Time to Rest!

It's been a while since I've posted, things are busy in my life but it all feels like it is coming together. In the past 2 weeks we've hosted a half dozen events or so at CSU, including speakers Condoleezza Rice and Dustin Lance Black, and events with thousands of volunteers like CSUnity and Project Homeless Connect. The semester is coming to an end, and the pressure is on for the limited time left before summer hits. Pure Pursuit is coming along, just figuring out how to ramp up production sustainably without loss of quality or sanity, but keep an eye out for those, they will be in stores soon enough. And of course running is feeling like a part of life these days as opposed to a chore. Actually 2 weeks ago a few buddies and I ran the Horsetooth Half Marathon along with almost 2000 other nutty runners and had a blast. The course is amazing, hilly and full of beautiful views of Fort Collins, the weather was great and we all had a great time. I pushed it hard up and over the hills and finished 77th overall, with a 1:35:51. Right on pace for the time I hope to get this Sunday in the Colorado Marathon. I am really just going to be happy to finish, but if I can squeeze in a 3:10:59, the Boston Qualifier time, I would be pretty excited!

Here is the elevation map for the Horsetooh Half.... Yikes....

Jude killing it! And of course representing Pure!!!


This was my final training run, last Sunday, almost 22 miles. I ran the first 11 strong and then relaxed and walked most of the rest. I was actually in full tapper mode and tried sneaking this run in after a night of drinking wine and not eating or resting enough to really kill this run. And I was a little dehydrated and low on fuel so I didn't want to push it and get hurt a week from the marathon. But I was still happy to get out and put in the miles even though they were slow going. The tapper is hard for me, because I like to go go go, and taking time off is difficult, I hate sitting around! But I know I need to manage this week so I am fresh for the race, yet another test in this new world of being a runner. Over the past 4 months I have run just over 330 miles, transitioned to minimalist shoes, rode mountain bikes, road bike, and my skis, and finally summer and the culmination of all this hard work is around the corner! I don't plan on dropping off after the race this Sunday, running has become part of my life, and although I will start finding more time for all the other things I love to do as well, I am going to keep pushing it hard and seek out more races to train for! It's been an amazing journey, my body feels healthy and strong, my life is sunny and enjoyable, and I'm having fun! Anyway, this is probably the last post before the race, I won't be doing anything too exciting this week, but come back to see the results from this weekend and for a write-up of a runners first marathon!


This is what we get to run through for the first 17 miles or so. Although I have spend countless days up there over the past decade, living on the river in the summer and hiking or riding the trails throughout the years, I have never had the pleasure of enjoying the view so intimately from the road. Can't wait!! See ya all next week and get out there and pursue your life!!!

FAC!

What a great way to end the week and start the weekend!! A little Friday Afternoon Club outing!! The guys saddled up and we headed to Lory State Park for some shredding!! We even ran into a few of our buddies up there along the way and got to do some downhill riding and crashing with them!! Here are some pictures, summer is feeling right around the corner on the Front Range.









We also got a few good runs in at the end of the week and start of the weekend, cresting for the first time close to 50 miles for the week on foot!!! My hat goes off to Steph too for taking down an 11 mile, her longest run yet! We kept a good pace, chewed up some hills and trails, and cruised the last few miles along the pavement. She is making the transition to minimalist running too with her new pair of New Balance MT101's, which she wore today for 11 miles, seemingly making the switch to flatter shoes with little to no effort! Have a great weekend everyone!!

(Wednesdays smoky flavored run! Local forest fires made it interesting)

(Saturday's run with SA)

25... Rad!!

Well I pushed it this morning to a new personal best, 25 miles!! Felt great, 75 percent of it was on trails, the weather was sunny and near 80, I saw some deer and bunnies, it was a great run. I wore some fancy running shorts with built in undies that were like magic, chafe be gone forever.... I hope... I did find that in the last few miles the insides of my arms and lats started to rub a bit, but that was really my only complaint. I don't know if I ate right last night, but I didn't bonk so it worked, however I do feel like maybe I ate too much because I was pretty full for the first few miles, and maybe super spicy Italian sausage in my pasta dinner could be substituted for something a little more bland. Luckily there were forest service bathrooms throughout the run! Well I am feeling pretty confident for the marathon in a month, today's run was pretty hilly, with some long steep hills, and the marathon is almost all down hill. Well if you are in Colorado I hope you are enjoying the sunshine!! Later!!

Oh for those statistics types, I did the run in 3:58:48, so although slower than I want by quite a bit, that includes a few bathroom breaks, 3 or 4 long steep hills, a water break and a food break. Well go get some!!