Run to the Shrine 10K

The Displaced Duthican asked me if I wanted to do the Run to the Shrine with her a few weeks ago.  I'm never one to pass up a race, so I agreed, and then told her that we should do the 10K.

Ummm.....what was I thinking?

I thought that there would be a hill to climb, but couldn't imagine that it would be that large.  Maybe I need to spend more time at the zoo.  Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is the only zoo that is built into the side of a mountain.  Where did I get the idea of running up a hill?  Let me assure you, it's a mountain.

We arrived bright and early at the zoo this morning and luckily the Dutchican knew the history of the shrine, which is pretty interesting, so I think we'll plan a trip up (in a car) before Gunner leaves.

The views were spectacular, and since there was an 8.5% grade increase and the altitude increased almost 1000 feet, I should have brought a camera because I could have taken pictures at the rate that I was speeding struggling to get up that hill.

I did finish the race, where the Dutchican was waiting at the finish line.  (I'm telling you, she's a machine!)

I'm glad I did it, but I think that the Pikes Peak Ascent is off the race schedule for a few years.  I've got a long way to go before I can hike up an incline like that at an efficient speed.  All in all, I would do it again, even the 10K (as I thought the 5K had a wimpy finish line), but I would have to get outside and run more, train with hills, and do the mini-incline by my house on a regular basis.