Bolder Boulder... 6.2 miles of marshmallows, beer, and fun

The Bolder Boulder is, according to Runner's World magazine (apparently), America's "all time best" 10k. It had better be considering it literally takes up an entire 3-day weekend in Boulder. Among the over 56,000 participants are world class runners, wheel-chair racers, children (a lot of them), walkers, and of course, my crew. I did not enter this race to win (uhh- 12 minute miles.. yikes), I entered to have a good time. Running this 6.2 mile course is like a mix between a giant Boulder block party, a circus, and an 8-year old's birthday party. Let me take you on our journey through the Bolder Boulder (pictures were taken with my iphone... while running...please excuse the poor quality).

This is a picture of Whitney (the other special ed. teacher at my school, and my other half at work) and I at the start of the Bolder Boulder. We've already ridden bikes to the start, braved the near endless lines of the port-o-potties and chased our wave for a few blocks (which, to give you an idea of how big this race is, started over 2 hours after the first wave). There were somewhere between 80-90 waves in all and we were still weaving in and out of people the entire 6.2 miles. We are ready for victory, glory, and a good time.

This picture is somewhere around mile 2. In trying to capture the enormity of this event by taking a picture of all the runners going up a hill, I actually captured the hilarity of the event by snapping a picture of the purple people. They may or may not have been the Boulder High track team... completely painted in purple... I couldn't wait for it to rain. Shortly after this, we rounded the corner to a family tossing marshmallows to the runners. Although I greatly appreciated the sugar, one could only imagine how difficult it is to continue breathing with a marshmallow in your mouth. Onward....!

Oooo look... we found Arlene and friend! Arlene is our "coach" in our district (and second mother) and hasn't missed a Bolder Boulder in years! We were grateful to have her waiting for us at mile 3, tu-tu and tiara clad. Maybe you think this is crazy, but in fact, this is the norm at the Bolder Boulder. Thanks for offering us the cheering section we needed. Quick picture... and we're off!

So somewhere between miles 3-4 (after the slip-n-slide and kiddie pool, but before the second group of stilted circus performers), was the Avery Brewery yard party. I had two words for them: "Thank God". We took a short excursion off the course to some dude's front lawn to grab some free Avery brews. I went with a nice, light White Rascal...mmmm. A half-mile or so later, when our beers wouldn't stop foaming up, we ditched them... but a little more revived for having drank 1/2 a beer. We were ready to conquer the hill of doom up to Folsom Field.

So the hill wasn't that bad. Here it is, Folsom Field, we get to run in with all of our glory to finish our journey... a bit intimidating, if anything. Notice the clouds and fog where there should be mountains. "A cloudy day in Colorado", you may ask? Yes, it's true, and it was a glorious day for this event, not 90 degrees like last year. It is at about this point where Whitney suggests (much like a certain friend last year), "let's sprint!!!". Also much like last year, I manage to trip and nearly plow down another runner over the finish line. Heyy.. let's chalk it up to tradition!

Here we are at the finish line, still alive. Notice, by the way, I'm wearing the American Cancer Society shirt... represent!!! It was a great time.. and hey.. I'm proud of our 12 1/2 minute miles... considering we also managed to take a picture with our biggest fan Arlene, scarf down some marshmallows, almost do the slip n slide, drink 1/2 a beer, and weave in and out of 56,000 people. Who's in for next year?