BolderBoulder 2013

Getting ready to run

 
  On Memorial Day, I ran in the Bolder Boulder 10k race.  I ran this race for the first time last year and I really enjoyed it.  The whole experience is just so much fun.  Joey wanted to come along again this year to watch and take some race pictures.  I had told my sister how much fun it was, so she decided to run it as well.  Bri came along to cheer us on too.
      Joey and I left from the cabin on Sunday morning.  We dropped the kids off at his Dad's house so they could watch them.  We headed to Boulder from there.  We drove through Leadville, Copper Mountain,Frisco, and Denver.  It took us a bit longer than it would've from the Springs, but the drive was amazing.  The scenery and views were breathtaking.  I am glad we got to go a different way and see different sites.
     When we got to Boulder, we checked into the hotel.  At that point, my brother, sister, and Bri also arrived at the hotel.  We headed down to Pearl Street.  They have a race expo there with different running things and lots of samples.  They also have a huge street fair/festival event.  There was so much to look at.  I had forgotten how different some of the people in Boulder are.  We were definitely entertained by some of the colorful people we saw. 
      After walking around, we decided to head to dinner.  I suggested Oskar Blue's because I had seen it the last time we went to Boulder.  It was a bit of a drive, but the food was actually really good and it hit the spot.  After dinner, we drove around Boulder a bit and then headed back to the hotel.  We relaxed at the hotel before going to bed early for the big race the next morning.
    We had to wake up on Monday at 5:00 a.m.  Our waves all started around 7:00 a.m.  My brother always likes to get to races with lots of time to spare.  We easily found a close parking spot and got ready to run.  Just like last year, I was utterly amazed at well this race is ran. It is by far the biggest race I have ever run, yet it is ran better than almost any race I have ever ran.  They have a ton of waves.  You have to qualify for waves if you want to be in the first waves. 
     My wave took off at the exact time it was supposed to.  I forgot how challenging of a course this was. The first 3 miles are all up hill. I honestly don't remember it being as hard last year.  It was much cooler last year, and it was pretty warm this year.  It is amazing how a few degrees in heat can make a race much harder.  I tried to have fun and enjoy all there is to see along the course.  There are a lot of spectators along the way.  Some are just watching with coffee in hand, there are slip in slides along the way, live bands, belly dancers, etc.  It very entertaining to see all the different people.  I struggled towards the end.  Near the end, I spotted Joey and Bri and that gave me a little boost that I needed.  The course ends in Folsom Field, but at the very end there is a steep hill to go up.  It was rough!  I was very happy to be across the finish line!!!
    After the race, I waited for Katy to come across the finish line.  We then met up with everyone else. We spent some time in Folsom Field watching people come across the finish line.  We then headed to the street to find a spot to watch the elite runners.  While we waited, we watched the las tof the runners and walkers go by.  We saw some great costumes! Around 11:30 the elite runners went by.  They are always fun to watch. 
     My time was not nearly as good as last year.  They text you your official time shortly after you finish.  I was very upset when I saw my time.  I really wanted to beat my time from last year.  The Bolder Boulder is so big, that your age group consists of just your age.  Most races do females aged 30-34 as an age group.  The Bolder Boulder does just 30 year old females as an age group.  There are a ton of age groups with a lot of runners in each group.  One single age group is about as big as an entire race usually is.  To get a medal you have to come in 15th or below in your age group.  Last year I was 22nd.  We pulled up results that morning, and I was escatic to see that I had placed in my age group!  I got 15th place.  I could not believe it.  To me that is a big accomplishment for such a big race.  So, why I wasn't happy with my time, I was happy with the place I got. 
    We had an amazing time again this year. I definitely decided to make the Bolder Boulder an annual race for me.  All the other races I do don't even come close to the Bolder Boulder.  It is really that fun.  

Near the start line

Lots of runners there

Some of our supporters

A picture of the "A"wave, which is the fastest wave.  They take off first.  This was the wave my brother was in. 

My brother towards the end

Look at him go!

Here I come

I was so happy to see them!

Here comes Katy

The finish line

Folsom field is beautiful

Watching the runners

All the siblings after the race.  If you would have told me 10 years ago, that all three of us would be running 10ks together, I never would have believed it. 

At Folsom Field

Sisters

Watching the elite runners go by

What a beautiful day to sit outside and watch some runners!

Here was the woman who was in first place in the elite females

Here is the first place male elite runner

First time to the Cabin

    This weekend we made our first trip up to the cabin.  We haven't been since August, and to say we were excited would be an understatement!!! Ashlyn has been asking for months when we were going to the cabin next.  She asked so much, that Joey even made her a special cabin count down calendar.  That way she always knows when her next trip to the mountains is.
       We left Friday evening and didn't get there until 9:00 or so.  The kids were kind of wound up from being in the car and excited to be there.  We finally got them to bed around 10:00 or so. 
       We woke up bright and early Saturday morning.  The kids had their favorite breakfast of pancakes made by their Papa.  Joey took the kids to feed the chipmunks and for a ride.  I stayed back at the cabin to do some organizing.  When I was done, I took my book outside on the front deck and read for a while.  It was pure bliss!!! We spent the rest of the day enjoying the outdoors and going on rides.  We had such a wonderful time enjoying nature and relaxing.  That night we had a fire and we all enjoyed smores.  We only ever get smores at the cabin, and they are such a good treat.  Everyone was ready for bed early on Saturday night.
    On Sunday morning, we were up nice and early as usual.  We all ate breakfast and Joey took the kids to the chipmunks one last time while I packed up our things.  When they got back, we headed out.  We had a short time up there this weekend, but still enjoyed every second.  We are already counting down the days until our next trip.  Our plan is to go up there a lot this summer.  I can't wait to make lots of wonderful memories this summer at the cabin. 

Here is the cabin countdown calendar

Feeding the chipmunks

Ashlyn's favorite part

They are always so hungry

They went down to the old cemetery as usual.  There is so much history there and it is kind of neat to see. 

A picture Joey snapped of the lake

Dawson exploring an old mining building. 

Taking a quick break

Another old mining mill.  There is still so much evidence up there from when it was a mining town.  It's really cool.  This year my goal is to take a lot of pictures to show my class next year when we do our unit on mining towns and the gold rush. 

They love going for rides. 

Sitting by the fire

Campfire giggles

Papa and the kids.  Dawson was loving his smore.

Ashlyn was adamant about roasting her own marshmallow this year.

Waiting patiently

Yummy!

Taking her first bite

Dawson and Mommy

We have a hummingbird feeder on the deck.  We entertain ourselves for hours just watching the hummingbirds.  They are such neat birds. 

Going for their last ride.

The chipmunks are very friendly

Eating right our of her hand