I am not so great about keeping traditions. Its not that I don’t want to make and keep with them. I love the idea of doing something annually for the sake of consistency, meeting up with friends new and old, and now introducing my children to those things I love and feel are important. I believe this is the allure of the Turkey Trot as part of our holiday tradition.

Turley’s CU Turkey Trot has become part of that tradition since I really added racing into my running routine some 15 years ago. The Boulder Road Runners used to consistently run two races at the CU Research park. One on the 4th of July and one on Thanksgiving. Fellow Fleet Feet runner George Zack used to point out, these two races were a great way to benchmark your fitness throughout the season, and I took that to heart in many ways. I have run these races through a variety of ebb and flows in my life and fitness. When I was not as fit, just a few weeks after a marathon, to when I was really fit and all in between.

This year’s Turkey Trot was no exception. Not being able to gain back any consistency in my running since May, I realized that I am trying to race myself back into shape right now. I haven’t had any time on the track, might have done a handful of harder efforts, but really the last 3 races are where my hard efforts have fallen.

Starting Line

I had no expectations for the day except to get out and run controlled yet hard. Two miles of warm up and some stride outs in shorts and a long sleeve tech T left me realizing that this 10am start might be warmer than anticipated. But instead of worrying about a shirt change at the last min, just rolled up my sleeves and headed to the now crowded starting line. Exchanged a few smiles and handshakes with my co-conspirators and got my iPhone ready for the start.

Oh yeah, I didn’t bring my Garmin or a watch today so I was keeping time and tweeting my progress every mile with the iMapMyRun application. (I really need to get an armband type solution for running on hard days as its a but cumbersome just to carry by hand, but there is a post on that to come.)

A record 1,400+ participants gathered at the new starting line just east of the former. This year they decided to run the race in counter-clockwise loops, reverse of all previous years. (view map) The hope was it would be a quicker course and would alleviate a hairpin turn about 400 yards to the finish line which left your mind, lungs and legs in a quandary.

The countdown, the siren, and we are off. Fast and furious. Runners young and old take off as fast as they can without any concern for actual pace. I tend to think I am beyond such foolishness and can pace myself where I need to be from the line, but know this is rarely the case.

Start of the Turley's Turkey Trot 5k. Photo Courtesy of Laurie Mizener

By the first turn and the one uphill stretch, a gap is already starting to form between the lead group and myself. In better days I might go, but today is just about getting out with ease and staying steady. I relax through it, and enjoy the stretch along Colorado Ave is now slightly downhill and get into my stride. Mile 1 goes by with ease as we loop around the eastern edge of the research park. (Looking at my tweets later, I found out this was a 5:30 first mile, which was about on target.)

As we finish the first loop, crowds are gathered and are cheering for those going by, I hear a familiar voice or two yell out my name and words of encouragement. Back up the hill again is harder the second time around, but now I am starting to close on a few that have gone out too hard in the beginning. This builds my confidence a bit and I start to focus on pulling them in.

Through the second loop the road becomes congested with the masses of walkers. They are scattered enough at this point I can still make it by without really having to yell “On your left”, but now and again have to weave and bob.

Now I can feel really feel the full effects of my efforts. I am in full debt and it becomes the time when you wonder how long you can hold the pace.

With about 800 yards to go, I pass another runner giving me enough of a boost to push full force through the finish.

I am on the left of the street with the river of walkers on my right. I now have to navigate through to make the right turn into Potts filed to finish on the track. I was able to find a decent hole and quickly moved over to the right hand side.

Finish strong- Photo by Laurie Mizener

Now onto the track I can see the women’s front runner, Fiona Docherty 200 yards away and no one else in between. I have no idea what the time on the clock is but knowing that this could make or break my goal, so I try and keep my head down and push. Coming into the line with a final kick I am relieved to see 17:XX  still on the clock. I believed I finished just under 18 at the time. Later when I found my official time was 17:43 I was even more excited about the effort.

After the race, I chat and catch up with old friends and new acquaintances, talking races and life. The semi-annual benchmark.

I stayed around to watch a few of the kid’s races around the track. Proud families cheering and running with this new wave of runners, introducing them to their passions and building traditions for years to come. One day I vow to be more organized, and/or less selfish in my own racing, to start building my family’s holiday rituals.

On a run a few weeks ago, I ran by a row of young trees lining a road that had failed to relinquish their leaves to the season. I thought it odd at the time, but given the warm weather, not surprising perhaps.

Lately I’ve really been feeling the effects of living. The delicate balance of work, family, social, community and of course running isn’t quite in-sync.

As I started on my run today, I recognized the stress built up in my shoulders and paid particular attention to relaxing them, running with ease from the core, and relaxing the mind.

I ran by the same row of trees and again noticed their reluctance to let go of their recent past. Their leaves brittle, dry and an appropriate hue of brown for the season.

“Why wont these trees just let go?” I thought.

In many ways the trees were like myself. In the fall of my lifestream, a Master’s runner, I had a great season of racing last year. I was fit. But now I am slow coming back from a broken foot bone back in May, brittle, inflexible and yearning to regain the consistency and flow in my running.

A fair reminder to myself.

Let go of my expectations, pre-conceptions and my comfort zone. Not just in my running but throughout my life and career path. If there is one thing living in Colorado has taught me, trust in the seasons. Patience and perseverance will be rewarding.

