tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26192428466506414872024-03-13T09:30:40.520-07:00Out of AirJimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00921924865002345936noreply@blogger.comBlogger48125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2619242846650641487.post-79170421330710755242022-11-24T12:18:00.045-08:002022-11-24T17:51:45.342-08:002022, COVID, Never Summer, Run Rabbit Run, White RimI had one goal in 2022: get another qualifier for Hardrock.
I first ran a HR100 qualifier in 2019 at Run Rabbit. Normally the qualifier would be good for two years. But due to excessive snow in 2019 and COVID cancellation in 2020, HR100 extended the qualifier's period by a year so my 2019 qualifier race lasted me for three years.
After going through the calendar and looking at qualifiers that are near by, Run Rabbit Run worked out the best. I had a big kayaking trip to North Carolina planned in the beginning of July so that makes training for any summer races questionable. Also RRR didn't have a lottery. As a bonus, I signed up for a warm up race at my favorite race, Never Summer 100K at the end of July. It's one of the "longest" 100K races in the country so perhaps not so good of a warm up. But I love the scenery up there in the Never Summer range, and who doesn't love the mud/cow pie combo? <div><br /></div><div> My family left for NC at the beginning of June which gave me three free training weekends in June before I join them for kayaking at Week of Rivers. I did manage to dislocate my shoulder on a fall coming down Blodgett Peak at beginning of June, so that was pretty much end of careless bombing down hill for the year. Over the course of three weekend, I ran my favorite long run route at Lost Creek, course swept for the new Ring the Springs race, rode the 100k loop from Canon City to Cripple Creek and back with a co-worker, explored the secret Severy Creek Trail to Bottomless Pit, and found a way up Runs-Down-Fast mountain.
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhurTqSvOwAtQ0TCC7cgFsyCn1xHNAIR2RJsPkZ0PVVoNjmuzeJ9EQKh2zObpvpHBaH1CC6FLhAa05Bm9820WKr3cfKMX0WXUSPqW7wIXRPiy-OfEggsNnlkHur_QUNiBvKKGd3VIa9lpCciJG_5sTxHuiR1UcFOU42x7Iw2xon3q9h08ox3PBRlGuYTQ/s4032/Blodgett.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhurTqSvOwAtQ0TCC7cgFsyCn1xHNAIR2RJsPkZ0PVVoNjmuzeJ9EQKh2zObpvpHBaH1CC6FLhAa05Bm9820WKr3cfKMX0WXUSPqW7wIXRPiy-OfEggsNnlkHur_QUNiBvKKGd3VIa9lpCciJG_5sTxHuiR1UcFOU42x7Iw2xon3q9h08ox3PBRlGuYTQ/w400-h225/Blodgett.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blodgett Peak boulder field</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqpbBW5Jo5RyS46WmwYc71oT0khpJduYHTMpzqZUwUe7UwcBtuRIB9rFY0jUAAia7W0QtbpOYQIwfgWET2377H0J5TNTcCfcpOzBwM5jV4OdN0quZ0DTxtHg9Sqs3c767a-pm0XfnPjolJOndWf9syFNglp5nnuXN1bI4dPm_R9vYs0AcpVfHeFK23Tw/s4032/Bottomless%20Pit.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqpbBW5Jo5RyS46WmwYc71oT0khpJduYHTMpzqZUwUe7UwcBtuRIB9rFY0jUAAia7W0QtbpOYQIwfgWET2377H0J5TNTcCfcpOzBwM5jV4OdN0quZ0DTxtHg9Sqs3c767a-pm0XfnPjolJOndWf9syFNglp5nnuXN1bI4dPm_R9vYs0AcpVfHeFK23Tw/w400-h225/Bottomless%20Pit.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bottomless Pit</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp6HRJIoZWcsQJE_WuTBxKnyCoED0rPlvXLSZEbgkDlaQzHzsfiAEBA9mpUCgR0hxTU5hHyz2oQSAmZrJVnzth8i0Lw15Ob0Gqhyohe9-Yjkc9s3X8s8V3GtiQ6GC4_45evfmgEZhMx27ARq34sqhIfgRY0WbNTiYA3LzsdiHO-3w7efm_09SxmBLynw/s4032/PXL_20220610_123040265.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp6HRJIoZWcsQJE_WuTBxKnyCoED0rPlvXLSZEbgkDlaQzHzsfiAEBA9mpUCgR0hxTU5hHyz2oQSAmZrJVnzth8i0Lw15Ob0Gqhyohe9-Yjkc9s3X8s8V3GtiQ6GC4_45evfmgEZhMx27ARq34sqhIfgRY0WbNTiYA3LzsdiHO-3w7efm_09SxmBLynw/w400-h225/PXL_20220610_123040265.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunrise in Lost Creek</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6tBGAdmwtqJ5rHTg311xuo_NLmVv-_VWdjAoU_yUv2XwScy_vRyP65wJ6t-YUOTYjiojWxn7I0volzW-ywJ74Y8wU9CNHu7VoVChm-oQp7xegiceVqmbkn9DFA_E3x4Ue51vfvpF_y7lrmQJm35ol91SBRrTWTvZgnm1zTAJ73aUlJnXYFvIAIrdoUA/s4032/PXL_20220610_235702545.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6tBGAdmwtqJ5rHTg311xuo_NLmVv-_VWdjAoU_yUv2XwScy_vRyP65wJ6t-YUOTYjiojWxn7I0volzW-ywJ74Y8wU9CNHu7VoVChm-oQp7xegiceVqmbkn9DFA_E3x4Ue51vfvpF_y7lrmQJm35ol91SBRrTWTvZgnm1zTAJ73aUlJnXYFvIAIrdoUA/w400-h225/PXL_20220610_235702545.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mama Moose on Hankin Pass, Lost Creek</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>
I flew to North Carolina and joined my family for a week of white water paddling. At the end of the week, I took Alex down his very first class III rapid on the Nantahala. He styled it!
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfBqSuAebujM_3l1RiaXtqeewjqk8b7c8eV6v4lefG9h6dvxpr3rqDY2kW-9RB_9Yyk4IvmzAKQ8O30nIsUl-yqkaPs0c-loP1o--09R76-FxP84p06LQ1tglHv365Owq0qHem0dwxyMq0anAKQXGmt-8XpBckniFtLHo-QOSIbY8oIcaGx1b54YobWA/s2736/Alex%20Nanty%20Fall.JPG" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1824" data-original-width="2736" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfBqSuAebujM_3l1RiaXtqeewjqk8b7c8eV6v4lefG9h6dvxpr3rqDY2kW-9RB_9Yyk4IvmzAKQ8O30nIsUl-yqkaPs0c-loP1o--09R76-FxP84p06LQ1tglHv365Owq0qHem0dwxyMq0anAKQXGmt-8XpBckniFtLHo-QOSIbY8oIcaGx1b54YobWA/w400-h266/Alex%20Nanty%20Fall.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alex coming down the race line on Nantahala Falls</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div>
I flew back to Colorado on Sunday, July 9th. On Monday I went to work and started to not feel right. That night I took a COVID test and it was negative. By Tuesday morning I was sick as a dog so I took another test and it was positive. Rules from work mandated I stay home for 10 days. The first two days was brutal: high fevers, chills that made my fingers shake so bad that I struggled to text Jade. Finally on Friday I was sick of staying home in the middle of summer without AC, and regained enough energy so I went for a walk at the Air Force Academy's secret trails where it's unlikely I ran into another person. From then on I walked daily at obscure trails and by next Wednesday I was finally jogging a bit on flat trails. Never Summer was 10 days away.
The following weekend, two weeks after diagnosis, and one week before the race, I went for a test run in the Lost Creek Wilderness. I decided since I couldn't maintain any sort of decent pace, I may as well go off trail and explore. I took Bookside-McCurdy trail up then went north off the trail and found McCurdy Peak, then from there found my way back to the trail for a bit before leaving it again and found Bison Peak. I had wanted to find these peaks for awhile, but simply didn't have the luxury of time to do so when I was running the 42 miles loop and didn't want to finish in the dark.
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid1eGIujfKFnwFEEhdKM-x7jakelOlLQjksBoVt8PzD6BT4oR8cIrYoaF5tggOIOIzhSKCFIfEZbsIi3ElJB6qR_NyANuIsZlLqtOdMCFAer_dT-T9OMUehqkxYI8y2KDkLfwykC7nn2xPZdy8Btc0h6R9gmfmz8FaQINcSCKFCt9vv-dfYmBcKz80aA/s3840/PXL_20220723_163706855.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="2160" data-original-width="3840" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid1eGIujfKFnwFEEhdKM-x7jakelOlLQjksBoVt8PzD6BT4oR8cIrYoaF5tggOIOIzhSKCFIfEZbsIi3ElJB6qR_NyANuIsZlLqtOdMCFAer_dT-T9OMUehqkxYI8y2KDkLfwykC7nn2xPZdy8Btc0h6R9gmfmz8FaQINcSCKFCt9vv-dfYmBcKz80aA/w400-h225/PXL_20220723_163706855.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">McCurdy Peak</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOxz3rj_UKjxeZJzsXgVDzAvvU9Ff1ZrKqV6WUTTBDK6x55mBcLKmufCJUEyOsp_IjX40YAfDKe0YrUQ07KGokMHWBokVLjdrKD2Kj1B01ocudCtjr6FOWyKz_ZYiwhFqq0U9vMpPqM-vC1xjq1vLF6_Jn6PYu22Rypm-7APudPJfJ1R0ZtbhZMi_odg/s4032/PXL_20220723_174430707.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOxz3rj_UKjxeZJzsXgVDzAvvU9Ff1ZrKqV6WUTTBDK6x55mBcLKmufCJUEyOsp_IjX40YAfDKe0YrUQ07KGokMHWBokVLjdrKD2Kj1B01ocudCtjr6FOWyKz_ZYiwhFqq0U9vMpPqM-vC1xjq1vLF6_Jn6PYu22Rypm-7APudPJfJ1R0ZtbhZMi_odg/w400-h225/PXL_20220723_174430707.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Route finding to Bison Peak</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi20VcLFQib_6FvCP4ZhCMFWWPooHuJWmRlMWCqzdnxU0ud-YUT1qABmTm4Ra81nFjr6htUN2YI1jrm3plmybMVNRzksGjTlotE3-aHN4nmx52hxeooqCouuW25r-5B8HtFjVSEUByRkDrB5CGMvaeaXVDeHVEEEFde2U4DPx1BfDioZwHbMOdnFvUczA/s4032/PXL_20220723_174522280.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi20VcLFQib_6FvCP4ZhCMFWWPooHuJWmRlMWCqzdnxU0ud-YUT1qABmTm4Ra81nFjr6htUN2YI1jrm3plmybMVNRzksGjTlotE3-aHN4nmx52hxeooqCouuW25r-5B8HtFjVSEUByRkDrB5CGMvaeaXVDeHVEEEFde2U4DPx1BfDioZwHbMOdnFvUczA/w400-h225/PXL_20220723_174522280.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Closer to Bison Peak</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpkU59hyvhTt_GLsDE6OYYyD76BN91S6EYcc_9rYShPoTGqKRpiPyoA8kHkx2d24GAXlIDqejHlZmk81brfC_Wd2eX2ih8ZqAEOFswU7QIT_ZxrGUzqEpMl0xCXXMTVH2oQqsHf2fG30p9BBAShRSL857c_Mf2F4U7RXuycp7CC31rdGeiPJdxMmVguw/s3840/PXL_20220723_175019976.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="3840" data-original-width="2160" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpkU59hyvhTt_GLsDE6OYYyD76BN91S6EYcc_9rYShPoTGqKRpiPyoA8kHkx2d24GAXlIDqejHlZmk81brfC_Wd2eX2ih8ZqAEOFswU7QIT_ZxrGUzqEpMl0xCXXMTVH2oQqsHf2fG30p9BBAShRSL857c_Mf2F4U7RXuycp7CC31rdGeiPJdxMmVguw/w225-h400/PXL_20220723_175019976.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Went up this crack, not a good way to Bison Peak</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
The run went far better than I expected, 24 miles, 6000 ft of climbing in 8 hours. I thought with another week of recovery, I could give Never Summer a try. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The following Friday I drove up to Gould and camped at the race start/finish area and chatted with a couple other runners camped there. This year the race went back to a mass start so there was none of those starting at 3 AM sillyness that we did in 2020. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The first two miles were fairly flat double track and I thought I was running pretty well. But as the trail tilted up toward Seven Utes Mountain, I noticed my heart rate was much higher for the effort that I felt. This continued even running down hill from Lake Agnes and American Lakes. I did run into a couple runners attempting their first 100k, I thought that was pretty gutsy of them choosing this race as their first 100k. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5eTAfsRW74xKFydkNWbjohwkYN6y-7dngt0oHo6izVhueN8GDoOJTtrxXJmE6NofFYierHH8_E5CeTAssGnMoVkGhv3Y707A9a-ziU6IvfDyfAfywlIqIl6jW-eSZ8gePqcEI77AgTEX7uBSdgrOoXEjTmlvvBb47DJqjpKmjQjsh8F40RXJZ0VJxUg/s4032/PXL_20220730_134322720.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5eTAfsRW74xKFydkNWbjohwkYN6y-7dngt0oHo6izVhueN8GDoOJTtrxXJmE6NofFYierHH8_E5CeTAssGnMoVkGhv3Y707A9a-ziU6IvfDyfAfywlIqIl6jW-eSZ8gePqcEI77AgTEX7uBSdgrOoXEjTmlvvBb47DJqjpKmjQjsh8F40RXJZ0VJxUg/w225-h400/PXL_20220730_134322720.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span face="Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; text-align: start;">Braddock ridge after Seven Utes</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip31xeMvO8sX6p9SU5wfIPzA5IXxI9uEOT5UriA3Dni_8Krv92ozuFNBsL36Mqhk7j9kNywcuzSzxwRvC5nVEmAMlEsrIt-WJmZYXKhOPUvK2AWmIhPumdijX9uVYSNF18keJ63daEqQmPEuzFERJWuWp5VA9mUwxdGUA6FNJC1Tdfbo1O_BcaO4-W2A/s4032/NS2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip31xeMvO8sX6p9SU5wfIPzA5IXxI9uEOT5UriA3Dni_8Krv92ozuFNBsL36Mqhk7j9kNywcuzSzxwRvC5nVEmAMlEsrIt-WJmZYXKhOPUvK2AWmIhPumdijX9uVYSNF18keJ63daEqQmPEuzFERJWuWp5VA9mUwxdGUA6FNJC1Tdfbo1O_BcaO4-W2A/w400-h225/NS2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lake Agnes</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>I hit the climb up North Diamond, my favorite section of the race, and ended up following a runner named Kristy from Vermont. It's fair to say that without her setting the pace, I would have climbed North Diamond much slower. She and I swapped back and forth running down Montgomery Ridge then I changed "pacer" to Bri from Denver, also running her first 100K. Bri and I stayed together to Ruby Jewel, about the middle point of the race. She had a crew and I needed to visit the john so we split. Though we did run for a bit together shortly after leaving Ruby Jewel, she soon slowed down and I went on my own to go over Kelly Lake and down to Clear Lake aid station. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTjA0PBDjklcL6xjLX1zmDEXNXOM0gjaQYxATh0WZbS-d3RIYOe_Tk6bu7bCFcC6aZWmT169NY54xpeX5b8hT-ZiXVnL4FxqBz6mRGFghd7eKeevkEl0l1EUBaXMG5JF_DjOqIBFvXic5DHAaFzz4ZUhzDnFHGrgF-aGfjuBzxGlQbC8_wDc5KCRB2MQ/s4032/NS3.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTjA0PBDjklcL6xjLX1zmDEXNXOM0gjaQYxATh0WZbS-d3RIYOe_Tk6bu7bCFcC6aZWmT169NY54xpeX5b8hT-ZiXVnL4FxqBz6mRGFghd7eKeevkEl0l1EUBaXMG5JF_DjOqIBFvXic5DHAaFzz4ZUhzDnFHGrgF-aGfjuBzxGlQbC8_wDc5KCRB2MQ/w400-h225/NS3.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kristy on the summer of North Diamond</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeeFPcPR7ukHdZmGH4HyIY_jaLYqkvg9xXdp6wJbSVX1bAnfheNmFXNRuMxKbFVtCe-7FDrg_0d8AVI7K9_R_DVYIeK04s53ShvyyI4EP5emArgtU7jhMqCaWWOBn3mYrE6KTn6A2dw_DRHcQjZTt1UPhMPtGHzxuNLauYVYY9tQ9_Nxes8J_B3ENL8A/s4032/NS4.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeeFPcPR7ukHdZmGH4HyIY_jaLYqkvg9xXdp6wJbSVX1bAnfheNmFXNRuMxKbFVtCe-7FDrg_0d8AVI7K9_R_DVYIeK04s53ShvyyI4EP5emArgtU7jhMqCaWWOBn3mYrE6KTn6A2dw_DRHcQjZTt1UPhMPtGHzxuNLauYVYY9tQ9_Nxes8J_B3ENL8A/w400-h225/NS4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Going up toward Kelly Lake</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I was amazed that I was still going strong despite the elevated heart rate. The last big climb up to Clear Lake was over and I was relieved to have finished that super rocky section in daylight and came back down to Clear Lake aid station to gear up for the night.
I ate a bunch home made chicken noodle soup then took off down hill. Soon I realized I ate way too much salt and wasn't carrying enough water to satisfy the thirst. But it was getting dark and cooler so I wasn't too worried. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">At Canadian aid station, I ate a bunch watermelon slices to satisfy the thirst and then to my huge relieve, found a way across Michigan River without completely covered in mud/cow pie mess. But soon my stomach turned and I was getting queasy and had trouble swallowing anything, solid or liquid. This worried me greatly since a similar problem ended my race in Silverton last year. I slowed down and soon a couple groups of runners passed me. Without much recourse, I slogged along until finally walking into Bockman aid station. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I was greeted by a volunteer, so I told her my problem and asked for a miracle. She sat me down in a corner of the tent to stay warm and brought me a cup of ginger ale, then she brought me a infrared lamp to keep me warm. I sipped the ginger ale and to my surprise didn't feel like gagging it back up. Why have I not tried gingle ale before in 12 years of running ultras? Another cup of gingle ale and I was ready to try something warm and next sipped on a cup of broth. I still wasn't ready for solid food yet but it was time to get moving after almost 30 minutes of growing old in the aid station. I left the aid station and tagged along with a runner named Monica that I had met earlier, and Monica's pacer. The gingle ale and broth brought my energy level back up and I was happy and chatted with them for almost an hour until we hit the last climb of the day when I suddenly felt weak and still couldn't sip my tailwind or eat any of the food that I had in my pack.
</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The final climb was slow and weak, and going down the back side wasn't much faster. By the time I crossed the road to Range Lake campground, I was ready to be done. Last time I ran the final two flat miles without stopping to beat 19 hours, but this year it was mostly walking with a bit of jogging. The body craved energy but the stomach refused to take in any. I struggled across the finish line in about 21 and half hours, 150 minutes slower than 2020 even though the course is 4 miles longer this year. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I couldn't swallow any food after the race without gagging so I cleaned up somewhat in the back of the Suburban and went to sleep. Next morning I nibbled on my breakfast and took in very little then drove home. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Normally after a race of this effort, it would take me a couple days before I start running again. This time it took three weeks. Every time I tried to run, my legs felt like bricks. I did some reading and discovered other runners complained about excessive post race muscle damage after COVID. I wonder if that's related to the extra elevated heart rate that I experienced during the race, hypoxia in the muscle tissues? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I became worried about Run Rabbit Run which was 6 weeks after Never Summer. Around late August Dionne texted to me run Mt. Rosa. I warned her it'll be more like a hike in my state and she agreed to keep it slow. Turned out she was also suffering from post COVID effect and we went slowly to Jones Park where she decided it wasn't her day and turned around. I felt good for the first time since Never Summer, and legs felt fresh so I continued to finish the loop. It was a decent outing at about 5 hours and eventually turned out to be my longest run between the two races. It was after this run that I decided to give Run Rabbit Run a try. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The following weekend I went raspberry harvesting with the kids on Blodgett Peak. We got so much raspberries before rain and thunder chased us off the mountain. Little did I know this was a preview of RRR. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Labor Day weekend was our traditional MTB weekend camping at Twin Lakes. We rode for 4 days and did some really cool route in the Sawatch range. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN66OZyYhi19Y6gdPm_DnI5pGyZSaaXd0c03n3e2vGAsSjSzkCTtVimp7bar16EV3onIFwaGDbyUcNbWegtYphtYqI4XyFW_p-iqamZ2sGEl2ROFxP4Aee91oJRSN7jWC2ipTUleOPXi49E8qHlvBy8A0MiNMlj4AGL7jtXRZIUu4kRnQSKtKHVfJ46w/s4032/PXL_20220904_213308764.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN66OZyYhi19Y6gdPm_DnI5pGyZSaaXd0c03n3e2vGAsSjSzkCTtVimp7bar16EV3onIFwaGDbyUcNbWegtYphtYqI4XyFW_p-iqamZ2sGEl2ROFxP4Aee91oJRSN7jWC2ipTUleOPXi49E8qHlvBy8A0MiNMlj4AGL7jtXRZIUu4kRnQSKtKHVfJ46w/w400-h225/PXL_20220904_213308764.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Continental Divide, it was hard to ride at 12,400 ft</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg59acyBaptxyUe4T1JlFjqP4_IKU-M03fVd9h-jQXcBzFBRn7aMTV4zhcOXqUpvnyPkorEzdCI8DnfZu7ZuNJyUHZJPh13P3eZjA6Zt5x0kLuSqCLnpXHqfU-YWNA-DR6Avr_tyHgIUC-IdPrsDbvLy_P-to9ZMDHZV-Pm6C7jTRc8Vnir5sDNNZ8YTQ/s4032/PXL_20220904_222409421.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg59acyBaptxyUe4T1JlFjqP4_IKU-M03fVd9h-jQXcBzFBRn7aMTV4zhcOXqUpvnyPkorEzdCI8DnfZu7ZuNJyUHZJPh13P3eZjA6Zt5x0kLuSqCLnpXHqfU-YWNA-DR6Avr_tyHgIUC-IdPrsDbvLy_P-to9ZMDHZV-Pm6C7jTRc8Vnir5sDNNZ8YTQ/w400-h225/PXL_20220904_222409421.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Top of the pass, down hill from here</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmS-PjAA8Qn7a0sZ5n64qij9gvmA2FDCAvI9KRJFp7-fUsWWURt753a0-yNshpqPfURwDUeMApsOA9pwwj59TuyRePk6MFeTNpA3WzecSrdSPfp1s-tqT9rYUMSfhElBpZQhtfCuzy5EUONKSFhvDaSypt9T6OBxFupZRQpNFlp813EzQOlCkbBgqJcA/s4032/PXL_20220906_185625165.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmS-PjAA8Qn7a0sZ5n64qij9gvmA2FDCAvI9KRJFp7-fUsWWURt753a0-yNshpqPfURwDUeMApsOA9pwwj59TuyRePk6MFeTNpA3WzecSrdSPfp1s-tqT9rYUMSfhElBpZQhtfCuzy5EUONKSFhvDaSypt9T6OBxFupZRQpNFlp813EzQOlCkbBgqJcA/w400-h225/PXL_20220906_185625165.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Monarch Crest</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx1WUPvO7M0xTBNAzywTGgkxx4oRgYFQ6_VmYu103Apaq1Ng6eKfAazqmay-DD9T_HDS-rbcVQsDkyCdVeMTAzCGKRT1jN9O3ey7UgrmZ6bhfI2kk3dEbkidB2w_y64Fsci23niNlAGh0s7hd_R4b-uq6VYpn2Rf0zbX6p-tRL-0py1CMzPwfHvK3CRA/s4032/PXL_20220906_190954836.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx1WUPvO7M0xTBNAzywTGgkxx4oRgYFQ6_VmYu103Apaq1Ng6eKfAazqmay-DD9T_HDS-rbcVQsDkyCdVeMTAzCGKRT1jN9O3ey7UgrmZ6bhfI2kk3dEbkidB2w_y64Fsci23niNlAGh0s7hd_R4b-uq6VYpn2Rf0zbX6p-tRL-0py1CMzPwfHvK3CRA/w400-h225/PXL_20220906_190954836.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Monarch Crest</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Kim and I booked a VRBO in Steamboat for the race. I came alone but Kim brought her usual crew Ty (husband) and Matt (Ty's brother). I also texted Bee and discovered he didn't have a place to camp and invited him to park his super cool camper van at our VRBO. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We had a fun night with dinner and hanging out perhaps a bit too late after the race briefing. It had rained most of the day but the forecast promised clear weather for the race and perhaps some rain in the afternoon. Kim's pacer Erin also arrived that night and the condo took on a party atmosphere. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Race morning. I had a decent night of sleep and wasn't ready to get up until 6:30 or so. Apparently everyone else had different ideas so I was up shortly before 6 AM, ate breakfast and got dressed. The weather was looking good out there. There were talk of not starting with rain jacket but I was convinced to always keep rain gear on me. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf5jAtSwRjChFYDMVR0mvx3tUQgAy2nyz85LRVfmtrrwqrHIyLhz0v29sCOgLUsiw5tXl6Rc0znYS2W8ZLP5I9mwP2h4wJazWnUOZsijnkaGtsxD4-YVHXKzZSczNhs6wYzjZVr9ns_DqkCqahJtWfc0KchTp40CftG_270IMR3Ig_81c45_HiJug-0A/s900/307700979_10159606061866693_1472549714041949600_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf5jAtSwRjChFYDMVR0mvx3tUQgAy2nyz85LRVfmtrrwqrHIyLhz0v29sCOgLUsiw5tXl6Rc0znYS2W8ZLP5I9mwP2h4wJazWnUOZsijnkaGtsxD4-YVHXKzZSczNhs6wYzjZVr9ns_DqkCqahJtWfc0KchTp40CftG_270IMR3Ig_81c45_HiJug-0A/w400-h400/307700979_10159606061866693_1472549714041949600_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kim, Bee and I at the start</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWhYtGMAAVnEayGcmeGgQ7KnXxnxz4X68PphPnz1O0yU9ywwI5CyNSsFJV6ZEv3MCERJxKbEFQyXJGkEbTEzO2-Gs_2w_PGaRkrqU5A5SbnqopocFdDN_uIqfHitYTqMz02vInVzQNnSfjzbODPZZD-10a1tIFR1YH-JgD8hAMVE5dYAigAGTebf-tqQ/s2048/IMG_20220918_172023.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1244" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWhYtGMAAVnEayGcmeGgQ7KnXxnxz4X68PphPnz1O0yU9ywwI5CyNSsFJV6ZEv3MCERJxKbEFQyXJGkEbTEzO2-Gs_2w_PGaRkrqU5A5SbnqopocFdDN_uIqfHitYTqMz02vInVzQNnSfjzbODPZZD-10a1tIFR1YH-JgD8hAMVE5dYAigAGTebf-tqQ/w242-h400/IMG_20220918_172023.jpg" width="242" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bee and I heading down toward the start</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGm3eodeZ-iGes1pAkzhufJ7dK6gMEZCVjcFnH5G6Qx-LAl2y7kBaaofOddVChQEWPf4wtNDKFp4ZvQReAKKtpjhIC8EIYoi3W5-iCX4syPyPYxJYKMgj8dN3HngFkDBPcWsnjNZc0vpYCAfgeHetY6uNSBQ_Vl7_PBim3qdSGKEQxbEvIdhGYI3zH0g/s4032/PXL_20220916_143838509.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGm3eodeZ-iGes1pAkzhufJ7dK6gMEZCVjcFnH5G6Qx-LAl2y7kBaaofOddVChQEWPf4wtNDKFp4ZvQReAKKtpjhIC8EIYoi3W5-iCX4syPyPYxJYKMgj8dN3HngFkDBPcWsnjNZc0vpYCAfgeHetY6uNSBQ_Vl7_PBim3qdSGKEQxbEvIdhGYI3zH0g/w225-h400/PXL_20220916_143838509.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Conga line up the ski slope</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioCZBWRyKsKcTmMAeO5izb3RMi6_g488t6dLjWJVD2H59HxPygvR0bcylph9gMgKg66_H17H0SWhk3TjMgNDMLPgkKf_p9uwWKKj4tY7HHQ0Z14PzJerfPWy7Nnz4u7KaQdf_1qiWylZZheNefPokfZr_BklSqX6vy5LAEHRLL3xxfAdVxIE1TfTjPWQ/s3840/PXL_20220916_144032177.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3840" data-original-width="2160" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioCZBWRyKsKcTmMAeO5izb3RMi6_g488t6dLjWJVD2H59HxPygvR0bcylph9gMgKg66_H17H0SWhk3TjMgNDMLPgkKf_p9uwWKKj4tY7HHQ0Z14PzJerfPWy7Nnz4u7KaQdf_1qiWylZZheNefPokfZr_BklSqX6vy5LAEHRLL3xxfAdVxIE1TfTjPWQ/w225-h400/PXL_20220916_144032177.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dark cloud moving in fast</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I had made up my mind that I needed to go slow, like super slow, in order to have any hope of surviving this race. I started the conga line of climbing the ski hill way in the back with perhaps only 30 runners out of the 200 or so behind me. But the people around me still went faster than I wanted so I found a spot to go wet the bush and take my jacket off to let those speedsters go by. By about half way up the ski hill, the cloud moved in and we were running in the mist and could hardly see the gondola. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjckJ0OedgAiQjb0eA38cVp9VVmcihy4m6LV0gt0HZNObvddvMZMuzqD7GHmQNf5rtNNw49rBdYUXTW68f8DUU7dVMaSWUcq8FozYHg1vUUK5qReR47MgRYpYLr5ZXvMDGnL2oRvWKnMqjY-MsM21WfN7v81A1-ZB70GJWUnTOJLDOqpdPAx8J46cQjow/s4032/PXL_20220916_145616937.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjckJ0OedgAiQjb0eA38cVp9VVmcihy4m6LV0gt0HZNObvddvMZMuzqD7GHmQNf5rtNNw49rBdYUXTW68f8DUU7dVMaSWUcq8FozYHg1vUUK5qReR47MgRYpYLr5ZXvMDGnL2oRvWKnMqjY-MsM21WfN7v81A1-ZB70GJWUnTOJLDOqpdPAx8J46cQjow/w225-h400/PXL_20220916_145616937.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Then we were in the cloud</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3tvONKkjo5LZ4jeE2bzuajBmgdmk2BksCEShDllSJ2I17D2tpGkA_Aa7vM2Ovv2WJRrLesNU5NTeFg-7q_lCn0M42dYjQLy1xduWDU9e1r-sZm9dzqGZz0lk_OigevC29zm5axCBod7k2NzmyW_t4CCbtPxMTHoHZaJg8RPyvhMKag1MpMwBOVV5r2A/s2048/IMG_20220917_232829.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1359" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3tvONKkjo5LZ4jeE2bzuajBmgdmk2BksCEShDllSJ2I17D2tpGkA_Aa7vM2Ovv2WJRrLesNU5NTeFg-7q_lCn0M42dYjQLy1xduWDU9e1r-sZm9dzqGZz0lk_OigevC29zm5axCBod7k2NzmyW_t4CCbtPxMTHoHZaJg8RPyvhMKag1MpMwBOVV5r2A/w265-h400/IMG_20220917_232829.jpg" width="265" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Halfway up to Mt. Werner, Matt checking in on me at mile 2</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I met Ty, Matt and Bee's crew Corrin at the little building where we come out to the dirt road. Somehow I had passed Kim without realizing it, but Bee was a couple minutes ahead of me. By now it was getting cold and a few minutes later I put on my rain coat and the rain started shortly after. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Rain tapered off by the time I got to Mt. Werner aid station where I saw Bee leaving. I tried to get his attention but he was too focus to hear me and took off down the trail. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The first couple miles after Mt. Werner was gentle down hill, and rain had stopped. I fell in a pack with a small group of runners and had some good chats down to Fish Creek trail junction where we skip the 3/4 mile to Long Lake aid station this year. The rain continued to hold off and as we descent Fish Creek trail the temperature warmed up significantly. The rocky descent was quite a bit more treacherous this year due to the rain. I run into Bee coming back up the trail about 1/2 mile from the aid station at the bottom so that puts him approximately 15 to 20 minutes ahead of me. He looked happy and strong. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">At the bottom I ran into the whole crew, Ty, Matt, Erin, and Corrin. I was in good shape and ate some food and manage to not lose my poles this time. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6GqFc_s3bnpRTuV7RBnRnJ7bG8YCZ7w72FsJiZ-0ZYsXwhNzfLoNkL_E6K-TmnnocoqweXYM5NDIdeHS4i-uqwCi6TimdpNJXKnG6SnnA5oZw-7FFXgyk6YiSQcOrfZmqlZZ6d1XGUbsX7F3cHm1f07kbLmbzPSz8ieifFc2mIxmNkjgD33tUAV4CuQ/s1817/IMG_20220917_232835.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1817" data-original-width="1538" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6GqFc_s3bnpRTuV7RBnRnJ7bG8YCZ7w72FsJiZ-0ZYsXwhNzfLoNkL_E6K-TmnnocoqweXYM5NDIdeHS4i-uqwCi6TimdpNJXKnG6SnnA5oZw-7FFXgyk6YiSQcOrfZmqlZZ6d1XGUbsX7F3cHm1f07kbLmbzPSz8ieifFc2mIxmNkjgD33tUAV4CuQ/w339-h400/IMG_20220917_232835.jpg" width="339" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Matt sending me off at Fish Creek</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>Going back up Fish Creek trail, a runner asked if he could tag along with me and why not! I found out that this was his first crack at 100 after a few 50's and he's from southern California. He was super concerned that we won't make the final cut off and I assured him that at our current pace and location, as long as we keep moving at this effort level we'll make the cut offs with hours to spare. We pulled another runner named Patrick into our posse and learned Patrick was a seasoned 200 mile runner. We got some good tips from him in case either of us wanted to tackle a 200 miler in the future. About 30 minutes up Fish Creek, I saw Kim coming down. She looked happy and told me she's better now than before then bounded down the hill. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9pcoXRKk1bX9iV29RJ7F75_OaNMi7nXnu-LGbO_fHvNY1a3n8Bac-XH2JZCEzX0R176Hrd3MGjciKqMlgpXcBh2RP33L80Iq-no8_dHgMgjF9D7_cjx5eWecSoOREqIa3ryoe3q15GTKgM5tuge_u5ACyB4afbpqLYMV-biNpd9KHv3Ioa7Xkq4Rnyw/s4032/PXL_20220916_181809025.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9pcoXRKk1bX9iV29RJ7F75_OaNMi7nXnu-LGbO_fHvNY1a3n8Bac-XH2JZCEzX0R176Hrd3MGjciKqMlgpXcBh2RP33L80Iq-no8_dHgMgjF9D7_cjx5eWecSoOREqIa3ryoe3q15GTKgM5tuge_u5ACyB4afbpqLYMV-biNpd9KHv3Ioa7Xkq4Rnyw/w400-h225/PXL_20220916_181809025.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fish Creek</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZJ2-SWpHnpLPDgJqRVTgNNMTuBPz1aa4air0tj_PACyC9I6s2RT5eTTlEqT3kSuXcE_lzz5VK0hNQovGeavF2-Pb0oFBcFgLPKldIhIEKHu5munxmTBNEsGLrbXdm377RMB11oMzpOTSuh3xti5TChVNYi8gAVkQJMCyAI1o96H0n4rm9EC5v99eESA/s4032/PXL_20220916_200346926.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZJ2-SWpHnpLPDgJqRVTgNNMTuBPz1aa4air0tj_PACyC9I6s2RT5eTTlEqT3kSuXcE_lzz5VK0hNQovGeavF2-Pb0oFBcFgLPKldIhIEKHu5munxmTBNEsGLrbXdm377RMB11oMzpOTSuh3xti5TChVNYi8gAVkQJMCyAI1o96H0n4rm9EC5v99eESA/w225-h400/PXL_20220916_200346926.