Bolder Boulder 10k 2008 Race Report

The Bolder Boulder, such a fun race. I've been doing this race for a while, this would be my seventh in a row. The goal this year was Andie's, under 45 minutes. Last year I didn't run more than three times prior to the race and it showed as I faded at 6k and watch BT and Andie cruise off on her first attempt at sub-45.

This year I was ready.

Andie and I were in the BB wave this year, she had qualified using her time from last year and I qualified on a treadmill at the Bolder Boulder store, though I later found out that my half-marathon time would've gotten me into the BB wave as well. I was pretty relaxed before the race, I think Andie was a little nervous. Her training didn't go quite to plan and the race pace run the week before did not go well, but here we were. My goal, sub-45 minutes or at least faster than BT paced Andie the year before.

To sum up the race, the weather was perfect for running, the garage bands were really good this year, and we didn't make sub-45 or even beat last year's time. Here are the splits (7:14 miles is a 45:00 10k):
Mile 1 - 7:21
Mile 2 - 7:23
Mile 3 - 7:51
Mile 4 - 7:52
Mile 5 - 7:19
Mile 6 - 7:41
10k - 47:09 (7:35 pace)

I finished feeling great and even hammed it up a bit for the cameras to try and get into the calendar next year (I don't think I'll make the cut).

Even though we didn't hit goal time Andie still was 24th out of 725 in her division and 476th out of 26364 women, great job Andie!

My placings were 83rd out of 482 in my division and 2435th out of 21942 men, whoo there's some stiff competition out there.

My first criterium!

Well, on 5/20/2008 I participated in my first ever criterium, or any sort of a road bike race for that matter. First impression, intense, and fun. The crit was a laid back crit on top of South Table Mountain in Golden, CO at the Colorado State Patrol test track. Each lap was about 1.5 miles long and with some mild rolls throughout, the race would cover 12 laps total and every other lap would be a sprint lap with points rewarded 5 deep.

I arrive at the start line and it was obvious I was the outsider, everyone else had there conversations going and I stuck out with my lack of team kit, visor on my helmet, and hairy legs. After the explanation of the rules we were sent off, I was a bit timid about riding in a group at speed so I stuck to the left edge for the first two laps. The left edge was great for not feeling boxed in, but horrible for all the rocks on the track, I needed to move. Luckily at the end of the 2nd lap the sprint stretched the group out and I was easily able to move over to the right, much better. I was getting more comfortable and the pace of the pack was picking up. I looked around and I actually saw one other guy with unshaven legs, he looked at me and we both understood each other.
In my head I decided I would try for some points on the third sprint, but during the second sprint I found myself set up beautifully, if not a little far from the finish. I went
from the right side and two guys had already started off the front. I came by the front of the pack on the outside of a turn at about 33 mph and caught them by surprise. I quickly passed one of the away riders and then the other. I was all alone and wishing the line was near. The last 300 yards were torture, not able to let up and my only companion was the paranoia that I was being chased down. I wasn't going to look back, I had to keep going. Right at the line a guy appeared on my right and nicked me by half a length, but 2nd in the sprint was great.
I rode in the pack the next few laps and just when I was getting ready to contest the next sprint I flatted. Dang, at least it was near the finish. I pulled out and the race director said I could have $5 off the race next time because they didn't sweep the track before the race, sweet, I'll be back.

Battle the Bear XC Race Report

My first-ever cross-country mountain bike race. Since I do mostly endurance training I usually don't look forward to the short intense efforts that much. The course was in Bear Creek Lake Park, so I just had to get up and hop on my bike and pedal to the start, that was a real plus of doing this race. I knew the course would be dry and fast; each lap was 10 miles and had 3 climbs totaling maybe 300 feet of elevation gain.

The race started and I was sticking to the back as I didn't know what the pace would be like or how I would feel. Well as soon as we got to the singletrack I regretted this, I was stuck behind a few slow people on the singletrack and passing was difficult at best. We reached the first climb and I was making up spots and since climbing is my forte I was ready to go, but passing was even more difficult, I think I got by two others and that was it. On the back side of the course people finally started to spread out and it was easier to spin away.

