State #5 Ouray, Colorado

Mt Snuffels Marathon

August 11, 2012

The natural hot springs is the reward I am looking forward to the most after completing one of the most challenging marathons. It isn't the 8000 ft. elevation or even the uneven gravel roads that has me dreading the run, my lack of fitness has me feeling very low almost to a breaking point. It doesn't feel like fun and games anymore in my current state of mind.  Running~or shuffling through~a marathon is a dauntingly difficult task especially when the body is clearly unfit to tolerate the demands of the distance. It is demoralizing how I allow myself~nobody to blame, but myself~for my current physical state and boy is it affecting me mentally. When I treat my body poorly, it functions at a less than optimal level. The challenge of doing twelve marathons in a year has completely backfired...

Instead of getting stronger and fitter, I become less and less fit. The tapering, recovering and over indulging while traveling  is detrimental to my well being. Definitely feel like a "fat cat" in need of a nap rather than a marathon runner eager to hear the gun go off. 

In fact, as the race begins I am still in line for the porta-potty with no sense of urgency to commence with the struggle.

Ready or not here we go. It is a small race in a beautiful setting as we make our way toward the mountain trail. Unique races in quaint corners of the country are preferable. Of course I enjoy a big city race, but the nice thing about a small race is the ease of parking and getting to the start line. It eliminates the need to spend hours getting to the venue. Runners gather in the park shortly before race time and off we go.  The struggle is real right from the initial first few steps...Wow...this is going to be a long day! 

It is a perfect day to appreciate the beauty and the serenity particularly since I am mostly alone. Just going to have to grin and bear it no matter how tough it gets. Once we leave the concrete path, the dirt road quickly turns into a clay gravel with lots of rocks and pebbles kicking up and into my shoes. I didn't know what gaiters were until today.  Now I know...it is something smart people put on their shoes to prevent pebbles from bouncing into their shoes.

The course runs from the park in Ridgway to the Hot Springs in Ouray. Runners circle the springs at the halfway point before returning back to the park in Ridgway.  The half marathoners start at the Hot Springs and finish at the park. 

We encounter the half marathoner runners on the gravel road between mile 6 to 8. They seem so fresh and strong. I have never been so envious of a half marathoner in my life. Many cheer and give the marathoners positive encouragement. I swear I can feel the compassion from some of the runners as they see the extreme effort and anguish on my face. By this point I am far behind many of the runners. There are less than a handful of runners behind me. 

In my running history, I am usually in the first third of the runners, but today I am a "back of the packer."  I gain new found respect for back of the packers. I just want to get to the midway point to begin the countdown to the finish. There are numerous walk breaks and bargains with myself to keep running for sections at a time.  The aid stations are staffed with very encouraging volunteers. After four hours, I still have miles and miles to go...before I sleep. It is somewhat demoralizing to think on a good day, I would already be done. However; with all my walking, I have time to munch on the treats provided.  Normally I can't eat and run, but eating and walking is quite doable.  Pretzels and M&M's are the delicacy of the day.  The course goes right by the motel where we are staying.  It is a great place to explore....looking forward to soaking my ankles and sore knees in the cold river

water after I get done with the never ending marathon. As the miles click down a sweeper in the all-terrain vehicle keeps checking on me.  Oh man...are you kidding me. As one of the last runners on the course they keep asking if I need a ride. "Do you need to stop are you okay?" Are they serious...no I am not stopping I will finish the race. I guess I should be thankful that someone is concerned about all the runners.  Bill Rodgers~four time winner of the Boston and New York City Marathon~ famous quote comes to mind, "The marathon can humble you!"  I am for sure humbled in a small town, 8000 ft. in the mountains of Colorado. 

My husband bought the shirt(he wears it a lot) in Bill's store in Boston...those words stay in my mind especially on days like today

My husband passed me long ago and I wonder how he is doing with the heat and the gravel, but I will soon find out.  Spotting the finish line is beyond exciting and I am not dead last. There are  at least two runners behind me.  

Grateful to complete one tough marathon, we check out of the motel and move to a lodge near the hot springs. Now time for rest and relaxation.  The quint little town of less than 800 people has much to explore. After checking into the lodge we soak in the ice cold river before spending the rest of the day at the hot springs. It is just what we need. The pools with varying temperatures are heavenly...it takes our mind off the aches, pains and worries of the day. The next two days are spent exploring Box Canyon, hiking to waterfalls, and mining for gold. It is a beautiful area. I can only image the winter beauty when the place is covered in snow.

Once the run is complete, it is two days of fun including trying some of the local pubs. I have tons of pictures but who really wants to see someone else's vacation pictures...

We are both really happy to cross off another state.  Mt. Sneffel's is my worst marathon time with the exception of Alabama, due to an extreme case of food poisoning at the pasta dinner. (see State #11) Colorado is one of the states on my redemption list.  All of my marathons have been under five hours with the exception of Colorado~5:35~ and Nevada ~5:27~ The bad times correspond with a bad period in my life. Hopefully, I will be able to redo these states in the future.  My goal is to finish all of my 50 states in under 5 hours.  Many people strive to complete each of the states in under 4 hours ~overachievers~but heck who wants to be that good. That requires too much training, hard work and sacrifice...in case you can't tell from my recaps I love eating...and overindulging!!!