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fish Creek</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">It started to rain again so I stopped to put on my rain jacket and let others go ahead. I ran alone to Long Lake aid station. Shortly before the aid station, I spotted a moose in the lake. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ9mRfTUbbLQF6JFQXkbNU0kJKeqjJXY_7qER_fvl7fSJOaQaE6qe6kFXarZ_QslkH7rKgqWVPVs6XxgjFV3oU7vjWhkGYV1vYhUTKpQIPvdekd_zHCY5_AfJUblp267qZkDs9y50JUjTRfZL_5zBHwNIDXlJKHbVOTAjhpD8U4H89bYmfbRJfpwEzPQ/s4032/PXL_20220916_211935427.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ9mRfTUbbLQF6JFQXkbNU0kJKeqjJXY_7qER_fvl7fSJOaQaE6qe6kFXarZ_QslkH7rKgqWVPVs6XxgjFV3oU7vjWhkGYV1vYhUTKpQIPvdekd_zHCY5_AfJUblp267qZkDs9y50JUjTRfZL_5zBHwNIDXlJKHbVOTAjhpD8U4H89bYmfbRJfpwEzPQ/s320/PXL_20220916_211935427.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Moose in Long Lake</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">At Long Lake aid station I ran into Speedgoat. I guess he moved from Summit to Long this year. It's always good to chat with a legend. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After Long Lake, the course ran a new route to Summit Lake that cuts about 3 miles from the old course. The new route went by Fish Creek reservoir and the weather was beautiful there.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiCVOudSR6ciAIyBqOUETlxYXvgCVVZ_-BQC4ncOuXGLLmFREVOfaQl7squb9x_e4_Di7tD1N3yS5LtI1miMRnvDQYGVVcEEidIv059cVbDIpchqRidhdcVi2VCAtfihfeUQBMyxH6aJm-DiDwxZyF2kDbJGDPZtUqFL-VTsj0tYsh9sjk0iXOzABWzA/s4032/PXL_20220916_214823703.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiCVOudSR6ciAIyBqOUETlxYXvgCVVZ_-BQC4ncOuXGLLmFREVOfaQl7squb9x_e4_Di7tD1N3yS5LtI1miMRnvDQYGVVcEEidIv059cVbDIpchqRidhdcVi2VCAtfihfeUQBMyxH6aJm-DiDwxZyF2kDbJGDPZtUqFL-VTsj0tYsh9sjk0iXOzABWzA/w400-h225/PXL_20220916_214823703.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fish Creek reservoir</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Soon after the reservoir, the sky darkened and opened up. Hail was coming down side ways and I had my rain jacket zipped all the way up the protect my face, and sometimes held a hand next to the exposed part of the face to block the hail. Around this time, the lead hare runner passed me, wearing shorts and a singlet, no jacket. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The scene at Summer Lake aid station was somewhat chaotic. The tent was filled with runners changing into dry clothes and I was lucky enough to find a runner leaving his chair so I could sit down the change into dry socks and shirt. A guy next to me mumbled that he hasn't even put on his rain jacket yet because he was not cold, though he couldn't feel his hands. I wasn't sure how to reply to him except to give him a thumbs up. I ate a good bit of food here with a long stop then left the aid station. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Soon the weather got worse again with hail and rain coming down side ways. So much for my new pair of dry socks staying dry! I got to Billy's Hole around 6:30 pm and then Annie came in, as the leading woman. She was all smiles and got a refill of her bottle and left within 30 seconds. Not long enough for me to tell her that Bee would love to have a date with her. Sorry Bee. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In the aspen forest below Billy's hole, I got stung by a bee in my left Achilles tendon area. Damnnit! That hurts. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Sunset down Flash of Gold was gorgeous as always. Unlike last time, this year I ran this section alone, and I hold back the pace to not let the race get away from me. In 2019 I felt so good and bombed down to Olympian, then paid dearly. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNtXySR87pbNIuOKC-wsVRJyb2nwwF4_KMZsm1WKo3_3kuac1iOX3uUXCK1RKhsnFf-XuXe3FAfsomr8Ps5k1FhnADylSMRFwCiAxIIfSeDWTzOCWZmBT5_95hFZJdkZRvuMbH1uqRDv477Jh1thOWbIhOmeaGCNkCz6DW2W73qBvuyfCNuec0ZQaa7g/s4032/PXL_20220917_012744808.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNtXySR87pbNIuOKC-wsVRJyb2nwwF4_KMZsm1WKo3_3kuac1iOX3uUXCK1RKhsnFf-XuXe3FAfsomr8Ps5k1FhnADylSMRFwCiAxIIfSeDWTzOCWZmBT5_95hFZJdkZRvuMbH1uqRDv477Jh1thOWbIhOmeaGCNkCz6DW2W73qBvuyfCNuec0ZQaa7g/w400-h225/PXL_20220917_012744808.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunset on Flash of Gold</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">A few miles before Dry Creek, a trio of fast female hares passed me, probably all fighting for podium spots. About 10 seconds after they went by me, two of them stepped about a foot to the side of the trail and as if on command, both dropped their shorts and squatted. I was blinded by a pair of very pale rear ends. I guess when you're gunning for the big prize, modesty doesn't really matter. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">After 10 miles of darkness of Flash of Gold trail in thick woods, the lights at Dry Creek aid station felt like a space voyager arriving back at a mothership. I ran into Matt and Ty and Corrin and learned that Kim had dropped at Fish Creek. She experienced fairly severe altitude sickness after Mt. Werner aid station, and though her symptom subsided at lower elevation at Fish Creek, she and the race medic both agreed that going back up to Long Creek for 25 miles at high elevation was not a good idea. Darn!!! Last year she spent a week at Silverton doing trail work and volunteering at Hardrock with not a peep of problems. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Bee was having a great race. They told me he was at least an hour ahead of me through Dry Creek. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I left Dry Creek and soon ran into some lead tortoises coming back up. Holy moly. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">After 3 miles of nice descending single tracks, the 3 miles of flat dirt road seemed to last forever. At least it wasn't raining anymore! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">At Olympian, I found Ty and Matt waiting for me. They have decided to crew for me now that Kim had dropped. Ty also suited up to pace me for the Emerald Mountain section. Even though I told him that he didn't need to do that, deep down I was glad to have him pacing me. Last time, I suffered mightily on Emerald Mountain. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Ty helped me change into dry socks, long pants and a long sleeve shirt then brought me a huge pile of food: scrambled eggs, quesadilla, broth, and coffee. He even helped clean the dirt and mud off my feet. This is luxurious! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">It was a fairly long stop. I wanted to make sure I don't bonk on Emerald Mountain. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The climb up to Lane of Pain aid station was a complete opposite experience from 2019. Ty and I chatted non stop and I felt good, energized! We even passed a few group of runners/pacers. I had a small bit of food and drink at Lane of Pain then we descended into the convoluted loop that eventually brought us back to Lane of Pain. By then my stomach started to get a bit queasy. I didn't eat anything but drink gingle ale. I thought I needed to go #2 but decided to wait until Olympian for the warmth and nice rest rooms. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The endless switchbacks of Morning Gloria was wearing me down but Ty kept me spirit up. It started to rain a bit but was nothing compared to earlier. What a difference a pacer can make. We arrived back at Olympian at 4 AM and Matt was waiting for us. Too bad Olympian didn't allow crew go to inside. Ty went in with me and after I finished the business in the restroom, he again brought me a big pile of food. My stomach felt way better and I was able to eat a decent amount of calories. Ty kept going with me out of Olympian until Spring Creek trailhead where Matt picked him up. Ty has a 100 coming in two weeks and really didn't need this many miles. Thank you Ty!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The march up the dirt road was done without hiccups but once up on the single track, I realized I should have gotten more calories. It was cold, and gradually the ski brightened so by the time I arrived back at Dry Creek, it was dawn. Once again I saw the happy face of Ty and Matt waiting for me. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I knew what I needed and communicated to them that they needed to shove a lot of calories in me. The bought coffee, eggs, bacon, noodles, and other things, it was a great breakfast! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I was still cold and didn't want to change clothes yet. I thanked them for helping me all night and bid them goodbye. No more luxurious running, from here onward I was on my own. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">After two miles of relatively flat trail, I hit Grouse Mountain where the trail climbs 2000 ft in 3 miles. The view was gorgeous! I let a few runners pass me and decided to change into shorts. The big slabs of racks made for a perfect wardrobe change area. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu-dowu-omilLUBO6Qugl9p0pKcjPKXGTZvtXG55fXFHBCUZh1YamfCmbEj4Q6yeHOryHL2AXIsLw2ATS5lDUDpzenfTb2WP3CHuPpO25RkSabmVU1wguXUdeHqMIxoLE18v7n31dLyN9o9d7sDIkWwMfD-w33LOvletNsfRpuqQUmAcIGNjP9suQpfA/s4032/PXL_20220917_235021738.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu-dowu-omilLUBO6Qugl9p0pKcjPKXGTZvtXG55fXFHBCUZh1YamfCmbEj4Q6yeHOryHL2AXIsLw2ATS5lDUDpzenfTb2WP3CHuPpO25RkSabmVU1wguXUdeHqMIxoLE18v7n31dLyN9o9d7sDIkWwMfD-w33LOvletNsfRpuqQUmAcIGNjP9suQpfA/w400-h225/PXL_20220917_235021738.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grouse Mountain</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Finally back at Billy's Hole, I saw Billy and Amanda and reminded them that I kept my sunglasses this time and did not need to borrow Amanda's expensive sunglasses. I ate some eggs and coffee then wolfed down a whole burger that Amanda had just grilled. It was delicious. I also spent way too much time hanging out with them but it was a beautiful morning and I didn't want to rush. Billy told me that in the middle of the night the rain storm had caught many of the faster runners unprepared and the aid station resembled a M.A.S.H. unit, with runners wrapped in space blankets and tucked under the tables everywhere. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Uneventful was the best description of the run back to Summit Lake. At Summit Lake I got to use my drop bag for the last time. I dropped off the lights, long pants and rain pants. The weather was beautiful, blue sky and not a cloud. A couple runners next to me were debating about also dropping off rain jackets. I thought about it but decided to keep the rain jacket. This is Colorado, never trust the weather. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I took the segment back to Long Lake slowly, much slower than last time. However this time I didn't hallucinate. About 5 miles out from Summit Lake, the weather came down for a final assault on us. Hail covered the ground and trail and parts of the trail looked like a creek. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">After the four way junction I started seeing the 50 milers coming back. At Long Lake, I saw Scott Jurek and his wife Jenny and their kid running the aid station. I had met him once but just now I realized how freaking tall Scott is. I ate some watermelon and remixed the tailwind then left the aid station but forgot to refill the bottle that holds the water. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Soon as I made the left turn up toward Mt. Werner, I realized the mistake with my empty water bottle, and also I should have ate more food back at Long Lake. I moved ever slower and started eating pretzels but those were hard to swallow without water. It felt like many runners passed me in the next two miles. As the trail tilted toward the high point, I decided it was time to stop conserving the tank and give it a go. As I huff and puffed up the final switch back, I let a few more 50 milers pass me and then popped a blister in my right foot's heel. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I had felt the hot spots on both feet's outside heels for quite a few hours but elected to not do anything about them. I was amazed that I didn't have any more issues given my feet were pretty much wet for the majority of the race. But finally a few errand rocks did trick on the right foot. A minute later, the hot spot on the left foot's outside heel popped in a similar fashion. What in the world? Sympathy blister popping? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">At Mt. Werner aid station, I ate more food and refilled both bottles with tailwind to ensure I have enough calories to bomb down the hill. I joked to a volunteer about my blisters and he said just land my on toes and then heel blisters won't affect me. Yeah I knew all about changing gaits during ultras from my Umstead 100 try number 1. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I initially took it fairly easy down the hill testing the blisters then found they didn't affect my running gait much. At about 1,500 ft below the aid station, I heard Kim screaming my name! She had come all the way up to run me in. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXny47_xgPkbMzFZ2eZtjeG5zkUZE5tOjC4pHDYnC6TFZMmrITNYRlw4P2WlWej9FyNA5Rar8OKtc1DebrK2j1B_UZkioj-G0E2-x6qYvXm6NU5KNb5Nt7Zx1y1kEkM2HSpjoOEcaAyXdZOLvzomkLfPHwj5ZvnbJfHmt_zV2dIdOE1PWVSQ6BUtEbYA/s920/IMG_20220917_232859.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="920" data-original-width="920" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXny47_xgPkbMzFZ2eZtjeG5zkUZE5tOjC4pHDYnC6TFZMmrITNYRlw4P2WlWej9FyNA5Rar8OKtc1DebrK2j1B_UZkioj-G0E2-x6qYvXm6NU5KNb5Nt7Zx1y1kEkM2HSpjoOEcaAyXdZOLvzomkLfPHwj5ZvnbJfHmt_zV2dIdOE1PWVSQ6BUtEbYA/w400-h400/IMG_20220917_232859.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kim found me celebrating on the way down the ski resort</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Kim's strength is running down hill and she's overall a much faster runner than I'm. So I did my best to keep up and found myself running faster than I ever imagined possible at this point in a race. Soon we saw Ty and three of us cranked out switchback after switchback toward the bottom passing many runners. By the time we finished the single track portion, I found myself running between 9 to 10 min/m pace through the ski resort. What in the world? I never go faster than 11 min pace even on flat roads. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We flew into the finishing chute and across the creek straight into Fred the race director who immediately handed me the finisher's mug then Kim immediately filled it IPA and then I immediately chugged half of the mug. Mistake LOL. 10 minutes later I found a burger and ate half of it and discovered it wasn't cooked. A few more minutes later I barfed out everything on the side of the road. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I found Bee and Corrin. Bee finished an hour before me, his first 100! I did notice that he was limping a lot more than I did, that first 100's post race gait is so familiar. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp2zCj_xbtD3J_Sdd4wfMe_pXAfknoPxyk0ySmBHC3kvtMTiyNwNN4tDgNEWd0FFfi__QoTT8W8ZbWZFKCeqQikr67umBfjR0aJorimdFIiW1X4Fpq2tluJ74xb6IBACcxLm8UZn91JjnHuulOGC5uMpgiHFZmXFJL3gPk54NAQcGkYnEZaRhqY8Te_g/s2048/IMG_20220918_172019.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1026" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp2zCj_xbtD3J_Sdd4wfMe_pXAfknoPxyk0ySmBHC3kvtMTiyNwNN4tDgNEWd0FFfi__QoTT8W8ZbWZFKCeqQikr67umBfjR0aJorimdFIiW1X4Fpq2tluJ74xb6IBACcxLm8UZn91JjnHuulOGC5uMpgiHFZmXFJL3gPk54NAQcGkYnEZaRhqY8Te_g/w200-h400/IMG_20220918_172019.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bee and I working on getting back to the condo. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHHpAk-Evefera1zPm5k6CzVXSfdt5CROQ0ktNBDo-KgZLnWWgmkqA2WQl1rzlYbNm-WzIpt_FwWCcEHtAHgrBH0uny1BhgnKgCOjP4FkEbzjhldigVJiXxMGSOyua_30jJL0PlLE0iRy33J4z3CS5ZdI6kK1EUBxV7vWrepfrfAihEU8thLsu9Xt3zA/s2560/IMG_20220919_180334.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="2560" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHHpAk-Evefera1zPm5k6CzVXSfdt5CROQ0ktNBDo-KgZLnWWgmkqA2WQl1rzlYbNm-WzIpt_FwWCcEHtAHgrBH0uny1BhgnKgCOjP4FkEbzjhldigVJiXxMGSOyua_30jJL0PlLE0iRy33J4z3CS5ZdI6kK1EUBxV7vWrepfrfAihEU8thLsu9Xt3zA/w400-h400/IMG_20220919_180334.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My IPA at the finish line with Fred</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZVfa_c4DepvRy6OFM0wAQWB-ZTKC2Br1dRgwlGDX5LGbJsWVAbZEjkXN7S1_kbch6umAipcToQ-VgfJQdHAjYjzQYcetsgqaWQ8ZR1hx2y0HFjget0P3-oqNoZKxHGZgyLtgtxSEvRCvBKnTd41OM0dGFT-8bnUqmz-iIhwyfnj04hQzI2IevfU_vpQ/s2048/IMG_20220918_172013.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="922" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZVfa_c4DepvRy6OFM0wAQWB-ZTKC2Br1dRgwlGDX5LGbJsWVAbZEjkXN7S1_kbch6umAipcToQ-VgfJQdHAjYjzQYcetsgqaWQ8ZR1hx2y0HFjget0P3-oqNoZKxHGZgyLtgtxSEvRCvBKnTd41OM0dGFT-8bnUqmz-iIhwyfnj04hQzI2IevfU_vpQ/w180-h400/IMG_20220918_172013.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some rather nasty footwear</td></tr></tbody></table><br />My stomach did eventually recover and I drank another IPA and ate some soup back at the condo. I was bummed that Kim didn't get the chance to finish the race but was super happy to have the opportunity with run with her and Ty and have them crew me during the most difficult portion of the race. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I gave myself a few weeks of not doing much, knowing the post COVID race recovery requires far longer time. By the end of the month, I was deep into preparing for our big White Rim Trail outing. I had initially scoped out the White Rim last fall doing a solo ride. I managed to get some camping permits this fall and lined up a group of 14 friends to ride the trail over 4 days. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The White Rim was originally build for uranium mining. I guess the uranium ran out? But the trail remained and is now part of the Canyonland National Park. It's one of the great overland routes for vehicles and bikes. Very few people have actually ran the whole thing. That's on my bucket list. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We choose to go counterclockwise wise direction, mainly due to the availability of camping permits. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Day 1: We started at the junction of 313 and Mineral Bottom Road just outside of the national park. The first 13 miles was a gentle downhill on a pretty dirt road then we arrived at a chasm in the earth where the Green River flows through <span style="text-align: center;">Labyrinth</span> Canyon 1,000 feet below us. </div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNK6Hs4obMZJg_6ehvw-K_z29gQFBmObyb_wCrShdK9pbxQdosqyyQRo-qH-a-XtgcMKt7j8AhMIaHXyDLwkWssFNxZ6lNO0dmznfUJiRRqHHp16LUMVKi8XtV3BURX5Zpf5PCDpk98qgIL_MTFLOzWsHZl_jvUTLFtyaFPMusyEjrVQXfNEB8hyMAPA/s4032/IMG_3304.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNK6Hs4obMZJg_6ehvw-K_z29gQFBmObyb_wCrShdK9pbxQdosqyyQRo-qH-a-XtgcMKt7j8AhMIaHXyDLwkWssFNxZ6lNO0dmznfUJiRRqHHp16LUMVKi8XtV3BURX5Zpf5PCDpk98qgIL_MTFLOzWsHZl_jvUTLFtyaFPMusyEjrVQXfNEB8hyMAPA/w400-h300/IMG_3304.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Starting at Mineral Bottom Road</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6jl54ayFB7twiTveFCGTLvknpWoMym_1dMlp2s_kXS2JiZORIeKt-Hb_vq6cr_57Xykggmd-mqqPBfO5jetPfWO3qAbDmsIDLolC2BFUUmuaJOxiiFsRL295PLal0BxNa_8MJMsm4hZhLsE278KH-W_HtYtIRM8B740Js8p16kUi4A9d57XCNmLe0jw/s4032/20221011_104842.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1816" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6jl54ayFB7twiTveFCGTLvknpWoMym_1dMlp2s_kXS2JiZORIeKt-Hb_vq6cr_57Xykggmd-mqqPBfO5jetPfWO3qAbDmsIDLolC2BFUUmuaJOxiiFsRL295PLal0BxNa_8MJMsm4hZhLsE278KH-W_HtYtIRM8B740Js8p16kUi4A9d57XCNmLe0jw/w400-h180/20221011_104842.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cruising the easy dirt road</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpk_9Zw6k92sWxVKkjq9BDKIm7zQz89uejY7AK221ibLQALMJfitbc4L3AX8tw-xUTFXNAo7gY80KMPYYBNf7NWBgL_SQHLmZmLjev5Qb6B6JBoksfT6zVXSlQ1ZbWWDoZ7AVyViYf-M-c-HqxRTPRNt7vXkSK1-zjCZoAyqzbIO3j6zk5ZZq_0vbdOQ/s4032/IMG_3327.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpk_9Zw6k92sWxVKkjq9BDKIm7zQz89uejY7AK221ibLQALMJfitbc4L3AX8tw-xUTFXNAo7gY80KMPYYBNf7NWBgL_SQHLmZmLjev5Qb6B6JBoksfT6zVXSlQ1ZbWWDoZ7AVyViYf-M-c-HqxRTPRNt7vXkSK1-zjCZoAyqzbIO3j6zk5ZZq_0vbdOQ/w400-h300/IMG_3327.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Top of Mineral Bottom switchback, with the Green River below </td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM3D4_XWluH9yB1ax4LBF6aLnlEEghsxZHUVurj31rBBPhHQdPpowf5U9X1UgJm81PYEsOB_BPXUcd665dh8uJyw54JoNQ2syxh5wQVaJElB4ef_-xvwNH2lrUEaXQQFmtDnLlePYeyM3DyRdz4nV4Un3dK_dIkzfLSH12TCBThr9-4tIoh2heBDdFsQ/s4032/PXL_20221011_183621381.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM3D4_XWluH9yB1ax4LBF6aLnlEEghsxZHUVurj31rBBPhHQdPpowf5U9X1UgJm81PYEsOB_BPXUcd665dh8uJyw54JoNQ2syxh5wQVaJElB4ef_-xvwNH2lrUEaXQQFmtDnLlePYeyM3DyRdz4nV4Un3dK_dIkzfLSH12TCBThr9-4tIoh2heBDdFsQ/w400-h225/PXL_20221011_183621381.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bikes descending the switchback trails</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7wS0dMeaIhAd-xrx4Ofk_ufLnsmNeGzYknQyfKZtbRHQNGc7gLgL5ckW9FNsa7xqv1hOicUv5u6Sz6OdGJdKgc-cSqLyy3uZT-LmQl8THOJEGkenU8FO8fbcwEH8B1h6fPncbMjfM1Xs-VtaoTvo8awmyQpDsBPFjHY9t-FhF-95kGTq5gqdIw7RrfA/s4032/PXL_20221011_183716017.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7wS0dMeaIhAd-xrx4Ofk_ufLnsmNeGzYknQyfKZtbRHQNGc7gLgL5ckW9FNsa7xqv1hOicUv5u6Sz6OdGJdKgc-cSqLyy3uZT-LmQl8THOJEGkenU8FO8fbcwEH8B1h6fPncbMjfM1Xs-VtaoTvo8awmyQpDsBPFjHY9t-FhF-95kGTq5gqdIw7RrfA/w400-h225/PXL_20221011_183716017.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mineral Bottom switchback descend</td></tr></tbody></table><br />I originally had envisioned Jade and I take turns driving the chuckwagon and riding the bike. Turned out Jade wasn't really into driving vehicles off road, so I ended up driving most of the miles over the 4 days. <div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFJ-j2dhB5OXWCKXFGosYFShK5p0Xefo6Wjfr-yU9vb7nwF6H8QhG0MtuU_vAGH2LSx0ncSs2b8LAO6LvAJ5VEpEpRMh7AB-w8bLHE7tYLVAdY5kvI3y3_9toFjboDtLOBhMsOi35HzL84GLXX6NAtHT6Hlsp4NxzBSAwsisu_KxSVq_qrHAMkapkLxw/s4032/PXL_20221011_192020079.MP.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFJ-j2dhB5OXWCKXFGosYFShK5p0Xefo6Wjfr-yU9vb7nwF6H8QhG0MtuU_vAGH2LSx0ncSs2b8LAO6LvAJ5VEpEpRMh7AB-w8bLHE7tYLVAdY5kvI3y3_9toFjboDtLOBhMsOi35HzL84GLXX6NAtHT6Hlsp4NxzBSAwsisu_KxSVq_qrHAMkapkLxw/w400-h300/PXL_20221011_192020079.MP.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amelia cruising along the White Rim road</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPK9MyNnziZGGDJy5zD5V66ZVB2akMhMrElZIvj9kZ7gJLs32dpQhs2vJvbNAS7ziFnYrpD2yrC4QtPtBXLnpjy21m6TdIrcE6Vzg4Aq7KQeuo3Kh1usLoD8mgSQ83eGv5-WpTqXUHgJyh4Jv3DrqVBBStlAzuK364NcqIjKjctpaWSGZUvIoGwedwYg/s4032/PXL_20221011_192036186.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPK9MyNnziZGGDJy5zD5V66ZVB2akMhMrElZIvj9kZ7gJLs32dpQhs2vJvbNAS7ziFnYrpD2yrC4QtPtBXLnpjy21m6TdIrcE6Vzg4Aq7KQeuo3Kh1usLoD8mgSQ83eGv5-WpTqXUHgJyh4Jv3DrqVBBStlAzuK364NcqIjKjctpaWSGZUvIoGwedwYg/w400-h225/PXL_20221011_192036186.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bob and his daughter Tina</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLK_FKiW3oKMAZlIB1e1g_iZW5OYP49ppmjsQTGC6NSGcfPc_jIupbpBihdoSoT1jpVo9LfUUEv08pQiSBhSrId_OsElf9JRQL1rZ6-hGvodZc196TGU-nHYnCFPE_x0E1Wmwo5YHZJHhhYUAfwfGv3cTN6Z0e1G4ZkoDB2kcpSp-PJQ9C0iEWRLKNZA/s4032/PXL_20221011_195638531.MP%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLK_FKiW3oKMAZlIB1e1g_iZW5OYP49ppmjsQTGC6NSGcfPc_jIupbpBihdoSoT1jpVo9LfUUEv08pQiSBhSrId_OsElf9JRQL1rZ6-hGvodZc196TGU-nHYnCFPE_x0E1Wmwo5YHZJHhhYUAfwfGv3cTN6Z0e1G4ZkoDB2kcpSp-PJQ9C0iEWRLKNZA/w400-h300/PXL_20221011_195638531.MP%20(1).jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm making my way cautiously along the rather narrow section in Labyrinth Canyon</td></tr></tbody></table> <br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6yuyrx_ZzXr-f9bDK7ZSfjB4BtGq2AalSuvYCNbLGOelWLqJeh4d60Prdv1kL5bf1Hu1XPwMLul9UiuNu6ksNzRj8xXFHvOoiu3r1gPsSF4nnTXZjavdwaCKyEl7tMLGrtgv3I9-j0OPPfr08_ziY3Z4l10IQo-1ISO-df9o94nuTa7Toy-SJN_A01Q/s4032/PXL_20221011_204339847.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6yuyrx_ZzXr-f9bDK7ZSfjB4BtGq2AalSuvYCNbLGOelWLqJeh4d60Prdv1kL5bf1Hu1XPwMLul9UiuNu6ksNzRj8xXFHvOoiu3r1gPsSF4nnTXZjavdwaCKyEl7tMLGrtgv3I9-j0OPPfr08_ziY3Z4l10IQo-1ISO-df9o94nuTa7Toy-SJN_A01Q/w400-h300/PXL_20221011_204339847.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The girls dancing on the Gladiator before Hardscrabble ( in the background )</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After about 22 miles we arrived at the crux of the day, the climb over Hardscrabble Hill. My chuckwagon was the least capable so I led first. The other two Jeeps probably never even felt the rocks. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyrEdXUVRSrzDDSDd_hXFO8PENlXGyXezFyhMqvrQW32K0WkSYSmk89R_6rMcML43po2jZlLV5vZORtBt1zJQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOjPfnPr9NbxmsOU23UgfdoN-Sw0GaiDRNnjgj9rSrpBTZg9vJQKv-74NLaQSjFoyHK_FIit8x5hKInPiDlWvj3oVjlfZM9rxGAjVuTFmxe5hmwvTNgcWKY6qk89piZRY9zkm0BPgvcycCZ93GRS4HiWj4t4SxIq94qsMIEqHFypVJHUDK809A-tnYfw/s4032/20221011_155532.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1816" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOjPfnPr9NbxmsOU23UgfdoN-Sw0GaiDRNnjgj9rSrpBTZg9vJQKv-74NLaQSjFoyHK_FIit8x5hKInPiDlWvj3oVjlfZM9rxGAjVuTFmxe5hmwvTNgcWKY6qk89piZRY9zkm0BPgvcycCZ93GRS4HiWj4t4SxIq94qsMIEqHFypVJHUDK809A-tnYfw/w400-h180/20221011_155532.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of Labyrinth Canyon from the top of Hardscrabble</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq0QFajbQULRgjLxQg6lZS4tr8fl_AGsdLcVV1MI6Ao0eiux1DONz_wcXhlAimeORNdraYuh4hIkntye1GT27Iy6z7lPgyGP0Bx5xKT7xOFAYH50k6MHZ2qjgJTo_dR9nYSerPG0eDDhE8CIHkq_-4uReab0R1lMxtwidYxS7oD8ac1XCs-cwEC3RkAg/s4032/IMG_1801.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq0QFajbQULRgjLxQg6lZS4tr8fl_AGsdLcVV1MI6Ao0eiux1DONz_wcXhlAimeORNdraYuh4hIkntye1GT27Iy6z7lPgyGP0Bx5xKT7xOFAYH50k6MHZ2qjgJTo_dR9nYSerPG0eDDhE8CIHkq_-4uReab0R1lMxtwidYxS7oD8ac1XCs-cwEC3RkAg/w400-h300/IMG_1801.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kelly checking out our campsite at Potato Bottom down by the river</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6edHvhWqMj0wzr1cYDdPXaidJrRxUeHda5WrYy7OkqcnOlLOsf6GlLBPxkXbBPdZYYyEt_MIvtGtVk_Y48ThZsdOoyOwvezKm-MeCyDeN4gC8tGZ6lfGrccrC6_W6FDzRm25JUTB46yru1CGDN32PiiV7Wnw0mxRK_718qYOQJtKUdzN0NXEHVuTYww/s4032/IMG_3430.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6edHvhWqMj0wzr1cYDdPXaidJrRxUeHda5WrYy7OkqcnOlLOsf6GlLBPxkXbBPdZYYyEt_MIvtGtVk_Y48ThZsdOoyOwvezKm-MeCyDeN4gC8tGZ6lfGrccrC6_W6FDzRm25JUTB46yru1CGDN32PiiV7Wnw0mxRK_718qYOQJtKUdzN0NXEHVuTYww/w400-h300/IMG_3430.HEIC" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Descending the first steep pitch of Hardscrabble</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Once we got over Hardscrabble we settled into our first camp at Potato Bottom where there was some nice cottonwood for shade.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoVXJeDxHuncevB3eoEQmGlOZk6PY4CZ-b5krDmdiOTfQuXOyaRrsDaRBpoElsogmgpx3ERt-c7vPbSmZAwHGs0x8SveNUpXZXhxnn52rRZQl1RkN9iq_00CaxoOK6EQgy4cK6CjhAo8Q-KmZT9xzieXWqFGEsjv35GbshtauExVXhIV99KbitazmVqg/s4032/20221011_170721.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1816" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoVXJeDxHuncevB3eoEQmGlOZk6PY4CZ-b5krDmdiOTfQuXOyaRrsDaRBpoElsogmgpx3ERt-c7vPbSmZAwHGs0x8SveNUpXZXhxnn52rRZQl1RkN9iq_00CaxoOK6EQgy4cK6CjhAo8Q-KmZT9xzieXWqFGEsjv35GbshtauExVXhIV99KbitazmVqg/w400-h180/20221011_170721.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Day 2: We had a shorter day to ride some easy terrains to Candlestick camp. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR2FYWPUtyn-iK5IUDhWtD6ylzIWBaBdGXRYoAMtGIgeq_ZZojGYE7QOW2v7gYpcXJkzyLk-ej0YWE2YEyrMqkpy67scbAxb0ME9ZKGaBDvsePcHSp3vaAk2D4_MeGbwUxIGnXTwasmVHzfrdhlFtWt3EESl633hXiJPg6KWPqBPc18GyJVH7GCY87Bw/s4032/IMG_1825.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR2FYWPUtyn-iK5IUDhWtD6ylzIWBaBdGXRYoAMtGIgeq_ZZojGYE7QOW2v7gYpcXJkzyLk-ej0YWE2YEyrMqkpy67scbAxb0ME9ZKGaBDvsePcHSp3vaAk2D4_MeGbwUxIGnXTwasmVHzfrdhlFtWt3EESl633hXiJPg6KWPqBPc18GyJVH7GCY87Bw/w300-h400/IMG_1825.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Morning at Potato Bottom camp</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhzvJ2hphPmU7bT67zrTTLtqnncaLiitazyxdfQ73PDv3igwRoj1M1RKRhb_1u5Z7ltvq53MStzqrMUbzcxCmeIRYyopbJrPCqDhN1j2woPTpMyTyxjuu7lACAIcSghdA3BTzE0KabN8WGUoEXTO420UaGqsjdka8aaChbDFZa376Q60bSSSnf7jDnAw/s4032/20221012_110222.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1816" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhzvJ2hphPmU7bT67zrTTLtqnncaLiitazyxdfQ73PDv3igwRoj1M1RKRhb_1u5Z7ltvq53MStzqrMUbzcxCmeIRYyopbJrPCqDhN1j2woPTpMyTyxjuu7lACAIcSghdA3BTzE0KabN8WGUoEXTO420UaGqsjdka8aaChbDFZa376Q60bSSSnf7jDnAw/w400-h180/20221012_110222.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Riding along a sandy section</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivhEjTgpe0d0WdhUMedbZZM9JEwD98I-r-q1DbfWudFIEh8Bae2nv8nnTvxuEkB9kMDp9L83du0oan2_iesvEQl1sjvjqECZvOOdhea1Rqy3DQgN8mc4xEhr-Ta8obf96EPUvN02LWJs2w-GN5JP3fSEOVDO-PIgn6K57LPVw-7B3C_eAVNJ3AN5FHkg/s4032/20221012_115205.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1816" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivhEjTgpe0d0WdhUMedbZZM9JEwD98I-r-q1DbfWudFIEh8Bae2nv8nnTvxuEkB9kMDp9L83du0oan2_iesvEQl1sjvjqECZvOOdhea1Rqy3DQgN8mc4xEhr-Ta8obf96EPUvN02LWJs2w-GN5JP3fSEOVDO-PIgn6K57LPVw-7B3C_eAVNJ3AN5FHkg/w400-h180/20221012_115205.