Denver Half Marathon Recap

The reports state that it was 34 degrees at the 8 a.m. start. It was drizzly, overcast and cold. We donned our last minute protection of garbage bags in the car as Aimee drove us to the starting line. We were in good spirits as we found our way to the starting line, between the 5:30 marathoners and the "fast walkers."

I had entered the race with no expectations. I had trained, but not as faithfully to my plan as I had hoped. In the past, I had started races with high expectations only to be disappointed in the end. My tactic was to have no expectations and therefore not be disappointed mid-race if I failed to meet those high expectations.

As we started, it took nearly 3 min to pass the start line. That is when I started my watch and the chip on my shoe clocked me in. The anticipation and nervous stomach of the previous two hours was no longer a factor. I had ditched my iPod in the car. I did not want to worry about fiddling with the earbuds throughout the race and I had ruined more than one iPod in the rain. This race was going to be about me and my own thoughts.

The first mile passed in 10:15 and I kept my chin up, my eyes focused as I jostled my way through and around other runners to find my own comfortable pace, not the pace of others around me. The second mile passed at the 19:20 mark. Little faster, so that is good. We were winding through LoDo and it had a lot of curves, some slight downhills, and yet more curves. The spectators were great - I saw many people with young children bundled against the cold and protected from the rain in strollers. Mile three hit at around 28 min, so I was continuing to improve my pace.

When we hit 17th street, which would take us all the way to City Park at mile 5.5 or so, I knew it would be a bit of a long, sort of boring stretch. Without the distraction of music, I was left with my mind wandering, listening to the rain, and the conversations around me. And not just a little heavy breathing.

At mile 5, I removed my soaked, long sleeved, dry-wick shirt and tied it around my waist. I had told Aimee to look for me at 40-45 min at mile 5, but had not included the 3 minutes it took me to go to the start. I kept looking for her, but did not see her. It was a good way to distract my thoughts in the tough middle miles of a race.

The entry to City Park enabled us to view faster runners on their way to mile 9. Damn. I wish I was that fast! City Park was tough - miles 6-8 or so - lots of winding around, never really sure where you were going to end coming out, only to come out, go left for two-tenths of a mile, make a direct turnabout and head back down 17th street to mile 9. At mile 9, I am chugging along, when I hear Aimee. I lift my head and pretend that I feel as jaunty as my wave hello.

When I had hit mile 6, I started to believe I could come in with a 2:00 finish. So I kept pushing my pace, making sure I held back enough to go the distance, but also letting myself feel good about the pace. While in City Park, I spotted a pacer about 100 ft in front of me. I thought it might be the 4:00 pacer, so I tried to catch up to him. Damn. It was the 4:15 pacer. Crap. There goes my time.

After mile 10, we headed into Cheesman Park. It was tough. It was uphill, curvy, and it sucked. It was the one time I thought I might walk a portion. The chronic problem of my right foot falling asleep during runs longer than 90 min popped up, but my mind somehow refused to listen. I chugged on. On our descent out of the park, I saw another pacer ahead. Could it be? Yes, it was the 4:00 pacer. Yippy kie yay! I passed him on our way past the water stop at 11 miles. Two more freaking miles to go.

Out of Cheesman Park, we were headed out back toward the federal building. I am concentrating on my pace, my breathing and working my mind to mile 12 when I look up and see Wax Trax I. Total blast from the past. This was the place to go for alternative, indie music when I was in college. This is where I bought my first Cure tape, my first Gene Loves Jezebel tape, where my college friend Michelle and I would go whenever we had a chance and an extra $20. That nostalgia lasted quite a way.

Nearing mile 12, the marathoners split from the half marathoners. A fellow runner told me to go get warm and cheer for him at the end. I clapped and cheered as I said farewell to many with whom I had been running with for the past 1:45. I was on my way to the finish, if I could just get through another mile.

The last mile was cold. The wind whipped my face and bare arms. My hands were frozen into fists. I felt great and just wanted to get the best time possible at that point. As we rounded the last curve and saw the finish line, many fellow runners dug deep and sprinted to the finish. I, too, dug depp, but came up empty. I continued with my pace, slightly faster maybe, but nowhere close to a sprint.

I finished at 1:55:45 chip time, 1:58:38 clock time. A personal best. The last time I had run a good half marathon in the 2:00 range was 9.5 years and two children ago.

The fabulous volunteers cut off the chip, put a finisher's medal around my neck and a gatorade in my hands. I went in search of a space blanket and found them. My euphoria was starting to meet the reality of my cold body.

I found my way to the finish line at Colfax and cheered for the finishers. I looked forward to watching the elite athletes in the marathon. The men came in around 2:22. Gretchen came over at 2:42 - good job, woman! After I told her I would see her at the end of the chute, the woman marathon winner crossed at 2:43 - a masters runner at that!

I wandered around trying to find Gretchen when I saw Anne. She had a good time, too - 2:48 or so, I think. After stumbling around a bit more, Anne saw Gretchen, who informed us that Aimee was nearby and prepared with blankets and fleece jackets. She was my hero, I tell you. By this time, I was chattering and shivering so bad I could barely think.

Aimee brought us to her home and Bryan had prepared coffee, soup and foccacia bread. The coffee was complemented with Bailey's. That can warm a girl.

Despite the temperature and the rain, the run was amazing and fabulous. We each exceeded our expectations. Sometimes it is truly a matter of mind over body and Sunday was such a day. The purpose of training is to enable the body to perform once the brain allows it.

Next up: Tulsa Run 15K on October 27.