How could a race that took me through the Denver Zoo and a fire station, had a big expo and a great after-party leave me feeling so meh? That’s what I’ve been trying to figure out as I put together my Denver Colfax Half Marathon race recap.
As I runfessed, my official finish time was 1:56:03 including my tiger stop.
Did the grey drizzly weather and the mile-high altitude steal my joy?
Pre-Race Logistics
This was my second time traveling to Denver for a Colfax race–last year I did the Denver Colfax Urban Ten Miler— so I wasn’t nervous about race-day logistics. We stayed at the same hotel (the Westin in downtown Denver), which is about three miles from the race venue at City Park. I planned to use Uber like I did last year (although the ten miler started at a different place). That turned out to be more *interesting* than I expected. Since this recap is long enough, I’ll tell you about it later. 🙂
The Half Marathon started at 6:45 and Starbucks didn’t open until 6:00, so I wasn’t sure I’d have time for a pre-race coffee. After doing my PF stretches in my hotel room, I headed out around 5:45. The Uber app said I’d get to City Park at 6:10 if I left right away, so I decided to wait a few more minutes to get that Starbucks!
I got to the park at about 6:30, and followed other runners heading into the park towards the start. I had just enough time to check my “throwaway” jacket at bag check, and lined up in my corral right after the singing of the National Anthem.
Denver Colfax Half Marathon Race Recap
The first three miles of the course were in City Park, including a section through the zoo. That was pretty cool, but I think a lot of the animals were still asleep.
Running Bitch Face, phone out, looking for animals
I did see flamingos and mountain goats, and took a (marked) detour to watch the tiger get its breakfast–as I was heading over, a zookeeper tossed a big piece of meat his way.
Raw meat — the breakfast of champions?
As we left the park, I knew the rest of the course was basically an out-and-back route. I think I convinced myself it would be long and boring, and it sort of was. The first few miles were through neighborhoods, and I did notice some cute houses. It started raining, though, and my glasses got covered with rain drops and then fogged over.
We reached the fire station at the end of the turn-around. There was a cool, old firetruck across the road, and we ran right through the middle of the fire station.
Firefighters were lined up on both sides, cheering us on and offering high-fives.
So, why do I look so miserable leaving the fire station?
Thanks to AllWhites® for sponsoring the free photos!
The next few miles were along Colfax Avenue, which is the main commercial street through Denver. It’s straight, flat, and not very scenic–mostly gas stations, convenience stores, and commercial buildings. We turned back into a neighborhood around mile 10, and I appreciated the change of scenery. It was at mile 11 when I regretted my decision not to wear compression socks. I didn’t think my calves would need support on such a flat course, but I guess 13 miles is 13 miles.
My right calf started to seize–I felt a “ripple” go through my muscle–but it never quite cramped up. Somehow I kept running, although much more slowly.
my squinty grimace
I think this is a real smile as I could see the finish line:
Here I am genuinely glad to be finished, but still not really smiling!
The post-race food and after-race party were just as awesome as last year. In the finish chute I took a bottle of plain water, a bagel, a can of sparkling water, a popsicle, a reusable grocery bag from Sprouts, and passed up countless other things. I wasn’t in the mood for a BudLight, or a Spiked Cider, or even lunch (veggie pasta salad or bratwurst), so all those tickets on my bib went unused. Another vendor was giving away bagels with lox and cream cheese, which looked good at first but then I decided my stomach wasn’t ready.
I do love the medal and the ribbon!
Last year we walked the 3 miles back to our hotel, but I really didn’t want to do that again. We walked out of the park hoping to get to a place where an Uber could get to us more easily, but then I decided I was in even less of a mood to stop and wait for an Uber–and not sure road closures wouldn’t impact our route–so we kept walking. We were backtracking the Marathon/Urban Ten Miler course and I should have done more to cheer on the runners, but I was so chilled, tired, and achy, I mostly focused on just.getting.back.to.the.hotel.
It took about an hour of walking, but we made it back. After a hot shower, a few minutes of stretching, and packing up, we headed around the corner for lunch at The Mellow Mushroom. It was just as good as we remembered. I really enjoyed my IPA, salad, and pizza!
We shared a “small” pizza–I ate the veggie half.
By the time we were done, it was time to check out and head to the airport, where I decided to treat myself to Ben & Jerry’s while we waited at the gate. I figured 13.1 miles deserved pizza and ice cream. 🙂
Recapping My Denver Colfax Half Marathon Recap
I’ve shared some whiny reasons why this race wasn’t fun but it probably was a combination of things that made it more meh than marvelous, most of which had little to do with the race itself. I do think it’s my last time traveling to Denver for a race. While it seemed like a good idea to combine a destination race with visiting my daughter, I’d rather spend more time with her and leave racing to another weekend.
I’m linking up with Holly and Wendy for the Weekly Wrap
Please join Deborah and me for the June Ultimate Coffee Date next weekend!
Was your last race meh or marvelous?
![The Ultimate Coffee Date](http://got2run4me.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Ultimate-Coffee-Date.png" "The Ultimate Coffee Date")
I ran Alexandria Running Festival today and the humidity killed me. I used it as part of my 20 miler and OH MY WORD. So hard! I love Denver but agree that spending time w/your daughter there is better w/no race to take you away!
Oh, that’s a brutal course too – why I’ve never done it even though it’s very close to home! I think we skipped spring ….
