Pikes Peak Marathon 2014 (Sunday 081714)

Pic from Brad P.

I will save the heavy analysis and overly done race report for another time.  For now I will keep it to this:  I had some strong spots, some weak spots, I ran some, I walked some, and I cramped like I always do,  I have run faster than this run today.  I have run slower.  Ultimately, I think I got out of me today what I had given the prep (or lack there of I had coming in).  Given that – I am happy with today’s round trip.

Coming into the race, I threw away the idea of any time expectations.  I really had no idea as I had not done any significant climbs like this, was lacking some true long runs (sorry burro runs only sort of count), and had limited time at altitude.  I figured I’d look to be easy as I could on the way up to Barr and then see what I had.

I got to Barr and had nothing but was able to keep generally positive and thought perhaps a sub 3:20 climb could be in the cards.  Then sub 3:15.  Then sub 3:10.  Once I got that, I thought perhaps a sub 5 could be in the mix. 

The race hurts.  It is stuff stuff to as someone said to me this week “jam your femurs into your ass for 13 miles.”  But I love it.  Nothing like feeling all those cramps in your car as you try to change your socks after the race to get some true signs you are alive.

Most of the fun in this race is not the race itself:  it is seeing friends and the Pikes family that you might only see once a year, catching up, buzzing about Pikes, Leadville, what people have been doing.  And along the way, you make some new friends as well.  Love that.  So yeah, I will be back if I am able.

More analysis paralysis later this week.