- first time in Colorado
- first time racing 2 races back to back
- first run summit
- first time at that elevation
- first road race with love for the back of the pack
- first time meeting all of the women at the summit
Needless to say this little introvert was nervous.
Adding to the nerves was this was somewhat last minute. Several months ago a fellow trail runner posted about a contest for the “Run Your Own Trail” campaign by Ultimate Direction. As part of the campaign, you would win an all-expenses-paid trip to Latinas Run Summit, entry into the Vacation Races Elk Double, and a massive runners gear package. I filled it out and then forgot about it until I was contacted about being a finalist. This finalists round required a video. So I filmed myself at my desk, edited it down to the required time limit, and again forgot all about it. I honestly never thought that my run journey was something inspiring. I run/jog/walk/finish miles because it helps me cope with stress. I run on trails because it is peaceful. Anyways, in the middle of an already busy day, I get an alert for an email from Zoe at Ultimate Direction. Curious I opened it on my watch and then quickly grabbed my phone. I could not believe I had been chosen as a winner!
Since I had forgotten I had entered, I had to quickly research what exactly I had won. So first I had to figure out when the summit would actually be happening: July 29-August 1. Well, that is going to be a problem. As a person in higher education, there are blackout dates, usually around the first day of class, exams, and graduation. Well, the first day of classes was August 2nd. So I had to contact my supervisor immediately to obtain special permission to take vacation days. Thankfully, he gave me permission immediately. He really is a great boss. With the days off taken care of came everything else, namely travel and training.
Zoe made the process to get travel done as easy as possible. As an experienced traveler, I knew I need to fly out of IAH and I looked up the best flight options and Zoe did the rest. Training well that was a different story. How do you train for high altitude when you live at sea level? The answer is not well.
My first issue was the races were actually road races not trail. It was honestly disappointing. I love trail so much and really try not to run road unless I have to so I knew I needed to get my head good with the road. Next how to get elevation when you live at sea level? Honestly outside of wearing a special mask, there really isn’t a way. I chose a path that I knew well that would give me hills and road surface and pushed myself to get in miles each Saturday. 3 weeks out, I had my longest run in the last few month of 10 miles and I felt so tired. 2 weeks out we had the Run For Justice, which I did virtually. Then 1 week out, I lost all my running mojo. I just couldn’t make myself get up and move. I was pretty worried about my ability to actually finish the half marathon.
So I pack my bags and head out to the airport and this is where the fun begins, I flew out of a terminal usually reserved for international flights. I was really scared that I was headed to the wrong place but no, it was because I was flying on a huge plane, the biggest I had ever been on, 7 seats across. As we were approaching for landing, we hit some turbulence and some passengers got scared. Their flight companions were trying to calm them by praying and telling jokes. Since it wasn’t me, it was funny. It was bumpy but nothing horrible.
It was my first time flying into Denver and not knowing the layout I was a bit worried about finding my shuttle ride to Estes Park. Luckily, I had an hour before needing to find my shuttle so I was able to get a bite to eat and relax before walking around in circles to figure the Eastside from the Westside. I did notice that as I walked around the security line was super long, which in turn made me nervous about the flight back but I’ll talk about that later down the post.
I find my shuttle and 4 other ladies attending the Latinas Run summit were on board so I got to meet them before we got to Estes. I didn’t interact much with them as I was business looking at the scenery. Once in Estes, we made our way to the base camp cabin and checked in. I was handed 2 keys and quickly told the names of my cabin mates, which of course meant nothing to me as I didn’t know them. Off I went across the way to my cabin, claimed the smaller room on the second floor for myself, and then drank as much water as possible. The water, well staying hydrated, was the only piece of advice I got about adjusting to the altitude. As I sat down to read about the cabin and turn on the tv to relax, I had about 90 minutes before the first summit meeting, I read the second piece of advice: eat carbs so I immediately ordered a pizza.
As I waited for my pizza, my cabin mates arrived. They were a true blessing. They knew each other, friends since high school, and were from Houston. We clicked immediately. I could not have asked for better ladies to share a cabin.
I always pack light, 1 carry-on, and 1 personal item, usually a briefcase but in this case a beautiful new purse gifted to me by DH. As part of my commitment to packing light, I only brought my chapstick no makeup. Well, guess who forgot she was supposed to be filming her segment for Run Your Own Trail? I filmed my segment and hopefully, I’ll have that soon to share with you, with my naked face. I never wear makeup to run anyway so hopefully, I look natural and not sickly. You just never know how you will come across on film.
