The DeLorme Family: 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.