2006 Season Wrap-Up
As I sit here reviewing my season, I am faced with the task of writing a post season wrap-up about a mediocre season. I can say that my training went very well, and I did shine on a few occasions this year. The majority however was lackluster and injury plagued. In fact, I have not run in over a month due to injuries. This has however forced me to the pool, and I am enjoying only needing 25 minutes of activity before I am wiped! It has also put me back on the bike, which I swore off this year at a competitive level due to the time commitment. Maybe I should learn not to swear.
The season started off well with the second race of the Chilly Cheeks duathlon. It was after a snow and the run course was snowy and the bike course contained several patches of ice. It was quite a winter adventure, and I managed to pull off the first win of the season.
The next adventure took me to Centennial Wyoming for the Poker Run. It is not a competitive event, at least athletically. I do think there are a lot of participants that compete to see who can drink the most cheap beer and still finish the ski. I put it in this write-up because it is a wacky fun event, and I have yet to meet a Harlot who does not love cheap beer and bizarre athletic events.
It was now time to get serious as April arrived. I decided to test my winter training in the Platte River Trail half marathon. There was a talented field gathered at the start. We arrived at mile 10 to find police tape and frantic volunteers directing us this way and then that way in what seemed a very haphazard fashion. The mile markers disappeared and in my haze, I felt like the race was stretching endlessly on. Finally I see the finish line and my fiancé standing at the last turn with a big grin saying good job. I glance at the clock and think, is he kidding me? Later, I learn that the course was long due to a body discovered around mile 10 not too long before the course leaders would have reached the spot. I was amazed at the ability of the race director to react so quickly that no racer was left wandering the streets wondering which way to go. A body on the course was definitely a first for me. Just for your interest, it was unfortunately a transit who had overdosed on drugs. I ran well for early season, placing 6th overall female and second in my age group.
May always brings the Pole Peddle Paddle in Bend Oregon. I first competed in this event in 1996 as a team. The following year, I competed in the pairs category with a high school friend. Since then it became a tradition as long as she is not with child. We have placed in the top three in our division every time, although the competition from professional athletes living in Bend Oregon has grown quite deep. We placed second this year.
May also dawns the beginning of the Mile High Duathlon Series. I have placed in the top three of the series for several years in a row. Let’s just say I have had better years at this series. Although I managed to place fourth in the series, I seriously contemplated retirement about half way through the last race. And I must admit, I had a lot more fun the remaining half.
The summer was full of local races and ultimate tournaments. Of note, I competed in the Front Range Frenzy Trail Race series. It is a great event. There were three of us that ran together in each race and the competition was quite fun. I was in contention for second or third in the series, when a nagging injury became too much in August and I was sidelined for the remainder of the year. I dropped to fourth overall female in the series, however I did retain first in my age group.
This season discussion cannot end without mention of Harlot’s representation at the Bike-a-Go-Go event in Santa Fe New Mexico. Harlot invited me down to team up with the Pedal Queens to assist with this female only bike demo. Most of the major companies were there and only ladies were allowed to demo bikes. The Pedal Queens were running around in Pink Boas and GoGo Boots. I was privileged enough to join them and competed in the slowest bike rider event. The GoGo girls had their own GoGo Boot category. I can confidently say that sloooowww riding was not my forte. The pictures are hilarious.
I have enjoyed and appreciated the support of Harlot and although the season was unremarkable in results, I still had a great time representing Harlot. 2007 is looking promising. I am slowly returning to athletic activity and hope to be full strength by May.