It's time to Rock and Roll-Part One of our interview with Alan Culpepper-Rock and Roll and Competitor Events

Tho-Run: Runners can enter a lot of different races when choosing a half or full marathon. The Rock and Roll series is unique with music, support along the course, and a great post race experience.  What do you expect runners will enjoy the most during the race?

Alan Culpepper: 

Well first and foremost we hope runners have an experience they look back on and say that was a very well run event. Organizers did their best to think through all of the various elements of the race, they didn’t cut any corners. That’s always our goal-put on a world class event. Every time in every city. But as far as how r&R I s unique is the band element and the variety and amount of music and really the cheer out there on the course. We do all lot of sponsor activations out on the course. Our goal is to have as many distractions as possible out there on the course and also to just break the course up. It’s a long way to go whether its 13 or 26 miles.

Tho-Run: When you think about the race cities across the country how was the decision made to come to Denver? And thinking about each of those cities where might you rank Denver over all?

Alan Culpepper:

Yeah I don’t know if I can speak to the ranking, that’s pretty hard to quantify. But yeah, Denver was definitely a market we wanted to come to. its clear Colorado is an endurance minded state and health conscious state. So it just made a lot of sense to have a race here. A world class event that attracts people from all across the country to Colorado, similar to the cycling event that was just completed here. So it is easy to rally to have people come here. This location was on the radar for a long time.

Tho-Run: Speaking of world class, you know about that being a former world class runner. What are some of things that you have encountered between running on the international stage and then organizing a major event such as the Rock and Roll event.

Alan Culpepper:

Well yes, it’s definitely been an interesting transition. But one that I am very pleased with thus far. From a personal perspective its been fun to be on the other side of a running event. The backside as it were to see the inner workings of an event. Its been great and I excited about it. I’ve really enjoyed it. As someone who has participated in events since he was 12 years old, well I can use that experience that insider knowledge and first hand experience to put together something that I know runners will appreciate—and that keeps me engaged in each event. And it has been great working for a company like Competitor. They are progressive, cutting edge. Looking for that next thing to make an event great. Always has the runner experience top of mind. And being good city partner.  So for me it’s been great. You know it’s been more rewarding than I expected. I came from an experience where it was extremely gratifying as a runner where I did not deal with a lot failure. I was able to have success, had achievements that I met after applying myself to training. There were a few goals I did not hit but for the most part, I’m happy when I look back at what I accomplished. That is extremely gratifying. To train for something, to apply yourself, and see the goal met and so that was one thing I guess I’ve transitioned away from. Now I have more of a corporate life. I’ve been really pleased that I’ve been able to have a different vision or a high level of satisfaction in doing something I am enjoying right now.

Tho-Run: I ran the half marathon event last year. It was a fantastic experience. I liked the music and especially liked all the cheer squads across the course. Everything was so well organized, there were so many people out there bands, aid stations, post race. It was just great. Highly comparable to the Bolder Boulder which I consider the gold standard. That comes with a lot of work from a lot of people. Talk about the coordination that happens on race day and before to make all of this happen.

Alan Culpepper:
 It’s a testament to our staff, all of the people we have on-board. Everyone has a commitment to the brand, to the company and to the goal. We don’t want to let out participants down—we want them to have a great running experience. And so that is one benefit of having a larger company. We are more specialized. We are able to hone in and fine tune our specific area. This allows us to work on more events and to prepare week to week. Unlike maybe some of the other individual city events, where maybe they do on or two events a year and have people that work full time at other jobs. So we can work on our specific piece of an event all year long and really get to know what we are doing and doing it well. Its amazing how much you learn from each area as you see what it takes to put on a great race. It just a frenzy at each race. There is so much going on that people don’t ever see. So much communication

Heart and Sole Half Marathon

There is a lot to like about running at the Boulder Reservoir.

And even more to like about running in a Heart and Sole event. There is always plenty of parking no matter what time one shows up to run. On race day runners can also count on lots of port of potties-and even more volunteers both on the race course and at the start and at the finish line. Oh wait, did I mention that there were aid stations every two miles? I think there were even if I never did the math. And the best part of those aid stations was at mile 9 they had COLD sponges! That was a first in a race for me a cold sponge to go along with all the water, gel and energy drink at each stop.

