Snowman Stampede 10M (Denver) 2009

The air temperature was 24 degrees as I drove into Chatfield State Park. A stream of cars entered the Swim Beach parking lot filled with runners of all ages and abilities. The Snowman Stampede offers a five and ten mile running option. I registered for the ten mile. I managed to brave the cold just long enough to pick up my race number and timing chip then I retreated to the warmth of my car.

The confidence of my previous runs filled me. I have been adding one mile per week since the Frosty Frozen Five Mile race in January. Just last week I completed a nine mile run so I felt ready and prepared to face the day. So today was a special day. Today I would run the distance of ten miles… a feat I had not achieved since 2005.

So I rumbled through my running bag to pick the ideal pull over for the current temperature. The race director predicted 45 degrees, but it was clearly less than 30 degrees. There were slight winds and open space, so I opted for my long sleeve “Team CWW” pull over to wear for my run. I also wore a fleece hat and fleece mittens. I wanted to preserve my core temperature by not allowing heat to escape from my extremities. -- I affixed my race number to the front of my pull over and off to the “Start” line I went!

There were quite a few runners on this wintery day. I jogged a bit to bring my heart rate up before race start. I emptied the gravel from my running shoes just before we were about to start. I moved toward the back of the line as the five mile and ten mile runners started together, then the air horn sounded and we began to run toward mile marker one!

My legs seemed to have a life of their own… they moved rather rapidly relative to the pace that I have run when I trained. I enjoyed the read outs from my wrist GPS… my first sub-thirteen min mile pace and the frequent alerts that rang out every half mile! I was so very excited… running next to many of the five milers… I enjoyed the company and camaraderie! It was amazing!

I was tapped on the back by my friend Roger! We occasionally share a lane at Masters Swimming on Tuesday/Thursday at Arapahoe Community College. He snapped a quick photo of us as he ran… it was great to connect… even if only for a minute!

I settled into my pace… no ipod, no mp3 player… just my foot strike, my heart beat and the many thoughts that filled my mind. Endurance multi-sport is my most sacred time to commune with the Universe and feel my connection to the Divine. While the surface mind may see distance running as arduous and physically demanding, the soul is excited to experience the sacred solitude. So mile after mile went by… the majority of the runners near me turned at mile 2.5 to head back toward their finish. I continued forward fueled by pure determination and desire.

My mind pondered many things… my thoughts tumbled over and over each other… occasionally I would notice the incline or decent of the road surface… the intensity of the sun or the coolness of the breeze. It was delightful in many ways… I trotted on feeling happy and strong. There were several women just ahead of me and several behind. I caught and passed one couple and held my position with the others. Before I knew it I was on the way “Home”. Home is how I lovingly refer to the finish line. My legs were tiring now… heavy from the steady pace and fatigued from the inclines. “You can do it” I thought to myself… noticing my mile pace increasing as the race began to take it’s toll on my body. “Just keep moving…” I trotted on… knowing that the finish line was just around the bend.

The delightful sound of my Garmin rang to indicate a half mile to go. I tried to pick up my pace with what energy I had left. It was physically difficult, yes, but the cheers and the music lifted me and I sprinted toward the finish line.

I was proud of myself and my life… so grateful to be “back in the game”... so grateful to commune with the running community and so grateful to be one step closer to my goals and dreams!

Big Fun in the Sun… Swim, Bike, Run!!!!

Pace Heart Rate
Mile 1 - 13:21mm - 138bpm
Mile 2 - 12:54mm - 151bpm
Mile 3 - 13:49mm - 155bpm
Mile 4 - 13:03mm - 156bpm
Mile 5 - 13:17mm - 158bpm
Mile 6 - 14:20mm - 159bpm
Mile 7 - 13:57mm - 159bpm
Mile 8 - 13:55mm - 158bpm
Mile 9 - 14:49mm - 156bpm
Mile 10 - 14:39mm - 157bpm

Total - 02:18:53 Avg Pace: 13:48 mm - Avg HR - 154 bpm