The JJW Blog

The Bolder Boulder

In February, I decided to run the Bolder Boulder as a first benchmark in my 2009 goal to train seriously in running and become a consistently sub 7 minute runner, particularly in distances under 10 miles.  Then I found out that a group from Renee’s school, Bear Creek Elementary, trains together and runs it every year and Renee said she wanted to do it.  The principal at Bear Creek loves to run and organizes groups runs every Tuesday before the race to train.   The race also coincides with the 1 year anniversary of April, Renee, and myself, moving to Boulder where we all started a new life together (kind of, April and I are divorced but live close to each other for Renee’s sake).  It  commemorates our commitment to each other as a family,  our friends and our community in Boulder.  I know that is corny but the race turned out to be just that special.

This was the first race I came into really prepared to meet my goals.  My training was pretty simple and straightforward.  I ran about 40-50 miles per week for about 8-10 weeks, with at least one tempo run, and one track workout per week the final 6 weeks.  I also ran lots of trails the final 4 weeks, with moderate hills, and I did Mtn Athlete 2 or 3 times per week.  I read Jack Daniels running formula book to learn about how to run a tempo run and how do speed reps on the track.  I never did any hard intervals on the track (I hope to now).    I came into the final month before the race starting to finally run sub 7 minute miles once in a while.  I felt really strong and ran an impromptu marathon, my first ever, in early May.  This was stupid of course, even though I did really well.  I strained my calf in the 2nd training run after the marathon, and lost a week of Bolder Boulder training.  I worked my way back and came into yesterday’s race feeling strong.

My wave was BB and I got to the race about 6:15, riding my bike to the start.  There was a great friendly vibe everywhere, from the runners, to the volunteers, to the crowds.  There was tons of positive energy to feed on.  I was not that nervous, I was more confident than any race I have ever run, because I knew what I was there to accomplish. I wanted to run about a 6:45 pace for all 6 miles.  If I could do better and run a few at 6:30 that would be great.  I figured that miles 2 and 3 might be more difficult but my goal was to stay under 7 minute miles.  I put on my headphones and pushed forward to the start.  Right before the start a young 20 year skinny kid runs in with a polyester suit and a briefcase, set to run the whole course.  He  looked really fast.   Jenny Baringer sent us off (I am a huge fan) and I was off running in my zone listening through my Iphone (I needed it to connect with family after the race), to Talib Kweli.

I knew the first mile was fast and I ran it in 6:33.  I didn’t even notice the 1 mile sign and didn’t check my time until the end of mile 2.  The first 2 miles flew by.  They were very easy.  I knew this was going to be an easy race.  Mile 2 was slow however, and I could of worked a bit harder perhaps.  I think I ran it in 6:52.  One of the things I did was let my focus slip off my pace ever so slightly on those slower miles with the hills, something I am sure I will learn not to do as I become a more experienced runner.  Mile 3 was a climb too and I ran it in 6:58.  I felt strong and despite the moderate climbs, I was passing tons of people.  My pace was just not rock solid, I probably could of pushed harder and stayed around 6:45.   By this time I had picked a rabbit, a really young kid with great energy.  At one point he left the course and did a graceful dive into the slip and slide and got up and ran right back in front of me.   Mile 4 was still kind of slow and I only did 6:56.    Then mile 5 I picked it up and did 6:46. Mile 6 I surged to to run a 6:36 mile (I passed my rabbit and some) for a total time of 42:05 at an average pace of 6:47.  Since my goal pace was 6:45 I did well and my efforts pretty much followed the elevation profile of the course.   I had dreams of running 6 6:30 min miles but my mile repeat training told me that the race would be more at 6:45 and that is what happened.  Races don’t lie very often, they are proof in the pudding of where you stand as a runner and now I can’t argue with myself that I am any faster than a 6:45 10K runner.  But soon I will be if I put in several good weeks of training.

Again, it was interesting to me that there was relatively a smaller amount of drama, not necessarily emotion, in this race because it was more about execution and less about pulling up this special race day energy to compensate for my lack of training.  In that regard it was one of the least stressful races I ever did and felt more like taking a test than anything.  Perhaps this means that I didn’t race it hard enough but I don’t think so as I finished with that barfing feeling, giving it all in the final lap around the stadium and finishing with a kick.

I then took a shuttle back to the start to meet April, Renee, Renee’s best friend Sacia, and Julie, Sacia’s mom, to run the race with them.  This would be Renee’s first race and I honestly thought she would try to walk as much as possible and just goof off with Sacia.  Uhh no.  They took off running right from the start with smiles and great energy and with painted faces and tutus.  Julie and April took off with them them and I started walking to finish my coffee.   When I tried to catch up with them by jogging about 10 minutes later I couldn’t until mile 4, they were so fast and had such a big start on me.  I had to keep calling April and Julie to see where they were  These girls were kicking it.  When I caught up to Renee I couldn’t believe my eyes.  My daughter had a running game face on.  I have never encouraged Renee to run that much, and she has never seemed to show much interest.   But here she was in her running shorts kicking it with her friend in a nice relaxed and athletic looking running gait.  They were picking off the waves in front of them, only resting for 3 or 4 seconds at a time or to stop momentarily to look at the occasional costume or band.  They both were cracking jokes but were serious about their race.  The final mile I thought for sure they both would crack but no.  Renee ran right up the final hill.  Sacia pulled ahead a bit at the end and Renee called ahead to Sacia to slow down.  I told  her “Renee, run your own race”, meaning worry about yourself.  Renee didn’t let Sacia run out ahead but quickly caught up with her.  This made me so proud.  Renee pushed up the final hill into the stadium and then she and Sacia ran into the stadium.  I could of burst into tears but I was beaming with pride too much to do that.  They ran right together across down the track as I flashed pics and then across the finish line casually putting their arms around each other in a genuine expression of their morning accomplishment.  I have rarely been a more proud Dad and I saw the power of friendship on display between those 2.

April and I then ran back to find her parents.  I had run 12 miles at this point, not a big deal, as the last 5 were at 10 minute pace but still my legs were tired.  I did the obligatory Boulder Creek leg soak and I felt really refreshed.  April and her parents finished together and it was just a great family day of running.

We all then sat together and watched the festivities.  I actually felt very proud to be an American since I have been reading about Thomas Jefferson, Ben Franklin and Madison and how powerfully intelligent men they were, who loved this country and used their genius to give it a good start.  I thought if they could be proud of their country, so could I so I cheered on every display of patriotism.  The rendition of Taps was very moving and it brought in thunder and soon rain.  We all got soaked walking back home but we very proud of ourselves when we finally collapsed at home.   It was a special end to a year of getting to know Boulder, our new neighbors and friends, and our home for a long time to come.