2015 Run Through Time Marathon

26.2 Miles - 4:46:58,

3500 ft elevation gain

Salida, Colorado



It took me a lot longer than usual to get around to writing this report. Part of that was because I was mad at my Garmin for not uploading the data of this race. It had no problem uploading workouts the week after the run but for some reason it has something against his race. After trying to upload the data many times I finally broke down and manually entered the time distance and splits into my running log.

This is my 3 consecutive year running this marathon. I love going back because the course is beautiful The weather is also awesome, maybe a bit cold for some people, I think it has always been between 30-50F. This year was by far the best weather and at the same time by far the worst trail conditions. It snowed a lot a week ago and then it was melting while we were running the race. Finally I love this race because it’s cheap, the marathon is $53. I’ll keep coming back.

Miles 0-8 ( 8 miles @ 10:03 pace)
The beginning of this race is a 2 mile loop on nearly flat dirt roads. I think it’s a great idea because it spreads out the runners a bit before we hit the single track. After a little climb this first section is mostly up and down not too hard. In the prior years I had to walk up the last big climb but this year I cruised all the way up that hill. The trail was a mess but at the time it was frozen mud which didn’t slow us down and wasn’t slippery.

Miles 9-14 (6 miles @ 10:44 pace)
This next section was all dirt roads and all up hill. The first 4.5 miles of this section alone climbed 1300ft. In previous years I had walked up big portions of this road but not today. Again I was stronger and I powered up the climb without needing to walk. At the half marathon mark I was at 2:15 which was 5 minutes faster than last year and 10 minutes faster than the year before. I thought I was on my way to 4:30 or faster time.

Miles 15-20 ( 6 miles @ 10:48 pace)
The second half of this race is mostly downhill so I was ready to kick some butt. On the back side of the course we encountered miles of snow of anywhere between 6 inches and 2 feet deep. The runners ahead had started a trail but I found myself leaping from step to step. In some place the holes I was stepping into went past my knee. Finally I had to walk 16 miles into the race on a flat section, I was pissed off. The downhill was ruined and it was impossible to find any rhythm or pace. Adding to my frustration I missed a turn and had to backtrack making the race 26.9 miles long.

Miles 21-26.9 (6.9 miles @ 11:18 pace)
Now we were finally out of the snow but that frozen mud had thawed out into a giant mess. Through all of the snow and mud I was determined to keep my pace up which really took a toll on my legs. By the time the mud was over and the trail was clear I had nothing left. I was a little discouraged that I had worked so hard on the uphill only to have everything go down in flames on the downhill. I stopped looking at my watch back at mile 16.

Course Personal Best
Despite the fact that I run ran the uphill part of the race faster than the downhill it was enough for a course best for me. I was about 2 minutes faster than last year and about 10 minutes faster than 2013 year before. I like to think of this race as a preseason check because a slow time here represents a much faster road time in May I think I am in at least 3:27 shape.
2013 - 4:56 -> 3:31 in May at Colfax Marathon
2014 – 4:48 -> 3:27 in May at Colorado Marathon
2015 – 4:46 -> ???

2014 Run Through Time Marathon

Salida, Colorado
4:48:29 (8 minute course PR)

In Colorado this is the earliest marathon of the season, the next opportunity is late April. I have decided to make this my early season fitness test. I love this race, the views are amazing the people are laid back. This was my 16th marathon and my second on this course. I have become a much more laid back runner I don’t worry about my training, taper, dinner breakfast or anything. I just love to go out and run.

First climb 0 – 7 miles
The race started on the road and I stayed calm and tucked into the middle of the pack. It’s a long climb and I am not very fast on the uphill. It was about 30F and I was wearing a long sleeve shirt and shorts. I knew it would warm up once the sun came out. Running a trail race is weird in the beginning it’s like everyone is trying to hold out and not walk for as long as possible. Not me I know how I like to run trails and my strategy include lots of walking mixed with running.

Big Climb 8 – 13
At mile 8 we left the single track and started up the dirt road. Even with my short walk breaks I had passed a lot of people. I remember how bad I felt on this road last year, this year was different I felt relaxed and fine. I cruised up the 5 miles of dirt road (2,400ft vertical) with out to much trouble. At the top I was so happy that I was not only 5 minutes ahead of last year’s time but it felt so much easier this time.

At the Top 14-20
It was a nice relief to finally not be running uphill. Once at the top the course rolled up and down but the down side was now it was mostly over snow and ice. I almost fell a few times and I pasted a few people with some battle wounds. After passing the aid station at mile 13 the crowds thinned out and for a few miles I didn’t see another soul. It was amazing to be out away from people and civilization at the same time a little scary. I thought I lost the course but then rejoined a small group. Mile 19 and 20 were step down and in some places to steep to run. My legs got very tired and I actually looked forward to some climbing.

Downhill to the Finish 21 -26.2
Actually this section starts off with a huge hill of about 300’ over a half mile. After that the rest of the race was huge down hills with the occasional short ups. Once we dropped in elevation the snow disappeared and we were back on dirt. Everything hurt and eventually it was hard to keep pace even on the downhill. I stopped to catch my breath and take a few pictures and then I was off again. The finish is very low key you run across the bridge into the finish with 10’s of people cheering you on and there are no metals. I love everything about this race.
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/462445017

Last year I ran 4:56 which translated to a 3:31 road marathon 2 months later. So I am hoping that my 8 minutes faster will translated to 8 minutes faster in May and a new PR! At the same time this was a training weekend. Sunday I went out for a 12 mile trail run making the weekend 38 miles of trail running.