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The boys playing on the slickrocks at lunch</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhONl4g2JxGsu9Q_0HLhL6j6BPy_WtyTS2beaHsJQXBWmdafI9SvfhVVEK_lDXitYdieTlbfN3t7Jya54NkX81dFw1nQkgdzEB5YHpt4e5KxiIPXxAvx3VuG6kpGj6Zxsley8KGwES1ky6aC9qDdfbBc753vQYkQdQMH13sN1Gi3wRAcuGUuZAzpY3R3A/s4032/20221012_132714.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1816" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhONl4g2JxGsu9Q_0HLhL6j6BPy_WtyTS2beaHsJQXBWmdafI9SvfhVVEK_lDXitYdieTlbfN3t7Jya54NkX81dFw1nQkgdzEB5YHpt4e5KxiIPXxAvx3VuG6kpGj6Zxsley8KGwES1ky6aC9qDdfbBc753vQYkQdQMH13sN1Gi3wRAcuGUuZAzpY3R3A/w400-h180/20221012_132714.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taking a break</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglh56UcKUCjHEWmf2hLwbr3Gj76BzGi1oIXsTTC32ZKlzCOZI2Tv29USoytnY_M07rfO5rGwz-G4dSugIIjwYAiMmyh3-vgTXZHSlyz34UBWTtscfFCPDfkYauWEE6NJPzCFMb9sJr0V-dXhMOeOD092Mv4fJUz_nzkaHhHAMZK2Hj9FEbQnaGIZT6dw/s4032/PXL_20221012_191311533.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglh56UcKUCjHEWmf2hLwbr3Gj76BzGi1oIXsTTC32ZKlzCOZI2Tv29USoytnY_M07rfO5rGwz-G4dSugIIjwYAiMmyh3-vgTXZHSlyz34UBWTtscfFCPDfkYauWEE6NJPzCFMb9sJr0V-dXhMOeOD092Mv4fJUz_nzkaHhHAMZK2Hj9FEbQnaGIZT6dw/w225-h400/PXL_20221012_191311533.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Three of the kids riding below the Island in the Sky mesa</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Shortly after lunch we arrived at Holeman slot canyon for a much needed break in the shade.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNQkc7Y_CN0BuQ_v7bQKr4DWfztEkmaJY-N5hY0AD6eXber7eOdjq5bglMCVFIruGqcYP9obqzA3miJuz9p_Qx9YVkn2MNlDhMYKiXNY7wZylxHcoIeDStGc-_UoRK8apPxFDOwBDJ_B5MYv-i5j-n2MBFYSeLQpU7i44o0Yvr1aMCkNx8taUuaygtBg/s4032/20221012_134542.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1816" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNQkc7Y_CN0BuQ_v7bQKr4DWfztEkmaJY-N5hY0AD6eXber7eOdjq5bglMCVFIruGqcYP9obqzA3miJuz9p_Qx9YVkn2MNlDhMYKiXNY7wZylxHcoIeDStGc-_UoRK8apPxFDOwBDJ_B5MYv-i5j-n2MBFYSeLQpU7i44o0Yvr1aMCkNx8taUuaygtBg/w400-h180/20221012_134542.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKAgX8SbtBwaTFzwLkLPEK9lvycgczYUJWhi2b387JJsuVFah7Aq9On4OK6IBRmKJoXas6asGmVTBxQQcpebCjOOnkRGHhe4qp1lz9UJfupJ7QKFT4sPYlem_hF3UlpEoCMmRsj7ylbpWbJuqsxez0xHI7AxohjKd3u4eGsjZD0-q8Dsa0DTReue8VbA/s4032/20221012_134622.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1816" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKAgX8SbtBwaTFzwLkLPEK9lvycgczYUJWhi2b387JJsuVFah7Aq9On4OK6IBRmKJoXas6asGmVTBxQQcpebCjOOnkRGHhe4qp1lz9UJfupJ7QKFT4sPYlem_hF3UlpEoCMmRsj7ylbpWbJuqsxez0xHI7AxohjKd3u4eGsjZD0-q8Dsa0DTReue8VbA/w400-h180/20221012_134622.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiNLuDrNC0NEn_KTitAWRh18UcFNKCbJbhmSgkvb0w_Jqr9qqNTvv5BVICxNlXhpYR8gHpSMOtBMN1B5hFmlv4MGTvabQJVvmnlp_CI0eH7ttfUPAgnr7_HLoI0cPE1l8UIgNE_0dLNZ0JL98xAW-OqbsyzSnt__OAWMdq3AbH5pjPI6SNH7TI9s9TlA/s4032/IMG_3475.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiNLuDrNC0NEn_KTitAWRh18UcFNKCbJbhmSgkvb0w_Jqr9qqNTvv5BVICxNlXhpYR8gHpSMOtBMN1B5hFmlv4MGTvabQJVvmnlp_CI0eH7ttfUPAgnr7_HLoI0cPE1l8UIgNE_0dLNZ0JL98xAW-OqbsyzSnt__OAWMdq3AbH5pjPI6SNH7TI9s9TlA/w400-h300/IMG_3475.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div>This is the only section I got to ride the bike since it was easy enough for Jade to drive the chuckwagon a bit. <div><br /></div><div>I followed Amelia into Candlestick camp.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgulBN-n_1Du-unEdVku2GKxpaeoeBihv9alVbVKI7TwZIBO65S1wje4VJaaknmSlL5EjIlsacHeSWRIDsOr4KzG6XsA517De0B-_JRf9L0kEMLnDWrVmWmox5AmRP4vdc4H5Pyw7XFlOCbdEoqzNYdrfIRe8iS_wPExLYdpBKE7uHCwOtPui5Xiea5BA/s4032/PXL_20221012_203252713.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgulBN-n_1Du-unEdVku2GKxpaeoeBihv9alVbVKI7TwZIBO65S1wje4VJaaknmSlL5EjIlsacHeSWRIDsOr4KzG6XsA517De0B-_JRf9L0kEMLnDWrVmWmox5AmRP4vdc4H5Pyw7XFlOCbdEoqzNYdrfIRe8iS_wPExLYdpBKE7uHCwOtPui5Xiea5BA/w400-h225/PXL_20221012_203252713.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div>We got to Candlestick camp fairly early in the afternoon and it was hot and sunny so we rigged some tarps for shade. After dinner, we went to explore the edge of the cliffs and found some really great views and shallow pools that supported life.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtj8R3Dpf9_8Dh0GaiO6LvOcqHSae-3p1nk9TFvnZIGrV3aggY06jxj5scfx6BCVdBy4R4qQ02WCgKlmVO2nRxoPaZKFADUHOsv2JhfrEn9SsoA4VkDLAI6GAr4FX3CpjRfwyt2wM8g5lAK2mxJX_TJYRWHORN8JxIS2mhj1oAJCB5Y-8-_PwoKptj5A/s4032/PXL_20221012_211457556.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtj8R3Dpf9_8Dh0GaiO6LvOcqHSae-3p1nk9TFvnZIGrV3aggY06jxj5scfx6BCVdBy4R4qQ02WCgKlmVO2nRxoPaZKFADUHOsv2JhfrEn9SsoA4VkDLAI6GAr4FX3CpjRfwyt2wM8g5lAK2mxJX_TJYRWHORN8JxIS2mhj1oAJCB5Y-8-_PwoKptj5A/w400-h300/PXL_20221012_211457556.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alex setting up our 4 man tent</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP64IeEHXhsppF1nvPoVT05yGCOPtcn_-KNzi6FlYePYqy0g0-6hWhMwGb96e7BfDWp6lr_jdY20-i-lXQKPTtYPcPVRinT0IEqtQT8pHFbdiEKqfv6LLRxxJeVCwf9U4Vn3X2UR5jHpcrGNTcwBtwtiIE3mDe82KPj815f5h5nHPvaNtHq-eMW1vl4g/s4032/PXL_20221012_212430988.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP64IeEHXhsppF1nvPoVT05yGCOPtcn_-KNzi6FlYePYqy0g0-6hWhMwGb96e7BfDWp6lr_jdY20-i-lXQKPTtYPcPVRinT0IEqtQT8pHFbdiEKqfv6LLRxxJeVCwf9U4Vn3X2UR5jHpcrGNTcwBtwtiIE3mDe82KPj815f5h5nHPvaNtHq-eMW1vl4g/w400-h300/PXL_20221012_212430988.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shade</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiORLRQw6R13etXDP6SiPjLZf1Lg95Apz3rfCOJYQGeqR2-RBkHZUIbcbezw03Qi--9jCAhQffT7MyWYog3hv-N4V1LUSwEf--SQ8eLD0Lxxy8ZZchHx8ZUAnSJ5PboIQyJeuakNCRTb3nVBuWHqvMFNvIUA3TaiOzoc73QOm4PKS6aliB7yedRm84uGg/s4032/PXL_20221012_225047848.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiORLRQw6R13etXDP6SiPjLZf1Lg95Apz3rfCOJYQGeqR2-RBkHZUIbcbezw03Qi--9jCAhQffT7MyWYog3hv-N4V1LUSwEf--SQ8eLD0Lxxy8ZZchHx8ZUAnSJ5PboIQyJeuakNCRTb3nVBuWHqvMFNvIUA3TaiOzoc73QOm4PKS6aliB7yedRm84uGg/w400-h225/PXL_20221012_225047848.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amelia's massage station</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1q_T00rLjEUVfcnupTmpj4ljvPj2U1xsjWENjE7R_Qfrd2-kYCBmh8BGVQMFcdjjQOHY8pGjJ3KM4QAsKCr9Tn66DdSdaekXToWoIzjP_WsS_y745ofDZTT_Mw92iVjZIfq40ti6fRtUyjk3hj4qNnAWeJfrQOouPm2GeuDOELDZSKn9na0n8eckUoQ/s4032/PXL_20221012_232647627.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1q_T00rLjEUVfcnupTmpj4ljvPj2U1xsjWENjE7R_Qfrd2-kYCBmh8BGVQMFcdjjQOHY8pGjJ3KM4QAsKCr9Tn66DdSdaekXToWoIzjP_WsS_y745ofDZTT_Mw92iVjZIfq40ti6fRtUyjk3hj4qNnAWeJfrQOouPm2GeuDOELDZSKn9na0n8eckUoQ/w400-h300/PXL_20221012_232647627.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dinner</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1UZsEdcfzExj4F5vgxpiLjiccD4VzyDgO5rR-L63paGITdBrKeI-tcB5LC4XGwv8kFg5TYBh-pjNKdGaYVHdAyy0yKQHxhyB1rtLtzHLZDs3gKp6LyH8VR56sqCZspc_2QCjvdHoz2GvDT4lIpfCSpS8IUvpgamGfWiJhM1LnAeZWt_X-s7M5iN1nfQ/s4032/PXL_20221013_000808007.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1UZsEdcfzExj4F5vgxpiLjiccD4VzyDgO5rR-L63paGITdBrKeI-tcB5LC4XGwv8kFg5TYBh-pjNKdGaYVHdAyy0yKQHxhyB1rtLtzHLZDs3gKp6LyH8VR56sqCZspc_2QCjvdHoz2GvDT4lIpfCSpS8IUvpgamGfWiJhM1LnAeZWt_X-s7M5iN1nfQ/w400-h225/PXL_20221013_000808007.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Green River</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgso2xWfbfnIkKF90r1yQ3tkG9iJGB2XkjZcRpCBMVKII9KJrr3pK44yffDuUhiHYdn-PPfAVIFOYkh_BKl6VjG-EQF_PBVU99N_NZAsqbMILdEXppg3KnXuxGkVHhizKiN-jM6GXrmWjus5ZkEns_d1ujhbHUeTlH648wK_kos4DwKw8tNPJXXvdfB3A/s4032/20221012_183523.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1816" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgso2xWfbfnIkKF90r1yQ3tkG9iJGB2XkjZcRpCBMVKII9KJrr3pK44yffDuUhiHYdn-PPfAVIFOYkh_BKl6VjG-EQF_PBVU99N_NZAsqbMILdEXppg3KnXuxGkVHhizKiN-jM6GXrmWjus5ZkEns_d1ujhbHUeTlH648wK_kos4DwKw8tNPJXXvdfB3A/w400-h180/20221012_183523.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunset over the Green</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXkOSIy-WAHNswoJcVhydPYhRj2seXnFBHdR8WkyGRujfTWK9V6Tl4RBMak1OYmoXHrqhREpdHKfnq6cJbjuCW5qwDIHu_6ttNnL14yjM0VzIhqem6FGyO5TWtaUU2Hl14spxqhuyqjUAF9nqi0PjtrXT0UYm_MibQlXbnov0QZuDZHJ0wRN_-HpvGsw/s4032/20221012_184201.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1816" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXkOSIy-WAHNswoJcVhydPYhRj2seXnFBHdR8WkyGRujfTWK9V6Tl4RBMak1OYmoXHrqhREpdHKfnq6cJbjuCW5qwDIHu_6ttNnL14yjM0VzIhqem6FGyO5TWtaUU2Hl14spxqhuyqjUAF9nqi0PjtrXT0UYm_MibQlXbnov0QZuDZHJ0wRN_-HpvGsw/w400-h180/20221012_184201.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD10FCmzyLFc4UI5_MgxPQmYfWrgrCiu8rIEVJvff4wx74imcBF95z6zgatOIq1_7IrTwk6r3y_W56sW-YgM0KCoThu02RSQYpzHYXdTKZ_IfN1P06bHIS8u_UTiIxCNAI717-F-TD-SS_m2n02tdPtlWSPplLjlFo59cLUGlOzk6wLSiys52mZN7CsQ/s4032/PXL_20221013_004208156.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD10FCmzyLFc4UI5_MgxPQmYfWrgrCiu8rIEVJvff4wx74imcBF95z6zgatOIq1_7IrTwk6r3y_W56sW-YgM0KCoThu02RSQYpzHYXdTKZ_IfN1P06bHIS8u_UTiIxCNAI717-F-TD-SS_m2n02tdPtlWSPplLjlFo59cLUGlOzk6wLSiys52mZN7CsQ/w400-h300/PXL_20221013_004208156.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunset over Candlestick camp</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBB81v_2glKPvqZdn7kpFRLOVb9WQLRxHlDlhl7F_zcFAfgu40_GIgPgbsBWsn0iGbapQd4ZKRJqq-eDlWBo0BFvMYXTGGZTkfRee6qe9DG6bnG6mjKj90BBmDuUbqvOu9Ygx145VvrgcPKtK_M_CBQcjalbZxV94mzTJ6HUiqpJgt9wfhjn2SRVK5Xg/s4032/PXL_20221013_023107629.NIGHT.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBB81v_2glKPvqZdn7kpFRLOVb9WQLRxHlDlhl7F_zcFAfgu40_GIgPgbsBWsn0iGbapQd4ZKRJqq-eDlWBo0BFvMYXTGGZTkfRee6qe9DG6bnG6mjKj90BBmDuUbqvOu9Ygx145VvrgcPKtK_M_CBQcjalbZxV94mzTJ6HUiqpJgt9wfhjn2SRVK5Xg/w400-h225/PXL_20221013_023107629.NIGHT.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Owen's tent</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9jL-ROHR7MY0ncjsIGggVUn9XzcOeW_cuP6QvuCk6JWo_y_Z_HrqdphBy5V0-9GPbMonyLvOXK9ZlLZjjVkwqrJxK5Q2s9ypHEOkuwYIxrhAhiBmK1WZ1SIkONdELnDZUNhizrFWw5VaAnZmKWbJrME7g6-yn0N53dvRf-LQ_eqLG2MYj_AbTIqG3JA/s4032/PXL_20221013_022002803.NIGHT.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9jL-ROHR7MY0ncjsIGggVUn9XzcOeW_cuP6QvuCk6JWo_y_Z_HrqdphBy5V0-9GPbMonyLvOXK9ZlLZjjVkwqrJxK5Q2s9ypHEOkuwYIxrhAhiBmK1WZ1SIkONdELnDZUNhizrFWw5VaAnZmKWbJrME7g6-yn0N53dvRf-LQ_eqLG2MYj_AbTIqG3JA/w400-h225/PXL_20221013_022002803.NIGHT.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Milky Way</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>Day 3: This day's big obstacle is the infamous Murphy's Hogback. I had told the group that the trail is rolling with an upward trend for about 10 miles to Murphy's, and the rollers get "sharper" the closer we get to Murphy's. </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuBmv9aV1BOQ5AkBt-ZHCr_xiD9eFEGdGqS_M5UaqS6Yfu3FiXjfZNUyPt9c2OW6DhQvrbTdchAq3agtf4OrBpuDh0divF7yozXkyraEQy70rOYewvNJycYlI5tH0wKxDjmjDuXKCcw3nVdq-e3zIdF1sSPUjemzyj4jeMG8jL-22UAAld-DbHmREVZg/s4032/20221013_103744.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1816" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuBmv9aV1BOQ5AkBt-ZHCr_xiD9eFEGdGqS_M5UaqS6Yfu3FiXjfZNUyPt9c2OW6DhQvrbTdchAq3agtf4OrBpuDh0divF7yozXkyraEQy70rOYewvNJycYlI5tH0wKxDjmjDuXKCcw3nVdq-e3zIdF1sSPUjemzyj4jeMG8jL-22UAAld-DbHmREVZg/w400-h180/20221013_103744.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amelia wanted to see over the cliff</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtmodnZgn2l0I6NTzSBBSktq7LzNYRwAhmAxo5mlk76EKVFepi1bOIE-sKNFLBJ4hFwSAmWK3FSTgodr4e97mML_CRAnXOGTi6iG41FAez5vCXS6aSVBvxEnjkoKYivtn6VPXv1-wUmX8EtaPSQojLNkgmwWh8YOYAz0lbDv8l1OWcsZB0w_tpm56eWw/s4032/20221013_112737.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1816" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtmodnZgn2l0I6NTzSBBSktq7LzNYRwAhmAxo5mlk76EKVFepi1bOIE-sKNFLBJ4hFwSAmWK3FSTgodr4e97mML_CRAnXOGTi6iG41FAez5vCXS6aSVBvxEnjkoKYivtn6VPXv1-wUmX8EtaPSQojLNkgmwWh8YOYAz0lbDv8l1OWcsZB0w_tpm56eWw/w400-h180/20221013_112737.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the many "shaper" rollers</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-6HGjvUPQU5ZHorGQ8Bi_KRBazjvPeheSk2IjvW-3X9Zeoqm6OLqnywiEotGScjgp2d-GoATmqT1O-LxDBT1VXx-0iIanz0OucFD3VHhZDs6WNcBtKjr7Se4G36_ybYZXCpwgnfBz5HW7CfFR6sC3ANDMahU90GfpgHDmbwc9vT-9NM2Oeg3evr4XUw/s4032/IMG_1915.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-6HGjvUPQU5ZHorGQ8Bi_KRBazjvPeheSk2IjvW-3X9Zeoqm6OLqnywiEotGScjgp2d-GoATmqT1O-LxDBT1VXx-0iIanz0OucFD3VHhZDs6WNcBtKjr7Se4G36_ybYZXCpwgnfBz5HW7CfFR6sC3ANDMahU90GfpgHDmbwc9vT-9NM2Oeg3evr4XUw/w300-h400/IMG_1915.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The chuckwagon train</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4ONxKlO8Xv0j5kirCFh9Tp7oy9VkLoqAj8vM25nbqw9c4L4F2BEJamVFFehK6qBr8hQbxp-wIOJp66K_tx-d0XeOnqRjx5OFFZNhI9274-XAzJYum2wqj-Z1v4bck1APzeJo_L5Y_x2bviZCmpW7oyLP5btK67aFMo6IxAmrwDbbYtLvily2jqqcbUQ/s4032/PXL_20221013_155553890.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4ONxKlO8Xv0j5kirCFh9Tp7oy9VkLoqAj8vM25nbqw9c4L4F2BEJamVFFehK6qBr8hQbxp-wIOJp66K_tx-d0XeOnqRjx5OFFZNhI9274-XAzJYum2wqj-Z1v4bck1APzeJo_L5Y_x2bviZCmpW7oyLP5btK67aFMo6IxAmrwDbbYtLvily2jqqcbUQ/w400-h300/PXL_20221013_155553890.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The wagon drivers taking a break</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKcroQua0KwtnUm-nxv6hpvOO6xblDB92CeH6qGzjl9qsiS9HvW6xW6VLSuoBwUQI47kNBGsqWhX7klWJ2XpFIXAh6zkGx29Zn8nD3gb6ahZ29vM9dEBDL-HztIE6b44hXbcBgDZEVlDzpe-hpgcc36gE7Z6JOan2AjhT3EVXUsIEWNj3ZpVeg_eSLKQ/s4032/PXL_20221013_180132036.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKcroQua0KwtnUm-nxv6hpvOO6xblDB92CeH6qGzjl9qsiS9HvW6xW6VLSuoBwUQI47kNBGsqWhX7klWJ2XpFIXAh6zkGx29Zn8nD3gb6ahZ29vM9dEBDL-HztIE6b44hXbcBgDZEVlDzpe-hpgcc36gE7Z6JOan2AjhT3EVXUsIEWNj3ZpVeg_eSLKQ/w400-h300/PXL_20221013_180132036.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Approaching Murphy's</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJx-7HqCfOAQpFYwjkoVSa9xc_OMsmAWbxAqCSofDDdahwnJV5UIUjPMa82Z69SLAE_UD61KkK__fDfgd8gIPZCRxKzTXbzbq40g3RP13eM7eLE7gf-3_-KRZk3VSinl8abJet86obLbSE2yuuKhvgqIqmFlbEAhj7-EJfpfEPM3It-QkaYZnjkqL-Mg/s4032/PXL_20221013_180929427.MP.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJx-7HqCfOAQpFYwjkoVSa9xc_OMsmAWbxAqCSofDDdahwnJV5UIUjPMa82Z69SLAE_UD61KkK__fDfgd8gIPZCRxKzTXbzbq40g3RP13eM7eLE7gf-3_-KRZk3VSinl8abJet86obLbSE2yuuKhvgqIqmFlbEAhj7-EJfpfEPM3It-QkaYZnjkqL-Mg/w400-h300/PXL_20221013_180929427.MP.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Near Murphy's looking back</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMQ3yU5Ho0S8Qpblz3yEvRBtaXtOqo-BV2J2KDrL53x1xQo4iqnUHjjpjq4zgOT5De5rW6TC_DyChi0wIPX5aO7CyPhdTb5KiOQ-qClxfeURZnXIlvkJ_zjTi8NOIbMHZxY65k0wAMJLVZMk4nyr6X0W5g_9mdT13XGZnkzEpb6gOuo7HQZDCH08wxZg/s4032/20221013_121440.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1816" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMQ3yU5Ho0S8Qpblz3yEvRBtaXtOqo-BV2J2KDrL53x1xQo4iqnUHjjpjq4zgOT5De5rW6TC_DyChi0wIPX5aO7CyPhdTb5KiOQ-qClxfeURZnXIlvkJ_zjTi8NOIbMHZxY65k0wAMJLVZMk4nyr6X0W5g_9mdT13XGZnkzEpb6gOuo7HQZDCH08wxZg/w400-h180/20221013_121440.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The final pitch to Murphy's top</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyVl7W38tCb7vxKwoGyW5U5XhTdUQZByYCCrZnq3V7DhI9KPphT0cTmhBruFUJBaAyHK3p_zRLFUDN6nJQR5A' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">At the summit of Murphy's we pitched the tarps for a nice shady lunch then descended the other side for about 15 miles of easy riding to the day's camp at Gooseberry. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTq8pcLn5Ss0s478KyViBne6i6VxCzmSvZQdrqfys3tNbub_miIJBH6PpvGsk1f7Itz1vSh9QVLhrCRRDfanJ71_FehbW-iBlyRH8cQ9P-cTI4DN7oiaG1c6VgrczCfx73eBc1OaJvtq2Pc46rCd_hyE5X3s-kExYJJ1_7NobRX-4fTunGeDJYo3yDPg/s4032/20221013_124736.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1816" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTq8pcLn5Ss0s478KyViBne6i6VxCzmSvZQdrqfys3tNbub_miIJBH6PpvGsk1f7Itz1vSh9QVLhrCRRDfanJ71_FehbW-iBlyRH8cQ9P-cTI4DN7oiaG1c6VgrczCfx73eBc1OaJvtq2Pc46rCd_hyE5X3s-kExYJJ1_7NobRX-4fTunGeDJYo3yDPg/w400-h180/20221013_124736.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lunch at Murphy's</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtqSO1NENeU66dzw7GwYrPerTU1wFsZAgbhvJYAR_hw8hKzXx4OvHuOwiN1CKcb3jikO9cdHmqZ5ru2FEWQNuSAqNzE5qJaznlqu3zoxI0gSZzTnwXJ5gHRoDlohFmvYeQkoXydE2PVA7Rk3kkgtpk9zc7eiPILIye_-OlyJR49z2klq7Hcy5DuLqvFw/s4032/20221013_154904.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1816" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtqSO1NENeU66dzw7GwYrPerTU1wFsZAgbhvJYAR_hw8hKzXx4OvHuOwiN1CKcb3jikO9cdHmqZ5ru2FEWQNuSAqNzE5qJaznlqu3zoxI0gSZzTnwXJ5gHRoDlohFmvYeQkoXydE2PVA7Rk3kkgtpk9zc7eiPILIye_-OlyJR49z2klq7Hcy5DuLqvFw/w400-h180/20221013_154904.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Owen at the onion rocks near Monument basin</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1aC1D3SCUYRclMlXAP1sIiZTeQzbJfu1Jm7ooPm6_EEFf2r42jrz3g01NmW3U0J6vQiq9zqA3pwT4Rft8kcJn4UsKypuVomED1Nolo62GkC0Pni9SeeyRnLZpAqCddLaKUmqaRc2ZgVFUttT10Za8jrmIZ0hb1Hc-SkJq3Y0qh4Sy4GmAMX4vRU-vOQ/s4032/PXL_20221013_192450062.MP.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1aC1D3SCUYRclMlXAP1sIiZTeQzbJfu1Jm7ooPm6_EEFf2r42jrz3g01NmW3U0J6vQiq9zqA3pwT4Rft8kcJn4UsKypuVomED1Nolo62GkC0Pni9SeeyRnLZpAqCddLaKUmqaRc2ZgVFUttT10Za8jrmIZ0hb1Hc-SkJq3Y0qh4Sy4GmAMX4vRU-vOQ/w400-h300/PXL_20221013_192450062.MP.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The group getting ready to descend Murphy's</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWpObuTNN7WRlpYYK3xi7uX9tZpa_qg96m32LsrkTSxyoX_WDffjCUBMo7KqNj8M8Czdr_7gu84a4l2V3Iqn2FTh_KQbD0S_33iGCmPTAodLbEih9L7lhHv2d0Bee1LSReQf-6Lc125fSfLAOYTJ60RJDb1gmEVZlaf_mK5-Pboc-8bV9Nicb5Ux62oQ/s4032/PXL_20221013_193614028.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWpObuTNN7WRlpYYK3xi7uX9tZpa_qg96m32LsrkTSxyoX_WDffjCUBMo7KqNj8M8Czdr_7gu84a4l2V3Iqn2FTh_KQbD0S_33iGCmPTAodLbEih9L7lhHv2d0Bee1LSReQf-6Lc125fSfLAOYTJ60RJDb1gmEVZlaf_mK5-Pboc-8bV9Nicb5Ux62oQ/w400-h225/PXL_20221013_193614028.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The bike at the bottom of Murphy's</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2TETFcd_Ccq2Jn7Qm0qdko21VoH5_2kAi5SagA2j_ExLSQbyADRVJMA1E9G6qiM5AU8yqCpIQMVgwhtu7HZ2PYLSBm8rlwukS--WXBxsyJuNUpDU0asV3gUC4yOcr29DqT4soxhf8a0RDYzmkOF4I3m84UwGSnCldKkUVKd7szzmn74pzIapB8xXB6Q/s4032/PXL_20221014_003609301.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2TETFcd_Ccq2Jn7Qm0qdko21VoH5_2kAi5SagA2j_ExLSQbyADRVJMA1E9G6qiM5AU8yqCpIQMVgwhtu7HZ2PYLSBm8rlwukS--WXBxsyJuNUpDU0asV3gUC4yOcr29DqT4soxhf8a0RDYzmkOF4I3m84UwGSnCldKkUVKd7szzmn74pzIapB8xXB6Q/w400-h225/PXL_20221014_003609301.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The girls riding around Gooseberry camp</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Day 4: nothing like a 28 miles day that ends with a bang. Shafer's trail was what everyone's dream/nightmare that awaits us at the end of day's riding. <div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjypVNnnMBIr1FWzvD-NPLCbmDUuw149-UdfcBD-0hz3yF8DVGu2imEg8HIjmdLFXgvyjn1z94-xFmeSnsoFuxdYXObN89krGvaHD_fU80pwyFP_aeji7zLQxE2jZk8xBsHhowfKlF5wt9zB5aGQO1Vft1A31tIpK37Yyt1SKWzDaDBoKVyzpWQ59jVKg/s4032/20221014_073723.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1816" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjypVNnnMBIr1FWzvD-NPLCbmDUuw149-UdfcBD-0hz3yF8DVGu2imEg8HIjmdLFXgvyjn1z94-xFmeSnsoFuxdYXObN89krGvaHD_fU80pwyFP_aeji7zLQxE2jZk8xBsHhowfKlF5wt9zB5aGQO1Vft1A31tIpK37Yyt1SKWzDaDBoKVyzpWQ59jVKg/w400-h180/20221014_073723.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunrise at Gooseberry</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj46Vz-m_i7nEELaeCdJGfegSo_xOLNZCqjhCS87gPEf8dTnsNPXIAXK7_QGg5rIvlS_WXX3UU60DrG9ZTgrHMjIS5hkLzVuycfHXWZXbycKE0gsbF85xB9bJ6vSMJA9SPDsmfk1p0kNymVFBGcbZZM_QJfuX5918TskJxMcqRiEJ_M9DsNDW_JJ2D2eQ/s4032/20221014_084324.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1816" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj46Vz-m_i7nEELaeCdJGfegSo_xOLNZCqjhCS87gPEf8dTnsNPXIAXK7_QGg5rIvlS_WXX3UU60DrG9ZTgrHMjIS5hkLzVuycfHXWZXbycKE0gsbF85xB9bJ6vSMJA9SPDsmfk1p0kNymVFBGcbZZM_QJfuX5918TskJxMcqRiEJ_M9DsNDW_JJ2D2eQ/w400-h180/20221014_084324.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwrE1QDAzri7gLpIvMLD0dyvBBJcJBHErnHm_KnFmI20O7mtEPzYq3TtrsIhLCzvqnIi9-Wgme78KeOs6vb5B64Lj_4FGOV6d_XePunTIkqyLJetfOKQxvENjE3W9TO_5CUO4xSEZ8z5HZNhMw8EitpnAM34gTGB_QI45lw3lxM_3ve8yaFsbr-kDzwA/s4032/20221014_093958.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1816" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwrE1QDAzri7gLpIvMLD0dyvBBJcJBHErnHm_KnFmI20O7mtEPzYq3TtrsIhLCzvqnIi9-Wgme78KeOs6vb5B64Lj_4FGOV6d_XePunTIkqyLJetfOKQxvENjE3W9TO_5CUO4xSEZ8z5HZNhMw8EitpnAM34gTGB_QI45lw3lxM_3ve8yaFsbr-kDzwA/w400-h180/20221014_093958.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLT0SlHM7sKFriTNnB8MQX6ZCpRJ2rYBl0YwXKNc_pQYqvjgML2y4Yb6JXRIEjPPdeqAZFz7ziTcNKljeV1dQSGAyvLZOnkNEwYEbbRY3CqfGraeB2e8yhaX9eDdUf-q1o_hjiyJZH8pTcMW_vi_mpdEcXi-Q_bkGi0MptY22NiykvztMqTAiHOJpMYg/s4032/20221014_095450.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1816" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLT0SlHM7sKFriTNnB8MQX6ZCpRJ2rYBl0YwXKNc_pQYqvjgML2y4Yb6JXRIEjPPdeqAZFz7ziTcNKljeV1dQSGAyvLZOnkNEwYEbbRY3CqfGraeB2e8yhaX9eDdUf-q1o_hjiyJZH8pTcMW_vi_mpdEcXi-Q_bkGi0MptY22NiykvztMqTAiHOJpMYg/w400-h180/20221014_095450.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidxFK-0-6WhpSkNxYTCdsX4e60Uz1t2DN1Ukx4ARXEU-q0g2_67qHU0Fo-A4Wt1wbeCEtMBh6QthbUYpy8IHozjbKkOOs109l3Lm88kCq2BTfxkICAgkRm82FKVB2tfbrihSq3f-8sFXbv3yQobngrNHuQ9BqEn491dG3g6dSsCfR-wLPTpWPD62SQYg/s4032/20221014_133109.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1816" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidxFK-0-6WhpSkNxYTCdsX4e60Uz1t2DN1Ukx4ARXEU-q0g2_67qHU0Fo-A4Wt1wbeCEtMBh6QthbUYpy8IHozjbKkOOs109l3Lm88kCq2BTfxkICAgkRm82FKVB2tfbrihSq3f-8sFXbv3yQobngrNHuQ9BqEn491dG3g6dSsCfR-wLPTpWPD62SQYg/w400-h180/20221014_133109.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Colorado River </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKWe9y7xJ0yju-ulFCJppBVbPUFO763sA_y3ZBRhyFrDESK1v3CgSwoF4hdbX8CkCL96R9XZmOf_I86dZB6LVeuVNjny2HVFR7bJBkJljHbU8R-fg8pnbMoF3ri4vsCj5NCo28wcX4_OXIFot5e9kjXP3BhuwSgBvQplTex80ahyWeHRHK_a3-BDycBg/s4032/PXL_20221014_191407598.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKWe9y7xJ0yju-ulFCJppBVbPUFO763sA_y3ZBRhyFrDESK1v3CgSwoF4hdbX8CkCL96R9XZmOf_I86dZB6LVeuVNjny2HVFR7bJBkJljHbU8R-fg8pnbMoF3ri4vsCj5NCo28wcX4_OXIFot5e9kjXP3BhuwSgBvQplTex80ahyWeHRHK_a3-BDycBg/w400-h225/PXL_20221014_191407598.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Musselman Arch</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCHgSIdy7PUy7zRNp248DW63epIRXDiob7F3ya_OKpmHiYVkxrqqDTUJqUOvA1T_UH09gc4bX2xgzqYXfMD62vkBwzeYAVCvcIDjijb1Zew7U9nkZdm27L3zqatTGg-CjZX0WSm677bCUD9aI6tLDxZNwAsJuCC_r9g6YNntNfd9CRuwChph2jaL7ADg/s4032/PXL_20221014_200638864.MP.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCHgSIdy7PUy7zRNp248DW63epIRXDiob7F3ya_OKpmHiYVkxrqqDTUJqUOvA1T_UH09gc4bX2xgzqYXfMD62vkBwzeYAVCvcIDjijb1Zew7U9nkZdm27L3zqatTGg-CjZX0WSm677bCUD9aI6tLDxZNwAsJuCC_r9g6YNntNfd9CRuwChph2jaL7ADg/w300-h400/PXL_20221014_200638864.MP.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First view of Shafer's</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfI4IYALKl0E2bXyLIgMO3ErnkloobmiBR45G9pLU7o0tvd5JvFLZWvn94PUwDfwynYj2KbDq7NSv3NUJ_lLU5aNXT_SAU4MBpqWTtDAQ_sX_Uxe-qUcNmaK19NYG2M-BthrNTRgkeSxp3FF2JW9vQt29ZrbBozkVvPtbKbLek_VXHMlQDfdR5uHVjiA/s4032/PXL_20221014_203452408.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfI4IYALKl0E2bXyLIgMO3ErnkloobmiBR45G9pLU7o0tvd5JvFLZWvn94PUwDfwynYj2KbDq7NSv3NUJ_lLU5aNXT_SAU4MBpqWTtDAQ_sX_Uxe-qUcNmaK19NYG2M-BthrNTRgkeSxp3FF2JW9vQt29ZrbBozkVvPtbKbLek_VXHMlQDfdR5uHVjiA/w400-h225/PXL_20221014_203452408.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coming up Shafer's</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk3_-oX2wjOcPmKTqHwpJV-XtR9puyax9ERKfnHju776Ux0emT77ZBIhzoVPKnAOFubV90x_2xOkk52Q_6paCaTJxNdQ2GX-5CTOmazGtJWFA-QOiLrQSQ8_bWVfxtI2pv54pdOgFpFSzPSBOTEzETto1w0NRt1hiC16KRcjCryyyCsTzEFXQdKktSIg/s4032/PXL_20221014_205337165.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk3_-oX2wjOcPmKTqHwpJV-XtR9puyax9ERKfnHju776Ux0emT77ZBIhzoVPKnAOFubV90x_2xOkk52Q_6paCaTJxNdQ2GX-5CTOmazGtJWFA-QOiLrQSQ8_bWVfxtI2pv54pdOgFpFSzPSBOTEzETto1w0NRt1hiC16KRcjCryyyCsTzEFXQdKktSIg/w400-h225/PXL_20221014_205337165.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shafer's insanity</td></tr></tbody></table><br />After 4 days of piloting the chuckwagon on the White Rim with plenty of time to think and plot, I think I came up with a viable plan for a self supported run of the White Rim. The timing will be tricky. I'll need to cache water in two spots along the trail. The weather has to be cool to minimize water consumption but not cold enough to freeze the water cache at night. Stay tuned. <br /><div><div><br /></div></div></div>Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00921924865002345936noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2619242846650641487.post-78319393624823171372021-08-15T08:19:00.021-07:002021-08-26T11:50:28.930-07:002021, Silverton Ultra Dirty 100I originally was torn between running the Cocodona 250, The Bear 100, or the brand new Silverton Ultra Dirty 100 in 2021. At the end, Silverton won out. Cocodona is early in the year and I generally spend the first few months of the year skiing. Also I don't have a crew for Cocodona and the logistic of a 5 days race without crew is rather daunting. I always wanted to run in the San Juans, and Silverton is closer than Utah. <div><br /></div><div> Training started in April with an interesting run up Rampart Range following a bear's post hole track, a nice snowy run in Cheyenne Canon, a hot desert 30 miler near Seep Springs where I carried 4 liters of water and ran out the last few miles, and Dionne showing me Waldo Canyon at the end of the month.</div><div> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zE5x4fMRluA/YRkwdh3ta0I/AAAAAAACBAw/bWIGPpMq1WYnEi3fOtV4op5g4_RhmEOIQCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/PXL_20210402_181041544.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zE5x4fMRluA/YRkwdh3ta0I/AAAAAAACBAw/bWIGPpMq1WYnEi3fOtV4op5g4_RhmEOIQCPcBGAsYHg/s400/PXL_20210402_181041544.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pikes Peak from along trails high on Rampart Range</td></tr></tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XMcOnDUYeFM/YRkwdsdnGgI/AAAAAAACBAw/Lx8LEjH6pus1GiJrNapzR5qgyjzTo672gCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/PXL_20210402_202422936.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XMcOnDUYeFM/YRkwdsdnGgI/AAAAAAACBAw/Lx8LEjH6pus1GiJrNapzR5qgyjzTo672gCPcBGAsYHg/s400/PXL_20210402_202422936.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snow and ice in Stanley Canyon</td></tr></tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SONn-ACTug8/YRkwdpuwTZI/AAAAAAACBAw/grdrs9IkbYYR020e3YSXgHNSZDdrhr80gCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/PXL_20210410_134553386.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SONn-ACTug8/YRkwdpuwTZI/AAAAAAACBAw/grdrs9IkbYYR020e3YSXgHNSZDdrhr80gCPcBGAsYHg/s400/PXL_20210410_134553386.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The iconic view of Sangres from Island in the Sky at Oil Well Flats</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tle605qED1w/YRkwdulUIJI/AAAAAAACBAw/DRRKEmNly88si6gcLLqS_Pv2BkAjnXzUACPcBGAsYHg/s4032/PXL_20210410_134854032.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tle605qED1w/YRkwdulUIJI/AAAAAAACBAw/DRRKEmNly88si6gcLLqS_Pv2BkAjnXzUACPcBGAsYHg/s400/PXL_20210410_134854032.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Island in the Sky</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jR-exIgJhR8/YRkwdlQ4RNI/AAAAAAACBAw/Rsfhe4O_O7s24pRUtlPrnGornMZpP9V3ACPcBGAsYHg/s4032/PXL_20210410_155644713.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jR-exIgJhR8/YRkwdlQ4RNI/AAAAAAACBAw/Rsfhe4O_O7s24pRUtlPrnGornMZpP9V3ACPcBGAsYHg/s400/PXL_20210410_155644713.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZTckXhEZLpA/YRkwdnkIXMI/AAAAAAACBAw/qeR_QkiG7DIofnjMDPvdRMxJy-0eP0RHACPcBGAsYHg/s4032/PXL_20210410_173239100.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZTckXhEZLpA/YRkwdnkIXMI/AAAAAAACBAw/qeR_QkiG7DIofnjMDPvdRMxJy-0eP0RHACPcBGAsYHg/s400/PXL_20210410_173239100.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cliffs at Seep Springs </td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YIgRlNGKBPc/YRkwdgrqxtI/AAAAAAACBAw/exxT5MGH6-UttYS-xtGhkCiJ-uKeDwjIgCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/PXL_20210410_173255681.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YIgRlNGKBPc/YRkwdgrqxtI/AAAAAAACBAw/exxT5MGH6-UttYS-xtGhkCiJ-uKeDwjIgCPcBGAsYHg/s400/PXL_20210410_173255681.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Valley between Seep Springs and Shelf Road</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0WbMcSHPGg4/YRkwdsmnhDI/AAAAAAACBAw/0X6XY4sxitUfUdHubZHeBVGjsjGV3ESSgCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/PXL_20210410_173654000.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0WbMcSHPGg4/YRkwdsmnhDI/AAAAAAACBAw/0X6XY4sxitUfUdHubZHeBVGjsjGV3ESSgCPcBGAsYHg/s400/PXL_20210410_173654000.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seep Springs trail</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1ePXPbZa91M/YRkwdsthY6I/AAAAAAACBAw/0kHVddV4JUIfF83adpX5k1lkBsD3Nd-vACPcBGAsYHg/s4032/PXL_20210417_170458246.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1ePXPbZa91M/YRkwdsthY6I/AAAAAAACBAw/0kHVddV4JUIfF83adpX5k1lkBsD3Nd-vACPcBGAsYHg/s400/PXL_20210417_170458246.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Columbine Trail, North Cheyenne</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4UyTsezuJHw/YRkwdqOxqMI/AAAAAAACBAw/bVH0T56aBp0zZDURlEPbsHVng3bYjkT5QCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/PXL_20210417_142204283.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4UyTsezuJHw/YRkwdqOxqMI/AAAAAAACBAw/bVH0T56aBp0zZDURlEPbsHVng3bYjkT5QCPcBGAsYHg/s400/PXL_20210417_142204283.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kineo Summit</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JkiT_ViY3Zs/YRkwdvTxTrI/AAAAAAACBAw/hAIFIfSdxWUVEVm99SiivwQJr5AeDUKMACPcBGAsYHg/s4032/PXL_20210417_184711255.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JkiT_ViY3Zs/YRkwdvTxTrI/AAAAAAACBAw/hAIFIfSdxWUVEVm99SiivwQJr5AeDUKMACPcBGAsYHg/s400/PXL_20210417_184711255.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Captain Jack's, trackless</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ltOMT5yRF2k/YRkwdpw36QI/AAAAAAACBAw/bshEXLUBK7QsuJ8oFUzKO2EHlUoh6grbACPcBGAsYHg/s4032/PXL_20210425_151302637.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ltOMT5yRF2k/YRkwdpw36QI/AAAAAAACBAw/bshEXLUBK7QsuJ8oFUzKO2EHlUoh6grbACPcBGAsYHg/s400/PXL_20210425_151302637.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dionne working out her descend at Waldo</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9G4OqWDOeTs/YRkwdphp4kI/AAAAAAACBAw/HN3presXkTIiBMA2Us4Pciy6uENday0mwCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/PXL_20210425_154712903.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9G4OqWDOeTs/YRkwdphp4kI/AAAAAAACBAw/HN3presXkTIiBMA2Us4Pciy6uENday0mwCPcBGAsYHg/s400/PXL_20210425_154712903.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dionne atop a huge quartz formation overlooking Hwy 24</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div>
