The "Battle in Boulder" Race Report

Memorial Day's running of the Bolder Boulder marked the conclusion of my running season for the first half of 2008. While not a lot of miles were logged, in retrospect I raced more than expected at a performance level higher than expected. I am blessed.

The event on Monday was a showdown for bragging rights between Flicka and I. She had bested me at the Park to Park 5 miler by 19 seconds. Our next head to head race was the Summer Kick Off 5k, where I got my payback with a 21 second victory. This left us to duke it out in the "Battle in Boulder".

Race pundits had been commenting all week on the much anticipated duel. They pointed out that Flicka is a much more seasoned competitor and had put together a respectable Spring season, placing in the HARRA Runner of the Season competition. The podium is just like a second home for her, with her trophy case full of medals, trophies, and gift certificates. While her training was not consistent, nor had she been posting any PRs, she had put in decent mileage all year.

Crosstrain was seen as the clear underdog, in spite of his knowledge of the course, experience at altitude running, and impressive victory at the Summer Kick-off. Most pundits felt that Flicka would be able to shake off the psychological damage of her crushing 5k defeat to Crosstrain and bounce back with a solid result. It was no secret to the running experts that Crosstrain has hardly run a lick while he concentrates on cycling excellence.

It is also well known that Flicka's running style has earned her the nickname "Single Speed" since she has no second gear and, rather than speed, relies on outlasting her competition over long distance. Indeed, some of her unsavory competitors have been known to call her "Slow Twitch Witch" after she passes them in the second half of a race. Of course, Crosstrain would never utter such an ungentlemanly remark to any woman who is fast enough to show him her backside in a race.

Crosstrain, on the other hand, is known for his blazing speed. But since he can't keep it up, he has been called on occasion the "Minute Man" as his race usually is over in sixty seconds or less. Therefore, he has become quite tactical in his racing, sometimes bursting early before rolling over to the competition but often just holding off until the climactic home stretch.

The well organized Bolder Boulder graciously provided electronic timing for the "Battle in Boulder" including mile splits. At 7:04:50, the gun sounded for BB wave with Crosstrain, Flicka and race monitors Carwyn and Gary. The results are as follows, although there has been a protest lodged with the race committee. It seems that Carwyn coached Flicka from mile 2, advising her on pacing, strategy, and the distance she was ahead of Crosstrain. Brave and honorable Crosstrain, in spite of running a "PR" race against all odds, had no chance against such wicked deviousness.


                  Crosstrain         Flicka             Comment

Mile 1        7:40.83         7:41.13        35ft gradual downhill first k
Mile 2        7:59.26       7:59.34        40ft uphill
Mile 3        8:03.70         7:57.37       50 ft uphill, then down
Mile 4        7:58.26        7:49.16        Rolling hills
Mile 5        7:33.25         7:31.37        Downhill all the way
Mile 6        8:04.11         7:51.39        About 40ft uphill
Final .2      1:33.38         1:35.93         2.5 sec gain in the stadium

net time  48:52.79      48:25.69        27 second victory for Flicka!

For winning the seasonal bragging rights, your author has not heard what Flicka's reward will be. Crosstrain has heard some talk of having to change her young'uns messy diapers, but he will not be reminding Flicka of that idea.