There was a super cool tech shirt for the race, but the best part (other than finishing in a personal best) was the outrageously full selection of food at the post race party. I feasted on a sandwich, a bratwurst, bagel, fruit, Popsicle, cookies, chips, two or three drinks (no beer) and a finishing medal. 

But before all that celebrating, there was an actual race. Teammates Patrick Rizzo and Tyler McCandless placed 1-2 again in a USATF Colorado event, this one a half marathon. A few weeks ago the duo, sponsored by Mizuno, finished 1-2 in the USATF 10k Colorado Championships. The pair bested 650 other runners, with

Rizzo besting McCandless by a mere 13 seconds winning in a time of 1:08:18 (5:13 pace). Brianne Nelson won the women’s race in 1:21:45 (6:15 mile pace). Nelson won by 15 seconds over Michele Susek.

The race circles around the Boulder Reservoir, offering sweeping views of the Front Range. The horizon was dotted with hot balloons on race day, giving runners a colorful send off for the 7AM race start.  I found the slightly rolling course to be moderately difficult due to the mixture of paved roads, trails and dirt roads. I decided to wear my racing flats, and on the whole I would say that was a good decision. The biggest challenge on the course is the lack of shade. That of course is far better than being punished with a strong headwind, which we were lucky enough to avoid all day!!

After heading west out of the reservoir, runners turned to the North slightly before heading east on a dirt road. I ran 6:58 for the first mile but at that pace, the lead runners were already disappearing in the distance. No matter how fast one runs in Colorado, there are always lots and lots of runners that are so much faster.

As I watched the leaders blaze away, I settled into my own 7:21 pace with a small group of 5 other runners. I ran with these folks most of the race, occasionally leading but mostly content to follow. I’m still pretty new to the half distance with this being my fifth  attempt at the distance. Miles 2-5 were traversed dirt and paved road and I motored along with my small group. We made the turn at 10k in under 45 mins before heading back over paved roads for another two miles. These were the fastest splits of the race for me, and even at that my group decided to go even faster. I let them go not knowing for sure if I could run a couple of 6:30’s in a half and still have five miles to go.

I was happy I kept my pacing pretty close to 7:21 but paid for my efforts later when we hit the north part of the reservoir trail. I picked my way through a couple of miles a little two gingerly (racing flats) topping out with a 7:48 and 7:35 miles before winding up for an almost on goal pace of 7:26 for my final mile.

Kudos to race announcer Craig Mintzlaff who always inspires me to run hard at the finish. He mentions my name at the finish (along with many other runners) and always inspires me to finish strong no matter what the distance. I mean how many runners don’t like hearing their names announced over a loud speaker at the end of a race?

Happy running!

Evergreen - Colorado State 10k Championships

The Colorado State 10k Championship is history for 2011. This magnificent race course brought out all of the top runners in Colorado to compete for prize money as well as the title of Colorado State 10k road champion. Patrick Rizzo of Boulder won the men’s race with a time of 29:59 good enough to beat Tyler Mccandless, also of Boulder by 18 seconds. Cassie Slade won the women’s championship with a finishing time of 34.40. Wendy Thomas was second in35:07. 

                                        Tyler Mccandless above, powers his way to a second place finish.

 The Evergreen course is downhill, so runners focused on leg turnover as they wound their way down Upper Bear Creek Road. The road is closed for the racing, making for an interesting scene of colors as racers stretched across both lanes of pavement. I entered the 10k after having completed two editions of the 5k race. Breaking from previous tradition, I started a little faster than normal running the first mile in around 6:20. Normally I would be better off to run a 6:40 first mile in this race but the excitement of racing against so many top level racers got the better of me and my race strategy disappeared shortly after the gun sounded. (I recovered though for a great Pearl Street Mile with a much slower start-more later)

I did however battle through my fast start and came in with a personal best of 41:23 which left me very happy if not a little overheated at the finish.