May was a mixed of training and preparing for two multi-day rafting trips. We had the raft for a couple years but never fully prepared it for multidays. Finally this year we got invited on two trips, 6 days on the San Juan, and 7 days on the Deso/Gray. Every weekend of May was consisted of one day running, and one day working on the raft rigging. Kids got to watch a lot of TV's while the rigging was improved in the garage. Notable training runs includes a finally making a loop out of the Lake Moraine Trail and meeting Todd (famous Hardrock 100 runner), Three Canyons (Hurricane, Waldo and Williams), and a meandering run around Kineo. <div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rZLQcYnZnls/YRk0A9W2UHI/AAAAAAACBA8/a19TZzaAdicuxHuKlPG1AxNIm3o9GIGOgCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/PXL_20210508_125029030.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rZLQcYnZnls/YRk0A9W2UHI/AAAAAAACBA8/a19TZzaAdicuxHuKlPG1AxNIm3o9GIGOgCPcBGAsYHg/s320/PXL_20210508_125029030.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cherry blossom at Manitou Memorial Park</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-walMXWW71jQ/YRk0Ay0inWI/AAAAAAACBA8/UNDZGqjtLHMvQyURvPmfRmxczWuIUFLKQCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/PXL_20210508_184548064.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-walMXWW71jQ/YRk0Ay0inWI/AAAAAAACBA8/UNDZGqjtLHMvQyURvPmfRmxczWuIUFLKQCPcBGAsYHg/s320/PXL_20210508_184548064.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Todd's first time on Lake Moraine Trail</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-co3t0VYiq_M/YRk0A3oSzdI/AAAAAAACBA8/iOTOEYht8B45e6PIvNonyad02yfL8bJsQCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/PXL_20210508_194842187.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-co3t0VYiq_M/YRk0A3oSzdI/AAAAAAACBA8/iOTOEYht8B45e6PIvNonyad02yfL8bJsQCPcBGAsYHg/s320/PXL_20210508_194842187.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pikes from Lake Moraine Trail</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y0RT2wo5G_E/YRk0A3rQgDI/AAAAAAACBA8/Pzte4FygaL8j0Z0zNxknDG9GPOxOljslwCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/PXL_20210516_172235405.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y0RT2wo5G_E/YRk0A3rQgDI/AAAAAAACBA8/Pzte4FygaL8j0Z0zNxknDG9GPOxOljslwCPcBGAsYHg/s320/PXL_20210516_172235405.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pikes view from Waldo Canyon</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c1ewqfdJDyI/YRk0A7jHjBI/AAAAAAACBA8/jnglybiVNw43LTmd4kt8CxnvpkQb9vOoQCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/PXL_20210516_173931023.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c1ewqfdJDyI/YRk0A7jHjBI/AAAAAAACBA8/jnglybiVNw43LTmd4kt8CxnvpkQb9vOoQCPcBGAsYHg/s320/PXL_20210516_173931023.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Racing the storm</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vc9ac9vNSw0/YRk0A6u35NI/AAAAAAACBA8/zRzMtOuPjFAaXqNuQ7b4Xmev2Ufs7-N8wCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/PXL_20210516_180448633.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vc9ac9vNSw0/YRk0A6u35NI/AAAAAAACBA8/zRzMtOuPjFAaXqNuQ7b4Xmev2Ufs7-N8wCPcBGAsYHg/s320/PXL_20210516_180448633.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Williams Canyon</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tgGGnBER8P8/YRk0A-4NCAI/AAAAAAACBA8/JtVt9a5lD2EomNeZcPXudG3DZkdKaiFHQCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/PXL_20210522_182312761.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tgGGnBER8P8/YRk0A-4NCAI/AAAAAAACBA8/JtVt9a5lD2EomNeZcPXudG3DZkdKaiFHQCPcBGAsYHg/s320/PXL_20210522_182312761.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View on Kineo Summit</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sOSN-xaRJ_E/YRk0A3OFPPI/AAAAAAACBA8/psh8L-kTprMPqgAqLzcuDzPBzZjxLMf5ACPcBGAsYHg/s4032/PXL_20210522_185058343.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sOSN-xaRJ_E/YRk0A3OFPPI/AAAAAAACBA8/psh8L-kTprMPqgAqLzcuDzPBzZjxLMf5ACPcBGAsYHg/s320/PXL_20210522_185058343.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Discovered a water fall along North Cheyenne Creek</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_s7LsNvgNrQ/YRk0AwrIqXI/AAAAAAACBA8/jKalkt8DHUo1fIG01pfZkZAdhIS43snYACPcBGAsYHg/s4032/PXL_20210522_193221341.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_s7LsNvgNrQ/YRk0AwrIqXI/AAAAAAACBA8/jKalkt8DHUo1fIG01pfZkZAdhIS43snYACPcBGAsYHg/s320/PXL_20210522_193221341.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Caught in a graupel storm on Buckhorn</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br />Most of June were spent traveling to the rivers and pulling a loaded raft down river. My shoulder/core/arm strength improved dramatically while leg muscles shrunk. However last weekend of June was a scheduled four day running camp in the Sawatch Range. First day of the camp was derailed when friends came in town to visit which still left a healthy three days to run. On day 1, I found a new loop climbing the east ridge of Yale then connecting over Brown Pass and down Kroenke Lake. On day 2, I drove over Leadville to Copper Mt. and ran with some new friends to celebrate Amanda's birthday. Amanda is also running the Silverton 100. At end of day 2 it was cold and pouring so I drove home to sleep in a comfy bed then did a the big loop around Rosa. The three days total was 71.3 miles, 18,000 ft climbed, and 26 hours on the trail. Pushed the effort on day 2 but the other two days were relaxed. Amazing thing was I wasn't too sore or tired after this. <div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_VLwztF9F88/YRk3OqsIruI/AAAAAAACBBI/iMFlSrxhf2kVcF9nCA8tJKO6AFVn1yYEQCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/PXL_20210603_015202586.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_VLwztF9F88/YRk3OqsIruI/AAAAAAACBBI/iMFlSrxhf2kVcF9nCA8tJKO6AFVn1yYEQCPcBGAsYHg/s320/PXL_20210603_015202586.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunset on the San Juan River</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-crOmziWbLXk/YRk3Onv4AfI/AAAAAAACBBI/fWteZI_jed8-2xEon3O-8Rgc1ELVRePNwCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/PXL_20210603_022942336.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-crOmziWbLXk/YRk3Onv4AfI/AAAAAAACBBI/fWteZI_jed8-2xEon3O-8Rgc1ELVRePNwCPcBGAsYHg/s320/PXL_20210603_022942336.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amelia and Annabelle's yoga session</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EUPQm7fm5iM/YRk3OhOWemI/AAAAAAACBBI/PR91JyJwaRshgZWz7Br3QUc_6AKnGH-GACPcBGAsYHg/s4928/DSC_2794.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="4928" height="212" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EUPQm7fm5iM/YRk3OhOWemI/AAAAAAACBBI/PR91JyJwaRshgZWz7Br3QUc_6AKnGH-GACPcBGAsYHg/s320/DSC_2794.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Last night on the San Juan, hiked up to the river rim to discover Monument Valley visible in the distant horizon</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rtkfOTo_hNg/YRk3OgbcFvI/AAAAAAACBBI/r-ty1POROtw3RDndiAoeoYfqRPnaNxqcQCPcBGAsYHg/s4928/DSC_3022.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="4928" height="212" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rtkfOTo_hNg/YRk3OgbcFvI/AAAAAAACBBI/r-ty1POROtw3RDndiAoeoYfqRPnaNxqcQCPcBGAsYHg/s320/DSC_3022.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amelia and Jade paddling on the last day on the San Juan</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1nx-8OWQRfc/YRk3-Nn9abI/AAAAAAACBBQ/-2Gi68ND0BUJ7zLvm3Vwqmk5YN-wVXGzwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/DSC_3108.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1356" data-original-width="2048" height="212" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1nx-8OWQRfc/YRk3-Nn9abI/AAAAAAACBBQ/-2Gi68ND0BUJ7zLvm3Vwqmk5YN-wVXGzwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/DSC_3108.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 1 on Desolation Canyon</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wzwfc6de9GQ/YRk3-lgnRHI/AAAAAAACBBY/n6wxMlbDEV4-r0-6e1rhiCLwk1-HWeh_gCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/DSC_3355.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1356" data-original-width="2048" height="212" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wzwfc6de9GQ/YRk3-lgnRHI/AAAAAAACBBY/n6wxMlbDEV4-r0-6e1rhiCLwk1-HWeh_gCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/DSC_3355.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Deso-Gray</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HzPAdDpOWcY/YRk3-RhAdmI/AAAAAAACBBU/s-n-7DJdv_oaOXK5nO16XjzDM6AyxglSQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/DSC_3382.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1356" data-original-width="2048" height="212" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HzPAdDpOWcY/YRk3-RhAdmI/AAAAAAACBBU/s-n-7DJdv_oaOXK5nO16XjzDM6AyxglSQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/DSC_3382.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amelia SUPing on Deso</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wwEHJDAgGJA/YRk3_1QrnnI/AAAAAAACBBc/ilN4Pou-wJE7wogDVe5L16w4-c9lFJnbACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/DSC_3430.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1356" data-original-width="2048" height="212" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wwEHJDAgGJA/YRk3_1QrnnI/AAAAAAACBBc/ilN4Pou-wJE7wogDVe5L16w4-c9lFJnbACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/DSC_3430.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Deso-Gray</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VUXbkFzVAAo/YRk5-WGI0DI/AAAAAAACBBw/D05y7TV7N34s4oKgXmCDf2BXPp4KVEH7gCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/PXL_20210625_145453012.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VUXbkFzVAAo/YRk5-WGI0DI/AAAAAAACBBw/D05y7TV7N34s4oKgXmCDf2BXPp4KVEH7gCPcBGAsYHg/s320/PXL_20210625_145453012.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cloud in the valley, seen from Yale's East Ridge</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8RJgIhW7YsM/YRk5-f3rMvI/AAAAAAACBBw/5ps-1NeI6dAbf_HE6ct1OOngTt1ySgTYQCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/PXL_20210625_150631597.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8RJgIhW7YsM/YRk5-f3rMvI/AAAAAAACBBw/5ps-1NeI6dAbf_HE6ct1OOngTt1ySgTYQCPcBGAsYHg/s320/PXL_20210625_150631597.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yale's summit in view</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-el83BTnzE1s/YRk5-ecAfFI/AAAAAAACBBw/5qss1n0sLlMPxzkNHulD70hMBdy_vxG1QCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/PXL_20210625_160155746.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-el83BTnzE1s/YRk5-ecAfFI/AAAAAAACBBw/5qss1n0sLlMPxzkNHulD70hMBdy_vxG1QCPcBGAsYHg/s320/PXL_20210625_160155746.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yale summit</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iBc4h8a-uKU/YRk5-WRzZVI/AAAAAAACBBw/d5GoOzQ3wB4ul0g-jEt74FUTEsWv3-TBwCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/PXL_20210625_163732212.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iBc4h8a-uKU/YRk5-WRzZVI/AAAAAAACBBw/d5GoOzQ3wB4ul0g-jEt74FUTEsWv3-TBwCPcBGAsYHg/s320/PXL_20210625_163732212.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wildflowers blooming on Yale</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CnWGKR902HA/YRk5-fHVcZI/AAAAAAACBBw/Rn-rsDbzPe863npCwAhz8ceq5hZPCGzGwCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/PXL_20210625_182255693.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CnWGKR902HA/YRk5-fHVcZI/AAAAAAACBBw/Rn-rsDbzPe863npCwAhz8ceq5hZPCGzGwCPcBGAsYHg/s320/PXL_20210625_182255693.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Climbing toward Brown's Pass</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9-AX4uYS3Fw/YRk5-RDePII/AAAAAAACBBw/vrF2jXC4DGIPf1axmgf9o67qoR_EzxKqACPcBGAsYHg/s4032/PXL_20210625_190036440.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9-AX4uYS3Fw/YRk5-RDePII/AAAAAAACBBw/vrF2jXC4DGIPf1axmgf9o67qoR_EzxKqACPcBGAsYHg/s320/PXL_20210625_190036440.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Almost at Brown's Pass</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ANe1OVhCKk0/YRk5-XcGWaI/AAAAAAACBBw/-rnVS5tJS9sWC1N1KI2piboomZlScqeZwCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/PXL_20210625_190502376.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ANe1OVhCKk0/YRk5-XcGWaI/AAAAAAACBBw/-rnVS5tJS9sWC1N1KI2piboomZlScqeZwCPcBGAsYHg/s320/PXL_20210625_190502376.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brown's Pass, nice snow bank blocks the way</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-399CyRrrv2c/YRk5-elo6nI/AAAAAAACBBw/XcTuVV1gbB8AzXtg0BCbkt49PDjdgq8rQCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/PXL_20210625_192516806.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-399CyRrrv2c/YRk5-elo6nI/AAAAAAACBBw/XcTuVV1gbB8AzXtg0BCbkt49PDjdgq8rQCPcBGAsYHg/s320/PXL_20210625_192516806.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lake Kroenke</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8nc15wc6obU/YRk5-aWJgQI/AAAAAAACBBw/foSDnPl-xOs3BwZECmwTvMzsdS1lsdY3wCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/PXL_20210625_193302054.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8nc15wc6obU/YRk5-aWJgQI/AAAAAAACBBw/foSDnPl-xOs3BwZECmwTvMzsdS1lsdY3wCPcBGAsYHg/s320/PXL_20210625_193302054.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snow bridge collapsed while I crossed it</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jIyvjA3khDE/YRk5-bFPaaI/AAAAAAACBBw/cxZBgaShJcIIEq1QNQt55XFbNoJJh-uygCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/PXL_20210625_195141784.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jIyvjA3khDE/YRk5-bFPaaI/AAAAAAACBBw/cxZBgaShJcIIEq1QNQt55XFbNoJJh-uygCPcBGAsYHg/s320/PXL_20210625_195141784.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A curious marten checking me out</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Rf3FkiL9d58/YRk5-ZYEcOI/AAAAAAACBBw/n23uwj5Jb_Qe5_ZVwaTnACtHpqnssJkTgCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/PXL_20210626_145028287.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Rf3FkiL9d58/YRk5-ZYEcOI/AAAAAAACBBw/n23uwj5Jb_Qe5_ZVwaTnACtHpqnssJkTgCPcBGAsYHg/s320/PXL_20210626_145028287.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Siri and Kate at misty lake on Gore Range Trail</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-judqWGyMqZI/YRk5-dF45GI/AAAAAAACBBw/bYDmB7xd7roDgrRhGAwITxqHko2UvuqAwCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/PXL_20210626_145710655.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-judqWGyMqZI/YRk5-dF45GI/AAAAAAACBBw/bYDmB7xd7roDgrRhGAwITxqHko2UvuqAwCPcBGAsYHg/s320/PXL_20210626_145710655.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gore Range</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cyy9br-Jvok/YRk5-fxuQHI/AAAAAAACBBw/OiWlqfgbSOgPCCKfbneG4lUcOTq7rgatwCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/PXL_20210626_151937729.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cyy9br-Jvok/YRk5-fxuQHI/AAAAAAACBBw/OiWlqfgbSOgPCCKfbneG4lUcOTq7rgatwCPcBGAsYHg/s320/PXL_20210626_151937729.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Uneva Pass, Gore Range Trail</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-skyKMvN0FfY/YRk5-c4xlOI/AAAAAAACBBw/4_ahj87WZMUGDDhyg9oUurRfMtO8snzcwCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/PXL_20210626_175225249.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-skyKMvN0FfY/YRk5-c4xlOI/AAAAAAACBBw/4_ahj87WZMUGDDhyg9oUurRfMtO8snzcwCPcBGAsYHg/s320/PXL_20210626_175225249.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Descending Uneva Pass</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QzIABc8Pnrg/YRk5-SA2kYI/AAAAAAACBBw/a7zlKEQz_bI_9mN3iPHBvfi7nhMmZ5m5QCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/PXL_20210626_181438870.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QzIABc8Pnrg/YRk5-SA2kYI/AAAAAAACBBw/a7zlKEQz_bI_9mN3iPHBvfi7nhMmZ5m5QCPcBGAsYHg/s320/PXL_20210626_181438870.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eccles Pass, Gore Range, Amada's Birthday Run</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YOZ1-c8-y24/YRk5-VHEguI/AAAAAAACBBw/IoilbsRrpSc6VDeRo7WDC35GS3XDQWgpACPcBGAsYHg/s4032/PXL_20210626_181443401.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YOZ1-c8-y24/YRk5-VHEguI/AAAAAAACBBw/IoilbsRrpSc6VDeRo7WDC35GS3XDQWgpACPcBGAsYHg/s320/PXL_20210626_181443401.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Below Eccles Pass</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wMyVrK4LyVs/YRk5-RCXlbI/AAAAAAACBBw/vdU3KsYHoykB2adYbPCZ-kXzUytBUQy_wCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/PXL_20210626_183307156%257E2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wMyVrK4LyVs/YRk5-RCXlbI/AAAAAAACBBw/vdU3KsYHoykB2adYbPCZ-kXzUytBUQy_wCPcBGAsYHg/s320/PXL_20210626_183307156%257E2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cover photo for the birthday run</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EB8w8bW1q4g/YRk5-dJLzGI/AAAAAAACBBw/Hk7D71i8_YkhtEXiSbkJl1bja8KrIPuWQCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/PXL_20210626_225747609.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EB8w8bW1q4g/YRk5-dJLzGI/AAAAAAACBBw/Hk7D71i8_YkhtEXiSbkJl1bja8KrIPuWQCPcBGAsYHg/s320/PXL_20210626_225747609.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lilly's pond. Dave (2nd from left), Amanda (3rd from left) would finish their respective Silverton 100M and 100K. Roger (2nd from right) would go on to finish his umteenth Hardrock<br /><br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>Jade and I celebrated her 50th birthday with a double hike on Pine Creek and Mt. Columbia at beginning of July while the kids were at their first overnight camp in Como. Each day we would turn the phone off airplane mode at end of the hike and anxiously wait for the dreaded message from the camp to come to get our misbehaving kids. Fortunately, they behaved well at the camp, much to our relief. I also got to check out Pawnee Buchanan Loop. Jade's family came to visit at end of the month and we made a trip to Mt. Princeton Hot Springs to soak and I used that as an excuse to explore the Monarch Crest to finish off the training. <br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hLOvfUgr600/YRk-iHCoL8I/AAAAAAACBCA/VLRgRUDbZcQbf2ODzz0UE3pFdQfTigFsgCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/PXL_20210706_160903577.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hLOvfUgr600/YRk-iHCoL8I/AAAAAAACBCA/VLRgRUDbZcQbf2ODzz0UE3pFdQfTigFsgCPcBGAsYHg/s320/PXL_20210706_160903577.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Old mining cabin on Pine Creek</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nX_7ug5fS9k/YRk-iE4JjXI/AAAAAAACBCA/y5aREXUmRIs7M-goHlcf7IWJEqc5PHuuQCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/PXL_20210706_165936491.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nX_7ug5fS9k/YRk-iE4JjXI/AAAAAAACBCA/y5aREXUmRIs7M-goHlcf7IWJEqc5PHuuQCPcBGAsYHg/s320/PXL_20210706_165936491.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jade making a precarious creek crossing</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GsihXWlCr7o/YRk-iMlnnNI/AAAAAAACBCA/7PGzhB8JqAU00YNJtyiX-RoQ4BGzNgFMgCPcBGAsYHg/s3264/PXL_20210706_170604292.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GsihXWlCr7o/YRk-iMlnnNI/AAAAAAACBCA/7PGzhB8JqAU00YNJtyiX-RoQ4BGzNgFMgCPcBGAsYHg/s320/PXL_20210706_170604292.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pine Creek</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iBPbz4FfVXM/YRk-iKb_gbI/AAAAAAACBCA/cvoAoOyNgno68W_rnaoub42Z5mbz2D_cACPcBGAsYHg/s4032/PXL_20210707_154551944.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iBPbz4FfVXM/YRk-iKb_gbI/AAAAAAACBCA/cvoAoOyNgno68W_rnaoub42Z5mbz2D_cACPcBGAsYHg/s320/PXL_20210707_154551944.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wildflowers on Columbia</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KScDfb00YNY/YRk-iBpYQWI/AAAAAAACBCA/eAjcptGfiqQZvaFRmFfhpZmPKjUj_m_TgCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/PXL_20210707_170056021.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KScDfb00YNY/YRk-iBpYQWI/AAAAAAACBCA/eAjcptGfiqQZvaFRmFfhpZmPKjUj_m_TgCPcBGAsYHg/s320/PXL_20210707_170056021.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jade climbing up Columbia, Lake Kroenke and Birthday Peak in the distance</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bLUe2nExwpk/YRk-iGbRPDI/AAAAAAACBCA/kKZv8IV5lLAigcpuIF7gN5w3PxfrCqCWwCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/PXL_20210707_180521024.PORTRAIT.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bLUe2nExwpk/YRk-iGbRPDI/AAAAAAACBCA/kKZv8IV5lLAigcpuIF7gN5w3PxfrCqCWwCPcBGAsYHg/s320/PXL_20210707_180521024.PORTRAIT.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Columbia suummit</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_-DTt0IHpg8/YRk-iKW-AbI/AAAAAAACBCA/KGvgBXXcZ-AhwoaUSCt7Djf4aIDNxSaBQCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/PXL_20210710_121241558.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_-DTt0IHpg8/YRk-iKW-AbI/AAAAAAACBCA/KGvgBXXcZ-AhwoaUSCt7Djf4aIDNxSaBQCPcBGAsYHg/s320/PXL_20210710_121241558.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunrise on Pawnee Buchanan</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LIFZGzmKZ8U/YRk-iLWjyoI/AAAAAAACBCA/nWzegGAy81Em9DM1xmT2ZWSwBbRV1qR4gCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/PXL_20210710_143607558.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LIFZGzmKZ8U/YRk-iLWjyoI/AAAAAAACBCA/nWzegGAy81Em9DM1xmT2ZWSwBbRV1qR4gCPcBGAsYHg/s320/PXL_20210710_143607558.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Buchanan Pass</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sJusKIaohsE/YRk-iN0heII/AAAAAAACBCA/GghADLcagjoTyi-GE51K9fKWaTNhRAaLgCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/PXL_20210710_144238135.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sJusKIaohsE/YRk-iN0heII/AAAAAAACBCA/GghADLcagjoTyi-GE51K9fKWaTNhRAaLgCPcBGAsYHg/s320/PXL_20210710_144238135.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Buchanan Pass<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Em2RbIrziyI/YRk-iF8-p7I/AAAAAAACBCA/-msi-V8TuAwLgE7w_TAabgFRLKmecFymgCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/PXL_20210710_145349891.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Em2RbIrziyI/YRk-iF8-p7I/AAAAAAACBCA/-msi-V8TuAwLgE7w_TAabgFRLKmecFymgCPcBGAsYHg/s320/PXL_20210710_145349891.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">West side of Buchanan Pass<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jWLmmCnYk8I/YRk-iOX3cXI/AAAAAAACBCA/zH_XiNbxAxscj4kQ198fe_XKiyc3o8KfgCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/PXL_20210710_155837555.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jWLmmCnYk8I/YRk-iOX3cXI/AAAAAAACBCA/zH_XiNbxAxscj4kQ198fe_XKiyc3o8KfgCPcBGAsYHg/s320/PXL_20210710_155837555.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunflowers covering an avalanche chute</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U3-1hQaOHG0/YRk-iLXb2YI/AAAAAAACBCA/KMI0U6AOlmQNXC9daUxoldjXaJYRlswgACPcBGAsYHg/s4032/PXL_20210710_170516837.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U3-1hQaOHG0/YRk-iLXb2YI/AAAAAAACBCA/KMI0U6AOlmQNXC9daUxoldjXaJYRlswgACPcBGAsYHg/s320/PXL_20210710_170516837.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of many cascades on the Pawnee Trail</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MTPbFWC2S7I/YRk-iC11OWI/AAAAAAACBCA/S6J80xLNp6Yw1RSJDCbq0rmX4OWIEpqcwCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/PXL_20210710_181417479.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MTPbFWC2S7I/YRk-iC11OWI/AAAAAAACBCA/S6J80xLNp6Yw1RSJDCbq0rmX4OWIEpqcwCPcBGAsYHg/s320/PXL_20210710_181417479.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lone Eagle Peak</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-01VAhl1Fis8/YRk-iHpKIUI/AAAAAAACBCA/CR_nBUYRCtoQdzxs_8H6xTIXs5zv7MTUgCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/PXL_20210710_194722824.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-01VAhl1Fis8/YRk-iHpKIUI/AAAAAAACBCA/CR_nBUYRCtoQdzxs_8H6xTIXs5zv7MTUgCPcBGAsYHg/s320/PXL_20210710_194722824.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The wall at Pawnee Pass, looks impassable the trail goes up there somehow</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KxXqSsbHLzw/YRk-iGU0ADI/AAAAAAACBCA/eO8L7LS3mMsn72ewghCTF0s2bksCCrGVQCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/PXL_20210720_111053061.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KxXqSsbHLzw/YRk-iGU0ADI/AAAAAAACBCA/eO8L7LS3mMsn72ewghCTF0s2bksCCrGVQCPcBGAsYHg/s320/PXL_20210720_111053061.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Confidence marker on the CDT/CT near Lost Wonder Hut</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OWGvqYeK9qg/YRk-iOCvzcI/AAAAAAACBCA/L8rfA29GWjMb8K-LXE_FxKGR0cNb40m7gCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/PXL_20210720_121139357.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OWGvqYeK9qg/YRk-iOCvzcI/AAAAAAACBCA/L8rfA29GWjMb8K-LXE_FxKGR0cNb40m7gCPcBGAsYHg/s320/PXL_20210720_121139357.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunrist at Hung Lake, CT/CDT</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wWzE1hQ2-zk/YRk-iE9_wMI/AAAAAAACBCA/ZXqGRTxCWeANxTrDEB10sn3UP5w7xLzBwCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/PXL_20210720_125141067.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wWzE1hQ2-zk/YRk-iE9_wMI/AAAAAAACBCA/ZXqGRTxCWeANxTrDEB10sn3UP5w7xLzBwCPcBGAsYHg/s320/PXL_20210720_125141067.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Almost on the CDT ridge</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bbwG9MxyC7s/YRk-iEtCMtI/AAAAAAACBCA/8iciPZMnlg00wQT8-U3yJUouqKJce1eMwCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/PXL_20210720_131328163.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bbwG9MxyC7s/YRk-iEtCMtI/AAAAAAACBCA/8iciPZMnlg00wQT8-U3yJUouqKJce1eMwCPcBGAsYHg/s320/PXL_20210720_131328163.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">CDT/CT ridge</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iT9wBcFRyxQ/YRk-iP_qNEI/AAAAAAACBCA/zTTusFrSZRAGLP9xXKLK5ObBq8aBnAk9wCPcBGAsYHg/s3341/PXL_20210720_133810615%257E2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3341" data-original-width="2505" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iT9wBcFRyxQ/YRk-iP_qNEI/AAAAAAACBCA/zTTusFrSZRAGLP9xXKLK5ObBq8aBnAk9wCPcBGAsYHg/s320/PXL_20210720_133810615%257E2.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">CT wonder</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Pi7TZK5d8d0/YRk-iFH9YqI/AAAAAAACBCA/sYszri6BT3QoCMnf84z62teGHCrAHhYdgCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/PXL_20210720_160202018.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Pi7TZK5d8d0/YRk-iFH9YqI/AAAAAAACBCA/sYszri6BT3QoCMnf84z62teGHCrAHhYdgCPcBGAsYHg/s320/PXL_20210720_160202018.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Monarch Crest</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Spb2H1JTyDk/YRk-iIR_8DI/AAAAAAACBCA/1wtxZAS--mgNAGvlvO64fC4kHcH-PUuMwCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/PXL_20210720_162515573.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Spb2H1JTyDk/YRk-iIR_8DI/AAAAAAACBCA/1wtxZAS--mgNAGvlvO64fC4kHcH-PUuMwCPcBGAsYHg/s320/PXL_20210720_162515573.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Monarch Crest</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0kf9UPiypKs/YRk-iNxGSXI/AAAAAAACBCA/-TRpbPe2L8ouIB1KLnpIvu4D6nwKXZvsQCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/PXL_20210720_164932841.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0kf9UPiypKs/YRk-iNxGSXI/AAAAAAACBCA/-TRpbPe2L8ouIB1KLnpIvu4D6nwKXZvsQCPcBGAsYHg/s320/PXL_20210720_164932841.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wildflowers on Fosses Creek Trail</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Despite the interruption in May and June, I finished the training feeling supremely confident. The volume and vert has been higher than ever and I was not feeling fatigued after long mountain runs. I spent many hours long alpine ridges which made me feel like I was ready for the Silverton's long exposure at higher elevation. </div><div><br /></div><div>My race logistic caused quite a bit of anxiety. Originally Jade was going to crew me while leaving the kids with my parent, and we reserved a hotel room in Silverton for this plan. The in the spring my parents suggested they should all go to the race and cheer me on. We cancelled the Silverton hotel and reserved a 2 bedroom condo in Cascade Village near Engineer Aid Station at mile 73. In June my mom suffered quite a few medical issues that still wasn't resolved by July, so they bailed on the race and we lost the option of leaving the kids with them for the race weekend. Jade's mom made plan to stay with us from July through October so the new plan is for Jade and her mom to take the kids to the condo and Jade can crew me and drive us home afterwards. When Jade's mom flew in from Florida in mid July, she immediately struggled with the elevation in Colorado Springs. We couldn't leave her alone in Colorado Springs, so the new plan is I go on my own, and have to figure out how to get rides from the finish to the start, etc. But miraculously Jade's mom quickly adapted to the altitude and we did a trial day at Mt. Princeton Hot Springs 2 weeks before the race, and she handled the 8,300 ft elevation fine. So now we felt confident she would be okay at Cascade Village, elevation 9,000 ft. </div><div><br /></div><div>Jade's crewing duty also dwindled over the months as we researched the race course. Other than Engineer aid station - mile 73 which was right by Hwy 550, the other aid stations were either hike in only and no crew allowed ( Dry Fork - mile 6.5, Rolling Pass - mile 63, Bandora - mile 91, Putnam - mile 97), or high clearance 4WD required (Kennebec - mile 21, Big Bend - mile 35, Hermosa Peak - mile 52, Cascade - mile 56/82). The only two aid stations were somewhat reachable with our Chevy Suburban was Champion Venture (mile 18.7, added only two weeks prior to race weekend) and Hotel Draw (mile 42). We thought about having Jade meet me at Hotel Draw but that would mean for her to drive an hour on a dirt road with a creek crossing at 2 AM. Jade is not the best off road driver and is horrible at navigation. So at the end, we decided to only have her crew me at Engineer aid station. As a backup to the plan, in case the kids or her mom have issues, I would also have a drop bag at Engineer with everything I need. </div><div><br /></div><div>In the end, I used three drop bags. </div><div><br /></div><div>Drop bag 1 at Kennebec at mile 21 which will have all cold weather and night gear with the goal of reaching it at 9 PM on Friday. It also has 8 bags of Tailwind and 4 <a href="http://podtrailbars.com/" target="_blank">Lady's Bars</a>. </div><div><br /></div><div>Drop bag 2 at Cascade Creek at mile 56 and 82. Plan to reach it on Saturday morning, drop off cold weather and night gear, then reach it again in the afternoon and pick up the cold weather and night gear. </div><div><br /></div><div>Drop bag 3 at Engineer at mile 73. Extra food and headlamp in case I reach it late and need the light to get back to Cascade. </div><div><br /></div>
