Well, hot damn! Pikes Peak Marathon #3 is officially in the books and I gotta say, I’m feeling pretty proud of myself. Here are the top 14 reasons:
- I finished!
- I didn’t die! Seriously, I’m proud of that. People die on this race. The first aid tent at the finish line was packed with runners who were dehydrated, suffering from altitude sickness, sprained ankles, open wounds, heat stroke…you name it.
- I didn’t get a single blister (thanks Salomon Sense Pros!) Read my review of my Salomons here >
- I finished in 6 hours and 51 minutes.
- I shaved…no, carved…no, hacked off 30 minutes from my time last year!
- I only tripped and fell once.
- I could actually run above 13,000 feet this year (thanks Mt. Evans conditioning!)
- It was my third completion of the Pikes Peak Marathon. Read about my first Pikes Peak Marathon in 1993 here >
- It’s 14,110 feet tall. That means an elevation gain of almost 8000 feet from the starting line in downtown Manitou Springs. Think about it. You run up 8000 feet, turn around, and run right back down 8000 feet.
- I made it to the top in 4 hours and 8 minutes.
- I was still smiling as I approached the finish line despite being in agonizing pain. The photo proves it!
- I made it to the bottom in 2 hours and 43 minutes.
- I could still stand after I crossed the finish line.
- I didn’t die! Did I mention that already?
