Highlands Ranch Turkey Day 5k Race Recap

Highlands Ranch Turkey Day 5k

Pre-Race: Spike and I had run a 4 miler the previous day on the Cherry Creek Trail and weren't expecting much for this race given the altitude and hills the course was sure to have. We woke up to temps in the teens and dressed accordingly before heading over to Highlands Ranch Shea Stadium to meet up with Heather from Dietitian on the Run and her boyfriend D. She spotted me at packet pick-up and after a quick pic we all headed back to our car to stay warm and chat until the Start.

Yeah for Bloggy Meet-ups!!!

Start Corral: The start area was the drive leading past Shea Stadium and the race organizers did their best to keep the speedies up front and the walkers in the back with signage and volunteers directing. Because it was so cold our warm-up consisted of jumping up and down in place trying to stay warm while we contemplated whether or not we should/could race and/or run for fun. Moments before the Start I told her I'd do my best but she could pull away if needed, and at the very least we'd start together...

The Race: Besides feeling like someone was crushing my lungs the entire time and full on gasping for air at points, my legs actually felt really fresh and I was able to hold on to Heather much better than I expected. I was definitely giving it my all and made it a point not to look at my pace but rather run by feel and give myself the option to ease up if the altitude and hills got to be too much. We finally crested the course after multiple turns and hills and were able to negative split the race, finishing side by side with a victorious 7:30ish average! Take that altitude!!!

According to Hermes:

Mile 1: 7:46 P

Mile 2: 7:41 P

Mile 3: 7:17 P

.16: 6:29 P

Final Chip Time: 23:48 / 3.1 M for 7:41 P
(Hermes Time: 23:46 / 3.16 M for 7:31 P)

Post Race: After we made it through the Finish chute and the volunteers took off our ankle bracelets (I've never raced with these before... they were old school!) I immediately began coughing my brains out and proceeded to for the next hour plus. The thin air really does a number on you if you're not acclimated and I was a little embarrassed. We all recapped the race to one another and met up with Harmony of Harmony's Travels and her boyfriend the Barefoot Runner who had come to spectate. (I got to meet Harmony last year for coffee and lo and behold she and Heather live about 3 blocks apart!) Because it was Thanksgiving and all we had to get back to my Dad's so after a bit more small talk we all went our separate ways to celebrate the holiday.

Harmony & I - Thanks so much for trekking out to spectate! It was great seeing you again!!!

Despite the conditions Spike was able to pull out a Top 5% Finish!

Post Race Thoughts: The course wound through a neighborhood and out along a main roadway before hopping on to a trail for the final mile-ish into the Finish. When I wasn't gasping for air I was enjoying the scenery and the trail section was perfectly placed just off 2 miles to help you mentally gear up for the Finish. The race was very well organized considering there were 869 racers; from parking to packet pick-up, start area to anklet removal, the race coordinators did a n excellent job. The post race goodies were awesome with donut & pretzel holes, granola bars and beer! The Finisher's shirt was, as Heather described, a horrible mustard colored long sleeve cotton tee and has already been handed off to my little sister. Parking was easy in and out and there was barely even a line for the bathrooms (not porta potties!!!) minutes before the race!!! I will definitely run this race next year and highly recommend it to anyone that lives in the area.

Thanks again to both Heather and Harmony (and their respective men folk) for meeting up with us!!! Next year we'll try to allow for more time to hang out post-race and/or during our trip.

And that my friends is the last of my race recaps from vacation. Tomorrow resumes regular blogging about running randomness and the like.