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<div><br /></div><div>We drove to Cascade Village on Wednesday, finally settled in around midnight. I really wanted Jade and kids to see the race course so Thursday morning we went to Engineer aid station location and hiked a few miles of Cascade Creek Trail which was around mile 73 to 75 on the race course. </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IF2c9C2BZFM/YRlmgkOMeRI/AAAAAAACBCU/w7xqzY2xqL0tUyB5aLw5m1cFhEExWe74ACPcBGAsYHg/s4032/PXL_20210805_160713743.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IF2c9C2BZFM/YRlmgkOMeRI/AAAAAAACBCU/w7xqzY2xqL0tUyB5aLw5m1cFhEExWe74ACPcBGAsYHg/s320/PXL_20210805_160713743.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Start of Cascade Creek Trail</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a6_orvz77-c/YRlmguL6uGI/AAAAAAACBCU/1zWAoNutZawfTUTF3FURzapDw4C5FWjPgCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/PXL_20210805_161512596.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a6_orvz77-c/YRlmguL6uGI/AAAAAAACBCU/1zWAoNutZawfTUTF3FURzapDw4C5FWjPgCPcBGAsYHg/s320/PXL_20210805_161512596.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wildflowers everywhere</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JqrIve5Q4hg/YRlmgi45FJI/AAAAAAACBCU/qA-SEm1tNVsMv0-195lav9Z0NHvpM1zKgCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/PXL_20210805_163002567.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JqrIve5Q4hg/YRlmgi45FJI/AAAAAAACBCU/qA-SEm1tNVsMv0-195lav9Z0NHvpM1zKgCPcBGAsYHg/s320/PXL_20210805_163002567.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not sure what Amelia is trying to do here</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WUzIhV22ATs/YRlmgtq3x7I/AAAAAAACBCU/Fr5dk-V3XMAujG7BldYgCLOQzUNPv6wtACPcBGAsYHg/s4032/PXL_20210805_164911497.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WUzIhV22ATs/YRlmgtq3x7I/AAAAAAACBCU/Fr5dk-V3XMAujG7BldYgCLOQzUNPv6wtACPcBGAsYHg/s320/PXL_20210805_164911497.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Massive aspen grove</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FGSxt2lZDjg/YRlmgsxxU5I/AAAAAAACBCU/cKMZhNel4mklT-i1Obi4aPTCcR5dpQ4YwCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/PXL_20210805_165138035.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FGSxt2lZDjg/YRlmgsxxU5I/AAAAAAACBCU/cKMZhNel4mklT-i1Obi4aPTCcR5dpQ4YwCPcBGAsYHg/s320/PXL_20210805_165138035.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kids are super good at finding huge mushrooms</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XaBwNebEosQ/YRlmgn6ol_I/AAAAAAACBCU/0w4pATdHPV4Iq4bGgQLTIZFZ7fHaY3vrwCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/PXL_20210805_162042829.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XaBwNebEosQ/YRlmgn6ol_I/AAAAAAACBCU/0w4pATdHPV4Iq4bGgQLTIZFZ7fHaY3vrwCPcBGAsYHg/s320/PXL_20210805_162042829.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More mushrooms</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NAr98TQ6pDk/YRlmgl4OuvI/AAAAAAACBCU/1rBHeDe3GAgbwqtpYj-oyk_J_L7ngYGKgCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/PXL_20210805_161726732.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NAr98TQ6pDk/YRlmgl4OuvI/AAAAAAACBCU/1rBHeDe3GAgbwqtpYj-oyk_J_L7ngYGKgCPcBGAsYHg/s320/PXL_20210805_161726732.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Tu4gPPV8nLc/YRlmgmv98iI/AAAAAAACBCU/w0N55p4u6mA1KRhYPBEu4evBuEa4WwpkwCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/PXL_20210805_161151217.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Tu4gPPV8nLc/YRlmgmv98iI/AAAAAAACBCU/w0N55p4u6mA1KRhYPBEu4evBuEa4WwpkwCPcBGAsYHg/s320/PXL_20210805_161151217.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alex going up!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>We decided to go sample the BBQ in Silverton for lunch, then found out the race needs help sorting through aid station supplies and it was next to the BBQ so we did just that, sorting through a couple million calories worth of food. Then it was off to the race briefing where we helped fixing the main tent that sustained damage from the afternoon microburst. </div><div> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7TXkvPfcI3I/YRlnEIHZkGI/AAAAAAACBCc/I33ewec9srsSd0dT-sN6P86UmBfB8mxKwCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/PXL_20210805_203720584.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7TXkvPfcI3I/YRlnEIHZkGI/AAAAAAACBCc/I33ewec9srsSd0dT-sN6P86UmBfB8mxKwCPcBGAsYHg/s320/PXL_20210805_203720584.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alex and Amelia going through Bandora aid station supplies</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xvfu_NN8MUI/YRlnftDMduI/AAAAAAACBCo/QzqCMSKVoBkWQITLIj4BBE4ccDGB04iAACPcBGAsYHg/s4032/PXL_20210805_210301702.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xvfu_NN8MUI/YRlnftDMduI/AAAAAAACBCo/QzqCMSKVoBkWQITLIj4BBE4ccDGB04iAACPcBGAsYHg/s320/PXL_20210805_210301702.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After helping with aid station supplies, kids found a playground near the library</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nBB8INH-fEU/YRlnfqC83fI/AAAAAAACBCo/oQrlgpFQYG4Shpf5PFCBqixAJJPqcdaUgCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/PXL_20210806_000606621.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nBB8INH-fEU/YRlnfqC83fI/AAAAAAACBCo/oQrlgpFQYG4Shpf5PFCBqixAJJPqcdaUgCPcBGAsYHg/s320/PXL_20210806_000606621.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Race briefing</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p3sfeHiZDuc/YRlnfo38RRI/AAAAAAACBCo/DzgsNVek0B8H8AioXvunVNEnM2toFFoFgCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/PXL_20210806_001317616.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p3sfeHiZDuc/YRlnfo38RRI/AAAAAAACBCo/DzgsNVek0B8H8AioXvunVNEnM2toFFoFgCPcBGAsYHg/s320/PXL_20210806_001317616.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Race briefing</td></tr></tbody></table><br />The race's starting time of 2 PM was pretty unusual, the race director choose this time so that 100 milers would sync with the 100K and 60K runners in the latter part of the race and reduce the logistic headaches of aid stations. We had a lazy morning of hanging out in the condo and getting my stuff packed and enjoyed a leisure breakfast. </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XYMxqtUw7WA/YRlsQ7qwVuI/AAAAAAACBEM/wrCQ-p7B-zoohGFz5LKoDnG_344LomjiQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/PXL_20210806_144722827.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XYMxqtUw7WA/YRlsQ7qwVuI/AAAAAAACBEM/wrCQ-p7B-zoohGFz5LKoDnG_344LomjiQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/PXL_20210806_144722827.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Breakfast with Amelia on the balcony</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>Jade drove me to the start at Junction Creek and dropped me off. There are very limited parking at the start so the race mandated that runners are to be dropped off, and families and friends were not allowed to park. </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sFIHMfPjIoU/YRlscsJyfgI/AAAAAAACBEU/0ivQZPxqdvklZ7QeznxMHFqIG0GgBDUbgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/PXL_20210806_191838701.MP.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sFIHMfPjIoU/YRlscsJyfgI/AAAAAAACBEU/0ivQZPxqdvklZ7QeznxMHFqIG0GgBDUbgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/PXL_20210806_191838701.MP.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Junction Creek Trailhead</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AcAajaRVTKg/YRlscvvR8XI/AAAAAAACBEY/Gx2pgmxJdQI18S_BttJ_xxINfcpkvRvZwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/PXL_20210806_191851689.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AcAajaRVTKg/YRlscvvR8XI/AAAAAAACBEY/Gx2pgmxJdQI18S_BttJ_xxINfcpkvRvZwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/PXL_20210806_191851689.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Got dropped off</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qOBImYMNva8/YRlsGVy812I/AAAAAAACBEI/XoGEpHbywGAF_yhdzLIZhScqAzsc6mJogCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/PXL_20210806_195330409.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qOBImYMNva8/YRlsGVy812I/AAAAAAACBEI/XoGEpHbywGAF_yhdzLIZhScqAzsc6mJogCPcBGAsYHg/s320/PXL_20210806_195330409.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Race start briefing, Megan ask for 100% finish rate</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>The afternoon was warm in Durango. Junction Creek is at a low 7,000 ft elevation so we felt every bit of the 85' heat (Florida, Texas and Arizona runners can start laughing). The first couple miles I followed a group of 4 runners (Susan, Baron, Koren and Shari) up the Colorado Trail and discovered four out five of us have done the Never Summer 100K. It was good to swap war stories of that race and even though the pace was a bit faster than I would have liked at the start, I wanted the company of runners knowing I'll be alone for majority of this race. </div><div><br /></div><div>I made the mistake of not filtering at the creek crossing just shy of mile 3 thinking there will be another crossing in half a mile. There wasn't. I started ration the 2L I have knowing the next water source will be at 14.4 miles. When we got to Dry Fork aid station, we had a surprise, there were few gallons of water. We were told since the horse went lame, this aid station will only have a bit of snacks. The volunteers helped me refill my bottle with a Tailwind bag but somehow I left the second bag of Tailwind mix on the aid station table. I didn't realize this until a mile later. </div><div><br /></div><div>Dry Fork Aid Station, mile 6.5: 3:48 PM. </div><div><br /></div><div>At Dry Fork the posse of runners that I was part of departed earlier than me. Here I ran into a couple other runners, cousins Koren and Alex. Koren was from Flagstaff and worried about the effect of elevation on her. Alex was here at keep her company even though he rides MTB more than he runs. He was some cousin! To my surprise I found a tiny creek flowing across the trail around mile 12 where I was able to filter a bottle of water. Koren and I ran down to the Junction Creek crossing at mile 14.4 where we caught up to Alex, and I chugged a couple bottles of water to take care my dehydration. The trail followed Junction Creek for the next few miles where I helped myself to more water until I felt the urge to go #1. I then caught up to Bryan and Oscar, both from Durango and committed to run the race together. They were faster than me and I had to let them go after chasing them for a bit. </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2zvYbLsC2vw/YRlwXKzYtCI/AAAAAAACBEw/IMnxSoXjDXI65brtUxjqRkK74kPFOdQzgCPcBGAsYHg/s3264/PXL_20210806_214449210.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2zvYbLsC2vw/YRlwXKzYtCI/AAAAAAACBEw/IMnxSoXjDXI65brtUxjqRkK74kPFOdQzgCPcBGAsYHg/s320/PXL_20210806_214449210.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trying a selfie with Shari behind me, but somehow cut her off.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6UiK1RXAkPc/YRlwXIdXPjI/AAAAAAACBEw/b7LyGvkd9KoUkKBBJSmjdTa0MMx1n12nwCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/PXL_20210806_221917001.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6UiK1RXAkPc/YRlwXIdXPjI/AAAAAAACBEw/b7LyGvkd9KoUkKBBJSmjdTa0MMx1n12nwCPcBGAsYHg/s320/PXL_20210806_221917001.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pretty aspens along the CT</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xCB4yfGbql4/YRlwXCMCKcI/AAAAAAACBEw/ntDs6HKysZ0lmnsdDvR3MKp9j8ibEHwiwCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/PXL_20210806_225537508.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xCB4yfGbql4/YRlwXCMCKcI/AAAAAAACBEw/ntDs6HKysZ0lmnsdDvR3MKp9j8ibEHwiwCPcBGAsYHg/s320/PXL_20210806_225537508.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qcX2uXNGst4/YRlwXD91lkI/AAAAAAACBEw/bbzBPqAcxMUBmDu44_X2utZUY8S_PAT9ACPcBGAsYHg/s4032/PXL_20210806_225924505.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qcX2uXNGst4/YRlwXD91lkI/AAAAAAACBEw/bbzBPqAcxMUBmDu44_X2utZUY8S_PAT9ACPcBGAsYHg/s320/PXL_20210806_225924505.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aspen turned into mature pines</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DKiCDvNRd3s/YRlwXJwatXI/AAAAAAACBEw/nK_X03XfrocfHupJLeDuIyAbyxVJOLEUgCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/PXL_20210807_003936683.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DKiCDvNRd3s/YRlwXJwatXI/AAAAAAACBEw/nK_X03XfrocfHupJLeDuIyAbyxVJOLEUgCPcBGAsYHg/s320/PXL_20210807_003936683.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waterfall over a cliff in Junction Creek Valley</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>The climb up the forest in the later afternoon was very pleasant. I was slightly ahead what I calculated for 34 hours pace. It was gorgeous just before the sun disappeared the western ridge. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-te2cCCDNFHE/YRlxqC5Ml3I/AAAAAAACBFA/gACrlWRRzTgZNzap9KRuzsGd7VsWeBc9wCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/PXL_20210807_010159110.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-te2cCCDNFHE/YRlxqC5Ml3I/AAAAAAACBFA/gACrlWRRzTgZNzap9KRuzsGd7VsWeBc9wCPcBGAsYHg/s320/PXL_20210807_010159110.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Right before Champion Venture aid station, I caught Shari and Susan and the three of us made into the aid station together. </div><div><br /></div><div>Champion Venture Aid Station, mile 19.3: 7:41 PM to 7:47 PM</div><div><br /></div><div>Bryan and Oscar were there. I ate a ton of water mellow and some periogies, refilled with water and left before the others. The trail switched back above the aid station amidst wildflowers made up for the steep grade. </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z7eayKKouCQ/YRlyUvU6WPI/AAAAAAACBFM/xkWbSXv224kNU3Jt9v5GZOxiEMLGxzVawCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/PXL_20210807_015016134.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z7eayKKouCQ/YRlyUvU6WPI/AAAAAAACBFM/xkWbSXv224kNU3Jt9v5GZOxiEMLGxzVawCPcBGAsYHg/s320/PXL_20210807_015016134.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Colorado Trail above Champion Venture aid station</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1cfnroFgtBg/YRlyUlnhX5I/AAAAAAACBFM/jAydzG8FPisjzxtERlcfpSWvQSHiXPi8gCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/PXL_20210807_020030813.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1cfnroFgtBg/YRlyUlnhX5I/AAAAAAACBFM/jAydzG8FPisjzxtERlcfpSWvQSHiXPi8gCPcBGAsYHg/s320/PXL_20210807_020030813.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking down toward east and Durango</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DNgh-suqj7c/YRlyUjDxAlI/AAAAAAACBFM/e5tOFl65BAMiBznRl9Ygkr82v1HRU-a_ACPcBGAsYHg/s4032/PXL_20210807_020126735.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DNgh-suqj7c/YRlyUjDxAlI/AAAAAAACBFM/e5tOFl65BAMiBznRl9Ygkr82v1HRU-a_ACPcBGAsYHg/s320/PXL_20210807_020126735.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Champion Venture aid station 400 ft below</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>The trail eventually left the trees behind and climbed through a steep scree field to a saddle and I caught the last bit of sunset there. Kennebec aid station was half a mile distant. </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E3D0JGOmG0E/YRlyjbGGQAI/AAAAAAACBFQ/iWzBl7BFIDsNx2Pzm9DyhNmb__7vvSJEgCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/PXL_20210807_021706950.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E3D0JGOmG0E/YRlyjbGGQAI/AAAAAAACBFQ/iWzBl7BFIDsNx2Pzm9DyhNmb__7vvSJEgCPcBGAsYHg/s320/PXL_20210807_021706950.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Colorado Trail cutting across the steep scree toward the saddle</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZGCxwEsdNCs/YRlyjUkZMeI/AAAAAAACBFQ/fjvqxS-k1p4US1ANsYYBkoBHCIAvK6qtgCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/PXL_20210807_023716729.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZGCxwEsdNCs/YRlyjUkZMeI/AAAAAAACBFQ/fjvqxS-k1p4US1ANsYYBkoBHCIAvK6qtgCPcBGAsYHg/s320/PXL_20210807_023716729.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunset near Kennebec aid station</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>I turned on my Kogalla light the last 10 minutes to Kennebec aid station. </div><div><br /></div><div>Kennebec Aid Station, mile 21.9: 8:48 PM to 9:01 PM</div><div><br /></div><div>At Kennebec, I worked through my drop bag, added the headlamp and extra battery, and throw the arm sleeve and long sleeve shirt on me. I decided against the running pants since it wasn't that cold yet so shoved that into my pack for later. I also reloaded Tailwind bags and Lady's Bars. At this point, my hydration pack had the following:</div><div><br /></div><div>- Emergency kit (bandit, knife, headlamp, duct tape, Kinesio tape, needle, bivy)</div><div>- Rain pants</div><div>- Rain jacket</div><div>- Down vest</div><div>- Running Pants</div><div>- Med bag (ibuprofen and salt caps)</div><div>- Buff</div><div>- Waterproof mittens</div><div>- InReach Mini</div><div>- Collapsible cup</div><div>- Bladder with 1 liter of water</div><div>- Two 500 mL softbottle, one with Tailwind, one with water and BeFree filter.</div><div>- 7 bags of Tailwind</div><div>- 4 Lady's Bars</div><div><br /></div><div>The amazing thing was despite how heavy it felt when I lifted it with my hands, once it was on me, and strap cinched, it was a very manageable pack. The modern hydration pack designs are truly amazing. </div><div><br /></div><div>I ate two cups of chicken soup (lots of meat) and one quesadilla and a coke at this aid station. Stuffed two more quesadilla in a zip lock bag to go. </div><div><br /></div><div>Aldo was next to me getting his gear sorted out. I said hi to him but he was too busy to engagement in a conversation except to grunt a bit to acknowledge my presence. I admire his tenacity, coming from Houston and sea level to run this race requires more brass than I could ever muster, and he had run the first 21 miles faster than me! </div><div><br /></div><div>I left the aid station blazing hot, literally. My headlamp was putting out 400 lumen of spot beam, and Kogalla was putting who know how many lumens from the waist. The trail was turned into day light. Soon Aldo passed me then I soon passed him when he decided to strip off his jacket. I never saw him again until about 20 hours later. </div><div><br /></div><div>The course climbed another 1,000 ft from Kennebec to the ridge proper on Indian Trail Ridge where the wind was howling a bit. I saw a bibbed racer running back toward Kennebec. I asked him if he was okay but he didn't say much. Later I found he went back to Kennebec and dropped there. Once the course rounded the high point, I discovered I prefer running down the rocky trail with only the Kogalla light luminating. Adding the headlamp gave me overall a better view of the environment around me, but washes out the depth perception somewhat of the rocks on the trail. For rest of the night, I only turned on the headlamp for looking at course markers, illuminating christmas trees, and looking for other interesting or useful objects (later). </div><div><br /></div><div>I passed one runner that was walking down a hill. I think this may have been Yuki (with many Hardrock finishes and way too many ultra finishes) but in the dark I couldn't tell. </div><div><br /></div><div>Some of ridge sections were super cool and spooky, only a few feet wide. When I shinned my spot beam to both sides, I saw nothing but dark voids. Would have been so cool to see this during the day light. I could occasionally see Yuki(?)'s light behind me, and I could make out three or four lights ahead of me over the next mile or two. </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pVGqcEX1cLI/YRmGKQcLbdI/AAAAAAACBFg/5gYtKpTsIvALT_U29yFHV8hIinBn1PaOwCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/PXL_20210807_035251864.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pVGqcEX1cLI/YRmGKQcLbdI/AAAAAAACBFg/5gYtKpTsIvALT_U29yFHV8hIinBn1PaOwCPcBGAsYHg/s320/PXL_20210807_035251864.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kogalla waist light and Fenix headlamp makes for terrible night photography lighting </td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>After a few miles, the trail goes back into the tree line where I lose sight of other runner's lights, except at one point where I saw a runner's light a couple switchback below me for a split second. I also startled a large animal that crashed through the bushes making a ton of noise. By the time I turned on the spot beam, it was gone. Later I learned a runner named Tina saw a mountain lion in this section. </div><div><br /></div><div>At some point, the trail winds through an open section with huge christmas trees all around me. It was a super cool thing to see. There are also mushrooms everywhere. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XQHL1sN7IAs/YRmGAAexlZI/AAAAAAACBFc/0R-9hk7HP1YqDtwN6QzRDevjZGnEORDbACPcBGAsYHg/s4032/PXL_20210807_064241649.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XQHL1sN7IAs/YRmGAAexlZI/AAAAAAACBFc/0R-9hk7HP1YqDtwN6QzRDevjZGnEORDbACPcBGAsYHg/s320/PXL_20210807_064241649.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4BxYzcFCL5Y/YRmGAKrCAxI/AAAAAAACBFc/Hhevbk-QSpoFuwzDgFCNwJbymWN7SgP1wCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/PXL_20210807_064412621.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4BxYzcFCL5Y/YRmGAKrCAxI/AAAAAAACBFc/Hhevbk-QSpoFuwzDgFCNwJbymWN7SgP1wCPcBGAsYHg/s320/PXL_20210807_064412621.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AHGsaBa2hhA/YRmGAHPEizI/AAAAAAACBFc/czl78S2XMLYA0zkk0ckQ4He0ejUyALVHACPcBGAsYHg/s4032/PXL_20210807_064419807.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AHGsaBa2hhA/YRmGAHPEizI/AAAAAAACBFc/czl78S2XMLYA0zkk0ckQ4He0ejUyALVHACPcBGAsYHg/s320/PXL_20210807_064419807.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>I ate one Lady's bar plus one bottle of Tailwind through this section and arrived at Big Bend aid station to see Barton, Jake and Tsuyoshi at the aid station. Tsuyoshi was the light just ahead of me the last 10 miles or so. Jake took off right away. I ate two cups of chicken soup, had some coffee and crackers. Tsuyoshi left just before me. Barton and I headed out together then I had run about 50 yards back to get my poles while Barton took a bathroom break. </div><div><br /></div><div>Big Bend Aid Station, mile 36.1: 1:21 AM to 1:33 AM</div><div><br /></div><div>I ran alone for awhile chasing Tsuyoshi's light during this section. He was obviously faster than me and his light slowly pulled ahead until I finally lost sight of him. It was during this section that I started getting very gaseous, and was starting to get winded more on the gradual uphill section. To be honest, this section was super flat with a final downhill to Hotel Draw aid station. I remembered what happened during Run Rabbit Run and decided I need to find a place to take care #2 before things get out of control. Hotel Draw aid station was one of the easier to reach by volunteer and crew so I hoped there was a porta potty or vault toilet there. </div><div><br /></div><div>Shortly before Hotel Draw, I checked my phone for Gaia for the first time during the race and realized I was off course and hasn't see a pink flag in awhile. But I was also still on the Colorado Trail which will take me to Hotel Draw. I continued running and half a mile later saw a pink flag! So the GPS track given on the website was slightly off in this section. I was glad I didn't have to retrace the steps. </div><div><br /></div><div>I only drank one bottle of Tailwind during this 2 hours, and drank some water. Didn't have the desire to eat the Lady's bar.</div><div><br /></div><div>Hotel Draw Aid Station, mile 43.2: 3:45 AM to 3:56 AM</div><div><br /></div><div>I asked the volunteers at Hotel Draw about porta potty or vault toilet and was told neither are available. So it'll be another off to the woods thingy for me. My appetite wasn't great so I ate just one cup of chicken soup with some coffee. Crackers didn't taste good either. I saw Dave for the first time but didn't feel the energy to engage in conversation except to say hi. I mixed a bottle of tailwind and filled up the filter bottle and left the bladder empty knowing there will be water source on this long section. </div><div><br /></div><div>Shortly after I left the aid station, my headlamp spotted a great looking down tree about 40 yards to the right side of the trail. I left the trail, jumped over some deadfall and cut my right knee and got to the tree. It was a good one. I just learned about this trick from Dan. I took off the pack and got the TP out and sat on the tree trunk with the rear overhanging the other side and turned off all the light. My god, it was the most comfortable poop in the woods I had ever done! I could have fallen asleep on that tree. After a few minutes and saw a few groups of runners/pacers passing by on the trail, I finished the business and went back to running.</div><div><br /></div><div>It was amazing, so much more energy than an hour ago. I pulled away from the set of headlamps behind me and after 30 minutes or so caught up with a couple ahead of me just before Straight Creek crossing where I stopped to filter two bottles of water and mixed another bottle of Tailwind. I know there will be a steep climb coming up, and wanted all the Tailwind I can get because I don't tolerate solid food on climbs. The Lady's bar can wait until after the climb. </div><div><br /></div><div>Soon I passed two a runner and pacer napping on the side of the trail, it was around 5 AM. It was getting cold, probably in the mid 30's, and I could see just a hint of light in the night sky. After climbing above the tree line, it was very cool to see a couple set of headlamps marching up above me toward the saddle of Blackhawk Pass which was about 5 feet shy of 12,000 ft. I made the saddle at 5:45 AM and saw the beginning of a very hazy sunrise. This is became a hint of what's to come this day. </div><div><br /></div><div>Shortly after descending the pass, I caught up to Dave again and he said he was struggling with breathing on climbs. Despite that, he was walking down the technical trail faster than I was running down it. A couple backpackers stopped me to ask about water sources down south and I gave them what I know, which was a long 25+ miles of dry section between Straight Creek and Junction Creek. Another mile later, while not catching Dave, I decided my stomach needed another emptying. By now, it was light, almost 6:30 AM and I had to get further away from the trail. </div><div><br /></div><div>Having gained experience from the earlier adventure in the woods a few hours ago, I decided to further improve the technique but this time resulted in a giant mess. In the process of cleaning up, I smeared some of it all over the righ thumb I did the best to rinse off the thumb with what little water I had. What I needed was a fast rushing creek to clean this up. Until then, eating was out of question and I didn't want get the mess on the hiking pole handle so I had to hold two poles in my left hand. </div><div><br /></div><div>Barton passed me while I was struggling with this mess but I caught up to him. He was not the happiest person in the world and neither was I. So we barely exchanged a few words and quietly marched up endless rollers at near 12,000 ft in our miseries. After 3 miles, I finally found a stream where I could wash off the thumb to a reasonable degree of cleanliness and filtered more water. Only a mile from the next aid station, I decided to hold off eating until then. </div><div><br /></div><div>Hermosa Peak Aid Station, mile 53.1, 7:42 AM to 7:54 AM.