During lap 2 I was doing well and felt good, I knew I should've gone harder that first lap, but was new to this XC race business. I opened it up a bit on the second lap and did a lot of passing, most of that was slower traffic from the 50 mile race that was going on as well. Everything went well throughout the race, no mechanicals and the only snafu was turning to go on another lap at the very end instead of going to the finish, I quickly corrected it, but 1 guy(thankfully not in my category, got past me while I veered to the right. The end result....2nd place in my age group. Finish time was 1:26:54, about 1.5 minutes from 1st place. No podium pic as I missed the ceremony while I was eating lunch, oh well. I'm glad I didn't sign up for the one lap beginner race, I would've totally killed and felt like a sandbagging schmuck to boot, sport was much better.

Quick catch up

Hey everyone has to have a myspace-esque photo right?

Today, my hips are sore, that's new. A pretty good weekend though I didn't do as much as I wanted (bailed out on the long road ride up Evans from my place).

Saturday:
Battle the Bear XC Race, 2nd place in my age group, a write up will follow.
Sunday:
17.5 mile trail run, this is what made me sore. The race the day before and standing around in the sun for hours after the race meant I started the run a little dehydrated and with tired legs. I ran up Waterton Canyon and then around the Indian Creek/Roxborough Park loop, it was the first time I ran this, but I have ridden it many times. I was a little beat up and stopped twice on the way back to soak my shirt in the river, it was in the mid 80's by the time I finished.

I also received my medal for second place in my age group for the Grizzly Man Adventure Race, I'll have to write a blurb about that race as well.

I'll now add a few pictures of recent things as well, I love spring.

View from a recent trail run at Deer Creek Canyon Park


Rockies game with friends


Carl re-fueling during a quick stop during a trail run

Even Steven!

Days commuted by car in 2008: 31
Days commuted by bike in 2008: 31

Gallons of gas saved: 36

Today is the day that I evened up my commuting miles for 2008.
I had made it a resolution to commute by bike more days than car in 2008. I was doing well the first week of January, even though it was cold and snowy, but soon was far behind due to bad weather, rest days before 24 HOP, recovery days after 24 HOP, and general wussiness. I have since turned the tables and today I evened it up.

I've saved about $120 in gas, which means I am no longer upside down on my commuter bike purchase.

Bike cost: $50
Fenders: $25
Rear Rack: $10
Seat bag: $6
Spare tube: $3
New Shifters: $18

Total: $112

I'm $8 ahead and enjoy my commute much more. Plus, my insurance on my car lowered because now I'm driving it only 2-3 times a week and most of that is on the weekend. I'll keep this in mind and make sure I don't go very negative on my investment here as I shop for a longer stem and taller geared crankset.

14A, you win this time.

Wednesday April 23rd, 9:30 a.m. 36 °F. I head out from my little motel room in Lovell, WY and turn onto US Route 14A.

The wind was slightly at my tail, it was my last day of vacation, the road was closed 20 miles ahead for the winter and I couldn't help but enjoy myself. I learned the previous day about the winter closure, but I still had the optimism that it would be clear and closed to cars only.


The miles were flying by, 25 minutes for the first 11 miles, tail winds make my legs feel good. The road was devoid of vehicles except for the occasional truck from the bentonite mine. The transition to the climb is gradual and sneaks up on you, before you realize it you're into a 5400+' climb. Around mile 16 my girlfriend caught me with the sag wagon as she wanted to see the route and wished she had brought her bike with as well. She drove next to me for 2 miles, it was nice having my own personal support car, I felt important. I was now having to work harder, but I didn't realize the incline because of how gradual it came on. Soon I was wondering, "Did I blow my legs in the race a few days ago?", "Did I not sleep well last night?" as my pace slowed and breathing rate increased. Soon the support car left to check out of the motel and I was left to finish up the ride. I still didn't know why I felt like I did on a slight incline, but I took a picture which later revealed what my "slight incline" really was.
Just after passing the 10% grade sign you come to this sign, I guess the climbing is about to actually start, sweet. It really is pretty out there and I would like to be back a little later in the spring when everything greens up, I've heard it's "...like riding through Ireland", at least until August when it browns up again. I was in a groove and remembered how much I love climbing; even though I promised my GF that I would turn around soon so we could drive 9 hours back to Denver, I really wanted to finish out the climb. The winter closure was fast approaching and before I knew it I was there. Hmmmm, nothing about no bikes, winter recreation? sure that can be me, keep on rolling.
I'd like to say there was less traffic, but after the closure was pretty much the same as before, nothing much, I did get passed by two truck hauling heavy equipment to clear the road up high, they must be getting ready to actually open the road to cars. Now the grade increased a little, maybe some shots up to 15% or so, a good time for sure.
Well I soon turned around and went back, my appetite wetted, I'll be back to finish it right soon.

A couple parting shots: