In spite of the nerve-wracking forecast for snow, the weather held out for Imogene. Another year of perfect conditions for racing up and over a mountain. This second time around I was a spectator. Well, we were spectators, me and my little babe, cheering the boys on from the sidelines. I managed to miss the first place finisher (who ran the third fastest time in the 30-year history of Imogene) thanks to a long line at Mouse's and the hour drive from Ouray to Telluride, but I did make it in time to see Trent come down the mountain in an amazing 17th place finish.
Ben, unfortunately, came down with a sinus infection days before the race. That didn't stop him from setting high standards for himself with a goal of finishing in three hours flat. If you're a regular reader, you might remember that last year Ben and I finished in 3:56. So that would be an almost-hour improvement. And, yes, I was a little cynical toward his lofty goal; blame the competitor in me. In the end, he improved his time immensely, finishing in 3:31. This, despite being passed by "hundreds of runners" on the way down the mountain. Poor guy just had no wheels thanks to illness.
After the race, we enjoyed Mouse's chocolates, ice cream and coffee drinks, soaked in the mineral hot springs, treated ourselves to a steak dinner (which, for me, was a salad and baked potato dinner thanks to aforementioned ice cream and chocolates; have I mentioned how good food tastes these days?) and spent the better part of the evening at a backwoods-like brewery where the boys had celebratory pints of barley pop. It was another great weekend in Ouray.
The Mr. Grumpy Pants Brewing Company. Ben said that I would call it "Mr. Grumpy Bastard's Brewing Company" if he were the owner. He knows me well.
At 23 weeks, I guess I'm still in that "is she or isn't she?" phase if you catch me at the wrong angle, which this photo captures exactly.
So long, Ouray. Until next year, when we'll have a nine-month-old cheering for Mama and/or Daddy. Crazy!
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