80. Run the Bolder Boulder

Yesterday I was fortunate enough to accomplish another goal - Run the Bolder Boulder!  The Bolder Boulder is a 10K that has happened every year for the last 25 years and winds thru the streets of Boulder, Colorado.  I wanted to do this race because I had never done it before and so many people who live here talk about it being one of their favorite races.  Not to mention, exercising is easier if you have a goal!  I was also fortunate that my friend Megan and fiance Brian also wanted to run it, so I didn't have to go it alone.

Picture of me, Brian and Megan, post-race victory! 

The race went really well, though it was a little on the warm side.  We all stayed together until about mile 5, where I had to walk for minute due to an aggravated knee.  This put my finishing time 3 minutes behind Brian and Megan's time - I finished at 1:05 and they finished at 1:02.  Not bad, especially considering I gave myself an additional 10 minutes to finish prior to starting the race. 

Here's a link to my results:  http://bolderboulder2013.onlineraceresults.com/individual.php?bib=FL261

I would definitely run the Bolder Boulder again - it was a lot of fun and the distance is just about perfect for me!

79. Go to a Kentucky Derby party wearing a fantastic hat

I actually had the Denver Derby party in mind when I added this goal to the list.  However, I didn't go to the Denver Derby party (tickets are actually pretty pricey).  Instead, I went to a Bridal Shower that doubled as a Derby party.  My friend, Monica, invited me to her bridal shower which was held at her aunt's fabulous home in Highlands Ranch.  Upon arrival, I was immediatly served a delicious glass of sangria and made some new friends who were also wearing fabulous hats.  The bridal shower portion of the day was great - it was one the best bridal showers I've been to and was so good that I would love to hire Monica's aunts to throw my bridal shower in a few months!  (Only kidding...unless they would want to do it, ha!)  They served cute mini foods like sandwiches and fruit tarts, and who can forget, more sangria to wash it all down with!  We played a fun mad libs game and then read our answers out loud to Monica while she opened each of our gifts.  We also took individual pictures with the bride-to-be wearing our fabulous hats. 

Just when you thought the party was nearing it's end, we were escorted to the media room for the Derby party.  For a $5 wager, you picked a random horse and were entered into the betting.  I drew Golden Soul who had 50-1 odds so I was not necessarily feeling too sure about a win.  To ease the pain of any impending losses, we were served blackberry mint juleps. 

I've never had a mint julep before, but after just one I can confirm they are delicious but sneaky little buggers as they have Maker's Mark in them!  Nevertheless, I had another one and enjoyed every sip of it!  Soon the race was on and we were all cheering and yelling for our horse to win!  Orb took first place, and lo-and-behold, Golden Soul took 2nd place earning me a $30 prize!  All in all, I'd say my first Derby party was a great success and I would like to thank Monica for helping me accomplish this goal!