Bolder Boulder 10k Recap

I know, it’s a few days late but I wanted to (finally) get around to sharing about this year’s Bolder Boulder!

For those of you that haven’t heard of it, the Bolder Boulder is one of the largest 10k’s in the country. In fact, I think it was the largest at some point but I have no idea if that is true anymore. I could very easily be spouting lies to y’all. Hard to tell!

Anyway, a group of us run the 10k every year, but I like to use the phrase “run” lightly. You see, there are a couple factors that you have to take into account with the BB: massive amounts of people and far too much fun going on OUTSIDE of the course!

Of course, I went into the BB with it being my first legit run since the Colorado Half. Poor decision, my friends. Poor decision! It made this simple and fun 10k hurt far more than it should have! Not to worry though– I found beer at the end which made it allllllllll better!

We made sure to settle down by THIS truck after the run….naturally.

We are never organized enough to get all of us into the same qualifying wave, so Cindy, Craig, Angel, Adrian, Joey, Spencer, and me all crammed ourselves into a heat that was meant for people with an 11:30 pace or slower. Now, I’m slow, but luckily, I could take on an 11:30 pace πŸ™‚ Unfortunately, we all ended up splitting up once the running began, so I did the majority of the race solo. However, that was perfectly okay, and you know why?

There is beer on this course in the form of a beer bong.


There is a slip ‘n slide on this course.


There is a man with a tray of bacon.


There is a table full of people throwing marshmallows to the runners.


There was even a booth setup making cotton candy for runners.

I ask you, could it get any better?! And yes, it did. Because then I found pole dancers around mile 5.

Seriously, for anyone thinking of running the Bolder Boulder, just do it. Yes, there are a lot of amazing runners that come out and compete and they are phenomenal and fast and competitive. But then there are the people like me who do it to have a great time, soak up the sights, and enjoy one of my favorite cities in the country!

Angel found a flag so she could demonstrate some patriotism

And in case you’re curious, I managed to finish in around 65 minutes with a total of 6.38 miles. Pretty sure that extra mileage came from me searching out the cotton candy πŸ™‚

********************
Have you ever done the Bolder Boulder? Love it or hate it?
When I was in college at CU, I used to hate the BB because it would take over the city for the weekend and make it super difficult to function. However, I’ve grown a soft spot for it over the years, although I can’t promise I won’t climb a mountain next year in stead!

How do you feel about 10k’s in general?




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Bolder Boulder 10k Recap

I know, it’s a few days late but I wanted to (finally) get around to sharing about this year’s Bolder Boulder!

For those of you that haven’t heard of it, the Bolder Boulder is one of the largest 10k’s in the country. In fact, I think it was the largest at some point but I have no idea if that is true anymore. I could very easily be spouting lies to y’all. Hard to tell!

Anyway, a group of us run the 10k every year, but I like to use the phrase “run” lightly. You see, there are a couple factors that you have to take into account with the BB: massive amounts of people and far too much fun going on OUTSIDE of the course!

Of course, I went into the BB with it being my first legit run since the Colorado Half. Poor decision, my friends. Poor decision! It made this simple and fun 10k hurt far more than it should have! Not to worry though– I found beer at the end which made it allllllllll better!

We made sure to settle down by THIS truck after the run….naturally.

We are never organized enough to get all of us into the same qualifying wave, so Cindy, Craig, Angel, Adrian, Joey, Spencer, and me all crammed ourselves into a heat that was meant for people with an 11:30 pace or slower. Now, I’m slow, but luckily, I could take on an 11:30 pace πŸ™‚ Unfortunately, we all ended up splitting up once the running began, so I did the majority of the race solo. However, that was perfectly okay, and you know why?

There is beer on this course in the form of a beer bong.


There is a slip ‘n slide on this course.


There is a man with a tray of bacon.


There is a table full of people throwing marshmallows to the runners.


There was even a booth setup making cotton candy for runners.

I ask you, could it get any better?! And yes, it did. Because then I found pole dancers around mile 5.

Seriously, for anyone thinking of running the Bolder Boulder, just do it. Yes, there are a lot of amazing runners that come out and compete and they are phenomenal and fast and competitive. But then there are the people like me who do it to have a great time, soak up the sights, and enjoy one of my favorite cities in the country!

Angel found a flag so she could demonstrate some patriotism

And in case you’re curious, I managed to finish in around 65 minutes with a total of 6.38 miles. Pretty sure that extra mileage came from me searching out the cotton candy πŸ™‚

********************
Have you ever done the Bolder Boulder? Love it or hate it?
When I was in college at CU, I used to hate the BB because it would take over the city for the weekend and make it super difficult to function. However, I’ve grown a soft spot for it over the years, although I can’t promise I won’t climb a mountain next year in stead!

How do you feel about 10k’s in general?




