Denver Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon

I've never considered myself to be an athlete--I played softball and basketball growing up, though not well, and was cut from the field hockey team sophomore year of high school (everyone could play freshman year).  I simply seem to lack hand-eye coordination, something that most sports require; running, however, does not.

I started running in the spring of 2011 in efforts to shape up for our wedding and much to my surprise discovered that I actually enjoyed it!  There was a great trail in Colorado Springs that I would run on a few times a week and it felt great to be able to run longer and longer distances.  Running a half-marathon was something I had always wanted to do, so I signed myself and Matt up for one in Estes Park in June 2012 (I posted all about that one here).  I was on such a runner's high after that race that I signed us both up for the Denver Rock 'n' Roll one last fall as soon as we got home--of course then I got pregnant with Will and my OB nixed running that race.

So, after Will was born this spring, I signed myself up for the Rock 'n' Roll half marathon and began training once my OB gave me the all-clear.  I found a trail up here similar to the one I loved in the Springs and would do a long run once a week while pushing Will in a running stroller.  It definitely was rough at first but every run became easier and it was great training pushing the stroller and running on a rather hilly trail--I knew the actual race course would be much flatter and I wouldn't be pushing a baby in a stroller!

The morning of the race was quite chilly but the weather was perfect by the time I actually started running.  Matt and Will cheered me on along the way and it was great to have that motivation.  I'm not sure exactly how many people ran the race but there were tons of people there, definitely a lot more than at the one in Estes park.  Runners were grouped into different corrals so that everyone didn't start at the same time but in waves, I was towards the back in corral 12 though I think there may have been about 20 corrals.

Lots of runners ready to go!

Pre-race, ready to get out there and run!

My goal was to finish in 2:15 which unfortunately I didn't quite make.  My official time was 2:32 but I clocked myself at 2:18 since I had to wait in line to use the bathroom after mile six and that took about 15 minutes.  Lesson learned: make sure to use the bathroom before starting regardless of how long the line for the porta-potty may be.

Sprinting to the finish!

I'm a bit sore today, but it was absolutely worth it!  I haven't signed myself up for another half just yet though I think I may try to do one a year...and hopefully I'll meet my goal of under 2:15 with the next one!

Feeling good after finishing!