Imogene Pass Run 2010

This past weekend marked my fourth year participating in the Imogene Pass Run (17 miles over a rough jeep road pass from Ouray to Telluride- 10 miles up and 7 down with the summit reaching 13,114 feet). However this number is nothing compared to my mom's 15th consecutive year running it! They even announced this feet upon her finishing the run. It is always a fun weekend hanging out in this beautiful part of the state. We made the long drive down to Ouray on Friday (the day before the race) making a few stops along the way which included the yummy Firebrand deli in Gunnison. With stops included, the drive too seven hours! Arriving into Ouray about 5, we quickly settled into our hotel room which was only 50 feet from the start of the race. Nice! Then it was off to pick up race packets and wander the town before getting any early dinner at The Outlaw. I ran into a familiar face at the packet pick up. It was my friend Lee who I met during several training runs on Pikes Peak over the last few years. First of all he is 77 years old and going strong. He has done the Pikes Peak Marathon several years, the Mt Evans Ascent and this is his first attempt at Imogene Pass. He lives in Centennial and would come down to the Springs once a week to train on Pikes Peak where I seeming ran into him often. He is an inspiration to all and it was great to see him. By the way, he ended up making a 75+ course record during this year's Imogene run finishing in 5:26:11.
Race morning quickly approached. The air was quite brisk with totally clear skies (mid forties) on race morning and deciding on clothing to wear was difficult. It was supposed to warm up to the 60's. The Ouray side of the pass is always chilly going up as it is in the shade most of the way but the Telluride side is usually warm and in the sun all the way. There was zero percent chance of rain. I ended up wearing shorts, t-shirt with arm warmers, a light wind jacket, and gloves. I kept everything on until about 1 1/2 mile from the summit when we actually got into the sun and there wasn't much wind. It was chilly enough going up that my quads were numb most of the way but I was still glad to have shorts on as the 7 miles down into Telluride were warm! The summit weather was awesome as I didn't even need my jacket, no wind, clear skies.
This run is always more of a have fun, enjoy the outdoors, and your fellow runners than a competition. I felt pretty good going up but didn't push it too hard and was able to take pictures along the way. A majority of the first 5 1/2 miles is runnable with a few steep parts but past that it gets rather steep and running becomes more difficult. You will find most people hike these parts including myself. I arrived at the Upper Camp Bird aid station (11,235 feet) which is 7.6 miles into the race in a respectable time compared to my past races (about 1:45). As I am taking in the view, drinking water, and eating some snacks, John surprises me with a slap on the back and just keeps on going! After beating me during the Pikes Peak marathon, he is very anxious to beat me once again. At that point, he was definitely on pace for a personal best at this run. It was a third year running it! He was doing awesome.
After a few pictures, I left the aid station and made my way up the last 2.4 miles which are very very steep as you climb almost 2,000 feet. The summit is in sight. It didn't take me too long to catch John, pass him and then keep ahead of him to the summit. He keep a great pace and ended up just over a minute behind me to the summit. My summit time was 2:36:55 which is about 3 minutes off my PR. I spent quite a bit of time at the summit, taking pictures, watching runners, taking in the view, drinking hot chicken broth and filling water! John quickly left the summit as he wanted to get a good time and I waited a little longer at the top hoping Melissa (my running partner and her debut at Imogene) would be summiting soon! She did and was only 10 minutes behind! Awesome! So of course more pictures were taken and I helped her replenish water and then we headed down together. I probably spent about 15 minutes at the top but it only felt like 5. It is always hard for me to leave the summit. But, it was nice to have someone to run the down of this course with as it is very very technical with lots of loose scree and loose rocks and steep. It takes great concentration to ensure you stay upright and because of this we could barely make conversation to each other on the way down because we were so focused. The 7 miles down took about 60 minutes and we both finished in 3:50 (11 minutes off my PR). We were surprised to find out John also finished in 3:50 (if you count the seconds, he was 30 seconds ahead of us). He finished 9 minutes faster than last year and a PR. Apparently, he didn't feel great on the down, was low on calories and had to slow to eat his sandwich. As a result, we had almost caught up to him.
My mom and her running partner Jo Anne (who also has done the race for several years) finished strong. It was my mom's first race back from knee surgery. She felt really strong going up but had to take the downhill easy,walking most of it as ordered by her orthopedic surgeon. Jo Anne had been fighting a flu like illness and so she struggled on the up. In the end, they both finished strong together.
The followed pictures better describe the race!
Jo Anne and my mom outside the hotel headed to the start!
The fab five right before the start- Melissa, Me, Jo, my mom and John peaking through behind us.
Mom and I before headed to the start line.
The up
Jo and my mom taking it all in!
And it gets steeper. Probably 6 miles in.
Upper Camp Bird aid station-7.6 miles. You can see the summit in the background.
Jo making her way up.
Looking back at what we came up. Not quite to the summit!
Getting closer. Probably 1.5 mile to summit. John is just 50 feet in front of me.
The summit. Lots of people cheering us on. The volunteers are awesome.
Looking down from the summit!
Runners just getting to the summit!
Melissa and I at the summit!
John and I at the summit!
Looking down the Telluride side!
My mom coming through the Social Tunnel about 3 miles from the finish!
Some of the steeper sections coming down.
Looking back up from were we came from. Almost into Telluride.
My mom just less than 1/4 mile from the finish!
Mel and I finishing in sync!
Mel, John and I waiting for my Mom and Jo at the finish. My dad and Charlie (Jo's husband) were cheering us on the finish.
My mom and Jo finishing!
Yummy peaches!
My parents and I in Telluride.
Celebrating at the Ouray Brewery.
More celebrating with mexican food and margaritas.

It was another successful race weekend. I love visiting that part of the state and cannot wait for next year!