</div><div><br /></div><div>Dave was there, not having a good time due to breathing issues. Barton was finally able to charge his dead watch from his drop bag battery. I sanitized my dirty hand with some alcohol wipes. I asked for breakfast and received a plate of two pancakes, two slices of bacon and scrambled eggs. I ate it all down and also drank two cups of coffee. Feeling pretty good, and saw that Barton and Dave gave no indication of moving soon, I headed out the aid station alone in a hazy but beautiful morning. </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7dQH1AigJqM/YRmPkqtHVeI/AAAAAAACBFs/TC5xmtULGGMkrGkolyAXjkEmHWlazrN4wCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/PXL_20210807_135538748.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7dQH1AigJqM/YRmPkqtHVeI/AAAAAAACBFs/TC5xmtULGGMkrGkolyAXjkEmHWlazrN4wCPcBGAsYHg/s320/PXL_20210807_135538748.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shortly after Hermosa Peak aid station, gorgeous scenery despite the smoke</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>About a a mile after the aid station, I started to feel tired and drowsy. I crossed some dirt road and stumbled into a mountain biker camp where one rider offered me a can of coke. Why not! </div><div><br /></div><div>About half a mile later, I was half a sleep stumbling alone a dirt road and came up to a runner and her pacer. Later I found out her name was Tina. They weren't moving very fast since somehow I passed them while sleep walking. I missed the right turn off the dirt road onto the single track and the pacer yelled at me and got me back on track. The next mile climbed 500 ft to a ridge and took me about 35 minutes, during which I leaned over my poles and napped a few seconds here and there multiple times. I have never experienced this kind of uncontrolled sleepiness before. </div><div><br /></div><div>The trail meandered down from the ridge, to the junction of Graysill Trail (the course circles back to this spot in 26 miles). Dave passed me here, and told me he's going to drop at Cascade Creek. I thought that was a great idea but had to get there first. </div><div><br /></div><div>Cascade Creek Aid Station 1, mile 58.5, 9:52 AM to 10:45 AM. </div><div><br /></div><div>I stumbled into the aid station and fell onto a chair. After a bit I told the volunteers I need to lay down and they scrambled to put together a comfy bed in the sun and I laid down on my drop bag as a pillow. About 10 minutes later, one volunteer checked me and agreed I needed a longer nap so back down on the bed I went. 20 minutes later, the volunteer woke me up again, gave me a full vital check and listened to my heart and lung and pronounced that I'm healthy and good to go. He gave me some water and tailwind and a grilled cheese sandwich, and filled up my hydration pack then more or less shoved me out of the aid station. </div><div><br /></div><div>The first mile out of the aid station was pretty good, I slowly ran down the hill to the crossing of one of the forks of Cascade Creek, which was roaring. There was a party of backpackers there chilling by the water. The sleepiness was mostly gone. However soon I discovered I had no motivation to move with any authority. The next few miles hugged around the hill through the Cascade Creek drainage to a beautiful bridge crossing the creek. Somewhere around here the front runner passed me, about 26 miles ahead of my 60 miles. Soon the trail angled up toward Rolling Pass. 2nd place, 3rd place and soon 4th place runner passed me. The 4th guy and I had a nice chat, both thinking the trail is brutally hard but his version is harder by 26 miles and 5,000 ft. By now I had resigned to my pathetic pace, realizing there is a good chance I won't make a cut off somewhere along the course. </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pXjDDkr7Sik/YRnICVbTX4I/AAAAAAACBGA/JF8DmDdPiLUnYUHmL79IRKKzF1e2gHdkgCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/PXL_20210807_173009377.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pXjDDkr7Sik/YRnICVbTX4I/AAAAAAACBGA/JF8DmDdPiLUnYUHmL79IRKKzF1e2gHdkgCPcBGAsYHg/s320/PXL_20210807_173009377.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cascade Creek drainage</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RdZ6GEC4qQM/YRnICdnxX5I/AAAAAAACBGA/pGip2DTYqeouZGVz0JIcQFuvs1wRWlFBACPcBGAsYHg/s4032/PXL_20210807_173641483.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RdZ6GEC4qQM/YRnICdnxX5I/AAAAAAACBGA/pGip2DTYqeouZGVz0JIcQFuvs1wRWlFBACPcBGAsYHg/s320/PXL_20210807_173641483.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cascade Creek, living up to its name</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>The final 1,000 ft to Rolling Pass had a couple switch backs that hides the final ascend. The view of that ascend was totally demoralizing despite its beauty. I could also hear a bunch drunk people singing out super loud on the ridge top to my right, but could not see them at all. I was too tired to stop to get the phone out to take picture of the climb. Eventually at around 1:15 PM, I summited the pass. </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-94OcTbKKe9A/YRnIjx67mSI/AAAAAAACBGI/T5lsZGENwgMuVL3P7NFjVNHDErOeHhsMgCPcBGAsYHg/s3264/PXL_20210807_191535400.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-94OcTbKKe9A/YRnIjx67mSI/AAAAAAACBGI/T5lsZGENwgMuVL3P7NFjVNHDErOeHhsMgCPcBGAsYHg/s320/PXL_20210807_191535400.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gassed at top of Rolling Pass</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uZpmSUErRGI/YRnIjzcF22I/AAAAAAACBGI/tswCMK1YQ2cGDoIl6JzRetr-yBPdjYfIQCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/PXL_20210807_191540497.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uZpmSUErRGI/YRnIjzcF22I/AAAAAAACBGI/tswCMK1YQ2cGDoIl6JzRetr-yBPdjYfIQCPcBGAsYHg/s320/PXL_20210807_191540497.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The smoke hides Twin Sisters summit to the north of Rolling Pass</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LvqeDp15Irs/YRnIjxpbnOI/AAAAAAACBGI/s1wjiWB7yN8hZ_zBuoNGBYjOrfepAdAEwCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/PXL_20210807_192303936.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LvqeDp15Irs/YRnIjxpbnOI/AAAAAAACBGI/s1wjiWB7yN8hZ_zBuoNGBYjOrfepAdAEwCPcBGAsYHg/s320/PXL_20210807_192303936.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Colorado Trail winds it's way toward the Rolling Pass Aid Station</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>Rolling Pass Aid Station, 65.5 miles, 1:35 PM. </div><div><br /></div><div>I slogged into the aid station. Dave was already there, dropping. I saw Roger there helping the with water filtration duty at the aid station. A friendly volunteer helped me to some pancakes with Nutella and I sat down to slowly enjoy the meal. Turned out the volunteer, Julie, and I had some common friends and she had just finished Ouray the previous weekend. Wow, talk about tough! My race that I'm struggling through at the moment, is child's play compared to Ouray. </div><div><br /></div><div>After about 15 minutes of resting at the aid station, I got up, made the decision to at least get to Engineer aid station, which lays 10 miles, 1,100 ft of climbing and 4,000 ft of descend from me. I have about five hours to get there before the cut off. </div><div><br /></div><div>After a mile out of the aid station, I heard the drunk people singing again. Now this is just way too weird. No drunk people could get up this far to sing on a Saturday afternoon for that long. After staring at the opposing hill side for a long minute, I finally spotted a huge herd of sheep. I guess sheep can sing like drunk people! </div><div><br /></div><div>Another two miles down and I checked my pace and realized I'll barely make the Engineer aid station cut off. But the next section has a 2,800 ft climb up Graysill trail back to Cascade Creek aid station. Then a repeat of Rolling Pass climb, followed by the toughest climb of the entire race at Putnam. All these will be through the night. Demoralized completely by the realization that my race is over, I texted Jade through the InReach that I'll be dropping at Engineer. </div><div><br /></div><div>The 10 miles of down hill includes over 1000 ft of climbing, and all of them short and steep. I couldn't muster any energy despite a super low heart rate and had to rest every 20 ft of so on the climbs. Eventually I got close the giant Engineer Mountain that had been looming in the distance taunting since Rolling Pass. </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kCFKtv2l0kU/YRnL7zTnQJI/AAAAAAACBGg/ZkJznsePcXU0h2_wN_K9b1kv0_fp38bTACPcBGAsYHg/s4032/PXL_20210807_210155866.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kCFKtv2l0kU/YRnL7zTnQJI/AAAAAAACBGg/ZkJznsePcXU0h2_wN_K9b1kv0_fp38bTACPcBGAsYHg/s320/PXL_20210807_210155866.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trail leading toward Engineer Mt.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6e3Y3xT45fc/YRnL7zR28OI/AAAAAAACBGg/fTcVZK6a7pEyLF5zyKBEU46O34jWC6N7gCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/PXL_20210807_210507488.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6e3Y3xT45fc/YRnL7zR28OI/AAAAAAACBGg/fTcVZK6a7pEyLF5zyKBEU46O34jWC6N7gCPcBGAsYHg/s320/PXL_20210807_210507488.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Engineer Mt. fully in view</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zy4vdj8kDbY/YRnL7_rC5aI/AAAAAAACBGg/2QzqqvepG_swVAr5pz8g8ODe659Q82YoQCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/PXL_20210807_213832284.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zy4vdj8kDbY/YRnL7_rC5aI/AAAAAAACBGg/2QzqqvepG_swVAr5pz8g8ODe659Q82YoQCPcBGAsYHg/s320/PXL_20210807_213832284.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">North Flank of Engineer Mt.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m727amXxg6g/YRnL7-eVw3I/AAAAAAACBGg/YbCdCMH-61wQxUlDwjaiVm5bLCPIJwhcQCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/PXL_20210807_215133202.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m727amXxg6g/YRnL7-eVw3I/AAAAAAACBGg/YbCdCMH-61wQxUlDwjaiVm5bLCPIJwhcQCPcBGAsYHg/s320/PXL_20210807_215133202.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">North ridge of Engineer Mt., I could hear climbers up there.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>Right around the time I crossed the north side of Engineer Mt., I turned my phone off airplane mode and got a signal and called Jade to tell her in detail what's going on. Finally the trail started descending and came to a gorgeous overlook.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vgz-4neXZsM/YRnRlDJ56eI/AAAAAAACBGs/-bQXSh598m0c87meDb5qU3lJR-yTV4zwwCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/PXL_20210807_223936028.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vgz-4neXZsM/YRnRlDJ56eI/AAAAAAACBGs/-bQXSh598m0c87meDb5qU3lJR-yTV4zwwCPcBGAsYHg/s320/PXL_20210807_223936028.jpg" width="320" /></a><br /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I think one of those is Handies Peak, the high point of Hardrock 100</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>Jade came up the trail and found me with about a mile to go. Around the same time, Barton caught up to me. He had gotten lost somewhere near Rolling Pass and wandered around for an hour. The journey came to an end for both of us at Engineer aid station.<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eaMW_KIwtlw/YRnSSTHNK-I/AAAAAAACBG0/lf1AZxR56k0kUTFbVCBRTT0HGY5isHQ7gCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/PXL_20210807_235906385.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eaMW_KIwtlw/YRnSSTHNK-I/AAAAAAACBG0/lf1AZxR56k0kUTFbVCBRTT0HGY5isHQ7gCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/PXL_20210807_235906385.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SZVFBZuOFMg/YRnST-8o0gI/AAAAAAACBG4/z3tv_SSALdszeSXO8Tc0ekD1o1USQ8xwACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/PXL_20210808_003531998.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SZVFBZuOFMg/YRnST-8o0gI/AAAAAAACBG4/z3tv_SSALdszeSXO8Tc0ekD1o1USQ8xwACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/PXL_20210808_003531998.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Barton and I, enjoying some food and DNF</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Engineer Aid Station, 76 miles, 6:26 PM, Saturday. </div><div><br /></div><div><div>The truth is we were both still under the cut off, by about 20 minutes. But the next cut off at Cascade Creek aid station is at 10 PM. That's 3.5 hours to move about 7 miles, and up 2,800 ft. This would have been a cake walk when fresh, but an impossibility at this particular moment. A DNF at Cascade Creek carries some dire consequences. It is not a crew accessible aid station due to remote and rugged 4WD roads. The drop bags from that aid station didn't make back to Silverton until around 10:30 AM on Sunday. So a dropped runner there would have to wail all night until the aid station crew finished packing up and leave with them or walk out of the mountain on their own. The next aid station at Bandora is an even worse place to drop. Everything there was backpacked in from Island Lake trailhead, which itself is closed to all traffic by the U.S. Forest Service due to fire damage from 2020 and the Forest Service gave the race a special permit to allow only aid station crew to access the trailhead to hike into the aid station. There are a few runners that eventually dropped at Cascade Creek and then had to double back down the mountain to Engineer aid station to get picked up. </div><div><br /></div><div>I don't regret dropping where I stopped, given the circumstance. </div><div><br /></div><div>However I do regret how poorly I executed the race. </div><div><br /></div><div>A few days after the race, I finally had some free time to sit down and start writing down all the things that happened. I came to the conclusion that in the first 18 hours, I consumed a somewhat less than 3,000 calories. I usually eat around 200 or a bit more calories per hour during training runs. However the body burns more calories at higher elevation, and in the cold temperature that occurred through the night. The smoke did not help the matter. The hour and half that I did not consume any calories before Hermosa Peak during the coldest time of the day probably pushed me over the edge. At elevation in the 11k to 12k range, I have a hard time consuming solid food while on the move. I should have placed more emphasis on liquid calories in Tailwind. I also used a brand new flavor of Tailwind, since it was what's available in the pantry, instead of my usual Green Tea flavor. The new Raspberry flavor did not taste great after 10 hours or so and subconsciously I started drinking less and less Tailwind after midnight due to the taste. </div><div><br /></div><div>I have never had a problem eating during races, this is the first time I under ate, and paid for it. I was surprised that I couldn't recover from it, with absolutely no appetite to eat in the final 10 hours of the race. I also went in the race with way too much confidence. Jade told me afterward that I did not show a bit of nervousness on Thursday and Friday before the race start. </div><div><br /><div><div>Having a DNF in the year's goal race sucks. However I still consider this year a smashing success. I was able to train with more volume and more verticality, with less fatigue and got to see so many new and cool places in Colorado such as Monarch Crest, Pawnee Buchanan, Lake Kroenke, Seep Springs , Gore Range, and got to run with old and new friends. I doubt that I'll be able to come back to Silverton for this race in 2022 since we are planning to be in Lake Tahoe with my parents during this weekend, but I'll definitely be back, sooner or later, to finished the unfinished. </div><div><br /></div></div></div></div>Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00921924865002345936noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2619242846650641487.post-22232813651245859862019-09-18T21:06:00.003-07:002022-08-22T18:54:05.118-07:00Running in 2019, and Run Rabbit RunAfter a somewhat lackluster effort at Never Summer 100k in 2018, I wanted to do a mountain 100 miler with focus. The race that captured my attention was High Lonesome 100. I want to experience that lonesomeness. But I totally botched the registration and ended up 59th on the waiting list. I didn't want wait until late into the summer before finding out if I get in or not, so was on the lookout for an alternative race. I had paced Dionne at Run Rabbit Run in 2018 and knew approximately 60 miles of the course, so why not give the whole thing a go? Registration was still wide open, so I signed up for the Bunny Race and dropped from the High Lonesome waiting list.<br />
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With a near record snow winter in 2018-2019 season, most mountain trails near us were unrunnable. After a few deep postholing experiences, I had to suppress my dislike of the Incline and spent quite a few days doing laps there. A few more long runs lead to the first big training run of the season at the Grand Canyon. The Rim to Rim to Rim end up taking just under 15 hours, and approximately 45 miles and 11K of climbing. Dionne ran the first 15 miles with me. Great training run with amazing scenery, but I had a fairly bad week of recovery due to driving straight back home right after the run and letting the legs and hips getting super stiff.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5QKymCmZgg0/XYGZbFrFyBI/AAAAAAABhzE/NpEnmUHuJRoCVM_KLVvcHgBTerLyP0lFwCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20190330_055938.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5QKymCmZgg0/XYGZbFrFyBI/AAAAAAABhzE/NpEnmUHuJRoCVM_KLVvcHgBTerLyP0lFwCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20190330_055938.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunrise</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0Xp43IsM3hI/XYGZbLKOzXI/AAAAAAABhzE/kybVEn1J67IZKj_rSeeu_ZScShR1jXhhwCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20190330_055958.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0Xp43IsM3hI/XYGZbLKOzXI/AAAAAAABhzE/kybVEn1J67IZKj_rSeeu_ZScShR1jXhhwCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20190330_055958.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dionne and I freezing on the South Kaibab Trail</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XKW_ftdzmIY/XYGZbCg3GBI/AAAAAAABhzE/7ILCCtOV1bwGiiVKNf93zS__Jo75qyn8wCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20190330_062148.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XKW_ftdzmIY/XYGZbCg3GBI/AAAAAAABhzE/7ILCCtOV1bwGiiVKNf93zS__Jo75qyn8wCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20190330_062148.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunrise on South Kaibab</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BdnE5xwbhW8/XYGZbNwUH1I/AAAAAAABhzE/62u7Rtrk0qo2gAmm3obQcvDKF8ThNHymACKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20190330_182523.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BdnE5xwbhW8/XYGZbNwUH1I/AAAAAAABhzE/62u7Rtrk0qo2gAmm3obQcvDKF8ThNHymACKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20190330_182523.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Last view of the Canyon on Bright Angel Trail</td></tr>
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With snow melting in the Front Range, I started tackling runs in the mountains that requires multiple up's and down's. I figured runs such as Barr Trail and other single climb routes do not prepare the legs for the exquisite feeling of a second and third multi-thousand feet climb. One route I mapped out with the required multiple climbs is Rosa-Almagre combo. Pretty any routes that links multiple summits satisfies this requirement.<br />
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It was around this time I started reading Scott Johnson's new book Training for the Uphill Athlete. It really reinforced the idea of the importance of building the aerobic base. I did the Maffetone methods back in 2010 and 2011 with some nice results but haven't focused on it since then. So around the spring I began running pretty much all of the runs in zone 1 and zone 2, with the exception of a few interval sessions.<br />
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Second big training run of the season was San Juan Solstice 50 mile race. However the race got cancelled at early June due to excessive snow pack. So some deep online reading lead me to an alternative, a 42 mile loop in the Lost Creek Wilderness. With my awesome navigation, I managed to make it into a 45 mile loop, but it was great training since it had multiple climbs and also very runnable. It took just under 14 hours to complete the run, with some interesting weathers and a near lighting strike in the afternoon.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ab6vQfzejYA/XYGa0BryrRI/AAAAAAABhzQ/h7pCo75iQxclP_bOoXeqEMph3k54huwWgCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20190621_085712.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ab6vQfzejYA/XYGa0BryrRI/AAAAAAABhzQ/h7pCo75iQxclP_bOoXeqEMph3k54huwWgCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20190621_085712.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lost Creek Wilderness</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Gp79FW2D0AE/XYGa0Pd2snI/AAAAAAABhzQ/jJ6Nddm62eo-XiHAnKAsidp1RrspHUsBACKgBGAsYHg/s1600/00000IMG_00000_BURST20190621085829849_COVER.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Gp79FW2D0AE/XYGa0Pd2snI/AAAAAAABhzQ/jJ6Nddm62eo-XiHAnKAsidp1RrspHUsBACKgBGAsYHg/s320/00000IMG_00000_BURST20190621085829849_COVER.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lost Creek Wilderness</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MEzRYZSMSJQ/XYGa0HdJdxI/AAAAAAABhzQ/U0qToszbwB8uwmHjJU2DJZQXg_V2x7BFgCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20190621_090902.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MEzRYZSMSJQ/XYGa0HdJdxI/AAAAAAABhzQ/U0qToszbwB8uwmHjJU2DJZQXg_V2x7BFgCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20190621_090902.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lost Creek Wilderness</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3cgTWkH12i0/XYGa0C_jkVI/AAAAAAABhzQ/LhvcGwZN8P8-8N0yt0WoB0ijhLMUJFXqACKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20190621_142717.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3cgTWkH12i0/XYGa0C_jkVI/AAAAAAABhzQ/LhvcGwZN8P8-8N0yt0WoB0ijhLMUJFXqACKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20190621_142717.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lost Creek Wilderness</td></tr>
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July was packed with a lot family activities, and I also paced Jade at Pikes Peak 50K along with a Pikes Peak summit round trip via Barr Trail, and the Comanche-Veneable loop in the Sangres. All are good stuff, and my training volume is increasing nicely, and recovery time after long runs are getting shorter, I think due to the low intensity pacing that I have been practicing from the book.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8IMMeGI4dO0/XYGb0akBMFI/AAAAAAABhzc/vIaq2PqT7cY9JwtjJh8ePQDnFhgja6IjACKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20190727_064835.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8IMMeGI4dO0/XYGb0akBMFI/AAAAAAABhzc/vIaq2PqT7cY9JwtjJh8ePQDnFhgja6IjACKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20190727_064835.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jade at the start of Pikes Peak 50K</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CrTYdLy15w8/XYGb0Z4GAUI/AAAAAAABhzc/s05l0gJ1EwAHkmY1q842DJ2_h8Eun4LxgCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20190727_101751.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CrTYdLy15w8/XYGb0Z4GAUI/AAAAAAABhzc/s05l0gJ1EwAHkmY1q842DJ2_h8Eun4LxgCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20190727_101751.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pikes Peak 50K</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l2fw7tD3AbM/XYGb0SpHG7I/AAAAAAABhzc/5NlRJ6gAEj0ETSy8z7MJ8cPCAXOFVXvxQCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20190727_105510.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l2fw7tD3AbM/XYGb0SpHG7I/AAAAAAABhzc/5NlRJ6gAEj0ETSy8z7MJ8cPCAXOFVXvxQCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20190727_105510.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pikes Peak 50K</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mWlA5PFUwr0/XYGb0YmxncI/AAAAAAABhzc/9Zuq6OPhJhQ5BrLhCzOibMpzPPqD6E7GwCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20190727_142708.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mWlA5PFUwr0/XYGb0YmxncI/AAAAAAABhzc/9Zuq6OPhJhQ5BrLhCzOibMpzPPqD6E7GwCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20190727_142708.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pikes Peak 50K, on summit of Rosa</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_Ld3h4PnM-s/XYGb0UIVbQI/AAAAAAABhzc/GREGP7KdK5oeiZdAw9csSnAbJgV0dIhKwCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20190727_152854.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_Ld3h4PnM-s/XYGb0UIVbQI/AAAAAAABhzc/GREGP7KdK5oeiZdAw9csSnAbJgV0dIhKwCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20190727_152854.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pikes Peak 50K finish!</td></tr>
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August is the last month of training, and the family schedule worked out nicely with two camping trips at Twin Lake and one work related backpacking trip in Lost Creek. I convinced Alex to join me for a shorter loop at Lost Creek the day before backpacking, so I end up with ~50 miles and ~11k climbing over three days that first weekend of August between running and backpacking. While camping at Twin Lakes with family and friends in mid August, I managed to sneak in a morning quickie to Hope Pass, another morning quickie to La Plata, and then the last day of the trip after everyone has left, I drove over the pass to Aspen and ran the Four Pass Loop. Over the course of those 6 days and three runs, I ran 16 hours, and climbed 16k ft, and was just a little bit sore afterwards.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zpbz6nCmoOA/XYGf0QMUoQI/AAAAAAABhz4/CpcpdoiGNVw-ZfjxcUC76xHey2prkZOdgCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20190802_194953.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zpbz6nCmoOA/XYGf0QMUoQI/AAAAAAABhz4/CpcpdoiGNVw-ZfjxcUC76xHey2prkZOdgCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20190802_194953.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First camp in Lost Creek</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6NL2XB9ZCUE/XYGejDdqT8I/AAAAAAABhzo/hrqDmObe8JEt9OnjDa_8V9RrlWkQdcnbACKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20190815_053116.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6NL2XB9ZCUE/XYGejDdqT8I/AAAAAAABhzo/hrqDmObe8JEt9OnjDa_8V9RrlWkQdcnbACKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20190815_053116.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maroon Bells with full moon setting</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UPZQm18Q9Us/XYGejNhzviI/AAAAAAABhzo/8mruehZ_0Tku-bxfam5qm-iB-WeoDoBoQCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20190815_073513.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UPZQm18Q9Us/XYGejNhzviI/AAAAAAABhzo/8mruehZ_0Tku-bxfam5qm-iB-WeoDoBoQCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20190815_073513.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Top of Buckskin Pass</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HvZfc_C86B8/XYGejPJa5aI/AAAAAAABhzo/M0DtXXIKqjYdHb4D3quLayjao1GKeZIcwCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20190815_073421.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HvZfc_C86B8/XYGejPJa5aI/AAAAAAABhzo/M0DtXXIKqjYdHb4D3quLayjao1GKeZIcwCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20190815_073421.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cornice on Buckskin Pass</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jQwZHlPzQYY/XYGejBjuK0I/AAAAAAABhzo/HVYcGmCzGX4lcW2rpNIrPQSGrJF_E0v-ACKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20190815_090902.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jQwZHlPzQYY/XYGejBjuK0I/AAAAAAABhzo/HVYcGmCzGX4lcW2rpNIrPQSGrJF_E0v-ACKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20190815_090902.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snowmass Lake</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Teas-RcIdOY/XYGejG3I2HI/AAAAAAABhzo/A_2IYjYFTK06xiKI1ZZyC5FE9WAclDy2gCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20190815_095426.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Teas-RcIdOY/XYGejG3I2HI/AAAAAAABhzo/A_2IYjYFTK06xiKI1ZZyC5FE9WAclDy2gCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20190815_095426.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Top of Trail Rider Pass</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LOCsh9nQsHY/XYGejMADelI/AAAAAAABhzo/Lg92SY5Qi14bZ4fmHjlDnc0lE3yfWq1PACKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20190815_102319.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LOCsh9nQsHY/XYGejMADelI/AAAAAAABhzo/Lg92SY5Qi14bZ4fmHjlDnc0lE3yfWq1PACKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20190815_102319.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hasley Basin</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-du_3nj3Xl8w/XYGejGdcgmI/AAAAAAABhzo/JnkPrI7B8KIWj6PddmaiaADJSEFkNTZXACKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20190815_110230.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-du_3nj3Xl8w/XYGejGdcgmI/AAAAAAABhzo/JnkPrI7B8KIWj6PddmaiaADJSEFkNTZXACKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20190815_110230.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Creek crossing</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ixjvlMz1O-E/XYGejHwJTQI/AAAAAAABhzo/0DLhId-f-1E1RZlT8Bx1k1ODaWRRb_GzgCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20190815_111849.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ixjvlMz1O-E/XYGejHwJTQI/AAAAAAABhzo/0DLhId-f-1E1RZlT8Bx1k1ODaWRRb_GzgCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20190815_111849.