Its timely that the coming week is about giving thanks. Thanks for the big and the small. Enjoying a run in late-November in shorts and a t-shirt. Laughing with my family, watching them grow. Enjoying the morning light on the flatirons. And perhaps, hopefully soon, I will again be able to push the mind and body to its full potential.

Zen and the Art of the Easy Run

I took it out a bit too fast yesterday. Headed out at a pace that felt comfortable at first then progressively got faster. For all intents and purposes this became what Greg McMillan would call a Fast Finish run. A great workout to have in your training program. But this came the day after a 13 mile run, my longest single run, and my biggest mileage week to date since my foot injury in May. Later that night my legs were feeling tight and fatigued.

So today I needed to go easy. E-A-S-Y.

Going easy can be tough. I usually run by how I feel that day. Feeling good, as in yesterday, then go. Feeling not so good, take it for what its worth: a chance to be outside connecting with my surroundings. Strategies for running easy may include: running with a slower friend, being social, or paying close attention to your heart rate monitor.

In Denver where I work during the day, the options for smooth uninterrupted running routes are limited and they can become monotonous over time. So today I figured I would embrace the rest and find a new route. Nothing planned. Just get out and start running.

As I started from downtown, my legs took me in the path of least resistance. Traffic lights determined if I went straight or turned to keep moving. Within a few blocks I was headed towards Coors Field and had in mind I would head north towards the Highlands, but I got turned around when the sidewalk ended at a fence on the west side of the stadium. Instead of back-tracking, I continued around the south then east side of the stadium. Over railroad tracks, newly developed real estate, the South Platte bike path, towards the I-170 and I-25 on-ramps.

Recently I have been running with an iPhone and the iMapMyRun application. The 3.x version has a live map view and photo integration which suites my needs tremendously as I have always enjoyed snapping a few photos to capture the view, a particular moment, or perhaps “jog” my memory about that particular run.

After another mile or so, I looked at the app’s map view to get my bearings. I noticed Chaffee Park was just a few blocks away, so I headed in that direction. When I got there, I looked around for a acceptable photo opportunity.

I snapped a photo, then checked the map for my next “place of interest,” then off I went again, repeating until I circled back around into downtown.

Charting a new course allows you run in areas you might not normally visit, see new things, take in new details, tie back into the flow of running. So next time take a left, or even go straight and go a bit further than you had before. Become comfortable in discovering new territories – building on your confidence to challenge yourself.

If we open ourselves to the universe

On the way home I was listening to a Running Times podcast with Master’s runner and coach Pete Magill, (website: Younger Legs for Older Runners ) who points out the #1 thing masters runners do wrong is run(or any runner for that matter) is go too hard on their easy days, then are not fresh enough for their tough workouts. This mirrors the comment Jeff Galloway made at a recent in-store appearance about how he found it hard to run easy days with Kenyan runners because they went too slow (to start).

Ok guys, I am listening!

Big Dry Creek

Since I was at the R.A.C.E. Conference this weekend at the Westin in Westminster, I thought it would be a good opportunity to explore the trail system around the hotel. The main trail there is the Big Dry Creek which as several access points from City Park and the Westin and goes both west and east from this point.

If you make regular trips along Highway 36 between Denver and Boulder, you probably have noticed the trail just at 104th, Church Ranch Road.

Heading east from the hotel parking lot, the trail gently descends as it winds through the city’s corridor. With the wind at my back and fresh legs the trail lulled me into a false sense of fitness. My legs turned over quickly and my breath was barely audible as I relaxed into the pace. When I did turn around 4 miles later, I found myself faced with the reality of heading slightly back uphill and into the weather blowing in from the west. On the return I focused on the view of the Front Range and the steadiness of my breath.

According to American Trails.org there are about 10 miles of trail and bike path that is used by walkers, joggers, bicyclists, equestrians, bird watchers, wildlife enthusiasts, and commuters.

Westminster began the preservation of the Big Dry Creek Open Space and Trail Corridor in 1989 with the acquisition of four acres. The Big Dry Creek Trail connects significant points of interest across Westminster. On the west, the trail begins at Standley Lake Regional Park in Jefferson County and spans to the east to the eastern border of the city of Westminster.

The trail is well maintained and much of the surface is gravel or soft dirt. There are many underpasses along the trail which allows you to run without crossing streets or other interruptions for miles and miles. A great place to get your long run, tempo, or any run in.

There are great views of the Front Range, and abundant wildlife including bald eagles.

More trail information about Big Dry Creek http://www.ci.westminster.co.us/246_1671.htm

Marshall Valley Trail

Well of course it is. It just snowed enough to gunk up the dirt on the trail. What I always seem to forget is how sticky the trails get along Marshall Mesa Trail, Community Ditch and Dowdy Draw. Its that wonderful soil that just like to build to a nice girth on the bottom of your shoe, making it very awkward to keep a decent stride. It was a chilly October afternoon with misty cloud cover but the landscape was fantastic, speckled with evergreens, reds, golds, sienna and white.

proof

View from Community Ditch

Coal Seam Trail, Marshall Mesa, Boulder, CO

In the past few days we have had drizzly snow, then warm again and today meets with snow. There was enough of the white stuff to get everyone excited and lead to many great photo opportunities.

Early Winter Snow Chautauqua