Georgetown/Idaho Springs Half Marathon Race Report

Well, far be it from me to skip a race. I mean, really, I PAID for it, after all.

Last week I was pretty sure that I would not be running on Saturday. I was feeling a lot better after starting my inhalers but I really wasn’t in very good shape - I’ve probably ran 3 times in the last 3 weeks. 

GT/IS is my absolute favorite half marathon. It runs downhill along I-70 (frontage road so it really doesn’t feel like your near the interstate) through the mountains to the town of Idaho Springs. It is not as steep as Slacker and has always been my fastest half of the year. 

Last year I PR’d with a 1:56 - it was an awesome day. This year I was hoping to beat my time with a sub 1:55. I kissed that hope goodbye after the past month.

Wednesday I was really feeling good, so I decided that I would run it as a training run. My energy was back and I was a happy girl. I was ready for some easy 3-5 mile runs for the rest of the week before the half.

I went to check the mail and hopped down my front steps. On the last step - for absolutely NO good reason - I got a horrible sharp pain in my right calf. What? Why??

The pain did not go away. I iced it and soaked it. I took ibuprofen, I elevated it. I could only walk on my forefoot, heel striking hurt like the devil. No running. 

Next day a little better but not gone. No running.

Friday quite a bit better but still no running. Still on the fence as far as the race. I was already at the end of my rope as far as all my setbacks from getting sick. I’ll admit I had a blubbering breakdown over this one. 

Saturday morning and I was doing alright. My dramatic “mailbox” injury was barely noticable. I hit the road and met up with a bunch of my Diva buddies for the race. 

The weather was  ideal. 40’s - oh, what a joy to feel chilly again! My goal? Beat 2:15 - anything else would be gravy.

The first two miles were not good. Every step I wondered why on earth I was doing this. Big mistake as I heaved and huffed along the small hills around The Georgetown Reservoir. But once we broke away and started downhill I started feeling pretty good.

Miles 3-7 along the road through the trees. It was so nice out, I was doing OK. Certainly not great, certainly not in any position to just open it up and fly. But doing just fine. I came across about half a dozen people that I knew including Jill from Run With Jill - all passing me, my wounded ego must admit. But how great is it to hear my name called out in the middle of the race and to enjoy a little company and chit chat along the way? How lucky am I?

Who are those lovely, albeit tired looking, ladies in yellow and blue? Why me and Jill!

Miles 7-9 is usually my favorite part of the race. We hit a dirt road along Clear Creek. There is shade and it’s the prettiest leg of the race. Alas, the dust really got to me. I started coughing and my lungs felt tight. Bummer. But still running, not walking. 

Wearing out but I kind of look like I know what I'm doing ...

Miles 9-12 should be really fast. Pretty much all downhill along the road into town. But my lungs were not happy. I slowed down quite a bit. But I didn’t mind. I was still running through. It was all good. 

Last mile to the finish and I was very glad to be at the end. But I wasn’t completely spent. I was able to turn up the speed and finish strong. Final time 2:08:33. Not half bad for a lazy sick-o.