Bolder Boulder 10km

Friday, June 8, 2012

For my final event of the spring season, I had the opportunity to race Bolder Boulder in Colorado. An international team division makes this road race unique. I was asked to be on the three-member Canadian women’s team that included Leslie Sexton and Lanni Marchant. World-class runners compete for prize money in separate women’s and men’s elite races. Boulder is located at an elevation of about 5200ft and the race has a reputation for eating sea-level dwellers alive; it doesn’t help that the first four miles represent a gradual climb.

The quality of the elite competitors didn’t dawn on me until I found myself walking to the start line with US great, Deena Kastor. It’s a humbling experience to be a good 200m behind the leaders just minutes from the gun going off. Although I was running close to marathon pace, I was breathing hard and deep.

The support from locals along the way was incredible and it was surprising to hear countless renditions of “Oh Canada” as I passed. We ran the last 300m of the race in the University of Colorado stadium. The majority of those who ran the citizens race were in the stands waiting for the elite finishers to come in and were cheering like crazy. It was all pretty wild.

Mar, Leslie, Lanni and Steve

The race experience was terrific and I hope Canadians are invited back to this quality event. Boulder is a beautiful town and we were treated very well. It was a pleasure to spend time with runners from other parts of Canada and a great way to finish off a really successful season.

Pre-race Track WO in Boulder

I am currently in the middle of a scheduled break and am enjoying the rest while I can before Coach Trent starts to ramp things up in preparation for marathon training.