acquired a piece of new technology that is super neat.  It's the new Nike+ Sportband and we just started carrying it at the store.  It's exactly like the Nike+ Nano chip that's been out for a while, but you don't need a ipod nano to use it.  It's just the foot-pod chip and the black wrist band...which allows me to always see my running pace, distance, time and calories, during and after a workout.  You start by calibrating it to your walking and running step...and using your computer...it's so easy! However...because there is no heart rate monitor-ish piece to this deal, i'm not too sure how accurate the calorie count is...it only takes in consideration weight and pace/mile. But for $60 bucks...it's toatlly worth it!

I ran this am before work down on the Greenway trail by CC...workout data from today's run is as follows...

Time: 52:35

Distance: 6.01 miles

Pace: 8:52 min mile

Calories: 612

great week...

Fun times this week...accomplishments too!:) Staci and I busted out our best Incline times ever on weds am (46:18 and 36:32!) It was a beautiful morning up there too...so we were just thrilled. 

Thursday was a great day...Beth and I carpooled to work as we found ourselves with the exact same schedule all day! Work...Barr workout...Margs at Amanda's...a fun day! Nothing beats laughs, outdoor patio lights and marg's with great friends. 

happy birthday to Romester!

Happy Day to my sweet Romester...I love you oh so much! 

Maili was given a wonderful birthday gift bright and early this am...Lucky's throw-up, laid nice and neat in two plumps, right in the center of the couch....glorious!:) I heard a "Well that's nice" as Maili entered the living room for the first time this morning. Poor Lucky though...he continued to be sick and made his way, on his own, to his kennel in the garage...poor guy! 

Ok, so speaking of dogs...funny story. As I was walking out of Souper Salad with Staci this evening...I saw a cute little dog sitting in the passenger's seat of this minivan with the window slightly cracked for the guy to breathe. The little pup was looking up at me with these sad little eyes...so i stopped to say hello.  As I positioned my face closer to the window, I said out loud "what a cute little dog...and he's been out here since we got here." And right then at that moment...the little bastard jumped out of the seat, hit the window with his face and with his fangs out started barking at me with very intense volume.  I quickly jumped back and screamed- holy crap...totally wasn't expecting that. Staci and I were busting up laughing for a good few minutes...could have been a hidden camera moment for sure.  I'm sure the entire restaurant witnessed this through the window as the car was in the front row-wonderful. 

holy stromboli...

Today's workout was a def duzy! Staci and I attempted (and conquered) the "Incline Club workout".  We parked at Memorial Park in Manitou(right by the police station) and ran up to the beginning of Barr Trail.  Then did 1minute running as hard as we could+1minute walking up Barr for 30 minutes. Once we got done with our 30 min up...we jogged down the trail (with super jello legs) til we got to Hydro Street (that short steep paved hill up the Barr dirt parking lot).  We did 6 hydro street repeats (running up, walking down)...then we ran all the way down back to the car at Memorial Park. Whoa...super tough.  Took us about 1:35 min to complete...oh yeah and we started at 6:30am. Even though it was a toughie...it was totally awesome and gave me a feeling of accomplishment that I tackled a new challenge.

www.inclineclub.com

happy weekend...

Happy weekend to all...I hope you are all enjoying! :)

Here are some pics (and video) of Beth and I at the store on Saturday...we were quite busy most of the day due to the Sailin' Shoes race, but for a brief moment we decided we needed to test out some of our sale shoes...Men's New Balance Motion Control 1123's size 12 1/2 EE (width)...you know... in order to properly explain to our customers the fit and feel of the shoes...hehe. What boats! 

Today I developed a new love/hate relationship...it's name...Section 16. I've been wanting to do this trail for a long time, so I was excited to explore yet another part of this great place in which I live. I was pre-warned by both Beth and Staci of the part of the trail in which it was pretty steep and would probably have to walk. In my mind I had pictured a moderate hill that would take me about 10 min or so to walk up...yeah...that was far from the truth. It was about a 25 minute hike/steep climb in which my lower back felt like it might revolt and spasm on me at any given moment. I kept thinking the end was right around the corner, (I asked Staci once if that was it, or was there more uphill...she just responded with "um, there's more...") when in actuality we were hiking to a point in which we couldn't go any higher for that particular place.  35 minutes after beginning at the trail head...we were finally at a point where we could run.  The rest of the trail was rolling hills and was absolutely beautiful.  We ran through the trees the whole time and came across a small waterfall with a cute little bridge. It felt so great to explore this new place...but I'm sure my calves and back will be on strike tomorrow as payback for my adventure.

a good day...

