Daniela is Training: Recap Bonanza Part 2: So many races! Colfax 1/2 Marathon, Bolder Boulder 10K, another 20 miler & IM Kansas 70.3 Relay

After completing the Big Sur Marathon successfully, I realized I had nothing but racing coming up during the month of May so, with the saying "no rest for the wicked" in mind, I only took 1 week of rest after the race and was back at it, this time for the following races:

-The Colfax Half Marathon on May 19th
-A 20 miler training run for the San Francisco Marathon on May 24th
-Bolder Boulder 10K on May 27th
-IronMan Kansas 70.3 relay (I was doing the 1/2 marathon portion of the race) on June 9th

During the weeks between Big Sur and the Colfax 1/2 I was also taking a "warriors'" training, which included lots of time on the Real Ryders' bikes and lots of weight work, core, HIIT, cardio, etc work. Needless to say, that was kicking my butt on an almost daily basis... in fact, the last day of that training was the saturday before the Colfax race and I literally cried I was so tired and crushed by the intensity of it and also thinking the because of that "beating" I wouldn't be able to compete properly on race day......

THIS RECAP HAS LOTS OF PICTURES, SO IT'S ACTUALLY NOT AS LONG AS IT SEEMS! :)

MAY 19th. Colfax 1/2 Marathon

After picking up my bib at the expo, and trying to rest the rest of the afternoon, I was tired and worried about this race. I didn't feel 100% prepared for it, but I figured the worst that could happen was getting the same time as my last half marathon. I kept thinking this was actually a training run for the marathon coming up next, so I shouldn't be so freaked out. Everything was going to be ok!.

As we lined up, I realized they put me on the F wave (there were so many waves... unreal!) which had me finishing at 2:20 +... I wasn't sure why they had me there, but again, I didn't worry too much and figured I could pass people if necessary, so no pressure.

The course was a lot of fun, mile 3 ran inside the zoo so I got to see the animals, we ran through (literally) the Denver Firehouse #1 in Aurora, and with a pretty and shaded course we also had shirtless firemen cheering at mile 11... I mean, who's going to complain? it was great!

I didn't take pictures, and again I didn't listen to music... I was just racing here, and racing in my backyard, so no surprises!!

well well... SURPRISE!! I did PR! by 3min 15sec. with an official finish time of 2:01:49

I was so excited! being so relaxed after a "self talk" made for a great, comfortable and speedy race (for me) where I wasn't worrying about time, just feel... turns out, I felt great, so great that I when I finally looked at my watch at mile 10 I knew I could PR so I picked up the pace! The medals at the Colfax Marathon race are always super cool and huge! and to top it off, they had a necklace that came with the medal, a very nice detail I really liked!.

May 24th Friday. Headed out for my 20 mile run. I had a big show the next day (Denver day of Rock) so I wouldn't be able to get mileage in, so by running friday I got a chance to rest the legs a bit more for Bolder Boulder. I told myself to go extra slow on this one, and in fact, made myself take lots of walk breaks since I had already been getting the high mileage since Big Sur. It was a slow going run, but I got it done!

Next up... Bolder Boulder 10K May 27th

This race was fun, because Bolder Boulder is FUN! Biggest 10K in the U.S and you have everything under the sun... elites, amateurs, fun runners, costumed runners, grandpas, grandmas, walkers, drinkers, strollers... you name it! the energy of this race is unique. I headed there with my friend Erin (both excited to be running together again), and her brother. we got to Boulder early, so we had a chance to chill, get a bathroom break (2 actually) and get mentally ready for the race.

Erin & I pre-race. My bolder boulder running pal!

After crossing the finish line... that was rough!

This was a super rough race for me for many reasons... the main one was, I ran 20 miles on friday only to race at my full speed on monday... it killed me!! My legs became bricks at mile 4 and it took everything in me not to stop and start walking.
I've discovered I prefer longer distances so I have a chance to warm up and gradually increase the pace. Anything shorter that a half marathon, I feel I have to go out full speed, so I miss manage my energy badly! And it was a hot one! Holy moly!
In the end, I finished the race with an official finish time of 54 min 53 sec.

We Did it!!!

Finishing at the Folsom stadium is way cool!

Next up.... IronMan Kansas 70.3 Relay June 9th

For this one, I was feeling a bit like a fish out of water, since every single person I traveled with has completed a triathlon, except me! hehe.
I signed up with my team to do the running portion (1/2 marathon) and I was happy and worried about it at the same time, since I didn't really enter the taper section of my training for the SF Marathon, and instead I kept racing back to back, plus later on it dawned on me that my relay portion would happen in the middle of the day, in the Kansas heat... oops!
We drove out friday morning, and since I was riding with 3 people doing the whole 70.3, I got a chance to pick their brains; it is a whole new world for me!
Once we got to Lawrence and dropped our bags, we met the rest of our traveling friends at the athlete's party hosted by Oread. It was a nice chance to chill for a bit and let it all soak in (and also see major pros hanging out!- Like Crowie Alexander-)

Me and Khem (already an Iron-wo-Man)

My team! Cindy on the left- swim-, Judy on the right -Bike-

After scouting the area, leaving bikes, checking in, getting out bags, timing chip, etc. Went back to the hotel for a nice pre race dinner and rest time!.

Waking up as early as big sur to get to the race at 4:30am! we found an area under some trees to keep cool and hang out (since there were 4 relay teams together!) while waiting for the other peeps to complete their swim portion and bike portion.