• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • About
  • Contact
  • New? Start Here!

RunToTheFinish

Online Running Coach for All Paces, All Ages

  • Training
    • Beginner Half Marathon Training
    • Sub Two Half Marathon Training
    • Marathon Training
    • New Runner Tips
    • Low Heart Rate Training
    • Group Run Coaching
    • Nutrition for Runners
  • Running Injuries
  • Gear Reviews
  • Work Together
    • Online Run Coaching
    • 1-1 Coaching
    • Brand Partnerships
  • Shop
    • Book
    • Book Tour
    • IT Band Solution
    • LHR Training Plans
  • Blog

DNF: Colorado Half Marathon Recap and Race Review

1shares

Everyday we’re faced with a myriad of decisions. Most of which have such a tiny impact, we won’t even notice for years that we opted to add that extra squirt of dressing to our salad or to skip that post run hip flexor stretch.

Others, we know in the moment are bigger.

Is he the one?
Is this house really in your budget?
Is this race one you should run?Colorado Marathon Race ExpoI’ve certainly encouraged many friends not to toe the line with injuries because there are indeed MANY more races. It’s so easy to feel pressure to hit a PR, to push through pain or honestly just to feed our own ego with a hell ya I finished despite the pain.

But wanting to run for the long term is about knowing when to lean in to your discomfort and when to wave the white flag.

So why did I even line up? Honestly, I thought I could handle a nice easy downhill run.

Understanding My Choice

I recently tore my left meniscus and had some other issues which resulted in a loss of full knee extension.

The injury happened in January and I made it through the Phoenix half marathon in February, so I didn’t figure this would be all that different. I’ve been hitting PT and my Osteo Surgeon said he still wanted to try and avoid surgery, so if my knee taping was allowing me to run pain free I had the green light.

That taping in fact got me through 30 miles of trails in Malibu….what was a little 13.1 mile jaunt with my handsome husband through a beautiful area of Colorado? Colorado Marathon ViewsI had no plans to push my pace, but I was aware that if it came to walking I’d be in trouble. With the loss of extension it’s much more painful to walk than to keep my knees lightly bent in a easy run.

I felt good that morning and figured I’d simply give it a go.

Colorado Half Marathon Recap

Arriving in the start area, I noticed a few times as I wandered through the field a little twinge here in and there, but I’ve become so used to that it didn’t really phase me. In fact, I was mostly thinking how bizarre I’m wearing a tank top to race in Colorado and I was wearing long sleeves, gloves and hat for Phoenix!

It was the perfect weather for a race. Right around 50 degrees and staying mostly overcast with no big breezes.

All 1100 half marathoners bundled together on the road and with a random cheer, started running! No frills race starts are amusing, but also keep the nerves from going crazy because you start without getting a chance to really think about it.Colorado Half MarathonMiles 1-3 are mostly downhill through this scenic canyon. It’s not a steep grade, but a consistent downhill, so I tried to focus on relaxing my legs and not breaking which long term runners know can trash the quads and the knees.

One of the first things I noticed though was these roads are sharply cambered. Not a light slant, but a deep slant to keep the water running off the road and back in to that beautiful river. On the plus side, the slant keeps switching so it’s not always on one leg.

Why does this matter? As the road slanted to the left it meant my right leg was thus running shorter and my left leg was being asked to extend…which it isn’t doing right now. Yup, this was the start of a problem.Colorado Marathon ReviewI also tried something new by planning to listen to my iPhone, instead of carrying an iPod too…but I forgot to bring a converter to plug in my headphones. Thus when I would normally use my 3 song rotation to pull in to myself and focus, I felt a little adrift listening instead to heavy footfalls and breathing around me.

Miles 4-5 flatten out, but the camber continues. We were averaging just under 9 minute miles and both assuming we’d just enjoy the day with something under 2 hours. No pressure.

Mile 6 is the one and only real uphill in this course. It was no biggie, but I noticed myself suddenly trying to shift my body to find comfort. I wasn’t in pain yet, but my stride felt wrong as we started down the hill to mile 7.

Mile 8 I looked at David and said I don’t think I’m going to finish. He was stunned and honestly, so was I. I couldn’t believe I was contemplating quitting, but I could tell things were going from not great to bad rapidly.

