We arrived in Snowmass on Friday. Because I am tapering, we didn’t do a lot of exploring, but from what we have seen, I really like it. It is definitely on the list for next year. I wish I could stay longer. We did have to go to Aspen on Saturday for packet pick up and personally, I don't care if I ever go there again.
We came to Snowmass so I could run Audi Power of 4 50K as part of the US Sky Running Series. I was feeling really good about the race. My goals were to finish around 6 hours and place in the top 5. (Dear Ian, I am loving your pictures of Silverton, but if you could just update the points that would be awesome!)
We came to Snowmass so I could run Audi Power of 4 50K as part of the US Sky Running Series. I was feeling really good about the race. My goals were to finish around 6 hours and place in the top 5. (Dear Ian, I am loving your pictures of Silverton, but if you could just update the points that would be awesome!)
Kitchen view from our condo.
View walking back to condo from Clark's Market.
Saturday late afternoon we went with Enzo down to the skate park in Snowmass. When we first got there some jack hole was using the park to play wally ball with his kids and made no effort to leave when he saw Enzo. Enzo is sitting up on the bowl texting me. Just start riding, they’ll move or they will leave when one of those kids get hurt. Let me just say now, I am all for respect at the skate park. When we were at Breckenridge, where bikes are allowed, some douche purposefully hit Enzo’s wheel with his skateboard. I proceeded to give him the mom stink eye the rest of the time we were there. (Probably why Enzo doesn’t like me at the skatepark.) And btw, that douch guy sucked on his board. So, yes, be respectful and my kids often play at the skatepark when no one is there, but if someone shows up to ride – you need to move.
Enzo before the accident.
Anyways, dad and kids leave, but another kid on a scooter showed up and he was adorable! He thought Enzo was the bomb and would congratulate him when he landed a trick. He was all “big kid” about sharing the park. Adorable! Eventually, Enzo took a bad fall. (I was very proud of him for not cursing in front of the kid.) We had to help him to the car. By the time we drove the 10 minutes back to the condo he was in tears and his ankle looked like a golf ball on one side and softball on the other. I asked if he wanted to go to ER, but he said no. I would learn the next day when I got home form my race that he regretted not going. I was in pain and crying all night.
We had a last night in Colorado ice cream party! Ava and I would stay Sunday night, but Norm was taking everyone else home Saturday. We woke up at 4am. To get ready for the race. NO POOP! And I started my period. This is only a big deal because the first day of my period I tend to feel like I am running through knee deep mud.
We had a last night in Colorado ice cream party! Ava and I would stay Sunday night, but Norm was taking everyone else home Saturday. We woke up at 4am. To get ready for the race. NO POOP! And I started my period. This is only a big deal because the first day of my period I tend to feel like I am running through knee deep mud.
Norm trying to figure out how to modify my vest so it doesn't rub my neck. I ended going with my Nathan handheld.
Ice cream party!
We drove to Aspen for the start of the race. Super low key! I waited in the bathroom/locker area until 15 minutes before the start. And I yes, I finally was able to poop. We get a little instruction on course markings and off we go. As is typical of sky races, it’s a ridiculous climb right from the start. Once again, I think I started too far back and then it's a fight in the congo line. Seriously, some chick was throwing elbows as I tried to get past. Ugh! A few minutes in, I look up and there is a deer off to the left just starting at us. Probably thinking “stupid humans!” So, climb, climb, climb. But the down was amazing! On a dirt road, it was easy to just fly down. Except, pretty quickly I could feel an odd burning feeling in my heel. Painful and concerning because this was still early, but I kept running fast.
That's right, I am from Phoenix and I need gloves and a puff jacket!
And we're off!
There I go!
