Holy PR! Yep. I went and spoiled this post with the first sentence. No build up here.
After the 50k, I wasn’t quite sure how to transition into speed work for the Bolder Boulder. I only had three weeks to prepare. At least that’s what I had in my head. In reality, I had really been preparing since January…
A few days after the race, I IG’d Ryan Knapp and asked for advice. He suggested a full week off, followed by some short speed/interval training. Sounded manageable to me. And since I didn’t want to risk injury by switching distances so drastically, I made sure to keep my weekly mileage relatively low. I threw in a couple of tempo runs and mile repeat workouts and before I knew it, the Bolder Boulder was was here.
I was up early on Memorial Day, pre-race routines, blah, blah, blah. I made it into Boulder for packet pick-up around 6:15. My AB wave would begin at 7:02ish. Warm-up, bathroom, friends, etc.
Startline. My goal? To PR, of course! I think 90% of the time that’s always my goal; whether it’s realistic or not. I knew that for this race, I needed to stay sub-7 minute miles to do just that. Like many runners, I figured I would take the first mile to see how I felt and go from there. I truly had no idea what my body would allow given the past few months.
Mile one. 6:46. Okay, the first mile of this race is always fast. I don’t care if they changed the course a few years ago. It’s the hype and the masses and the sheer excitement of starting the race with a bugle horn for every. single. wave. But the pace had me a little nervous. I was running 6:45 mile repeats the previous week and it felt tough. This did not. So I wondered how I would feel in a few miles and if I could really maintain it.
Mile two. 6:50. I guess this is maintaining. Granted, the hills are coming, the hills are coming! I take in all the course entertainment, the foot pounding, and heavy breathing around me. Running with 50,000 people is entertaining in and of itself.
Mile three. 6:57. That one hill. It’s fine really, as long as I stay sub-7. I’m thinking it’s getting pretty hot at this point. The sweat pooling on my forehead is probably a decent indicator.
Mile four. 6:53. That other hill. At the top, there is a sign, indicating it’s the highest point in the race. This certainly isn’t a flat road race. But after you crest Casey Hill, it’s mostly downhill from here. These last couple of miles are my favorite anyway.
Mile five. 6:45. Hey, downhill! Turns out, I am feeling okay with this pace at the end of the race. Running through downtown Boulder, directly into the sun, in the early morning hours, is the best part of the race. I don’t know if it’s because I’m so close to the finish. Or because it’s such a difference from how I normally view downtown Boulder. Either way, I know I’ve picked up the pace a little and it feels just fine. If “fine” feels like heavy breathing with a scrunched up face and fighting back puking.
Mile six.two. 6:54. It’s the final push and a long stretch down Folsom and into the stadium for a dramatic finish. I’m certain now of my PR, but don’t know for sure how much time I’ve shaved off my 10k time, until I cross the finish line.
Results
Time: 42:33
Pace: 6:51
AG: 9th out of 599
Gender: 115th out of 23,273
Overall: 926 out of 48,741
After I cross the finish, someone asks, “Are you @theblonderuns?” It’s Jessica! I’m so thrilled to finally meet her, after following her on IG and Twitter! Not as creepy as it sounds while typing this. I promise.
Met up with Luke and Courtney.
Finally met Laura, my Oiselle teammate, and her new little.
This Bolder Boulder felt like a meet and greet! I loved every moment. And with a 1:45 minute PR, I was definitely satisfied with the day.
May 29, 2013 at 11:02
Great job Rebekah!
May 29, 2013 at 19:37
Thanks Amanda! You need to come out to CO for a run!
May 29, 2013 at 11:19
Awesome, Rebekah! Congrats again! Glad all those long hard runs paid off.
May 29, 2013 at 19:38
Funny how my 50k didn’t go so well, but I’m reaping the benefits in short-distance PR’s. What?!
May 29, 2013 at 12:09
Awesome job!! Joe and i decided not to run the Bolder Boulder this year, but we will definitely do it next year 🙂
May 29, 2013 at 19:44
You have to do it! It’s a 6.2 mile party.
May 29, 2013 at 12:10
Nice work and great seeing you!
May 29, 2013 at 19:44
You guys both rocked this race! Congrats on a run well done. Lovely to see you guys too. 🙂
May 29, 2013 at 13:40
Way to go! It must be all the Tues Thurs training. I opted for Yellowstone instead but so proud of you.
May 29, 2013 at 19:48
I definitely chalk this one up to the Bolder Boulder Run Club training! 🙂 Yellowstone sounds like a great alternative. BB isn’t going anywhere…
May 29, 2013 at 17:52
Awesome, Awesome running, lady!!
May 29, 2013 at 19:48
Thanks so much!
June 9, 2013 at 21:01
Congrats on that PR!!!!!!! Amazing!
June 11, 2013 at 03:23
CONGRATS on the PR! Was so awesome getting to see you after the finish! I don’t care how bad running up to the stadium makes me want to pop my pants each year… the Bolder Boulder is eaily my favorite 10k!
June 17, 2013 at 09:36
Holy bananas you are fast woman! Congrats!!
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