31 Comments

  • Reply Jane {In the Pink and Green} at

    This sounds like so much fun! I really wish I could have gotten a chance to do the BB, too bad we moved before it happened! πŸ™‚

  • Reply Lena @Fit on the Rocks at

    I’ve volunteered for it so many times, but I’ve never run it. I was seriously thinking about it this year, but it didn’t sound fun knowing I had a half the weekend before πŸ˜› Next year for sure!

  • Reply Christy MyDirtRoadAnthem at

    I hope to do BB someday, sounds like crazy fun. I have only done three 10ks so far and none of them have been great. I know I will have a good one eventually.

  • Reply Nathan at

    Glad you had a great time! I think what I had heard (at least in the past) was it was the largest timed 10K. Although timing is pretty much irrelevant when you have beer on the course IMHO. I’ve done it before and it was a lot of fun, but I must be getting old and crotchety because at this point I’d rather go for a hike or nice trail run away from people and booths filled with freebies.

    • Reply Heather @ Just a Colorado Gal at

      I am starting to get to that point too πŸ™‚ I do love the BB but sometimes the crowds and people make me want to (Literally!) head for the hills!

  • Reply Laura @ Mommy run fast at

    Congrast on the 10k! I just did a 10k over the weekend, but it was way too hot and really miserable. It’s a tough distance in general, short enough to push yourself, but long enough that you have to be able to hang on! Not my favorite distance. But I’ve heard the Bolder Boulder is a blast!

  • Reply Lucas at

    Fun race, right? I think this was 16 in a row for me. Too much fun to miss! Nice work!

  • Reply Big Daddy Diesel at

    What a fun race

  • Reply Julie at

    I did it the last 2 years and yes I thought it was fun, but like you I’m not a huge fan of dealing with that many people. πŸ™‚ I may do it again one of these years though.

  • Reply Jamie at

    I’ve never done this race, but I wouldn’t mind doing it!

    I love 10Ks, I definitely prefer them over 5Ks!

  • Reply Angela @ Happy Fit Mama at

    I’m doing my first 10K next weekend. I’ll let you know after that how I feel about it!

  • Reply Jill at

    Hahah…love the extra mileage due to finding cotton candy :).
    LOVE that course and love that race. I haven’t done it in a few years but always have an adventure every time I do. Nice job, girl!!

  • Reply Suz and Allan at

    Sounds like a fun race and the extra mileage is totally worth it for cotton candy!

  • Reply Terzah at

    I LOVE the BB and was sad not to do it this year. Stories like yours always crack me up. I have a friend who always run/walks it with her husband taking silly videos.

  • Reply Kerri O at

    I always say I’m going to run this, but never have! Must. Do. It.

  • Reply Char at

    I ran it this year and it was fun! I love the bacon and all the fun things going on the course too. I never took the time to actually enjoy it though haha. I have my race recap on my blog too! This race is special to me since it was the first race I ever ran πŸ™‚

  • Reply mountainkait.com at

    I ran it three years ago, but only because my sister’s company paid for it! It’s an expensive 10k, but you are right-a lot of excitement and a lot of fun. I have friends that are religious about it. Personally, I like to try out different races and money is definitely an issue.

    • Reply Heather @ Just a Colorado Gal at

      It is a pricey 10k and I actually had a friend point that out to me a few days ago. I agree with trying out different races too, but I also like to do the same ones just to compare from year to year πŸ™‚

  • Reply Zach McGregor at

    This is the first year I missed it in the last 7 years. I’ve done it about 15 times and I love it every time.for me this is a must do race if your a runner

  • Reply Heidi Nicole at

    Bacon AND cotton candy… yum!
    Thats all I have to say… πŸ˜‰

  • Reply mymarblerye at

    EVERYONE was talking about BB at work!! I wanna see what the hype is about next year!

  • Reply Lauren at

    I’ve been dying to do it ever since I first heard about it on my first trip to CO four years ago! It sounds AWESOME! I have a friend that moved to Denver from MD last year and he ran it this year, and has been raving about it.
    When I eventually move out there… I’ll definitely sign up! (Maybe even next year?? Fingers crossed)

  • Reply Lynda @ Hit The Road Jane at

    That sounds like so much fun!!! Did you or any of your friends do the slip and slide??

    • Reply Heather @ Just a Colorado Gal at

      My friend did but I ran for the marshmallows instead! The base of the slide was turning into a mud pile though, which looked like a lot of fun πŸ™‚

  • Reply Michelle (Better with Berries) at

    I have a dream to move to Colorado, and when I do, I am most definitely doing this 10k!

  • Reply Lisa@RunWiki at

    Oh I wish I had met you! My sister lives in Boulder and I ran this year. It was so much fun. If you think your late I’m just working on my recap right now, ugh! It is really a good time, everyone should do it, it just makes you happy doesn’t it? I LOVE Colorado, we are moving to CA. (husband in military) but would live in CO in a second. Glad you had fun! xo

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