My timing was impeccable as we had just left the road and entered the paved trail portion of the race…yup dropping out was going to get a lot harder without access to a vehicle. David dashed in to a porta potty, so I kept moving forward but my pace was getting slower and slower.

I kept thinking that if I just slowed down maybe it would feel ok. 9:30 pace, nope.10 minute pace, nope. 10:45 pace, nope. 12 minute pace….yeah you see where this is going.

Mile 9 I stopped completely and started rubbing down my leg because the calf and shin were getting angry with my varied attempts to relieve pressure. Could I just walk to the finish? I mean I was getting so close!

Gimp, drag, pause, cringe…I waved David on because I knew he could finish, but my pain was ratcheting up the scale quickly so it was that moment when ego and pride battle your brain.

Mile 10.2 I finally came to the next aid station which was blessedly in a parking lot along the trail so that I could officially say this is it. As I waited for transport, I would keep testing out the knee thinking maybe I could just walk it…I mean what was 3  miles to a marathon runner?! Yet, I also knew that 3 miles was a damn long ways to an injured body and one race wasn’t worth complete catastrophe.

DNF.

It took loner to wait for that transport than it might have taken me to drag myself in, but it was necessary. At the finish line, I realized we had about a 1 mile walk back to our AirBnb. OHHHH the irony! Something that would normally be no big deal was suddenly beyond ridiculous. Because I’d been resting for awhile and because I’m still stubborn, I thought I’d make it back without issue. Instead it took us probably 30 minutes which involved lots of pausing and rubbing my eyes.

Results: I don’t regret lining up. I really looked at all the facts and thought I would be ok. I also stopped once it was too much. While I spent the rest of the day in a lot of pain and things aren’t great today, I don’t think it’s any longer term damage than where I was.

David did indeed finish, but it was his worst race to date which he thought was also due to the roads causing him a lot of knee pain. He’s not so sure he wants to run it again, but I do. I will. Colorado Marathon medalGreat photo from Instagram

Colorado Marathon Race Review

Considering my pain, I actually have nothing but good things to say about the Colorado Marathon and Half Marathon overall. I fully anticipate trying it again…assuming all systems are 100% operating as they should!

This race is much smaller with only about 1100 in the half and another 1100 in the full. Which means in some areas you get better treatment like luxury buses to the start line. And in other areas no frills, like no big start line just an open field.

In truth, I’d take this gorgeous open field in the middle of a canyon with a river rushing by any day.Colorado marathon start line
Pros

  • Gorgeous start line in the canyon watching the sunrise
  • Plenty of porta potties for the smaller race size
  • Water and coffee available at start area
  • Could easily park near the bus transport to the start (we walked the mile from our AirBnb)
  • Final miles are on a paved path rather than the road which is nice (so I’m told)
  • Finish is in downtown Fort Collins with band and beer garden
  • Very cool Colorado themed medal

Cons

  • Strongly cambered road (slanted) isn’t great for knees or IT Band
  • Fruit and cookie found post race, didn’t see other food options (again so I’m told)
  • Race shirt design and quality wasn’t great. The sponsor right across the front made it one you might not care to wear.
  • Ummm…1 uphill?
  • Narrowed down to the shoulder while still enough people to run 5 wide meant you were stuck behind people

Colorado marathon course map

Running Gear

Over the years I’ve definitely learned that the right gear is a big piece of the puzzle. For the first time I tried using my phone to be my everything!! Which makes me sound ridiculously old, but previously I had 0 storage so I just carried to try and snap a photo or two.

MapMyRun: I decided to use this app for tracking to eliminate the need to look at a watch or worry about HR, since this was more of a survival mode race. However, it does actually have a feature to give you an update.

Compression long shorts – I debated tights just to give my leg more support, but it was a warmer morning and I love these shorts. They’re long enough that I don’t worry about them riding up and providing perfect chafe protection.

Under Armour Speed Swift:These are a good neutral shoe with an 8mm heel drop and cushion that feels good without being too much. Not my favorite overall shoe, but was sponsored by UA for this particular race.