There are so many positives to talk about with this race. There is ample parking for either race (5 or 10K). The buses were right on time, transporting hundreds of runners to both start lines. There is a sag truck to dump gear in for those who prefer to warm up at the start and then change into racing gear or to store fresh gear at the finish. This is a huge benefit that I really like about the race. In addition there are plenty of bathrooms at both the start and finish lines PLUS plenty of water. 

All of this reflects tremendous race organization, so major kudos to John Wells and the race group for an A+ job. If the 10k race could somehow start about an hour earlier I would give this race top honors next to the Bolder Boulder as one of the top 2-3 races in Colorado. In fact, I am going to give it those honors anyway because it is a great race despite the hotter temps that come with an 8:45 morning start. Uggg—I really suffered the last 15 minutes of running in the heat but that is just because I tend to run so early in the morning.

Race to Help Save Lives in Evergreen- Run, Fun and Speed

The USATF Grand Prix makes a stop in Evergreen August 7 for the Colorado 10k road championship. In addition to an ultra fast downhill course, the race series offers more than $12,000 in prize money this year.  Almost $2,500 in prize money will be in play when the runners hit the start line in Evergreen.

The event  is one of four  in Colorado where racers accumulate Grand Prix points. But there is more than just Grand Prix points for racers to consider. Running with some of the fastest athletes in Colorado is also a major draw. Running is one of the few sports where novice competitors can line up in the same event as an elite athlete. And don't forget that the opportunity for a personal best on Colorado's fastest race course is part of the overall package too. You choose your race ( 5k or 10k) and then hope you can keep your legs turning over fast enough to navigate the course.

Combine all of this with a great cause and you have the makings of an Epic year.  Race Director John Wells sent me an overview of the event highlighting the 32 year history of this race. The Alpine Rescue team is one of just twelve nationally accredited mountain rescuer team in our state. According to a press release, Alpine Rescue is the only rescue team to serve three Colorado counties ( Clear Creek, Jefferson and Gilpin). One unique aspect of this team is that they never charge for their services. They are completely funded through events like the Evergreen Town Race. In fact, the race proves almost 1/3 of the teams total funding. This partnership began almost 20 years ago when they got together with the Colorado Road Runners.

There is a first class volunteer organization that helps with the event as well. Each year the race looks to expand the number of runners, and this year having the State 10k Championships promises to be a great draw. Last week Clint Wells won a local 5k with a time of 15 minutes even-and that is lighting fast. But in 1998 the fastest 5k ever run in Colorado was at the Evergreen Town race-an amazing time of 14:07!!

If all of the above wasn’t enough, the race also offers a great post race brunch. Runners are treated to drinks, beer, and fresh cooked ham, egg cheese bagel sandwiches. Oh and don’t forget there is a great tech racing shirt this year too.  The tech shirts are a direct result from monitoring feedback from participants according to John Wells, race director.

Link below to sign up and run in this signature event on the Colorado racing calendar.

http://www.evergreentownrace.org/

Redline 13.1 at Longmont

Saturday July 16^th was race day for the inaugural Redline Longmont Half Marathon . Almost 300 runners and walkers participated in the hugely successful event. The slightly downhill point to point route traveled West to East traversing through much of Longmont before finishing at Sandstone Ranch Park.

     Most runners began the morning at the finish, parking at Sandstone Ranch. The 125 acre park is open yearly from sunrise to sunset and features soccer and baseball fields, a skate park, playgrounds and sweeping views of the front range. Runners boarded two buses and headed west to the start line at Mcintosh Lake –which rests on the far Eastern edge of Longmont. I missed the bus, but caught a ride over to the starting line with some other runners after a quick detour for some last minute supplies. 

     The start area was well organized, and as in many first time races, the event organization gave last minute registrants ample time to sign up. While I heard some comments here and there about the delayed start, I expect some delays for a first time event and just went with it. 

 

     The start was even in that the trail at Mcintosh lake offered plenty of room for any sub 7 minute mile gazelles to move up to the front. I hung back, intending to average 7:20 miles for the run (I did) and found a small group of 4 runners that I paced with for most of the race. The lake is scenic enough along the trail with great views of Longs Peak to take ones mind off of the 13 miles ahead. In fact, the first two miles were quite comfortable along the trail. 