So, yesterday was a good day. Work was good...got pretty new shirts (no more Maili's favorite color:)) After work Beth came to the store and we walked down to the CC track for a speed workout.  I was a little weary as I hadn't done speed work since before Steamboat on June 1.  It was fun to be with someone for that type of workout...there were some randoms on the track...loads of kiddos with random toys...a few football guys/soccer girls...oh yeah, and a guy that was talking to himself as he was running.  Beth and I weren't sure if he was talking to us or himself...either way, not good. We had a good laugh about that one. After track hell...we went to Jose Muldon's with all the gals for Meg's Bday! :) We had yummy food/drinks...and it was great to catch up with everyone! Love the girl time.  Anywhoo...it was a great overall day and I totally crashed as soon as my head hit the pilla! :) 

Weddings...friends...beauty...

                          

I traveled to Florence yesterday for my good friend Toni's wedding.  It was so beautiful and real...I loved it. 

Also a few pics from my brother's most recent show...i love watching/listening to them play...i get goosebumps every time. Note the dime on the floor by Adam's foot in

 the corner of the pic:). 

TGIS...

After a long day at work...I was def in delirious mode.  Around 7something tonight Romester and I traveled to the nearby Tarje (Target) in hopes of finding something to wear to the weddings we are attending tomorrow...big fat argg. The giggles started the minute we stepped into the store...Maili was having a hard time pulling a cart out of the long stack..."come on muscles...let's get one" i said to her as she struggled. Then as we strolled down random isles we def didn't need to be in (aka-the snack isle), we started quoting Dumb and Dumber... "mock....YEAH....ing....YEAH....", it was hilarious. Then we started trying on clothes.  A few stalls over I hear Maili say, "this is why I hate weddings"...haha. 

Then we had to make a quick stop at Old Navy so that she could return a few items she purchased today. The lady working there had hair shorter than Romester's...but poor thing had a hair clip the size of my fist located right above her left ear. Actually i don't really understand how it was staying in. Hum. 

Once we got home we enjoyed a quick porch sit while the doggies ran wild out by the gazebo. We turned on the boob-tube and started watching the tail end of The Notebook.  Trouble again...it was right at the part when Ali goes back to visit Noah after she's engaged. Once all hell brakes loose and emotions run wild and he asks her to stay with him, they cut to commercial. Maili says..."This movie is too emotionally charged".  I busted out laughing...totally cracked me up.  She was full of the quotes tonight I tell you. 

Off to bed...I'm sleepy. 

all over the place...

Title due to the current state of my mind and body over the past few days...interesting. Where to start...ok, we'll do this chronologically.

Sunday 5am...I was up and at it early on my way to Beth's house to leave for the Garden 10 Mile! We got to Manitou around 6ish...found a premier parking spot across from the manitou library. After waiting in line for the port-o's we were off with 1600 racers at the sound of the gun. As I suspected Beth took off while I was wondering what the hell I had gotten myself into calves burning on the first beast of a hill! As I was enjoying a nice downhill through the garden at mile 3, I suddenly felt pissed watching the 1st and 2nd place racers sprinting past me up the same hill, opposite direction...they were at their mile 6...argg. The local high schools were competing for the best aid station...so they were all dressed up with fun themes. The 4th station had a "welcome to heaven" theme...i will tell you...their location was no heaven! The worst hill of the course...the only point in which i had to take a brief walk break...my legs were like big/tight stumps! I heard a runner behind me say "this definately isn't heaven".  I ended up finishing the race in 1:35 minutes...I was ok with that time...but a competitive fire was lit and I definitely want to do better!  Another correct prediction...Beth killed it with a finishing time of 1:18min...she did great! We enjoyed a nice starbucks coffee standing on wobbly legs on our way out of manitou...we also saw the 2nd place overall women's finisher running down manitou ave...are you kidding me...we both just rolled our eyes. 

Sunday 1pm... Maili and I are sitting on the couch looking out the window waiting for our guests to arrive for the bday bbq she planned for me.  Even though I had gotten little sleep...my legs were killing me...and i desperately needed a drink...I was SO looking forward to getting to spend some time with those I love. We had yummy food, great conversation, and fun Taboo! It's so funny how simple games create such funny, lasting memories! First off, while i was getting situated on the floor, my foot (toe really) decided it didn't like the position and cramped so badly! I crouched over and just started cracking up...then Taboo-er's saw the awkwardness in my foot...funny stuff. Other Taboo notable notes...Maili continually yelled "Vagabonds" as the answer to all words...What the hell is an "asp"?... Oh, and Staci and Mom feel as though playing games lowers their self-esteems. This day was an overall great day...I love being with those I care so deeply about. I couldn't have felt more loved having everyone come to share this time. :) Thank you! 

