One more taken last Sunday
Photos taken last Saturday during Leadville 100
Sometimes you eat the bear, and sometimes the bear eats you... That's the apprehension I'm beginning to feel about the upcoming Colorado road trip. We prepared as best we can, got the car serviced, made lists, checked the condition of our equipment, made last minute purchases, contacted friends, doted on the dogs and the cat, reminded the house sitter when we are leaving, and on and on. Then suddenly it dawns on me... I'm going to be running for six straight days, at altitude, and I'm not trained... or more correctly not trained enough, especially the past two weeks while injury has kept me off the trails. But, my altitude training has been almost non-existent this year, consisting of two long runs above 8,000'. It's not all sea level runs - my routine runs of 10-15 miles occur between 3,000' and 4,000', and almost all of the runs have a significant vertical component. I feel sorry for runners from Florida or New Jersey (snicker snicker) whose hill training consists of running over highway overpasses.
I haven't seen Doug in three weeks. Where he finds the energyat his age (69) is beyond comprehension. Since he recruited me for the Transrockies, he's been to Australia, New Zealand, Washington DC, and most recently on a bicycle ride from San Francisco to his home in the OC. And he still finds time for training runs. This week he's back-packing in Breckenridge Colorado getting what he refers to as his Mountain MOJO on.... amazing. He phoned just before leaving and made me promise to stay with him during the race if he has to walk. I agreed as long as he promised to stay with me while I crawled.
View of Twin Lakes from Hope Pass (Stage 2)
Aug 21 update - Just received a call from friends on their way to Boulder. Her quote "Harvey, are you out of your f'n mind. The snow's down to 10,000'?" It's not all bad though - I could hear her husband in the background saying "12,000"!
Aug 19 update
Rain, snow, and sleet are forecast for the entire week... Several friends ran the Leadville 100 (including Hope Pass) last Saturday and Sunday and report the conditions were the most miserable they had ever raced in. Oh boy - I can hardly wait!
4 comments:
Well, is it ever too late to train? Or, in the immortal works of Walt Stack (famous founder of the Dolphin South End (SF) running club): start slow and then taper.
I feel undertrained and unready for this adventure, but will be at the start line next Monday anyway! Looking forward to seeing you guys up there.
Judy
Those are beautiful photos...It will be great to be out and about in that country. It sure beats New Jersey!!!
I, to will be running,walking,crawling and napping. Is there any time limit to finish? Secondly, is there a cab service available at 12,000 ft. ???
Freddi,
I won't show your post to Annie - she's from Point Pleasant and doesn't take kindly to New Jersey jokes - that is when she gets them. Now, I'm not showing her for sure!
Steve
In my youth I spent over 20 Summers at the Jersey shore. Met my wife Helen down there. Annie will know these towns Belmar,Spring Lake,Sea Girt and Pt. Pleasant. That part of New Jersey in my opinion has best beach front views in the country. I could be retired today if I did not hit every bar from Belmar to Pt.Pleasant for 20 years. Spent many an afternoon at the Osprey in Pt.Pleasant.
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