Mt Sneffels Half Marathon Recap 1:40.13

I haven’t run the Mt. Sneffels Half Marathon since 2019. The course is normally a downhill route from Ouray to Ridgway, dropping about 1,000 ft (though you do have some hilly good points too… it’s not utterly downhill). In 2024, there was highway injury as a result of storms, and so they needed to change it. It grew to become an out-and-back from Ridgway with about 600 ft of elevation achieve. After I say this made it one of many hardest half marathons I’ve ever run, it was. Beginning at 7,000 ft and operating uphill just isn’t straightforward.

Earlier than the Mt. Sneffels Half Marathon:

We drove to Montrose over a two-day journey (about 5-6 hours every day). Now we have household out that means that we haven’t seen and had been excited to go to. It was an extended drive, and nobody feels good after driving practically 12 hours. We did a brief shakeout run, ate loads of pancakes, and slept decently properly the night time earlier than.

The morning of, I used to be barely frightened about parking with the course change, so I believed we must always get to the race 90 minutes early. Effectively, we had been actually the primary folks there. We beat the race director! We simply relaxed after which did a few one-mile warmup. I felt winded operating uphill however advised myself it could all work out.

Mt. Sneffels Half Marathon Race:

Earlier than we knew it, it was time for the Mt. Sneffels Half Marathon race begin. The good factor about smaller races is that I wasn’t even on the Mt. Sneffels Half Marathon begin line till 90 seconds earlier than the race began. I made it with loads of time to spare. I figured the brand new Mt. Sneffels Half Marathon race course can be principally uphill going out and downhill coming again. I wished to be sensible on the best way out so I’d have power for the return.

As we headed into the primary mile of the Mt. Sneffels Half Marathon, I discovered myself in fourth place total among the many ladies. I may see the second and third-place runners however didn’t see the chief. I hit the primary mile in a snug 7:49. It felt powerful however not overwhelming, although I positively felt winded going uphill.

From there, I noticed I wanted a restroom. Given the distant space, I wasn’t positive if there can be bogs alongside the race course, and there was nowhere to cover. Simply after mile 2, I noticed a porta-potty and dipped in. I used to be in there for about 20 seconds after which headed again down the screeching downhill. I didn’t keep in mind having to run up that final time, however my husband mentioned it was the worst a part of the race. With the cease and downhill, I ran mile 3 of the Mt. Sneffels Half Marathon in 7:53.

Between miles 3 and 4, I noticed I may see the third-place girl. I couldn’t inform if I used to be catching as much as her however thought I should be. Then I noticed a spectator you not often encounter at races—a cat on a leash. Actually, it made me so joyful, and I saved eager about it.

The subsequent few miles concerned extra elevation achieve than you’d count on. Operating felt extremely laborious, however wanting again, every mile gained roughly 100 ft. I knew it could get simpler simply after midway, and I ran 8:00, 8:04, and eight:12. I finally handed the third-place girl and hoped I may energy downhill quicker.

There was an excellent steep hill simply earlier than the Mt. Sneffels Half Marathon’s midway level at 6.55 miles, and I actually stopped to stroll however then determined to slowly jog up. The midway level felt like I used to be on prime of the world, and now it was time to crush some downhill.

From there, I used to be operating with two males, and we started ripping downhill. I felt like I used to be falling. I remembered I hadn’t actually had an excessive amount of of my liquid gas. The Mt. Sneffels Half Marathon was cupless, and I opted to run with my very own bottle stuffed with UCAN. After operating the La Jolla Half Marathon, I noticed I desire to hold my very own diet. I can’t say I like the concept of cupless races. I admire that they’re saving cups and decreasing litter, however I don’t get pleasure from carrying my very own bottle. Nonetheless, I pressured myself to hold it from miles 7-10 so I may sip often.

I flew by way of the subsequent few miles, operating 7:01, 7:03, and seven:08. Between miles 9 and 10, I noticed the cat once more and determined I wished to take a photograph with him. What can I say? I’m a cat girl by way of and thru. I finished to take a photograph and was as clumsy as you could be mid-race. It took me round 20 seconds (I want I knew how briskly that mile would have been with out the cease—it was possible properly beneath 7 minutes).

Afterward, I had a worry that I would lose a podium spot as a result of I finished to take a photograph with a cat. Actually, I can’t consider something extra on-brand for me!

From there, I knew what was coming—the steep uphill at mile 11. After pushing laborious for over 4 miles, I used to be drained, and I may really feel it. After I hit the uphill, I advised myself to only hold shifting ahead. By then, we had merged with the 10K runners, and it was good to see extra folks on the course. However boy, did that uphill knock me out—I can’t recall a time once I’ve been extra winded.

The final two miles of the Mt. Sneffels Half Marathon had been among the hardest miles I’ve ever run in a race. I used to be wheezing and utterly exhausted however saved telling myself to not cease. I felt like I used to be crawling. I feel I mentioned “good job” to among the 10K runners, however I may need simply grunted—I actually haven’t any clue.

I ran the ultimate two miles in 7:23 and seven:18. After I noticed the end line, I believed the course is likely to be a bit quick, but it surely wasn’t, and I crossed in 1:40:15.

Mt. Sneffels Half Marathon Ideas:

I used to be actually stunned to complete because the third total girl. It was positively the toughest “highway” race (though it’s completely on filth/gravel) I’ve ever performed. I’m happy with myself for ending sturdy. You possibly can’t evaluate this yr to earlier ones as a result of course distinction, however I feel I may possible run a 1:32-1:33 in an ordinary highway half marathon proper now. We’ll see! I like the Mt. Sneffels Half Marathon, and regardless of the place it’s held, it’s probably the most stunning races I’ve ever performed and stays a favourite.