Not my worst race picture, I think this is mile 3
 

Mile 4ish 
 

Nice view of the snow capped 14,000ft peak (Mt Shavano) 
 

Here is the dirt road, doesn’t look like much but it never ends 
 

Mile 15 – highest spot and lots of snow and ice 
 

Mile 18 - This is looking away from town, the mountains seemed to stretch on forever without any signs of civilization 
 

Also near mile 18 going down hill 
 

This course had it all mud, dirt, pavement, snow, ice and even sand 
 

This is about 100ft later and now its steep downhill on sand 
 

Almost back to town (mile 23) 
 

Mile 24. It was hard to watch the trail with the awesome views 
 

We weren’t done yet and the town disappeared below the hill 
 

This might be my new favorite trail picture. Mile 25 the finish is just over the hill 
 

2013 Run Through Time Marathon

I have wanted to run this race for years but I had been too afraid of the terrain and possible bad weather. This is the earliest marathon available in Colorado, most are in May-June. But this year I was determined to not chicken out and $50 for a marathon is a steal. But I got more than I barged for in this adventure. The marathon had 4 aid Stations at miles 8, 13, 20 & 23 so I am going to use that to break up the race report as well. Miles 0-8 (10:47 pace) The race started just outside of town at the base of the mountains at an elevation of a little over 7,000 ft. It was 32F and snowing lightly, not enough to build up on the ground. I felt overdressed in my pants, jacket, ski hat and gloves but I knew it would be colder once we climbed into the mountains. After doing an easy 2 mile loop we took left and went straight up the mountain (2.5 miles – 500’). After that we ran on a rollercoaster type trail to the first aid station. I felt pretty good for this entire section. Miles 9 – 13 (12:04 pace) At this aid station we turned off the single track and ran up a very steep dirt road (4mi – 1400’). I knew that the bulk of the climbing would be done at mile 13 so in the back of my mind I knew I would be fine one I got to the top. As we climbed this road the snow got heavier and heavier and the temps plummeted. I started this section off strong but then my calf started to cramp. I was in freak out mode, 10 miles in and I was already cramping. I walk/ran most of this section in 2:00 minute cycles or as much as I could take without cramping. Near the top we were running in snow 2-4’’ deep with temps below 20F. The course peaked out around 9,000’ elevation. Now it was time head back to civilization. Miles 14 – 20 (11:15 pace) Now back on single track I was happy to have some downhill. The terrain was difficult and big rocks were hidden by the freshly fallen snow. The good news was my calf was fine the bad news was my knees were destroyed. They ached from running and slipping around in the snow, every step felt off balance and you weren’t sure how your foot would land. Everything I was wearing was soaked and very cold most worry some were my feet, I could feel cold water squish though my toes with every step. In my mind I stayed positive and continued onward. Miles 21-23 (11:58 pace) Running downhill is about at tough on your quads and going up and mine had about had all they could take by now. As we dropped in elevation the trail got easier to run (only wet now). I was running at a nice even pace and even pushing the pace a bit trying to keep up with a small group. Suddenly I felt very ill I was light headed and was about to puke, I think I just push myself too far into the red. I walked a bit and took an S-Cap (sodium) which supposedly can calm your stomach as well as replace electrolytes. I never puked (never have during a race still) and after a short time I was off on my way again. Miles 24-26.2 (10:10 pace) That sick feeling was horrible and I wasn’t about to do that again, so I held myself back to an easy pace for the rest of the race. Seeing the town down below me at the bottom of the mountain was an awesome feeling. In the last mile I saw about 4 spectators and 0 fellow runners running in the race. At the finish line there was only one elderly couple, one the husband calling out numbers and the wife writing down the times. No cheering section, no completive sprint to the finish, no metal but still extremely rewarding. The post race food was hot potato soup, which tasted like that best thing the world. Highlights/Takeaways -I reached my goal of sub 5:00:00, although this near cause me to puke because I was pushing so hard near the finish. -After reflecting back on this day I realized something that I was very proud of. I had some major hurdles/setbacks to overcome such at the snow, cramping, terrain, the climbs, frozen feet, knee pain and nearly puking. But quit never entered my mind, I know I can overcome any problem I encounter during a run. -I have entered this mentality that every run even a race is training. The next day I was out the plan of testing my mental and physical limits. I made it 10 miles because I ran out of time and had to take my daughter to gymnastics. -I saw a cactus surround by snow (not running related but interesting to me) -Still I think I could have done better, pacing this kind of race is near impossible and I could have been better prepared. I think I can do better and so I will be back next year to beat my time. And finally some pictures. I have to say I am a little disappointed with my pictures. I don’t have any of the really snowy sections. I do remember talking them but maybe I just thought I was taking pictures. In town looking up at the mountains we are going to climb which was a little intimidating. This is about 2 miles in getting ready to climb those mountains ahead on the left Mile 4 on the first real climb of the day Mile 7ish, show is starting to stick to the ground Mile 10, snow is getting heavier I think this around mile 15, I thought took two pictures here one of the trail (apparently never happened) and this one looking out at the nearby mountains Mile 22, this is taken at almost the same spot as the picture above (mile 4) but now you can’t see the town below. Despite all that downhill I still ran the second half slower (about 1 min slower)