Apparently, weather in/near the Rockies can be unpredictable. They had been calling for rain but then the forecast would change so preparing for the Friday night 5K, we knew we needed to plan for the possibility of running in the rain. Again my amazing cabin mates were lifesavers. They had actually rented a car so we drove over to the race. The race was actually within walking distance but between weather and thinking about dinner afterward, we decided to drive over. As soon as we pulled out of the parking lot, it began to pour. It rained so hard that it started flooding parts of Estes Park and flooded the tunnel we were supposed to take to get under the road between the start and the staging area.
Vacation Races did a great job of communicating with the runners. They had a broadcast on the radio. Because of lighting, not really the rain, we were delayed over an hour. It was chilly and wet but the path was clear with minimal puddles considering how much and how quickly the rain had come down. There was about a mile walk between the car, staging area, and the start. My watch measured 5 miles altogether. The first challenge was just getting to the other side of the road to the start line. Since the tunnel was flooded, they had to stop traffic and we had to climb down the side of the hill. Then the long walk to the start and we could see the huge hill looming ahead. That hill was horrible! I was worn out from the start! I did actually enjoy the 5k. The view of the lake was great and I even achieved my goal of staying under an hour! Race 1 down but due to the late start and difficulty, I knew the half was going to be a bigger challenge than I originally thought. Less time to recover and if the 1 hill had kicked my ass what would the huge hills on the half mean?
The half was hard. There was a 3-mile ascent from mile 2 to about 5. It was continuous but not super steep. I went from about 7600 ft to 8200 ft. It was tough but as long as I kept moving, I was good. Slow and steady, which is my race policy at all times.
I forgot the mention the start of the half! This was the first race I have run with pacers. You find your anticipated pace and run with that group. I found the back of the pack, which for this race was 3:30-4:00 hrs. As soon as I found the group I saw 2 women with the pacer and I said, "I have found my people!" And they just took me in. I stayed with them, well one person dropped off, the whole race. It was this first race friend that kept me going!
Seriously, after mile 5 I thought the worse was over, I was wrong! This race taught me that steepness matters. Between mile 9 and 10, I struggled. Like to the point that I was considering quitting the race. The hill was killing me. It was steep, very steep. I was tired, very tired. I stopped to catch my breath and as I did, I turned my head and saw a Virgin of Guadalupe. For half a second, I thought I was hallucinating. But along with the hallucination, I felt like my grandmother was with me, like she was giving me a blessing. That was enough to steady my focus on finishing. I gave up on finishing in under 4 hrs. I had to stop 2 more times on this hill but I climbed it. Oh and at my next stop, a few yards ahead, I saw that indeed we were right next to a Catholic Church so it was not a hallucination!
My race friend was pushing me the whole way. As we climbed, we passed about 5 people. Not to say that we were better than the folx we passed, we were just moving in a steady beat. Once we hit the last 2 miles, which was a bit more flat and was the same as the last 2 miles of the 5k from the night before. We walked it all. It was hard not because of the course but because I did not plan my nutrition well. I had my piece of pizza, which is what I use on long runs, but I just didn't eat it. Had I eaten, I think I could have pushed in the last 2 miles and finish in under 4 hrs, barely. Well, we finished at 4 hrs and 8 minutes. We finished!
The finish line was crazy! The Latinas Run group was waiting for me! Then 1 more Latinas Run runner finished and it was like we erupted. There was so much joy and love at that finish line. This was unusual for a road race. The only time I have gotten that kind of love was at TROT races. So I love my Latinas Run group. Honestly, I felt so good that I didn't really care I was exhausted or gross from running. I was joyous.
After the race, I enjoyed a nap and pizza. I was by myself, my cabinmates headed out for burgers with a larger group from the Latinas Run Summit. It was amazing. I ate pizza and watched 80s movies. Best recovery ever!
Okay, let me wrap this up. Trip home: on the drive, I was complaining that I never got to see any goats. I saw Elk but no goats. Then as we were rounding down the mountain, we came upon a large group stopped on the side of the road. I was thinking it was a driver in distress but no, it was a family of goats! It was amazing!
The airport looked super crazy. We get there and I have 1 hr until I'm supposed to be flying out. The security line was wrapped back over itself and looked crazy long. It moved very quickly. It looked worse than it actually was. In the middle, the line turns into a huge space so that 2 people can walk side-by-side so the drug dog can walk around you. So you have been warned, Denver airport looks scary but moves quite quickly.
Would I do it again? Yes!
Will I do it again? I'm saving my pennies!
