It’s been a busy week here at Run Wiki. One week ago today I flew to Colorado with my friend Alison for a weekend getaway which you can read about HERE and to run the famous Bolder Boulder 10K at an elevation 5430 ft. above sea level. The Bolder Boulder is one of the largest 10K’s in the country (54,000 participants) held on Memorial Day every year. The race is the original “experience” race, with bands, slip and slides, dancing groups, people throwing marshmallows at you, beer bongs and bacon along the race course (yes, bacon and beer bongs) are just some of the things you will experience at (in my opinion) the best 10K in the world…
We went to pick up our bibs and swag bags on Sunday at the expo, which was on the Pearl Street Mall. Pearl St. is an outdoor Mall with fantastic restaurants, stores and plenty of street entertainers. The packet pick up was very well organized. We just gave them a number that the race organizers had emailed us and in a few seconds they handed us our packets.. there was no line when we were there. Many leading vendors were present handing out samples and coupons.
When the alarm went off Monday morning, we were packed and ready to go as we were flying back imediately following the race. This is the sunrise from my sister Kim’s house that morning.
We parked and walked to the bag check and starting line. There was a big line for the bag check but they took us to a separate fed ex van because we were in the “B” wave which was starting first. I have to say, that made us feel a little VIP. We jogged over to our corral just a few mintutes before go time.
It was relaxed and the corrals were NOT overcrowed. We were off and running, it was so much fun to approach all of the entertainment along the course. Not one band hurt your ears, in fact I came home and bought some of the music on Itunes. When I came upon the beer bong I just was not ready to guzzle beer at 7am and the slip and slide was occupied by four frat boys, so I missed that too (maybe I should have joined them) the bacon was at mile 5 or so and by the time I smelled it, I was bookin it home to Folsom Field where the race ends. It is so great to end a 6.2 mile race in a huge college football staduim with a crowd cheering for you. I am in love with this race. I had to remind myself I was only running a 10K because it felt like a huge marathon with the crowd support and entertainment. The best part about finishing was the post race expo. We were handed a snack bag and a beer (which I was ready to drink by then), but better than that we got to meet Olympian Kara Goucher at the Nissan booth. UMMMMM, I was so happy. She took her time and chatted with us, saying we should meet her and Shalane for beers next year at Boston. She thought is was funny that we were Kara and Shalane look alikes. See picture:
We were the fourth people in line, so Alison and I were given an autographed copy of her book Kara Goucher’s Running for Women: From First Steps to Marathons
And the final and most amazing part of this perfect weekend was meeting up with my friend Jen Hanson who I have known more than half of my life. This girl is not only beautiful on the outside but THE nicest, most postive person you will ever meet. She was there supporting her sister, although she is an avid runner herself but sidelined due to injury. I can assure you, this is not the last time you will see Ms. Jen on Run Wiki. We are planning on running a race together in the future for a very worthy cause close to her heart. Can’t wait!
If you have never run the Bolder Boulder 10K, please trust me when I say you need to put it on your bucket list. It was a weekend I will not soon forget. I love Colorado, love the city of Boulder, and I love this race.
I ran it in 48:06 (7:44 pace) and took 8th in my division. The race gives medals in the top 15 for every age, so I will be receiving a medal in the mail! Woot!!!
Have you ever run The Bolder Boulder 10K?