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waterfall in Fravert Basin</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B3JxHhU1yYs/XYGejNznQjI/AAAAAAABhzo/t_HNAnJQwGMZU_6BH37oJpXeGRc8162hACKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20190815_124734.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B3JxHhU1yYs/XYGejNznQjI/AAAAAAABhzo/t_HNAnJQwGMZU_6BH37oJpXeGRc8162hACKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20190815_124734.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Frigid Air Pass</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-037lkv-53YQ/XYGejExd_sI/AAAAAAABhzo/GL6p-vTq-DoyLjfZk9qPLStKI3XFOLD6ACKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20190815_124841.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-037lkv-53YQ/XYGejExd_sI/AAAAAAABhzo/GL6p-vTq-DoyLjfZk9qPLStKI3XFOLD6ACKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20190815_124841.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Frigid Air Pass</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bX-27piyRKk/XYGejFG2dgI/AAAAAAABhzo/HMZhgsKZQGMoOZP7COEF8u4z68ArpGgSQCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20190815_134822.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bX-27piyRKk/XYGejFG2dgI/AAAAAAABhzo/HMZhgsKZQGMoOZP7COEF8u4z68ArpGgSQCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20190815_134822.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">West Maroon Pass</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Labor Day weekend we were back at Twin Lakes camping with more friends. One more morning quickie at Massive and hiking our 6 year old twins to Huron Peak gave me another 8K of climbing for the final training weekend. I think I had about 60 hours of training in a 30 days period during this stretch.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iVQCSzLlzlU/XYOhg-uVAEI/AAAAAAABh4g/flJmE57p4X0Un9TnUdfDK-lTR3_5JpCeACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_20190830_080634.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iVQCSzLlzlU/XYOhg-uVAEI/AAAAAAABh4g/flJmE57p4X0Un9TnUdfDK-lTR3_5JpCeACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_20190830_080634.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Found a buddy on Massive</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0svdir7wdno/XYOhg3GBa4I/AAAAAAABh4k/ReGNJiYVjM0Z9Jim718_UAM61YPbUlAMwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_20190830_092804.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0svdir7wdno/XYOhg3GBa4I/AAAAAAABh4k/ReGNJiYVjM0Z9Jim718_UAM61YPbUlAMwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_20190830_092804.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Summit of Massive</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D9yugjYA2Tg/XYGgJV1PJNI/AAAAAAABh0A/pO72QB3SfHA-ILuvdRlrS4fEs4AsgwqwACKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20190901_093507.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D9yugjYA2Tg/XYGgJV1PJNI/AAAAAAABh0A/pO72QB3SfHA-ILuvdRlrS4fEs4AsgwqwACKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20190901_093507.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alex on Huron Peak</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CVgEN5UbEis/XYGgJQAMLbI/AAAAAAABh0A/6iYW0nccmQE9k78QX1hXOUh10YwI1YcBQCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20190901_103005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CVgEN5UbEis/XYGgJQAMLbI/AAAAAAABh0A/6iYW0nccmQE9k78QX1hXOUh10YwI1YcBQCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20190901_103005.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amelia and I on Huron</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PQAViucwxL8/XYGgJQl3ZnI/AAAAAAABh0A/82Rv52lIcqkNaNpBat_5MRayt4R10OWvgCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20190901_121843.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PQAViucwxL8/XYGgJQl3ZnI/AAAAAAABh0A/82Rv52lIcqkNaNpBat_5MRayt4R10OWvgCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20190901_121843.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Final climb on Huron</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NusGUqv9J5k/XYGgJVs6i2I/AAAAAAABh0A/WCdAZDcrrLMqT2dJ8JzDYJzkDTgzCQHQgCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20190901_143208.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NusGUqv9J5k/XYGgJVs6i2I/AAAAAAABh0A/WCdAZDcrrLMqT2dJ8JzDYJzkDTgzCQHQgCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20190901_143208.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amelia "Roar" on Pride Rock on Huron Peak</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
September 11, Wednesday. Jade and I drove to Steamboat Springs with our camper and setup in the KOA campground. It rained non-stop that day. We enjoyed some quality time relaxing in the camper with our dog Canyon, and out of the rain.<br />
<br />
September 12, Thursday. We ate a hearty breakfast and drove to Olympian and Dry Lake aid stations to scout them out, then worked on our touristy gig by walking through downtown and eventually settled on a pizza buffet for lunch. Then it's back to the camper to prepare the drop bags and dinner. After dinner we drove to the race brief. Even though the race director offered everyone who's not wholeheartedly into finishing the race a full refund, not one of us took him up on the offer.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TyDnbmuAaRs/XYKYX7S_2zI/AAAAAAABh2A/LNwsQD7d34csQOFmzEHKBOmfntYJC-WiACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_20190912_163432.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TyDnbmuAaRs/XYKYX7S_2zI/AAAAAAABh2A/LNwsQD7d34csQOFmzEHKBOmfntYJC-WiACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_20190912_163432.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pre-race dinner</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
September 13, Friday. Morning was pretty cold so we got all bundled up at the start. Walking up to the start we met a runner named Bryant from Golden, running his first 100, with his sister crewing him.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0vR6mB71IQc/XYKYXxkdhqI/AAAAAAABh18/kryUHo6Vpjk3doTMDQ5IeJaDP9bv7jkgwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_20190913_074900.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0vR6mB71IQc/XYKYXxkdhqI/AAAAAAABh18/kryUHo6Vpjk3doTMDQ5IeJaDP9bv7jkgwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_20190913_074900.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Staying warm at the start</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1GV-IHxXR4g/XYKYYFDop4I/AAAAAAABh2E/0ymZoiH1U_AedBSKULicw020w2jO7vbAgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_20190913_075730.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1GV-IHxXR4g/XYKYYFDop4I/AAAAAAABh2E/0ymZoiH1U_AedBSKULicw020w2jO7vbAgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_20190913_075730.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We are all lined up behind the banner</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I intentionally started in the back of the pack. Knowing the first climb is 3,500 ft in 5 miles, I really did not want to blow up this early in the race. We stayed in the single track trail for a bit, then spread out wider on the ski slope under the gondola going straight up. At this point I think there were only 10 runners behind me. I was climbing near a girl all bundled up, and I learned later she's from Mississippi and will eventually finish the race!<br />
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After the gondola section, the course moved to the fire road switchbacks to the top. Here I was still walking easily, and started passing people including the southern girl. I think the altitude was starting to get to some people. I was very glad for all those high elevation outings, which made this elevation easy.<br />
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By Mt. Warner Aid Station at mile 5, I had passed perhaps 15 runners and arrived at 1:50 on the clock. A quick two minutes stop to fill the bottles with water and tailwind, and some bite of food, and off I went. The next 7 miles are beautiful runnable trails trending down to Long Lake. I continued to pass people while running easily,<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OFvVSh1RmgY/XYKYZ6mcz0I/AAAAAAABh2I/1Be0-PsH8R8prxLXYo4sBgKSyuAGv24VwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_20190913_095313.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OFvVSh1RmgY/XYKYZ6mcz0I/AAAAAAABh2I/1Be0-PsH8R8prxLXYo4sBgKSyuAGv24VwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_20190913_095313.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trail just beyond Mt. Warner Aid Station.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I arrived at Long Lake Aid Station at 3:30 on the clock, about 12 minutes ahead of the planned split which was based on a 33 hours finish extrapolated from last year's winner's splits (he ran a very even effort race). Another quick 2 minutes stop and I was off running down toward Fish Creek. I have heard things about this section. However the first three miles were lovely smooth trails gradually dropping down. Here I ran into a couple guys from Bend, Oregon and the three of us stuck together for the next 3.5 miles chatting and laughing through some super gnarly rock gardens that's the heart of Fish Creek drainage.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SdAL6RR9AOo/XYKYaJ4WeQI/AAAAAAABh2Q/jfHPh0VeIZwJfhS6dMa9fOiAjH91K0rjgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_20190913_135554.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SdAL6RR9AOo/XYKYaJ4WeQI/AAAAAAABh2Q/jfHPh0VeIZwJfhS6dMa9fOiAjH91K0rjgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_20190913_135554.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fish Creek trail</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Arrived at Fish Creek Aid Station around mile 19 at 5:07, still 12 minutes ahead of the plan. I leaned my hiking poles against the food table so I can use both hands to eat, and within a minute, my poles disappeared. I asked the volunteers if they had seen it, and one of them said she saw a tall skinny runner took it and went back up the trail already. Great, tall and skinny described about 87.5% of the runners here. She also said he had a green shirt and yellow hydration pack and she handed me another set of poles thinking these may be his. After stuffing myself with more food, I took off down the trail (up the trail actually) hoping I would catch the guy. Catch him I did, about two miles later. He apologized and it was totally unintentional and he was feeling a bit out of it. We stayed together for the next mile chatting then he fell back leaving me alone again. I climbed back up Fish Creek still feeling fresh and energized, at an easy effort. The last two miles before Long Lake Aid Station, I started seeing the Hares coming down, including Jonathan and Tim and I said hi to them.<br />
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Second time back at Fish Creek Aid Station at mile 25.4 and 7:19 on the clock, 24 minutes ahead of the plan. I guess I actually picked up the pace somewhat. The stop here took longer, about 7 minutes. I made sure I ate plenty of food, and I also drank about a liter of water in the aid station since I was somewhat thirsty from the heat down low in Fish Creek. The next section to Summit Lake will be 8.2 miles and I wanted to be ready for it.<br />
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Fortunately, those 8.2 miles are fairly gentle, nice rolling trails. I eventually caught up to a group of runners and stayed near them without talking, and finally passed them shortly before the aid station. This section was super enjoyable, with nice open meadows, and views of the Never Summer Range to the east. Arrived at Summit Lake Aid Station at mile 33.75 and 9:31 on the clock, 47 minutes ahead of the plan, but haven't worked hard at all so I wasn't too concerned.<br />
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Summit Lake is a major aid station and I had most of my gear stashed in the drop bag here. The race requires everyone to leave here with headlamp (I called it the Dionne rule). Sunset was about 2 hours away, and the next drop bag for the un-crewed runners was 22 miles distant at Olympian. Fortunately for me, Jade planned to meet me at Dry Lake which was 14 miles away. I changed from t-shirt to a long sleeve shirt, stuffed the down vest in my pack and wrapped the jacket around my waist, added headlamp and waistlight, and stuffed a lot food down my stomach, soup, mashed potatoes, bacon, watermelon, chips, quesadilla. I ate enough that I had to walk down hill for a few minutes after leaving the aid station, digesting the food before started running.<br />
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An easy four miles of rolling trails and double track roads got me to Billy's Rabbit Hole Aid Station at 10:44 on the clock, 6:44 pm. Now 50 minutes ahead of the plan. Billy sent us down Flash of Gold and promised we would enjoy the beautiful sunset, and enjoy the sunset we did. It was gorgeous, and our timing was perfect.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t6OLuY7FLw0/XYKYaAf5HYI/AAAAAAABh2M/WhT-dbEU_bQl8lKs4KBScY8VBdRwH5yDgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_20190913_191709.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t6OLuY7FLw0/XYKYaAf5HYI/AAAAAAABh2M/WhT-dbEU_bQl8lKs4KBScY8VBdRwH5yDgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_20190913_191709.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flash of Gold</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oFRc0V4sCNY/XYKYa6cnZeI/AAAAAAABh2U/Qlysw1cNlwQOxFfveVYdYC_DE9B6rIhlgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_20190913_192642.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oFRc0V4sCNY/XYKYa6cnZeI/AAAAAAABh2U/Qlysw1cNlwQOxFfveVYdYC_DE9B6rIhlgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_20190913_192642.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunset over the Steamboat Springs valley, viewed from Flash of Gold</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ouvcFi2EoEU/XYKYbPHTafI/AAAAAAABh2Y/MsfqUXNMl1MkW307nX7pKuEwM-pylsJ8gCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_20190913_192818.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ouvcFi2EoEU/XYKYbPHTafI/AAAAAAABh2Y/MsfqUXNMl1MkW307nX7pKuEwM-pylsJ8gCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_20190913_192818.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A couple running ahead of me on Flash of Gold, bathed by the sunset</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
When it got dark, I turned on my two lights and ran pretty much at the same pace. These two lights together produced 780 lumens and gave me great depth perception, making running at night not much slower than running during the day. Soon I came across a darkened runner trying to change battery in his headlamp. I used my headlamp to assist him then we ran together the next 5 miles down Flash of Gold, him following my "High Beam". I learned his name is Evan of Medford Oregon and running his fifth 100 miler. We chatted non stop for the next hour, passing quite a few runners that were forced to walk due to dim headlamps. Shortly before Dry Lake, Evan backed off the pace and I ran alone the next 3/4 miles to Dry Lake Aid Station, 48.5 miles in, and 13:13 on the race clock, 9:13 pm and a whopping 77 minutes ahead of the planned split.<br />
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Dry Lake Aid Station was a shock to the senses after the sensory deprivation of night running. Lights and people were everywhere. Fortunately Jade found me just before the timing table and helped me with food and checking in. I was feeling great, not cold and very comfortable so I didn't stop long. After a few minutes, she sent me off down Spring Creek trail with plan to meet me at Olympian in 6.5 miles.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zWGXd_WeC9s/XYKYbsixmwI/AAAAAAABh2c/GprCFULi9wgTzaKcx_NlQXLVc0wRoz5BwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_20190913_211820.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zWGXd_WeC9s/XYKYbsixmwI/AAAAAAABh2c/GprCFULi9wgTzaKcx_NlQXLVc0wRoz5BwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_20190913_211820.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dry Lake Aid Station with Jade</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leaving Dry Lake Aid Station</td></tr>
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The first three miles down Spring Creek were all smooth down hills and I rolled through them pretty swiftly, still not feeling like working remotely hard. Passed a few runners in this section. Then the trail comes out to a flat dirt road, and for the first time in the race, I suddenly felt the lack of desire for locomotion. Nothing that urgently concerned me but the pace was quickly slowing down despite the easy running surface. By the time I crossed downtown into Olympian Aid Station, I was definitely not as happy as earlier. Arrived at Olympian Aid Station, mile 55.5, at 14:56 on the race clock, 10:56 pm and 90 minutes ahead of the plan.<br />
<br />
Jade took me inside the aid station building where it's warm with tons of food and chairs. I didn't find food appetizing but forced myself to eat some. She also convinced me to put on my running pants since the next section will be 14 miles with temperature dropping. Changing socks along with pants, we discovered the outside heels of both feet had a small blister. Draining and taping them took some time and I finally was ready to leave the aid station a bit stiff and not feeling the best. This pit stop took 34 minutes!<br />
<br />
I started shivering immediately so I put on the jacket and buff and started the climb up Emerald Mountain toward the Lane of Pain Aid Station. Right away I knew something was wrong. Every step became labor and soon I was gasping for air, despite the thick air of low elevation and gentle grade of the dirt road. I struggled all the way to Lane of Pain Aid Station at mile 58.9 , at 16:39 on the race clock. These 3.4 miles and 1500 ft of climbing took me almost 70 minutes and it was god awful. A few people passed me in this section, and I was surprised more didn't.<br />
<br />
I couldn't stomach much food at Lane of Pain, so just filled my bottles with water and tailwind. The next section was a 4 mile loop that loops back to Lane of Pain. Over the next 2 miles, it felt like someone was passing me every minute. It simply took all the energy I had to just walk slowly.<br />
<br />
Walking slowly gave me time to look into my self. Jeez, this really sucks. I wondered what happened to my body. The lack of appetite gave me an idea. Maybe I needed to shed some weight down there. But it wasn't easy to find a spot in the dense bushes and finally I was able to find a tiny opening with a small tree that I could hang onto while squatted. The spot wasn't far from the trail so every time another light came through I had to be super quiet. The few minutes of squatting set my legs and feet on fire for sure.<br />
<br />
Miracle! Feel much better and started moving with some authority again. The next mile and half back to Lane of Pain, I didn't get passed, woohoo! I got back to Lane of Pain, mile 62.6, at 18:03 on the race clock, 2:03 am.<br />
<br />
My plan called for changing the waist light battery at this time. After a few minutes of fumbling with the new battery and couldn't get it to work, I gave up. The next section was called Morning Glory, basically 6 miles of endless switchbacks to Olympian. Even though my GI felt better, I somehow couldn't run faster than 15 min/m pace on gentle smooth downhill trails, my hips were getting sore and tight and prevented me from opening up the stride.<br />
<br />
I came into Olympian Aid Station for the second time, at mile 68.5 and 19:50 on the race clock, 3:50 am. I told Jade I wasn't feeling good but need to eat and get moving. Inside the aid station I found Jonathan sitting on a chair, dropping from the race. I was sad for him, he's such a good runner having just ran Leadville in under 24 hours. I had a flash of thought that dropping would be nice right now but I quickly shoved it away. G/I was acting up again so I visited a nice warm restroom in the building and took my sweet time there. This stop costed 30 minutes but it was good to build myself back up again. Jade also figured out how to change the battery in both of my lights so once again I was going to be the "High Beam".<br />
<br />
I attempted to power hike up Spring Creek trail and it worked initially, hips were a bit looser and I was able to pass 5 or 6 runners in the flat section. After entering into single track trail, I didn't seen another soul and my hips got tighter and tighter and I got colder and colder, despite cinching the hoodie of the jacket around the hat and buff. Finally topping out on the climb, and with a dawn approaching, I turned off the lights and shuffled into Dry Lake Aid Station for my final time with Jade. Mile 75.8, time 22:40 (6:40 am).<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dawn approaching Dry Lake Aid Station</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me bundled up, approaching Dry Lake, so happy to see Jade</td></tr>
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Jade setup up next to the food table and one of the super awesome volunteers brought me warm soup which made me cry. I guess at least once during a 100, I needed to get emotional. Jade also helped me take off the running pants and change into a fresh pair of socks. The tape on the blisters were a mess but the blisters weren't getting any worse so I decided to do away with the tapes. Mentally I was fairly bad here, mixing mumbling and perhaps a bit of sobbing. After 18 minutes of Jade tending me, ready or not, I headed out of Dry Lake aid station in a grandma shuffle.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leaving Dry Lake Aid Station</td></tr>
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The section from Dry Lake to Billy's Rabbit Hole was called Grouse Mountain and super gnarly, climbing 2000 ft in 3 miles over mostly rocks. But the first 2 miles were flat. I discovered my hips were worse than ever. The best shuffling effort on flat smooth trail lead to about 17:45 min/m pace and I couldn't sustain that for more than a few minutes before slowing down. The pain from each step was excruciating. To add to the insult, my feet and ankles joined the pain cave, perhaps from sitting too long at Dry Lake. I watched with envy as group after group of runners passed me with their happy pacers.<br />
<br />
I also lost my sunglasses somewhere along this section, which furthered the misery. Not exactly sure the pace I managed at Grouse Mountain section but it couldn't be much faster than 40 min/m. It took almost two and half hours to cover the 5.8 miles to Billy's Rabbit Hole and I arrived there at 25:25 on the race clock, 9:25 am, mile 81.9, shuffling slower than a grandma.<br />
<br />
I wanted to cry, and to dig a hole to crawl in. I sat with my face in my hands for a bit to recollect myself, then got to the business of doing what I could to continue to move on. I forced myself to eat, and asked if any of the volunteers had a spare sunglasses. No one had a pair. Then Billy went to his truck and came back with this pair of gorgeous (and I assumed super expensive) shade. He told me to use them and gave them to Fred (one of the race directors) at the finish line. Later one I found out these were his wife's! Billy is an awesome dude!<br />
<br />
My stop was fairly quick, about 7 minutes. I learned to not stop for long enough to let my feet and ankles to get stiff. Both feet and ankles were happier now but the hips were angrier than ever. By the time I made to the last mile of flat dirt road before Summit Lake Aid Station, I couldn't maintain even a 20 min/m pace anymore while gasping for breath with each step.<br />
<br />
Pulled into Summit Lake Aid Station for the second time, 86.1 miles, 27 hours flat, 11 am. 9 hours left in the race.<br />
<br />
I changed the shirt from my drop bag, and one of the volunteers filled my water bottles. Then I heard another runner call his name, and realized the volunteer was the famous Speedgoat! Despite my misery, I had to get a picture with him, the man with more 100 miles wins than anyone, and one time the FKT holder of the Appalachian Trail.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-75LFRHVUXP8/XYKYc1T_XxI/AAAAAAABh2w/g9j5exe69BAyW3XnHRUnQhD9PyO0mOsUACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_20190914_110608.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-75LFRHVUXP8/XYKYc1T_XxI/AAAAAAABh2w/g9j5exe69BAyW3XnHRUnQhD9PyO0mOsUACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_20190914_110608.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Karl the Speedgoat, at Summit Lake</td></tr>
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The other runner that was talking to Karl was having trouble with his legs. Karl's first suggestion was to walk, since there were 9 hours left and we were 21 miles from the finish, enough time to even limp in. I was in the same shoes and I said I planned to limp in regardless how I felt. Then Karl suggested to that runner some ibuprofen may help.<br />
<br />
Ibuprofen!!!!!<br />
<br />
Ibuprofen had saved my first 100 miles race at Umstead. I took way too much Vitamin I there but I also started the race injured so didn't have a choice. I had some ibuprofen in my pack. Why didn't I think to try it? Other than acute kidney injury which was unlikely since I was hydrating very well and really not exerting myself that much, what could I lose from trying some ibuprofen? Perhaps they should take away my pharmacist's license for not consider it.<br />
<br />
I took two 200 mg tablets as I left the aid station. A young female runner and her pacer left with me, both were super happy and excited, with the racer running very well. Soon after the initial climb to the high point of the race, they left me behind to limp alone.<br />
<br />
Twenty minutes later I glanced at my watch and saw it showed 17:40 min/m pace. I haven't seen a sub 20 pace in over 5 hours! Was the ibuprofen working? Twenty more minutes go by and I started to jogging slowly, then a bit faster, then power hiking at 16 min pace, followed by more jogging. Hips were loosening up and breathing was normalizing again. Hallelujah!!!<br />
<br />
By 4 miles into this stretch, I had passed a few runners and felt good and happy to be running again. The day was sunny warm and my spirit was rising every minute. By the time I hit the four way junction about one mile before Long Lake, I was running strong and without much effort again.<br />
<br />
It was here that I had my first hallucination episode while running, ever.<br />
<br />
I saw a bob cat in the bushes, playing hide and seek with me. The bob cat's head was a strange mix of cat and owl which I thought was strange. As I got closer, the kitty disappeared. A few minute later I saw a girl, perhaps 10 years old, praying in the woods. This was pretty weird, we were miles and miles from the nearest road. Then quite a few tree stumps became dogs that barked at me. Then, just like that, no more hallucinations.<br />
<br />
Arrived at Long Lake for the third and final time, 94.6 miles, 29:37 on the race clock, 1:37 pm.<br />
<br />
A bunch runners were congregated at Long Lake, most were pretty jovial. The climbs were mostly behind us. Ahead we had 7 miles to Mt. Warner which included about 800 ft down and 1200 ft up, chump changes compared to what we had done, then the soul/bone/muscle crushing descent down the ski resort to the finish.<br />
<br />
Here I saw Tim again. He started as a hare four hours after us tortoises, and after nearly 26 hours of running, he had caught up to me.<br />
<br />
The initial miles after Long Lake were nice, and I still felt strong. But by the time I was near the end of the climb to Mt. Warner I could feel myself slowing down a bit. I had also took two more ibuprofen in preparation for the big downhill finish. As soon as I saw the valley below us, I turned my phone off airplane mode and texted Jade, then quickly received a reply that she just passed Mt. Warner Aid Station and is going to pace me in!!! She had climbed 3500 ft in 6 miles in order to do this!!<br />
<br />
While climbing Mt. Warner, Jade had her own celebrity run in. Jim Walmsley passed her going up the fire road, running about 9 min/m pace at a 10% grade, holy moly!<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j1r4KbGxlnw/XYKYdgAy0RI/AAAAAAABh20/MNvHrcWF_AwG6e3j1AATKe7N3hknrvPdgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_20190914_140236.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j1r4KbGxlnw/XYKYdgAy0RI/AAAAAAABh20/MNvHrcWF_AwG6e3j1AATKe7N3hknrvPdgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_20190914_140236.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jim Walmsley running up Warner</td></tr>
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Jade saw me about half mile out from Warner Aid Station. I was super happy and excited to see her and put on my best effort to run, which must have looked pretty funny to her.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f1RM5dhBuoo/XYKYdwJndAI/AAAAAAABh28/LnPyk2ndD44Lz_hqLu7kWg9a015RIiXdQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_20190914_154556.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f1RM5dhBuoo/XYKYdwJndAI/AAAAAAABh28/LnPyk2ndD44Lz_hqLu7kWg9a015RIiXdQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_20190914_154556.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jade's first glimpse of me since Dry Lake, 25 miles ago</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So happy!!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I try to run into Mt. Warner aid station, my running looked like slow walking</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Resupply at Mt. Warner aid station</td></tr>
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Mt. Werner Aid Station: 31:56.