Ultimate Direction Handheld: I don’t have an armband for my phone and I HATE water stops, so I decided to test out carrying this. The front pocket is large enough for my iPhone and chapstick as well. The bottle is also curved to easily fit in your hand. I considered wearing my UD hydration pack, but it felt like overkill though the plus is always that it doesn’t disrupt your stride the way carrying something can.

Music: I had my standard playlist of only 3 songs in rotation. But guess what…I forgot that my new iPhone doesn’t have a headphone jack!!! Le sigh, this really was not my day.

As noted, I still don’t think I was being naive about this race, but of course right now as it hurts to move I wish I hated done it. ha!

When is your next race?

Have you raced despite injury?

Other ways to connect with Amanda

Instagram: RunToTheFinishRunning_motivation_thumb

Facebook: RunToTheFinish

Get new more motivation for running and food on Pinterest

1shares

Posted by amanda Categories: Half Marathon, Race

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Sarah says

    May 8, 2017 at 10:39 am

    I’m sorry your race didn’t go well Amanda but love that you shared your perspective and story. It’s not only a physical but emotional roller coaster. Even though it didn’t go well I love your outlook and how you found the positive and are at peace. It’s all about learning and you just never know sometimes.

    • amanda says

      May 8, 2017 at 4:47 pm

      Thanks Sarah! I always appreciate your support, but I”m sure you’ve gotten lots of practice giving that at home :)

  2. Laura says

    May 8, 2017 at 1:39 pm

    So sorry that you ended up in such pain rather than enjoying it :( Hope your knee gets better soon, even if it’s just for walking/hiking and not running! XOXO

    • amanda says

      May 8, 2017 at 4:46 pm

      Thanks friend! The not being able to walk is definitely an issue

  3. [email protected] the Long Way Home says

    May 8, 2017 at 2:16 pm

    I’m so sorry about this! I ran a half marathon last December in Florida on cambered roads and after a while, it killed my right knee. We couldn’t move into the road because they don’t close it off to traffic. I ran on the sidewalk when I could. I don’t know that I’d do it again and risk my knee like that. I’m so fragile! :p

    I sure hope you feel better fast! You did the right thing by stopping. It’s never worth risking a serious injury. Says the runner who has RA now…

    • amanda says

      May 8, 2017 at 4:46 pm

      Thanks Wendy. I think the longer we’ve been running the more we appreciate that one day isn’t worth months. You’ve done amazing things to keep your body moving

  4. Alisa Fleming says

    May 8, 2017 at 5:42 pm

    Oh no! I didn’t know about your injuries. Definitely smart to back off, but that’s awesome you have been doing so well. I tore my meniscus and ACL many years ago. They didn’t need to operate on the ACL (it healed), but they cut out a big chunk of my meniscus and fitness has never been the same. It “goes” on me at random and now chronically swells. So I’m routing for no surgery for you! It sounds like you’ve been managing it well.

  5. Stacey Raymond says

    May 9, 2017 at 12:41 pm

    That’s such a bummer, 2 years ago, I walked ran/walked/limped 10 miles of a half marathon, I/t band😠.

    I just downloaded your e book, I have skimmed it and am quite familiar with your lunge matrix. I am 12 days out from another half and even though I’m in denial, my right knee is feeling a little funny around mile 6. I have a 12 miler in so I don’t need any long runs, what would you do??

    • amanda says

      May 9, 2017 at 2:08 pm

      Gosh this is so tough….
      1. Don’t do nothing for the next 12 days, that will just make it stiff. So if you can walk without pain then just do lots of walking.
      2. If you aren’t in pain come race day, line up but be willing to say enough is enough. Finishing a race with a bad ITB is was had me out for 6 months years ago, as you read. You’ll know immediately if you should stop…be ready to do that.
      3. You could try to visit a sports doc to get a cortisone shot. They do work really well for ITB.

  6. Emily says

    May 10, 2017 at 7:55 am

    I was sad for you that you didn’t get to finish but my respect also greatly increased seeing that you had the wisdom and savvy to listen to your body and not finish; I don’t know that I’ve always been that wise as a runner; but I see that you are definitely extending your running life by not finishing this race. It looks absolutely beautiful; and I’m thankful you got to see such beauty. <3

  7. Amy Lauren says

    May 10, 2017 at 11:02 am

    I haven’t read your blog in awhile but noticed the post about the DNF and had to come read and comment. First off, I really hope your knee heals up and am very sorry you’re dealing with an injury. I’ve had a string of them over the past 7 months and it is tough. I have had several DNS races and deferrals, and I did run one 5K injured because it was paid for and to support a friend who is a beginner runner… which really was a stupid thing to do, because I would’ve set a better example for him by not running it!

