There are worse places to be at 6am than along the shores of the Boulder Rez watching the sunrise. True to Boulder running style, the race announcer called runners to the corral about 5 minutes before the starting gun for the full marathon – four laps around the Rez. Five minutes later, the three-quarters marathon launched – three laps. After another five minutes, the half started – two laps, followed by the 10k – one lap.

I met 50-year-old Keenan Haga, from Louisville, south of Boulder. Just when you think you’re a bad-ass running the Boulder Rez Marathon on what could potentially be one of the hottest days of the year, some kid shows up and says this will be his 83rd marathon so far this year. That he’s going for a Guinness World Record for his age. He finished in 5:39, 6th for his age.

The vibe was cool at the start, with the promise of clouds and pleasant temps. I had no idea how I’d run given my lack of training and the potential for good weather. The morning coolness lasted through the first loop. There was a quarter mile run along Coot Lake where you got to double-back and look at some of the faces of runners close to you. That became more fun on each loop – discovering my people.

I like the vibe of these smaller Boulder marathons around the Rez and the backroads. I parked right next to the finish line and setup my own personal aid station along the course, stocked with ice water, gels, water bottles and an orange – which I ate at the half. How many big race courses can you do that on?

I was prepared each loop for the next to become unbearably hot, but it never did. Despite not putting in the training miles for this, the cooler temps had me running much faster than I expected. It was warm enough that I would finish my fresh 500ml LMNT hydration quicker and quicker with each loop. I had to drink some of the Gatorade Endurance Formula from the aid stations to get through the 3rd loop, and twice as much on the 4th loop. Combined with a few S!CAPs and my legs held up well.

My gear supported me well too. My bucket hat’s broad brim would vent the air into a stronger wind, over my chest and torso, cooling me off. For sure, my legs tightened up on the final few miles, but I had a super good run. I finished in 4:25, a 10:08 pace and won my age group. It was close actually with 2nd place just two minutes behind me and third only five minutes behind him. I won that slate coaster for getting myself out the door this morning.