The next climb was not as steep and I was able to move faster. I stopped twice on the steepest part of the climb to try to find the offending rock with no luck. While climbing the steep section, a guy I had been running with off and on pointed out wild strawberries growing on the ground. I look down to see tons of teeny tiny strawberries growing wild on the ground. Then I felt guilty that we were squashing these cute little strawberries. We ended up on a road that was an out and back section. At the turn around I tried to find the rock again. No luck. I started running down, but it hurt so much. I could not get the speed that I wanted. I sat down again and was determined to find the rock. In case you haven't figured it out, there was no rock. It was a blister on my foot. I like my shoes loose. This might be great for road running and even on most trails, but on these steep downs, it leads to hot spots and nasty blisters. Lesson learned.
So back to running I go… I was frustrated that I couldn't run as fast as I wanted on the down, but I pushed myself as much as possible. Then before you know it, back up you go. Really, really steep up you go. It was here that I passed 2 women. This lifted my mood. I just told myself that despite being in pain, I needed to go. I pushed as hard as I could. In time, I passed 2 more women for the 50K. Another boost of energy, and then something stung me in my upper thigh. I am allergic to bees. I’m not going to die, probably, but I do need medication because I have trouble breathing. I have also been told that with each sting, my reaction could be worse. I feel the sting and think “oh no!” So I decided to just keep pushing. I told myself, “let’s just say that wasn’t a bee, it was something else and you’re fine. You can breathe just fine.” I either am not allergic to whatever stung me or my mind over matter worked because I was able to keep running just fine.
With the last few miles, the course becomes rolling and some what technical. Rocks and tree roots are plentiful and my legs were tired. And my foot was killing me. I hadn't been running on my whole foot for a while and I think my wonky run was making the knee on my other leg hurt. At this point, I was starting to panic that I would get caught. I was trying to push myself, but it wasn’t going so well. The downhill was so painful on my foot. When I was about to give up and let myself walk a bit, I turn a corner and see the finish line! I ran as fast as I could. (It wasn’t that fast.) 4th women! I am NOT happy with my time, but I am so happy that I finished 4th!
So back to running I go… I was frustrated that I couldn't run as fast as I wanted on the down, but I pushed myself as much as possible. Then before you know it, back up you go. Really, really steep up you go. It was here that I passed 2 women. This lifted my mood. I just told myself that despite being in pain, I needed to go. I pushed as hard as I could. In time, I passed 2 more women for the 50K. Another boost of energy, and then something stung me in my upper thigh. I am allergic to bees. I’m not going to die, probably, but I do need medication because I have trouble breathing. I have also been told that with each sting, my reaction could be worse. I feel the sting and think “oh no!” So I decided to just keep pushing. I told myself, “let’s just say that wasn’t a bee, it was something else and you’re fine. You can breathe just fine.” I either am not allergic to whatever stung me or my mind over matter worked because I was able to keep running just fine.
With the last few miles, the course becomes rolling and some what technical. Rocks and tree roots are plentiful and my legs were tired. And my foot was killing me. I hadn't been running on my whole foot for a while and I think my wonky run was making the knee on my other leg hurt. At this point, I was starting to panic that I would get caught. I was trying to push myself, but it wasn’t going so well. The downhill was so painful on my foot. When I was about to give up and let myself walk a bit, I turn a corner and see the finish line! I ran as fast as I could. (It wasn’t that fast.) 4th women! I am NOT happy with my time, but I am so happy that I finished 4th!
Socks handed out at the end of the race. How cool!
Norm had left to head back to Phoenix so I was alone at the finish line. I had a medic come tape my heel so I could walk back to the condo. I get back to the condo and knock repeatedly, but no answer. My daughter Ava is suppose to be awake and let me in the condo. The neighbor across the way comes up the stairs and let me in to the use the phone, but I don’t know Ava’s number. Norm is driving and has no service. These very kind people invite me in, offer me food, but I say no. I am covered in mud. I go back and knock a few more times, but nothing. So I lay down in front of the door, cold, hungry and tired. I feel sorry for myself, I cry a little bit, I wonder when someone will realize I am not back from the race. Then like a hungry, tired, sad toddler, I curl up and fall asleep.