Altitude will effect you. That’s why I like to get out and have my vacation before my races, although obviously not all (not most!) or at altitude.
It doesn’t sound like a really exciting course. Add in drizzle, well . . . I can totally see how you weren’t feeling it. And you don’t usually like the half distance anyway!
You still did a great job. That pizza looks AMAZING & yes, you deserved that & the Ben & Jerrys. It’s refueling, right?
I had so much fun at the Runner’s World Half, though, so it can’t just be the distance. But, the weather was gorgeous that day and the course was more varied.
I can’t imagine running with glasses on while it’s raining. That would wear on my nerves. I’ve been to the Denver Zoo! Apparently, I missed the tiger eating raw mean. It’s pretty cool you ran right through a fire station. Sometimes a “meh” race turns around after I’ve had a while to digest it. Congrats on that finish time! You should be proud.
While I love visiting cities and doing races, sometimes the course isn’t the best, and not that scenic. I hope you still have a good time in Denver, despite the “meh” race.
Oh, it wasn’t so bad as to ruin my weekend! We definitely had a good time.
You do have a serious focused race face going on! Are you running w a camel back? Hope you had a fun time despite the Meh feeling. At least you missed our lovely humidity
Yeah, my face – ugh! That’s my Orange Mud Hydraquiver. Funny you said that about the weather. When we walked out of the airport and felt the humidity, we were glad to feel WARM for a change.
My last race was marvelous, even tho the conditions weren’t. Sorry that yours was meh. I think destination races are always tough. It’s so much easier to race at home when you are in your element.
There is a stress level surrounding destination races. I think part of it is that I’m making others schedule their days around me.
Could you tell any difference with the altitude while you were there? That is the perfect post race meal! That is a great job for even stopping to take a pic of the Lion. We ran through the Baltimore Zoo during the marathon but it was pretty early so we didn’t see any animals awake. Congrats on your race!
I’m sure the altitude was a factor, and would have been more noticeable if there were any hills. Since I visit Denver a few times a year I think I’m soemwhat used to it.
It boggles my mind how you run such a fast half marathon while taking photos at the same time!
I don’t usually take photos during a race, but I knew I’d want pictures from this one.
That part of the course that went right through the fire station is way cool! It sounds like the weather was a major factor (at least it would be for me if I had done this race on the exact same day), and also the long walk back to your hotel.
I do think the weather supported my glum mood. The clouds hid the gorgeous mountains!
All “meh” aside, I think you ran a strong race at altitude! The firehouse run-through is so unique and cool! We ate at a Mellow Mushroom in NC, I believe. Well worth the visit. You definitely earned pizza and ice cream!
I love that the firefighters lined up to give high fives! My last race was ok but not great. The best part of races is that there’s always another one so if you don’t do great you can try again.
I’ve had “meh” races before…this year’s were pretty good, but I’ve definitely had less than impressive half marathons. I think maybe going into a race with higher than usual expectations is what let’s me down. It would be so cool to run through a zoo though! I’ll add this one to my list!
That looks like a fun race. I love that you went trough the Zoo, and a Fire Station. And it’s so great that they provided some free photos! All your photos were great too!
Well congrats on the race even though it was meh! I would definitely say skip the race and spend time with your daughter! I love the Denver area!
Altitude is tough. Running through a zoo sounds fun. For me when it is not sunny it affects my mood. Such as my rainy bucket list race. Very disappointed.
Sorry, this one left you feeling meh. Perhaps the course just wasn’t varied enough? And, it doesn’t sound like the weather helped. Running through the firehouse sounds like a pretty cool touch.
I’m so sorry it wasn’t everything you hoped for! I think, sometimes when visiting, shorter distances are the way to go – you get the benefit of a race, but it’s not quite as much of a time commitment.
I love that you got to see the tiger having his breakfast! How cool!
Little man wants to visit Colorado so badly, and I’ll have to run a race while there. I bet the altitude is going to rock my socks!
Congratulations on another half! Despite your running face, you did awesome!
Sometimes its nice to run races while away but other times its better to just enjoy the trip! My last race was very meh but at least it was only a 5k! Still, even if it wasn’t your favorite experience, you ran a half-marathon so congrats!
ah what a bummer! I think I would have felt a bit meh for some of the reasons you mentioned. and I do get that it’s not the race per se but a combination of things that made you feel like you didn’t particularly enjoy it. I have had races like that. The first time was great and then the 3rd of 4th time I’m just done with it! Oh and I *always* regret not wearing compression socks. Every. Single. Time. So now I just wear them even if all the stars are aligned and I likely don’t need them.
I’m sorry it was a tough day. I think altitude can be tough but sometimes it’s not your day even in great locations!
I’m sorry you didn’t enjoy the race. It sounds like a fun course. I think running through the firehouse would be so cool (of course firefighters are my favorite type of men in uniform!!) The zoo would be really cool too!
What a quirky experience. I’ve also switched to a healthier lifestyle which comes with a strict diet and with intensive training. I’m training for a race with SportMe half marathon app and I feel like I’m on the right track.
I love the idea of running through a zoo, and what a cool turnaround. I can understand some of the meh – especially since I got to your Uber one before this. Frustrating start to day.
The ripple is a perfect description of my calf issues . Maybe time to look into compression socks, I never have