    You did the right thing by DNFing… DNF = Did Nothing Fatal. At least you didn’t struggle to finish and make your injury and recovery that much worse. The race will always be there and there will be more once you are healed and ready, and you will enjoy them so much more when healthy! I don’t know when it became “cool” to finish a race no matter what, with all the “Death before DNF” talk, or to run a race you’re not prepared for… but you’re a good example on social media of why not to do those things. Thanks for doing that, we need more messages like this.

    • amanda says

      May 10, 2017 at 4:21 pm

      Thank you Amy!!! I am so sorry you’ve been on the injury train too, it’s hard not to have our endorphins!

Primary Sidebar

Filter by Category
  • Select a Category
  • 10 miler
  • 10K
  • 13.1 marathon series
  • 15K
  • 30 Day Challenge
  • 5k
  • About ME
  • Abs
  • Active Travel
  • alaska
  • Amanda Brooks
  • Arizona
  • Asics
  • Austin
  • Baltimore
  • barefoot running
  • beauty
  • Biking
  • birthday
  • bloggers
  • blogging tips
  • body fat
  • body image
  • body weight exercises
  • book reviews
  • Boston Marathon
  • breakfast
  • California
  • Camping
  • Canada
  • Caribbean
  • chicago
  • ChiRunning
  • Clean Eating
  • cold weather training
  • colorado
  • compression
  • Costa Rica
  • Crockpot
  • cross training
  • CrossFit
  • dairy free
  • dessert
  • egg free
  • electrolytes
  • emotional health
  • Europe
  • family
  • Fit Together
  • fitness gear
  • Fitness Tracker
  • fitness vacation
  • florida
  • foam roller
  • food sensitivity
  • Fort Lauderdale
  • France
  • Funny Running
  • Gift Guide
  • Gluten Free
  • GPS Watch
  • Green Smoothie
  • Guides and Tips
  • habits
  • Half Marathon
  • Hawaii
  • HBBC
  • health coach
  • healthy eating
  • Healthy Home
  • Healthy lifestyle
  • Heart Rate Training
  • HIIT workout
  • hiking
  • hiking
  • Hip Strength
  • Hoka One One
  • Holistic Health
  • Hormones
  • hydration
  • Iceland
  • injury
  • inspiration
  • instagram
  • Ireland
  • IT Band
  • IT Band Recovery
  • Jerusalem
  • key west
  • knee injury
  • Kona
  • Love
  • low heart rate training
  • Maffetone
  • main dish
  • Marathon
  • marathon training
  • marriage
  • meal planning
  • Meditation
  • Memphis
  • mental marathon training
  • Mexico
  • Miami
  • Motivation
  • New York City
  • New York City Marathon
  • New York City Marathon Training
  • NYC marathon
  • Oregon
  • Orlando
  • Palm Beach
  • Philadelphia Marathon
  • physical therapy
  • podcasts
  • Prague
  • Product Review
  • Race
  • race costume
  • race medal
  • race photo
  • race report
  • Ragnar
  • Recipe
  • recovery
  • recovery meal
  • relaxation
  • relay race
  • resolution run
  • review
  • Rock N Roll
  • run club
  • Runner's World
  • running accessories
  • running books
  • running coach
  • running form
  • running fuel
  • running gear
  • Running Group
  • running motivation
  • running music
  • Running Shoes
  • safety
  • salads
  • san diego
  • Saucony
  • Seattle
  • skin care
  • Soup
  • South Beach
  • South Carolina
  • South Florida
  • speed work
  • sports nutrition
  • Stand Up Paddle Boarding
  • Steamboat Springs
  • Strength Training
  • stretching
  • sugar reduction
  • Thanksgiving
  • trail running
  • Training Group
  • training plan
  • travel
  • travel running
  • treadmill
  • treadmill workout
  • triathlon
  • ultrarunning
  • vegan
  • Vegas
  • vegatarian
  • vegetable
  • virtual run
  • wedding
  • weight loss
  • winter
  • women's running
  • workout
  • workout motivation
  • workout schedule
  • Yoga

5 Secrets to Improve Your RUn

Start Making Quick Progress on Your Goals (I swear it's easy) no matter your current fitness level. The tips I share with the runners I coach.