The neighbors open the door, which wakes me up and the are horrified to find me sleeping in front of my door. The wife volunteers her husband to use the lower balcony to climb up onto my balcony. He did once a long time age she assures me. Yes, probably a really long time ago! I keep saying no, it’s not necessary. I don't want this man to fall and hurt himself. Meanwhile, the wife goes to back windows (where the bedrooms are located) and start yelling “4C are you in there?” She alternates between yelling and telling me that she doesn’t think there is anyone in there. Of course she is in there, she’s 14. Where would she go. I decide to give it a try and yell Ava’s name (yes, I did try this earlier with no luck.) Suddenly, we hear Ava calling, “I’m sorry, I’m sorry!” “Just come open the door!” I yell to here. After 50 minutes of being stuck outside I am finally in the condo.
Meanwhile, in Phoenix, Enzo’s ankle still hurts a lot. But he keeps putting off going to the ER. Ava and I leave Snowmass on Monday morning. Norm tells me that Enzo wants to go to the ER when I get home, but when I arrive he changes his mind. On Tuesday morning, Enzo still can’t walk and we head to the ER. I fully expect them to say that he rolled it and nothing they can do. Or maybe a boot, like they did when my younger son rolled his ankle. The x-rays come back and it is a broken talus and we are whisked off for a CT scan. We were admitted and Enzo was scheduled for surgery on Wednesday morning. He had 2 pins put in to hold the bone in place. I basically came home, slept and then moved into Phoenix Children’s Hospital until Thursday at 5pm when we were released. Poor Enzo! No weight on his foot for the next 2 months and he won't be back on his bike for at least 3 months. I know how depressing it is to not be able to do what you love and to feel like you are going to lose the skill level you worked so hard to achieve.
The neighbors open the door, which wakes me up and the are horrified to find me sleeping in front of my door. The wife volunteers her husband to use the lower balcony to climb up onto my balcony. He did once a long time age she assures me. Yes, probably a really long time ago! I keep saying no, it’s not necessary. I don't want this man to fall and hurt himself. Meanwhile, the wife goes to back windows (where the bedrooms are located) and start yelling “4C are you in there?” She alternates between yelling and telling me that she doesn’t think there is anyone in there. Of course she is in there, she’s 14. Where would she go. I decide to give it a try and yell Ava’s name (yes, I did try this earlier with no luck.) Suddenly, we hear Ava calling, “I’m sorry, I’m sorry!” “Just come open the door!” I yell to here. After 50 minutes of being stuck outside I am finally in the condo.
Meanwhile, in Phoenix, Enzo’s ankle still hurts a lot. But he keeps putting off going to the ER. Ava and I leave Snowmass on Monday morning. Norm tells me that Enzo wants to go to the ER when I get home, but when I arrive he changes his mind. On Tuesday morning, Enzo still can’t walk and we head to the ER. I fully expect them to say that he rolled it and nothing they can do. Or maybe a boot, like they did when my younger son rolled his ankle. The x-rays come back and it is a broken talus and we are whisked off for a CT scan. We were admitted and Enzo was scheduled for surgery on Wednesday morning. He had 2 pins put in to hold the bone in place. I basically came home, slept and then moved into Phoenix Children’s Hospital until Thursday at 5pm when we were released. Poor Enzo! No weight on his foot for the next 2 months and he won't be back on his bike for at least 3 months. I know how depressing it is to not be able to do what you love and to feel like you are going to lose the skill level you worked so hard to achieve.
Drugs make broken ankles feel better!
The view from the hospital room.
Going home! And clearly on some good drugs.
I typically teach a class for the Early College High School program on Saturday morning at the community college. Unfortunately, the class they offered me this year was at the same that I teach elementary school and I had to say no. Financially, this is bad news. Racing wise, this is good news! My next race will now be The Franklin Mountains 50K. I am super excited to be able to go to this race. It is a race I was eyeing, but I assumed I would teach again on Saturday.