      Just before Rogers Road, we broke to left and headed East. As most of you know, when you head East in Colorado, you are usually running downhill. The course profile indicated a drop in altitude of about 300 feet which made for some nice running. (there was however a nasty little hill at 12.9 miles that we were warned about by the race director). 

     We passed Golden Ponds Nature Area at mile five and Izaak Walton Park at mile 7. I gulped my second of three gels at the seven mile marker and took two waters before leaving the shade for good at about mile 8. Running without shade for the last 4-5 miles made pacing and drinking critical, so I paid close attention to both—mainly water as I kept plugging along the route. I still traded pacing with the 4 other runners in my group-but we gradually spread out between water stations.

     I was certain once we hit the 10 mile mark that I would hit my goal time, so I eased up slightly. I was also pretty gassed anyway. The last hill was definitely as tough as advertised, but once I got to the top, I sprinted in for a final time of 1:36:27.  The winning race time was a blazing 1:20:54.

     Overall I have to give the event high marks. The post race food was outstanding as title sponsor Great Harvest Bread provided sandwiches, and lots of tasty bread for hungry runners. In addition, other sponsors provided lots of drinks and food. There was plenty of shelter for the heat, and even more prizes for the post race raffle.

     I can see this race becoming a signature event for the city of Longmont. Race Organizer Josh Melver indicated that the start time will probably be moved to 6am next year to beat the heat. I have no doubts that next years race may top 500 runners.

Sunrise Stampede 10k, Taste of Louisville

Every weekend brings a new race now that summer is here.
And while I won't be racing again until mid July, the last couple of weeks have been busy with a mile, a 5k and two 10ks.

Normally I would not race that much, but my form has been good and I knew I had a break coming anyway after the Sunrise Stampede. So I decided to full speed racer.

The Lucky Seven Mile Series was simply fantastic. The four race series was sponsored by Human Movement

I was delighted with the race organization and the overall atmosphere in downtown Louisville. This is a series that will make for an excellent tune up for the Bolder Boulder next year. Plus it's just plain flat out fun racing.

Same for taste of Louisville. Great race course, fun race.

The 26th running of Sunrise Stampede was blessed with great weather this runner. More than 400 runners signed up for the 10k. The sun hid behind the clouds just as the race was about to start and that made for excellent running conditions. I really like the Sunrise course. It has some nice downhills that are mixed in with one large hill and some slightly uphill sections. Good course and wide open...

No wave start in the Sunrise but the race clears out pretty fast with the sub 40 gazelles taking off leaving the rest of us behind right from the start. I ended up running a personal best of 42.23 so I was delighted with the race and the event overall.

Bolder Boulder 2011 Wrap up

2012 Bolder Boulder is less than 364 days away…so that means were finished with the 2011 edition.

The course change seemed to play pretty well with most of the runners I spoke with. I actually made the strategic error of running my first mile about 25 seconds too fast—even with the slightly uphill start. I paid for my exuberance in miles four and six however. I achieved my primary goal of finishing in the top 15 of my age group (49), but honestly think I had another 30 seconds in me on overall time.

But, there are no mulligans in road racing so I accepted my fate and ran through my fast start all the way to the finish. My final time was 43:17, good enough for 14^th place out of 408 runners in my group.

I made one decision that I will stick with for next year and that was running in a slower wave overall. Last year I was in AA and that was way too fast. I got passed by about a thousand people I think, So this year I moved back to B. I felt much better overall running with people who ran my pace. I also think not getting passed by a gizillion people on the course helped me retain my edge throughout the run.

Given that my finish group was in the stadium before 8AM, I had plenty of time to take in the expo. I collected lots of treats and wolfed down enough liquids to feel up to walking back to Folsom and Arapahoe to watch the rest of the runners come in.

After a quick trip back home, I decided to watch the professional race this year as well. Ryan Hall, pictured above, ran this years race. He also holds the US record in the half marathon at 59:43!!

I’m happy I watched the pros.  Seeing them run on the same course that the rest of us did was pretty cool.

I think the Bolder Boulder is far and away the best run race on the Colorado calendar. I know there are folks who don’t run it because of the crowds, but it really is a great running experience and should definitely be a must do for all runners.