ETR 10k 2017 

I woke up early today, probably earlier than I needed to, but I was a ball of excitement (and nerves). It’s Evergreen Town Race day benefitting Alpine Rescue Team!! I had all of my clothes and running thingies laid out the night before, my playlist was carefully chosen for maximum hyped-up-ness, and I was determined to beat my personal record for the 10k. I don’t eat much before races, just a single banana with some peanut butter and I drink  plenty of water before the start. 

This year is the 39th year for the Evergreen Town Race and it is a fantastic race for runners. The course winds down scenic, green, treelined Upper Bear Creek Road in Evergreen Colorado. The creek rushes past you on your right side as you follow the 6.2 mile paved road course to the finish line at Evergreen Lake. 

Cloudy skies today and absolutely perfect 60 degree temps for running. It doesn’t get much better for running conditions. 

At the start, ready to crush this (I hope).

In 2016, my first year running the ETR 10k, I finished in 59.32 minutes. I was elated to have finished under one hour. My goal this year was similar: just get under one hour. I kept repeating this in my head at the starting line. “Just get under one hour.” Of course I’d hoped to beat last year’s time too. 

Today, I felt great from the start. I settled into a good pace and continued to feel confident and strong throughout the race. I never felt tired or sore which was an awesome feeling that doesn’t always happen. 

I use the Run Keeper App. These are my split stats according to the app. 

I set my Run Keeper to update me every five minutes and I think this really helped me maintain a good pace throughout the race. 

I mentioned the course is downhill too. A good run at elevation. 

Just as my Run Keeper app announced that I was at about 5.5 miles, I knew it was time to turn it up if I wanted any chance of beating my time from last year. I could see the finish line in the distance and for a few seconds I just couldn’t initiate my sprint. What was going on? I always sprint out finishes! I took a deep breath, gave myself a mental “You can do this!” and finally I hit my sprint all the way through the finish. 

58.43 minutes!! A NEW PR!!!! 😀👍🏻

What a terrific day personally and for Alpine Rescue Team. I love this race because it is organized by the hard working, highly trained men and women of Alpine Rescue Team and all of the money raised from this race goes directly towards Alpine Rescue Team. If you don’t know too much about the team, check out their website….

http://www.alpinerescueteam.org/home/

Big shout out to friends Sam and Craig who came out and ran their first 5k today! Great job!

Sam, Craig, and I at the finish line after gobbling up bagel sammies prepared by Alpine Team members, fresh fruit, and popcorn from the Kiwanis Club of Evergreen. 

And if that wasn’t enough, Aaron and I enjoying well deserved ice creams at the end of the day. Aaron sporting an ETR hat and me in my new ETR shirt. My ice cream is Salted Caramel Oreo by the way, and it is the BEST flavor ever!! 

And finally, I mentioned my super awesome, hyped up playlist for the race. My top 5 songs that really amped me up through the run were:

1. Thunderstruck by AC/DC

2. So What by Pink

3. I’m Shipping Up To Boston by Dropkick Murphys 

4. Turn Down For What by DJ Snake and Lil Jon

5. My Body by Young the Giant