Weds 6am... Staci and I hiked this incline this am...and it was beautiful! We were both sluggish, tired, and not completely confident in the decision we had made to do it so early this am.  I wasn't sure if I should let my horribly sore shins (or chins as I sometimes spell them) rest a little more from the agony they were put through on the downhills of the garden 10 mile...but ehh, who cares...off we went.  5 minutes into the stepping, my quads began to burn...hum, this time may not be a record breaker I thought.  But I ended up doing the 2nd best time i've ever done...38min 45sec. Staci busted out her best time of 48:something! It was her first time since last summer too...what a stud! We ran down Barr Trail...a success for both of us...no falls and only a few slow/awkward girl scouts with large back packs to deal with on our decent. 

Weds pm...A funny story at work to share.  So...in order to get the left over cake out of Maili and My life (aka so that we wouldn't eat it all ourselves), I decided to take it into work. Bad move...because I (not Maili I'll point out) still have to look at it all day...there in the break room...arg. So tonight during the social part of the social run we have at our store every weds night, i decided to get my stuff together in the back break room so that i could leave right after everyone started moving on out.  I saw the large single piece of cake sitting there comfortably in it's case...with a clean fork not a foot away...just a little I thought.  I had better shut the door so that i don't get caught in the act.  As I am lifting the 1st bite o goodness up to the ol trap, my ultra-marathon friend Tony opens up the break room door and says "what do we got goin on in here?"...it startled me and I was like great...here's this guy whose run prob 50-some miles today (as he's training for Western States 100 race) catching me shove a heaping fork-full of choc cake in! I said "here Tony, you eat this yummy birthday cake...get it out of my life for good, please...plus i'm sure you deserve it much more than i do!" 

hills galore...

The last two days at the store have been craziness in preparation for the Garden of the Gods 10 Mile run. It was way fun having Staci there (she was in control of the packet pick-up) at the store...we had some laughs! :) We are the running store sponsor for this 1500 person race, which takes place tomorrow at 7am in the Garden.  It is part of the Triple Crown Racing Series (garden 10mile, pikes accent or marathon, and the summer trail round-up), so people come from all over the country, which is neat. I will be running this race with good friend and colleague Beth...she will in fact be smoking me I suspect as she is training for the Pikes Peak Accent. Since we did the Steamboat 1/2 last Sunday, I don't know how i'll do...just intend on enjoying the event and scenery. Maili came in today and got shoes...cute ones in fact...it was fun to have her there. I can't wait for our bbq/party tomorrow...I can't wait to be around those I love! :) Thanks Romi...you are one in a million! :) Off to bed...have to be at the race at 6am tomorrow...yikes...after a 9 hr day at the store today, i'm going to be cranky tomorrow morning! Hugs to all. :)

love it...

How much do I love the office...
This happens to be one of my favorite "Dwight" moments...
"F..."

steamboat 1/2...

Ok...So this video freaking cracked me up! :)This was totally Staci and I at the gas station in Denver yesterday...totally hilarious! :)

Steamboat was so much fun...we had a great weekend! Started Sat am with muffins and coffee on the beautiful drive there. Got checked in and strolled Steamboat to quickly find The Rio...aka...the best margarita's ever...+roof-top dining...+yummy fajitas...+margarita #2...+sunburn on Jillian's right chest and arm...no good. Took a little hike up to this really pretty lake/waterfall...so pretty up there! Off to bed...early...earplugs in...nanight. Woke up to staci poking at me..."Jillian, get up". My earplugs were still in (a surprise as they usually tend to find their way individually to each hand throughout the night)...and i guess i didn't hear Staci's watch make the softest of alarm sounds...hum? A couple pokes and i was up and adam...oh yeah...it was 5:15am...booy boo. The course was absolutely beautiful...except for the mile and a half uphill from the Devil. Finished about a minute over my Moab time (about 1:58 something)...but oh well...it was still way fun...a much more relaxed run than my 1st at Moab....and best of all, my body didn't feel like totally shutting down the moment i finished! Yeah! :) We had to get into the car after showers and head back...this was no good. Nobody could get comfortable in the car...we (i mean the women in the car) were complaining basically the whole time. I don't think i'll ever get into the car just a couple hours after a race ever again...no good. Overall a great weekend with friends...beautiful scenery...yummy margs...memorable laughs...and can't wait to go back!

I'm running the Garden of the Gods 10mile this coming Sunday...not sure if it's really the best idea...but i'l do what i can! :) Loads of up and down hills for 10 miles...sounds fun right? Will report back at a later date. :)