Recent Posts

  • How Quickly Do You Lose Fitness: Bounce Back from Missed Runs
  • The Year That Almost Wasn’t
  • Top 10 Men’s Running Pants | Lightweight to Winter Tights
  • Snowshoeing for Beginners
  • Best Fitness Books : What’s Worth Actually Reading

Must Have Gear

Comparing GPS Watches

Best HR Monitor for Running

Best Foam Rollers

Best Running Books

Running Jackets for Every Condition

fitness partners

Please note that affiliate links {such as Amazon} may pop up on RTTF from time to time. They do not cost you anything to use, but are a huge help to support the ongoing content creation process. Click here to do your shopping!

Welcome!!

Hello runners! I’m Amanda Brooks, a certified personal trainer and running coach. I’ve been coaching over a decade and distance running since 2002. My philosophy is that running isn’t about your pace or the distance or your body. It’s about showing up for yourself, loving the process and doing it injury free!

 

online running coach

Footer

Get the Free 5 Day Better Runner Challenge

Start Making Quick Progress on Your Goals (I swear it's easy)

About Amanda Brooks

Amanda Brooks is a Certified Running Coach, Certified Personal Trainer and long time distance runner with a passion for every facet of running, which leads her to do more reading, research and running than necessary. Find all the tips, tricks and tools you need from this running coach for your best injury free running. Read More…

Popular Posts on RunToTheFinish

  • Piriformis Syndrome Exercises: Alleviating a Pain in the Butt
  • Suunto vs Garmin: Which GPS Watch Is Better for You
  • 17 Funniest Running Memes – Which One’s Do You Relate To?
  • T25, P90X3, PiYo – Can it Improve Your Running? Complete Comparison
  • Brooks vs Asics: What’s the Difference in Running Brands

