Boulder Backroads Marathon 9/23/00

To wind up my first-ever racing season, which began with a 10k road run in May, it seemed appropriate to try a road marathon. I decided to enter the Boulder Backroads Marathon because it's a hometown event that is mostly on dirt roads.

Normally at this time of year, Indian Summer prevails with crisp, sunny days but occasionally an early season storm sneaks in. We had 3" of snow the night before the race and that was preceded by two days of light rain. This turned the dirt roads to slick mud, so finding dry patches was the game of the day.

About 450 did the marathon (a figure 8 loop) and 1200 did the half (an out-and-back), which left a half hour later. The temp started off around freezing and warmed up to mid 40s before it cooled off and started snowing again.

The first 2 miles along the edge of Boulder Reservoir were particularly scenic due to the snow cover, rising mist from the water, and all the runners still grouped together. At mile 4, Monique and Dougald were running the aid station while Phil was clicking away with his camera. At this point in the run, I was keeping an eye on my heart rate monitor to ensure I wasn't going too hard too early.

The section of paved road around mile 6 was made interesting by several songbirds chasing a hawk away and a herd of horses that was clearly excited by all the runners--of course, they had to show off and were galloping around their field. It pretended to get sunny for a little while and almost had us thinking the day would clear up.

Somewhere around mile 7, I fell in with three cute girls from Winter Park; Nancy was also doing her first marathon. We stayed together for the next four miles and I enjoyed chatting about Olympics and weather instead of just thinking about the run. Once again, I couldn't help but notice how guys are too surly for conversation. This high point of the run (a whopping 330' elevation gain from the start) actually is rather scenic since it's near the foothills and some mesas.

By the half way point, I began to really feel the repetitiveness of this event. Oh the monotony! I thought I was mentally and physically prepared for my first marathon. But I wasn't ready for how incredibly boring flat roads could be...probably why I never run on them. I did notice that a lot of runners's legs were covered in mud yet mine were almost clean--not sure what that says about my running style.

It didn't help that miles 14 through 19 loop through "Kansas" (rather uninteresting farmlands) or that the weather had deteriorated to low clouds, snow and cold. By now, I was starting to notice a dull ache in the Achilles that has bugged me for a couple of months, so I slowed my pace to minimize the hurt. However, this allowed my body to cool off more and my calves got tighter. A lot of runners, including Melanie (who I met at the Breck Crest), passed me, which didn't help my mood.

The long straightaway to mile 21 wasn't much fun. I even walked for a bit when the pain became more acute but I found it hard to start running again once the pain subsided. This cycle spiraled downwards over the next few miles and the realization sank in that I'd have to walk the rest of the way just to finish.

Since merely finishing wasn't the reason I entered, I turned off at mile 24 and walked alone to my truck. It would have actually been shorter to complete the course, and I'd likely have come in around 4:30 (1/2 hour slower than what I was shooting for), but I felt the risk of injury was too great knowing that I'd have tried to push anyway.

Oh well, had the weather been better and my body cooperated, I might have enjoyed this event. But I doubt I'll enter another regular marathon unless it promises spectacular scenery. Nothing to do with the distance or speed but I can't see putting in that much time on mind/body-numbing terrain. Give me trails any day. Ah ain't no Flatlander!

Despite this year's uncommon weather, I suspect the BBM will grow immensely in popularity. This was just the second running and I wouldn't be surprised if it reaches the cap next year. They had good support (aid every 2 miles) and it's likely a prettier course than most others.

Trivia from a Suunto Advizor:

Fast Cumulative:
max HR 162
avg HR 141
min HR 90
total gain 680 ft
avg ascent rate 4
total loss -710 ft
avg descent rate -46

HRM Memory:
165 peak
142 avg
80 min

duration 4:51
time above 163 HR 0:24
time in HR zone 3:38:43
time below 130 HR 1:12:31

Altitude HR asc/desc rate
5160 90 0
5150 159 0
5140 155 0
5200 162 4
5270 159 6
5330 160 5
5410 159 7
5500 161 8
5430 152 -6
5320 156 -9
5230 160 -8
5130 147 -9
5060 157 -7
5010 156 -4
5030 156 1
4990 154 -3
5010 155 2
5050 133 3
5140 155 9
5220 152 7
5270 145 4
5240 149 -3
5170 143 -6
5170 121 0
5120 111 -4
5120 103 0
5110 105 -1
5120 109 0
5120 106 0
5130 101 0

FWIW a few weeks after this, I completed the 25th Marine Corp Marathon in Washington DC in 4:02. Hated all the pavement but enjoyed seeing the city where I grew up from a different perspective. No more road marathons for me!