The BolderBoulder

Many months ago, Becca encouraged me to walk the BolderBoulder 10K with her.    This iconic Boulder 

tradition of 44 years is well known and runners from around the world enter.    And, many many senior walkers enter as well.    

I have walked (jogged in my younger days) regularly since I was in my early 30's.   I remember getting out in the early dawn to get it in before work.    And I have continued to pile up the miles as I've aged.   I still walk an average of 3 times a week at a good clip and manage 3-4 miles.   My walking app, Strava, informed me that it was time for new shoes after I had put 400 miles on them..... I complied and my current favorite are Hoka.   

It was a perfect Memorial Day..... Low 60's at the start with light breeze and Colorado blue skies.   

Yes, this is about 3 miles in and you could still reach out and touch your walking neighbor.   It was a bit frustrating at times as I tend to walk a bit faster than many in this wave (waves were made up of like runners, joggers, walkers, wheelchairs).    It's a relatively flat course.   I trained on the hills of AZ but that was not at altitude.   Boulder is a bit lower than Montrose so maybe that was a bit of an advantage. 

This race is known for its 'entertainment' along the route.   Homeowners and various groups provide diversions....slip and slides,  tequila shots, belly dancers, goats, blow up water slides, blow up swimming pools, lots of hoses spraying water ( which was appreciated later on)..... and music of all sorts.   Military bands, DJ's, amateur groups and Elvis and Neil Diamond showed up.     Queen was my favorite and kept me humming.     And, the gardeners displayed their beautiful yards...I even saw a huge yellow peonie and the ubiquitous red poppy and California poppy were plentiful.        There were frequent water/Gatorade stations and porta potties ( sponsored by a local urologist with funny sayings on the doors).       A Dorito display had staff holding large containers of Doritos....people just grabbed a handful with their grubby hands.    I said no thanks !!!!    But then followed up with. " well, if it was Cheetos, I'd get in line. !!"

Another BB tradition are costumes.   I considered a tutu ( there were thousands) but then my saner self said to act my age...... But others go all out....bananas were popular as were dinosaurs, family matching outfits and a hilarious chicken.  

The race ends at Folsom 

Field at the University of Colorado.    We had to circle the field to the cheers of the masses.....and the stands were packed.    Our bibs had tracking devices on them so Paul and Lizzie, in the stands, could follow our progress.   And  later we got an email with our splits and times.   

At the end, the world class elite ran ...... a record was almost broken.     I did the  10 K, 6.2 mile route in 2:02 and they did it in about 30 min.     I was hoping to do it in about 1:50 but I think the slow start and the crowds held me up.   I had no doubts I could do it since I had done it a few times before and I felt very good at the end.  

At noon, there was an impressive Memorial Day service with military sky divers and a fly over.   

I forgot to turn off my app at the finish so this time isn't accurate but is close.....

It was very special to have Becca at my side and Paul and Lizzie cheering us on.     And no, I won't do it again..... maybe..... I didn't like the crowds but thoroughly enjoyed the entire event otherwise.    I don't think I've ever been part of a group totaling over 47,000  happy people.      

 

May....

To the young, life at 81 might not seem that exciting or enviable.   But to the 81 year old, life is very good and might even be exciting now and then........... 

Love the color of these tulips which helped me celebrate my day last month.  

 

It's been a colorful spring with favorite birds returning.   I've got the Merlin app now so I can identify those chirps and trills and calls.   Mostly, we have finches and sparrows and red wing blackbirds.   The oranges are out waiting for the Orioles.    We see the fascinating kingfisher hovering above the steam before his steep dive to capture his lunch.    And we've always had an old weather-beaten heron that has been here as long as we have. But then, 

this new colorful heron dropped by.   He is quite magnificent.   

One day, while being lazy on the patio, I noticed a large bird heading toward the pond and extend his talons and swoop low.   He came up empty taloned but I was shocked to see that it was an eagle.   I have never seen one around here.   They are an hour or so away near the mountains but this was a great surprise.   

In years past, spring meant many baby geese and ducks on the golf course.    I think bird flu in the past years has really decimated them.   We have one Mallard family of 5 cute ducks and a geese family of 4 little ones.   That's all I've seen.   

Somehow, we ended up with a 60 year old son.   I remember that day vividly and many of his milestones and now he is a grandfather !    All the kids came to surprise him and Ashlee and Victor helped with the blowing out of all 60 candles.  It was a great weekend.     And yes, that table top is covered in pennies.  

And, as I write this,  son #2,  Jeff, celebrates 58 years young.   He is  also a grandfather and a talented golfer.   Those were busy years with 2 very active boys.  

I've been increasing my walking distance in prep for a fun event next weekend with Becca.  Stay tuned.   Great views and interesting audio books make for good walks.   

 

We came home from Mike's birthday gathering with a new toy.   I know nothing about 3-D printers but Mike and Jenna are so creative and they have made amazing things.   I wish I had taken some pictures.   She made a tower for hydroponic gardening and has about 8 plants happily thriving.   Ours is humming away making things that are functional....currently these cute clamps.   Stay tuned....

Meanwhile, this is the latest off the drawing board.   This is Kismet, Lizzie's cat.   She was fun to capture with all the bright colors.    I have finished another dog but it is not ready for public viewing yet.  AND, always waiting in the wings are the 2 black curly haired  dogs, Aspen and Tellie.   I have attempted them but I need more practice and confidence.   

I am still quite surprised that I have taken this sharp turn into animal drawings.   But it seemed to come quite naturally once I got the basics down.   If anyone out there among my hundreds of viewers is interested in learning to draw animals, flowers or people,   I highly recommend Bonny Snowden Academy.   She is on YouTube  and has her own teaching website.   She is the best I have ever used.     I started on my own, grew frustrated and sought out various teachers on line thru their Patreon pages but no one is quite like Bonny.  Plus, I think anyone with a British accent seems smart and appealing.  

My golf has improved.   I have no idea why.   Maybe I've relaxed more as I'm not playing the high pressured league.   I'm trying the 9 hole league group since the 18 hole group is getting younger and better and altho they are very nice, it can be intimidating.   I'm also going back to walking 9 holes and enjoying the scenery while I play.   

Until next time..........