runtothefinish

Amanda Brooks : Run Coach
A NEW PLAN DOESN’T FIX EVERYTHING. You might alr A NEW PLAN DOESN’T FIX EVERYTHING. You might already know what’s best for you, but aren’t doing it consistently. That’s the only way we really make changes.
.
A PLAN can help, but I often don’t think that’s step one to making lasting change.
//
HABITS AND ROUTINES✴️
-Eliminate the need to make decisions.
-Which reduces brain fatigue.
-Which increases your chance of success.
//
TINY HABITS✴️
This is the smallest step you can take towards your goal. Often so small it seems insignificant, but is easy to make it a habit.
🌟
That leads you to another tiny habit, then another and suddenly it’s just your lifestyle.
👆👆👆
When people ask how I easily kept off 35lbs for over 15 years, while enjoying pizza, taking rest days and not obsessing about food.
👇👇👇👇
When people ask how I stay motivated to run year round and rarely race. Tiny habits.
//
Day one isn’t eat perfect or run for an hour.
.
Day one IS drink a glass of water when I wake up. Put on my running clothes.
.
Day 30 is then more like after I drink my glass of water, I do 5 push ups. After I put on my running clothes, I do a 5 minute warm up.
//
SLOW PROGRESS IS BETTER THAN NO PROGRESS, it builds momentum and is sustainable.
❔❔❔
Have you ever practiced creating tiny habits???
1️⃣ WORD TO DESCRIBE YOUR RUNNING THIS YEAR? M 1️⃣ WORD TO DESCRIBE YOUR RUNNING THIS YEAR?
Mine... satisfying.
😊
1900 miles blows away previous years.
.
(swipe to see...because yes I love tracking.) Unfortunately I’m not positive what it was 2001-2007 because I wrote it on calendars.
//
SATISFYING
🥰I needed the long miles early on to process my business being thrown for a loop. Bye bye book tour and partnerships.
😊I needed it after that to get away from the news and pretend I wasn’t spending all day alone. Then as my business shifted again to keep ideas flowing.
🌲I loved the time outside to think, get lost in a comedy podcast or audiobook. Otherwise I’m at home working!
🤩Without a single race, I still checked a big goal off my list of running an ultra distance (solo was very interesting!).
//
I’ve seen some posts that make it seem like we’re wrong for talking about what we achieved this year.
.
It was a HARD FCKIN year for everyone, but guess what lots of years are. And not every year is great even without a pandemic.
//
For all the lows this year, I also worked my ass off to make some really good things happen. And I’m extra proud of that.
//
So let’s hear your word for fitness in 2020??
⬇️
Hard, easy, strong, powerful, consistent, cleansing, relaxing, nature, grace, grit, grind, triumph, building...
HAIR EMOJI POLL!!! Seriously hair...it’s a lot r HAIR EMOJI POLL!!! Seriously hair...it’s a lot right?! Figuring out what to do with it, color it don’t color it, keep it healthy, breakage from ponytails, long, short. And yet a good hair day😃 🔥 🌟
//
POLL:
🥰Love your hair
🤪Frustrated with your hair
1️⃣Natural curls
2️⃣Stick straight
👇👇👇
Curly friends: share your favorite tips!!
Long hair friends: what helps you keep it healthy?
👆👆👆
//
At 7 I could sit in my hair it was so long.
At 10 we started perms.
At 16 I had a full mane of hair I loved.
At 20 I learned I have naturally curly hair 😂after years of perms as a kid.
At 25 I was going blonde blonde blonde.
At 29 I began losing hair and it got so brittle I had to chop it off, due to the hormone issues.😭
At 35 my hair started to recover (as did my body), but never like that mane I loved as a teen.
At 39 I got my first curly haircut! I’m still figuring it out, but was amazed at how it looked.
//
I don’t wear much make up, but I do admit to really caring about my hair and it was a tough time when it felt so unhealthy.
//
I’m still struggling to figure out this new curly style 😂but keep hearing from other curly girls ya just gotta stick it out. So we’ll see.
.
.
#curlygirlmethod #hairtalk
ARE YOU REALLY GOING TO RUN? Why don’t you just ARE YOU REALLY GOING TO RUN? Why don’t you just enjoy a day off? Don’t you feel guilty about the time apart?
//
Yes.
It makes me happy.
No, if I’m happy our time together is better.
👇👇👇
MY VIEW IS THIS...
❌If you aren’t working out because of food guilt
❌If you aren’t missing big moments because you must workout
✅If you enjoy it and it improves your day
✅THEN GO FORTH and don’t let anyone make you feel guilty for improving your mental and physical health.
//
❓Do you have guilt or get guilted about workouts for n holidays?❓
//
This has been my lifestyle so long that our families just know to expect that I’m gonna sweat. And of course, I’m lucky David wants this lifestyle too.
.
BUTTTTT I remember those first trips to David’s family, where it really threw them for a loop. They still find it weird, but I sneak out before everyone gets up or have gotten them to do family things like the rec center.
//
My best advice when asked has always been to try and calmly explain why it matters to you and then just go. They get over it or used to it.
🎁 🎄🕎
TAKE ANOTHER LITTLE PIZZA MY HEART 😂a reminder TAKE ANOTHER LITTLE PIZZA MY HEART 😂a reminder this holiday season that we all need to be loved differently...and pizza transcends all.
//
🍕Do you have a favorite local pizza place?🍕🍕
.
Yes, I knead to know for when we can travel again.
.
Here we fell in love in love with @saucyspizza and I wouldn’t be sad if I got it as a gift 😆
.
.
.
.
#pizzamemes #eatlocal #denvercolorado #ilovepizza #lovememes #pizzagram #digiorno #papajohns #foodisfuel #longrun #womenwhoeat #carbsarelife
Follow on Instagram
Website written, managed and maintained by Amanda Brooks, a certified running coach and personal trainer. Any advice should be taken as general information and not a personalized plan. All opinions, tips and reviews are based upon her personal life experience and the experiences of those she has coached. View our full privacy and review policy.

Copyright © 2021 RunToTheFinish

Copyright © 2021 · RunToTheFinish V2 on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in