Jade was originally worried that she may slow me down on this section. I assured her that there was absolutely no way I could remotely keep up with her. My word is stronger than oak!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Starting the 3,500 feet descent into Steamboat Springs and finish line</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fire road descent</td></tr>
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I counted the elevation descended, and elevation to go, while alternating between running slowly and walking trying not to induce more pain in my quads and knees. The last section of single track was fortunately not too long or too steep and finally I was on the last long straight dirt road into the finish. Jade ran ahead of me and took a video of me running in, and I managed to not to fall head first into the creek to the finish line and gave the mandatory hug to the Bunny!<br />
<br />
Finish time: 33:47:04. Mileage: who knows. Watch said 108.2. It's probably reading long.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jade had her second celebrity moment with Courtney Dauwalter</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hanging out at the finish line</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_eQArlPJv_w/XYKYh5B-IOI/AAAAAAABh3g/l59cbQy9fnYrKdkkaFz5PnHrsSKmCU5JACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_20190914_190816.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_eQArlPJv_w/XYKYh5B-IOI/AAAAAAABh3g/l59cbQy9fnYrKdkkaFz5PnHrsSKmCU5JACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_20190914_190816.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me, Bryant and his sister/crew. Bryant dropped at mile 75 at Dry Lake. I was surprisingly awake despite two beers.</td></tr>
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<br />Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00921924865002345936noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2619242846650641487.post-61280513696501545702018-06-06T21:12:00.003-07:002018-06-06T21:15:41.252-07:00Five Tener's Tour: Tenney Crags, Mt. Arthur, Mt. Garfield, Tuckaway Mountain, Cameron Cone. I can’t remember where I first heard about the five 10k ft peaks between Bear Creek and Ruxton Creek: <a href="https://www.summitpost.org/tenney-crags/188601" target="_blank">Tenney Crags</a>, <a href="https://www.summitpost.org/mount-arthur/595243" target="_blank">Mt. Arthur</a>, <a href="https://www.summitpost.org/mount-garfield/154138" target="_blank">Mt. Garfield</a>, <a href="https://www.summitpost.org/tuckaway-mountain/154621" target="_blank">Tuckaway Mountain</a>, and <a href="https://www.summitpost.org/cameron-cone/152865" target="_blank">Cameron Cone</a> that's between Colorado Springs and Manitou Springs. It may have been the Nolan’s 14 Facebook. For the past year I periodically studied the topo map to try to figure out the easiest way to do this. One way involve starting at High Drive/Lower Gold Camp road trailhead, do a big loop through Jones Park then descending Cameron Cone the standard route into Manitou Springs then back over Intermann trail. That seems to be really long. Plus I have never done Cameron Cone’s standard route and will have to do that first to check it. Finally I decided on an sort of out and back route from Seven Bridges trailhead that’s significantly shorter but have a bit more bushwacking then the big loop route. Part of the research was based on a <a href="https://www.14ers.com/php14ers/tripreport.php?trip=5535" target="_blank">trip report</a> found here from 2008 from KentonB on Tenney Crags, Arthur and Garfield. Another source was a <a href="https://listsofjohn.com/tr?Id=5573&pkid=2443" target="_blank">GPS track</a> from Alyson Kirk (the lady who did all 12ers, 13ers and 14ers in Colorado) from Garfield to Tuckaway on LoJ website.<br />
<br />
I did part of it on December 31st last year, hitting Arthur, Garfield, and Tuckaway in a day. It wasn’t bad except from Garfield to Tuckaway which took almost two hours. The flat saddles between Garfield and Tuckaway were amazingly difficult to navigate since there are no far reaching views to help nail down directions. I also stepped on what I thought maybe a bear hibernating den which scared the crap out of me. The 12 miles trip took 6 hours.<br />
<br />
I had my mind set on this past weekend to get this done. With family out of town, I have no obligations and have all weekend to myself so I can be totally lazy on Sunday. Leaving Seven Bridges parking at around 7 am, I made it to the Jones Park trail split at 8 am, then took the old decommissioned 667 trail north for a bit to find Tenney Crags trailhead. About ¾ way up that trail, it started turning away from the summit. I got a bit suspicious and figured it may not be going to the summit after all or taking a long way, so I turned left off the trail. It was a mistake. Scrambling along boulders and down trees and bushes for 10 minutes and I end up rejoining the cairn marked path again. I climbed what I thought was the summit only to find a higher crag just east of it. End up on the true summit a few minutes later around 9:15 AM. The view was pretty cool, and I can see Mt. Arthur to the west and Cameron Cone to the northwest. I stopped for about 10 minutes to admire the view and eat a bit of beef jerky, granola bar and chocolate covered almond.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lraZFU6NXCs/WxittWffjgI/AAAAAAABS7E/bcCfkc1U3CIaYNPOtp477BMBjTehrlA-QCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_20180602_091455.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lraZFU6NXCs/WxittWffjgI/AAAAAAABS7E/bcCfkc1U3CIaYNPOtp477BMBjTehrlA-QCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_20180602_091455.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mt. Arthur in the left center, seems higher than Mt. Garfield to its left but that's due to Garfield is a bit further back. Cameron Cone is teasing on the right. </td></tr>
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The first part after leaving Tenney Crags was nice. Flat saddle that was mostly wide open with a few<br />
campsites here and there. Then the trees and bushes and rock appeared and it wasn’t so easy anymore. I took multiple bearings with the compass and occasionally checked the GaiaGPS app to make sure I’m still heading the correct way. I came up Mt. Arthur from the southeast side and there were some cool crags that required all hands on climbing. Made to the summit on Arthur at around 10:30 AM. I didn’t stay on the summit at all, knowing Garfield is close. Descending Arthur I weaved a bit too far to the south and had to regain the saddle and the clearing. I remember from the last trip climbing directly to Garfield summit was steep, so I aimed for the north side of the summit and sure enough there were some cairns there. The route was much easier this way and I met another hiker on the summit at around 11 AM. We chatted a bit and he went back down while I enjoyed my second snack consisted of PBJ and delicious water. Beer would have been even more delicious! The weather was perfect with blue sky and almost no wind at all.<br />
<br />
I remembered that descending the northwest ridge of Garfield was a pain and there were some rocky<br />
points that I bypassed on the east side in steep talus fields. This time I stay on the west side of the<br />
points and though steep it wasn’t nearly as unstable as the talus on the east side. After the saddle, I<br />
veered further north before climbing the first part of Tuckaway and found it wasn’t any easier than the direct path. On the final climb of Tuckaway I once again found some cairns that marked a fairly open path to the summit which I arrived around 12:30 PM. On my first trip here back in December I searched but couldn’t find the USGS marker or summit register. This time I didn’t bother since I had a long way to go. I did once again enjoyed a snack of my remaining beef jerkies and almond. The view from the top was pretty good, especially from the south end of the summit ridge where I had a great view of Jones Park and my eventual path down. Cameron Cone looked amazingly far from here.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HT4Nfvrxk28/WxiuBLJO8tI/AAAAAAABS7Y/DcBHOuK6KS0wzLhp3bOjNNAwNmX65n2GACEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_20180602_110532.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HT4Nfvrxk28/WxiuBLJO8tI/AAAAAAABS7Y/DcBHOuK6KS0wzLhp3bOjNNAwNmX65n2GACEwYBhgL/s640/IMG_20180602_110532.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From summit of Tuckaway Mt. looking at Cameron Cone. It's only about 2 miles away but so many trees between here and there. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-i1c2Rbt8wjs/Wxit-0lL8cI/AAAAAAABS7Y/d3b1CuEZiUMAomEQPqH4fCL0_D9QHJ6YgCEwYBhgL/s640/IMG_20180602_122813.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tuckaway Mt. summit had a nice view of Jones Park. Mt. Garfield is on the left.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-i1c2Rbt8wjs/Wxit-0lL8cI/AAAAAAABS7Y/d3b1CuEZiUMAomEQPqH4fCL0_D9QHJ6YgCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_20180602_122813.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br /></div>
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I had mapped out two paths to Cameron Cone. The low route descend north from a saddle at 10,500 ft down a drainage and crosses Willow Creek just above where it drains into Big Tooth Reservoir, then climb east up the west ridge of Cameron Cone. The advantage of this route is I can refill water from either Willow Creek or the reservoir if the creek is dry. However this route go down to 9400 ft. The high route go from the saddle between Tuckaway and Garfield, and curves around the ridge that’s between Garfield and Cameron Cone at 10,000 ft. It also crosses Willow Creek but near its source so there is a chance it is dry.<br />
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I checked my water and saw I still had a good bit left in the bladder so I decided to save my legs from the extra climbing and take the high route. Coming down Tuckaway toward the saddle I decided to try another way, heading directly east over a small hump and I think this turned out to be the easiest way to the saddle at 10,150 ft. Next time I will take this way for sure. I got confused for a while trying to follow the contour of the ridge then eventually found the way and crossed Willow Creek which was pretty much a trickle. Initially I was making good progress, the terrain fairly open. As I got closer to the point of the ridge, the slope got steeper and I was mostly scrambling among boulders and dodging downed trees. The progress became painfully slow before I finally made to the saddle south of Cameron Cone. From there, it was a fairly straight forward climbing the southern slope to the summit. Though I did get too close to the south ridge and climbed some crags that I was able to avoid on the way back down.Made to the summit at around 2:15 PM. The summit wasn’t what I had imagined, it was fairly long. I somehow thought it would more of a point. I found a nice shady spot on the east side and ate my sandwich with a great view of the city below, with Tenney Crags, Arthur and Garfield to the south.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o2MHb5ethqQ/WxiuBSpAbaI/AAAAAAABS7Y/69q3yjXImXY8dRt_sv2slcz9GWYlVDcrwCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_20180602_142048.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o2MHb5ethqQ/WxiuBSpAbaI/AAAAAAABS7Y/69q3yjXImXY8dRt_sv2slcz9GWYlVDcrwCEwYBhgL/s640/IMG_20180602_142048.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tenney Crags, Mt. Arthur and Mt. Garfield all lined up for this photo, but Mt. Rosa photobombed it. </td></tr>
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At this point I turned my phone’s airplane mode off to update my wife and immediately received a<br />
bunch texts from my wife and my co-worker looking for me. Turned out some urgent crap had come up at work and I may be needed that day. I texted my co-worker back that I would get on it as soon as I get back to my car. Well, nothing I can do about it at that moment.<br />
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As soon as I stepped off the summit, I realized I was out of water. Turned out some of the stuff in the<br />
hydration pack was pushing the bladder up a bit making it looked like I had more water when I checked earlier. Coming back following the 10,000 ft contour line was even slower on tired legs and finally I made to Willow Creek. Fairly thirsty now and not thinking clearly, I dipped my mouth into the largest puddle I could find (about the size of my face) and lapped it up like my dog. Later in the evening I realized I could have used my Sawyer Mini filter to drink directly from that puddle. Tired and dehydrated brain doesn’t work that well.<br />
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A final steep but short climb over many downed treed took me back to the saddle between Tuckaway<br />
and Garfield. If I ever learned to backpack, this saddle would be a great campsite. A short easy downhill jog from the saddle took me down to Bear Creek. Finally a stream big enough to fill the Sawyer Mini’s 16 oz bladder to filter water. I sat down and happily drank directly from the bladder through the filter three bags worth before satisfy the thirst enough to fill my water bottles. From there it an easy jog down to Seven Bridges trail and back to the car shortly before 5:30 pm.<br />
<br />
There I found out the work issue had been resolved!<br />
<br />
Total mileage is 17.8. According to my Garmin, net gain is 6,050 ft. My legs feel far more tired<br />
comparing to a round trip to Pikes Peak via Barr Trail. That two and half miles of traversing the 10k<br />
contour to and back from Cameron Cone probably had far more up and downs than the Garmin recorded.Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00921924865002345936noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2619242846650641487.post-27494756820305550742017-04-07T20:14:00.002-07:002017-04-07T20:14:49.708-07:006 years to 100 milesI have pretty much laid off running ultras since the twins were born in 2013. I survived the last few in the spring of 2014 and they were all fairly short (MST 50k, Uwharrie 40M) that did not require huge amount of training that would have taken too much time away from the family. After moving to Colorado Springs in October 2015, this trend continued to the point that I was hardly running races of any distances anymore. I did continue to participate with my relay team Team Road Kilt in 2015 at Blue Ridge Relay and also in 2016 at Hood 2 Coast. It was at the finishing line party at Hood 2 Coast where things would change. <br />
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I have gotten used to running 6 legs at relay races, but the 2016 Hood 2 Coast race was done as 12 runner team so I only had 3 legs to run. I took it pretty easy in the summer of 2016, working on projects in our new house such as building fence. I also did more hiking than running and as August approached I thought about walking the 3 legs. The relay itself wasn't terribly taxing. The legs were either flat or gentle rolling even though the scenery were sort a let down after running the Blue Ridge Relay for so many years. The finishing party however was pretty cool, right on the beach and Bob even waded out into the cold Pacific Ocean for a nice soak. We were all sitting along the long tables drink beer when Tina said hey are you interested in running the Umstead 50 with me next year. I was like hmm...not way I could be ready or train for it so I dodged the question saying there is no way Jade will let me do that. I went back to my beer for a few minutes then Tina said I just texted Jade and she said go ahead. Oh Crap! <br />
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In September in another subconscious attempt to avoid running the race, I tried to register for the race on my phone while fishing in the mountains. It totally didn't work and I was secretly hoping Tina did not get in the race. But a few minutes later I got a text from her "I'm in!". Oh Crap!<br />
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I knew there is another way to get in, and now that Tina is in, I'm sort of committed to at least try. I filled out the volunteer lottery form and send it in. A couple weeks later I got the confirmation email that I'm in. Oh Crap!<br />
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I had a heart to heart discussion with Jade about the race. She and I both agreed, that if I'm going to put the training in, and she had to sacrifice with the kids while I run, then I should go for the 100 and get it done this time. I sat down in front of a calendar and spreadsheet and mapped out a 6 months training schedule. I may not be much of a runner, but I sure know how to write training plans. <br />
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Fortunately for me, the winter of 2016/2017 is rather mild. We did get a few cold spills in December where I had to run in single digits temperature in the snow but most long runs are in fairly moderate temperature. I finally stopped goofing around the mountain trails and settled on a training course that closely approximately the Umstead course. Rampart Range road climbs gradually but consistently from Garden of the Gods at 300 ft per mile. It's a wide dirt road that's closed to traffic in the winter. I would park at the gate, power hike up just past 3 miles for 1,000 ft of elevation gain, then run back down to the car to refuel. It's about 87.5% steeper than Umstead but provide the same surface, same type of walking and running and same refueling schedule so it'll do. I did my longest training run in late January, 37 miles in 7 hours and 40 minutes. <br />
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Then I got sick, bacterial sinusitis from my kids, that took me out for two weeks and I lost 4 lbs while doing nothing. Training restarted in middle of February for two weeks, then on February 22nd disaster strike. <br />
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We took the kids to skiing in Loveland where there is an awesome area for kids with magic carpet ride and a super easy chair lift area. We brought out all the snacks and drinks with us to the bottom of the magic carpet ride. While taking a break with the kids and sitting on the snow, I twisted around to reach for the backpack to get some food out for them and I felt a sharp pain in the right knee. I didn't think much of it figured it'll go away, and it did go away and I was able to ski with the kids rest of the day without pain. Then next day I went for a 13 mile trail run and had a hard time walking that evening. <br />
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A week and half later, I still couldn't run more than 10 miles without pain, with downhills bothering it the most. A long chat with my friend Lauren convinced me to get some PT help. On my first appointment with the PT on March 10th, she said I partially tore the tendon above the knee, the quadriceps tendon. Recovery time with rest and PT is usually 6 weeks. I looked the calendar in the PT's office and counted the weeks: from February 22nd to April 1 is five and half weeks. <br />
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My PT is hopefully and started an aggressive therapy plan with massages and acupuncture, and I do stretching and strengthening on my own. After two weeks, I did a 5 miles run and experienced very little soreness. With one week to go I did the longest run, 9 miles and again very little soreness on the right knee. However I have avoided all downhills running so far. PT and I discussed and agreed that I should start the race, and as long as the pain is manageable I should continue, but stop if the pain is severe enough where I have trouble standing. <br />
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I flew to Raleigh on Thursday evening and spent Friday hanging out with my cousin and his family. Instead of resting and staying off my feet, I chased my two nephews around the house and had a great time. <br />
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A lot people asked what my race plan is and what time I expect to finish. With the knee injury, I basically have no idea how the weekend will unfold. <br />
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The race weekend's weather is nearly perfect, high in the mid 70's on Saturday and low around 50 Saturday night to Sunday morning. I rode to the race with Bob and Tina, and Bob will crew for both of us. Tina had pacers lined up for all 4 laps in the 2nd 50. I on the other hand only had Sherri lined up for lap 6, and that was Sherri's initiative. I didn't actively arrange pacers because I didn't want the pressure. <br />
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Lap 1: Tina and I started together and we ran most of the minor hills and walked two major hills to AS2. I kept the pace pretty slow worried that I may drag her along too fast. She had to visit the porta potty as AS2 and I went on by myself. I did eat a little bit as AS2 but since they mainly had breakfast type of food I didn't eat much. The right knee was already making its presence felt and I was getting worried how the race will unfold. Finished the lap at 2:23 on the clock. I asked Bob for two ibuprofen tablets and grabbed some food to from AS1 to go. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tina and I approaching AS2 on Lap 1</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Walking up to AS1 at end of lap 1</td></tr>
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Lap 2: Ibuprofen didn't kick in for another 40 minutes so the first 3 miles I still felt the knee but between mile 3 and 4, the pain disappeared and I was feeling much better. Okay, if ibuprofen can keep the pain at bay, maybe I'll have a shot at this. I kept a good pace on lap 2, running up all the small and gentle hills even on Turkey Creek, and only walked the major hills. Toward the end of the lap, it was starting to get warm. I made a mental check list of what I need to do at end of the lap: caffeine, food, water bottle. Bob again greeted me and walked up to AS1 with me to help me carry some food while we talked about my race and Tina's race. Jen checked the time and told me to slow down for the next lap and I agreed. By now AS1 is making real food so I grabbed half a cheeseburger and some mountain dew. Run time: 4:47, lap 2 took 2:24 which is about the same as lap 1.<div>
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<div>
Lap 3: I focused on slowing down and it was definitely getting warm. I did see Tina right at the airport water fountain and noticed her pace was still pretty fast so I told her to slow down. I noticed a few miles into the lap that the right knee is starting to strain again. Started doing some mental calculation and decided to take two ibuprofen every 1.5 laps. This will give me a total 5 doses of 400 mg and total daily dose of 2000 mg. This is fairly high especially considering the stress I'm putting my kidney through, but I didn't have any other choices. Still running strong on this lap, I did take a longer stop as AS2 since I felt somewhat queasy right as I arrived as AS2 and thought maybe I need a #2 relieve. End up with just a lot of gas though. I didn't get the burger but rather some milder food as AS2 with ginger ale to sooth the stomach. Still ran up some hills but this lap is a good bit slower due to the heat. Finished the lap and once again chatting with Bob as AS1 while I grabbed a burger and dew. Run time: 7:24, lap 3 took 2:37. I assured Jen that I was slowing down and she said just be careful with the heat. </div>
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Lap 4: once again the focus is to stay slow. At the airport spur I ran into Lisa, Dottie and Ricky on their bikes, it was very cool to see them and talk to them. I told them to ride into AS1 to find Tina since she should be finishing lap 3 soon. I was hoping to see Tina coming up Graylyn as I ran by the intersection but no cigar. Rest of lap 4 was fairly uneventful and I took my ibuprofen a mile or 2 before I finished the lap. I had gotten into the habit of eating the cheeseburger out of AS1 and eating a lighter meal out of AS2, mainly little bites of sandwhichs, pbj, and cantaloupes. By now I had increased my AS1 food intake to a full cheeseburger with ketchup and mustard, and a handful of potato chips and mountain dew with ice. Told Bob I was feeling food and looking forward to a cooler lap. Run time: 10:14. Lap 4 took 2:50. </div>
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Lap 5: the temperature is definitely cooling down and I felt better. Sticking to the ibuprofen schedule and I noticed that I need to take the dose a couple miles early to keep the effect going. I ran into Wayne Jones on his bike and he end up riding with me for two miles down Corkscrew and up the Lake hill while we chatted and caught up, it was so nice to see friends in the park. I ran the next 2 miles with a runner from Denver named Patrick and he told me about Never Summer 100k which has been on my radar for awhile. Right before AS2, we rounded a bend and woman saw as and screamed in joy. I asked Patrick if that was his wife and he said he has no idea who she is. Then I realized it was Kristen! Awesome. She and I ran down to AS2 together and she checked on me and we made plan for breakfast on Tuesday. I lost Patrick so I finished rest of the lap on my own still feeling okay and looking forward to lap 6 and Sherri. Run time: 13:04, lap 5 took 2:50 which is exactly the same as lap 4! And bonus: first frappuccino at end of Lap 5!</div>
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Lap 6: Sherri started pacing me. I had her carry my jacket in case I got cold and we both carried headlamps out on this lap. It's so nice to have someone to talk to for the whole lap and Sherri brought me up to date on her running, her march to DC, and her dog. I was still feeling good enough to run up some gentle hills by this lap. It got dark shortly before AS2 so we both put our headlamps on. Most of lap 6 were pretty good but the right knee is definitely getting more painful despite ibuprofen, and both feet are getting painful, the soles were getting tired of the pounding I guess. As I finished lap 6, I heard a huge cheer as the timing tent and realized my old neighbor Meredith was there cheering me! I missed hanging out with them since we moved! Run time: 16:18, lap 6 took 3:14. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Meredith and I at end of Lap 6</td></tr>
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<br />Lap 7: I had a long stop before lap 7, changing into long pants, adjusting the knee brace, adding a jacket, and generally fumbled around Bob's truck for too long. I think we stopped for close to 15 to 20 minutes. Sherri had decided to pace me for lap 7 as well while Bob promised he'll find someone for lap 8 for me. By now ibuprofen had became fairly useless and both feet were hurting badly that I didn't want to run anymore so we made this lap a pure walking lap. I really struggled with the knee on the back half on Turkey Creek and decided to take 600 mg of ibuprofen instead of 400, and took it 3 miles before the end of the lap. At this point, it's time to put everything on the table. The lap ended slowly. I still don't know if I had a pacer for lap 8 but I was determined to finish even if I had to go alone. Sherri wanted to pace again on lap if there was no one else but I really hate to make her do that. Run time: 20:15, lap 7 took 3:57, way too long. <div>
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Lap 8: Tim showed up super excited to pace me. Awesome! Tim is hilariously funny and I knew this is gonna be a good lap. Another burger and off we went. Somewhere around mile 4 I decided to pop two more ibuprofen. Jeez, pray the kidneys don't rebel. The pain in the knee is getting pretty bad and I cuss a lot of things. The pain in the feet is also getting pretty bad and more cussing ensues. Tim tells me all sorts of funny things, and the stripper joke just about landed me on my face and definitely took my attention away from the pain for awhile. Tim also kept watching my pace and kept me informed that I'm averaging very consistently 16:30 to 17 min paces. By the time we hit north Turkey Creek I was feeling somewhat confident that I may just finish this thing under 24 hours. After we hit the bottom of Powerline hill, the reality hits that I'll get this done. Only three uphills and one short downhill at end stand between me and the finish. We put on cruise mode and by the time we made the turn at airport water fountain, I was getting a bit of teary. Finally we get to Bob's truck and Tim was trying to find them but I wasn't about to stop. I fairly flew up the last little hill and into the finishing line at 23 hours, 49 minutes and 15 seconds! </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sherri and Tim with me at the finish</td></tr>
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It took 6 years, but I finally completed 100 miles!<br /><div>
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Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00921924865002345936noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2619242846650641487.post-83425485505893025442016-03-12T19:38:00.001-08:002016-03-13T16:16:53.140-07:00Pikes Peak MarathonI first learned about Pikes Peak Marathon when I was researching about Umstead Trail Marathon's elevation profile in 2010 and came across Anthony's <a href="http://www.running-down.com/2009/02/umstead-marathon-elevation-profile.html" target="_blank">popular post</a> that compared some famous marathons to Umstead. Ever since then I had wondered about the prospect of running a marathon on Pikes Peak. I have read <a href="http://skyrunner.com/" target="_blank">Matt Carpenter's website</a> with course description and other tidbits that he posted there. Since Matt owns the PPM's course record and is generally considered Mr. PPM, the advice he suggested are second to none, such as this one "Oxygen is overrated, keep running!". <br />
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Once I found out I was moving to Colorado Springs, PPM naturally was on my list. The registration for the 2016 race is at noon on March 12th. I had booked this date on multiple calendars. A few days before the registration, I went to the race website and discovered the race cost $175!!! Holy f--k! Even Umstead 100 only cost $180 and they provide a 30 hours buffet of Golden Corral style food. Screw that, I can run this race on my own term and not pay a penny. <br />
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So instead of sitting in front of my laptop sweating bullets at noon on March 12, I'll be somewhere on the Barr Trail sweating bullets doing my own PPM. <br />
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Weather forecast was good and bad. Almost no wind on the summit, however there maybe a storm in the afternoon. Now a storm on a 14er summit is no joke. No one wants to experience it. So this means an early start and get back down in the trees by noon or 1. <br />
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Before this I had gone up Barr Trail as far as 2.5 miles from the summit. That was not a bad run, took a leisurely 6.5 hours to do. I even ate lunch at 12,300 ft turn around enjoying the sun. Today would be different. I had gone up two other easy 14er's in the past two weekends so I was hoping I'm a bit more acclimatized. <br />
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5 AM and I hit the road from Memorial Park in Manitou Springs. I could have parked at the Barr Trail's trail head but didn't for two reasons. PPM actually starts at Memorial Park, and the trail head parking cost $10. I'm a dirtbag. <br />
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1.3 miles and a couple hundred feet later, I hit Barr Trail. I usually come here later in the morning when the trail is full of people who did <a href="http://www.manitouincline.com/" target="_blank">the Incline</a> and coming down on Barr Trail. However at 5:20 AM, there wasn't a soul on the trail!! Yeehaa! The first 3 miles of the trail is one of the steepest sections, called the W since that's what it looks like on the map. It has 13 switchbacks and gains 690 ft per mile for 3 miles which is 13% grade. I remember I used to bitch about the 6% grade on Powerline hill in Umstead or the the 8% grade on Cemetery hill. Knowing this is gonna be a long day, I take it easy here. For the first time in Colorado I wore my heart rate monitor and it's a great tool to manage the effort. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First glow of sunrise</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Glow over Colorado Springs</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alpine glow on the east face of Pikes Peak where I'll eventually be having fun</td></tr>
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After the W's I see snow and ice on the trail so I put on the Microspikes. These things are awesome for running in snow ice and slush. Today the trail condition is mixed between mile 4 to 7 with alternating dry trails and snow. Still it's a good tool. <br />
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I hit <a href="http://www.barrcamp.com/" target="_blank">Barr Camp</a> at mile 7.5 and 10,150 ft in 2:42, which is actually one of the faster efforts surprisingly. Stopping is out of the question since once hot chocolate and coffee is served, I usually stay for an hour or more digging the caretaker Zach's brain. Zach is twice the runner that I'm. No he's not twice as big, but twice as fast. He recently won <a href="http://ultratrailmb.com/en/page/21/21.html" target="_blank">CCC </a>and <a href="https://www.thenorthface.com/get-outdoors/endurance-challenge/california/race-results.html" target="_blank">TNF 50 championship</a>. I did fill my water bottle with some unfiltered stream water at Barr Camp. Giardia takes 7 takes to show symptoms, won't affect today. Barr Camp is considered the half way point to the summit both in elevation gained and time spent. <br />
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From Barr Camp, the trial became completely covered in snow. Fortunately there has been enough traffic to create a hard packed snow trench that's between 8 to 12 inches wide. However any steps off this hard packed stuff results in serious <a href="http://www.walking4fun.com/uploads/trails/pacific-crest-trail/22-forester-pass-to-muir-pass/postholing-towards-muir-pass.jpg" target="_blank">postholing</a>, not fun and can easily pull the groin muscle. It's not much of an issue going up due to my glacial ascending speed. But running downhill with speed on this stuff, it is easy to go off and posthole. It takes me 27 minutes to get to the next landmark called <a href="http://www.cloudhiking.com/assets/images/mountains/mtns/pikes-barr/bottomless.jpg" target="_blank">Bottomless Pit sign</a> at 8.75 miles and 10,800 ft elevation. The real Bottomless Pit is another couple miles to the right. A day may come where I head right to the Pit, but not today. <br />
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15 more switchbacks in the snow led to the A-Frame at exactly 4 hours. A-Frame is at 11,950 ft at just over 10 miles. People actually shelter here. It's right below the treeline. This is fast! Three weeks ago I got to A-Frame in 4:15. Those two trips up 14ers must be helping. <br />
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From A-Frame I ascend above the trees and into the barren east face of Pikes Peak. <br />
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Trail here is mixed of dry trail and wind blown snow. It hasn't snowed much in three weeks so what I saw here are mostly left over and deposited by wind. After 35 minutes of zigzagging I come to the <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uEzpiCZP4Qo/U8MKkn7XJpI/AAAAAAAADJc/YaQkyb66xTQ/s1600/IMG_5653.JPG" target="_blank">2 miles to go sign</a> on the right side of the east face. From here the trail basically traverses all the way across the face to the left side. Here I encounter something I never imagined. The trail goes under a perfectly smooth about 25-30 degree sloped snowfield. Obvious the work of wind. Apparently no one else has crossed it so there were no tracks on the slope. My Microspikes are great running on even snow, but this is more crampons/ice axe territory. I imitate the mountaineers I see on TV by kicking the slope to make steps. But after a few kicks the only thing I did was to make my toes hurt. I guess you need big boots and crampons for that. Then I did the next best thing, got down to my hands and crab walk across. Yeah not pretty, and pretty scary too. A slide means hmmm.....bad. After I make across the snowfield, I find another one a few hundred feet later. Crap...crab walk again. <br />
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After the excitement of the snowfields, the traverse was pretty uneventful except for my breathing which was somewhat out of control from the combination of exertion of the crab walk and fear of death. I get to the next land mark the <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8gteEVF76YY/TLM2pmuBv0I/AAAAAAAAAZ0/P71iyZgpJxc/s1600/247876006407.jpg" target="_blank">Cirque sign</a> which is just before the <a href="http://www.colorado-springs-vacation.com/images/hiking-pikes-peak-barr-trail-1-mile-sign.jpg" target="_blank">1 mile to go sign</a>. I didn't know what the Cirque sign meant "1500 ft deep". The I walked to the edge of the trail and saw it. Yes, it does look like a 1500 ft straight drop. I guess is someone is really struggling during the race, they can end the suffering right here by going off the trail into the beyond. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cirque</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grand Traverse</td></tr>
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The trail next traverse back toward the right with some switchbacks that has deep snows on the trail but no snow at all off the trail. Go figures. Then comes most infamous sign of all, the <a href="http://www.cloudhiking.com/assets/images/mountains/mtns/pikes-barr/golden-stair.jpg" target="_blank">16 Golden Stairs</a>. This is suppose to be 16 pairs of switchbacks with huge boulder to climb over at each one of them. I tried and lost count, since I spent most of the my time here hugging the boulders dizzying from lack of oxygen and trying not to tumble over the edge. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Final traverse toward the base of the 16 Golden Stairs</td></tr>
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Summit of Pikes Peak was somewhat anticlimactic. There was a cog train waiting to go down and a lot tourists walking around. I didn't stop long just enough time to eat my nutella-jelly sandwhich (I ran out of peanut butter). <br />
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Going down, I was determined to avoid those damned snowfields. On the grand left to right traverse, I picked a gentle looking spot and got off the trail. I took a bearing toward a set of huge boulder formations at 12,500 ft and went straight for it with three big horn sheep watching me from not 50 yards away. Unfortunately I should have scouted the route a bit more carefully. I end up on more snowfields on this new route, not as steep or as exposed but just as tedious. I remembered seeing people on other peaks doing this thing called <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glissade_(climbing)" target="_blank">glissade </a>where they slide down snowfields with ease and descent with little effort and a lot of speed. I decided to give it a try. <br />
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Turned out I don't know how to slow down. I glissaded right out of the snowfield into a <a href="http://images.summitpost.org/original/227920.jpg" target="_blank">scree field</a>. At least I missed the boulder field since that could have ruined the day. This is my first time ever experiencing scree. They don't stay in one place, they actually move a lot, like an avalanche sort of way. And they get inside of everything including shoes and pants. Pulling scree out of my underwear is now my newest trail running trick. <br />
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Here is my route on the ascent and descent of the east face. <br />
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Rest of the run was uneventful. I apparently can not navigate the trail around A-Frame. For the second time in the row, I took a different way down past A-Frame. I don't know how that happened. <br />
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Ascent took 6 hours and 6 minutes, descent took 3 hours and 22 minutes. And I did stop at Barr Camp on the descent for a cup of hot chocolate. <br />
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Pretty views from the summit. <br />
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<br />Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00921924865002345936noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2619242846650641487.post-76427855790647965502013-08-13T18:06:00.004-07:002020-12-21T13:40:37.265-08:00AnnihilationI originally planned to drive up to Morganton and camp at Mark's house Friday night, since Mark lived only 10 minutes from South Mountain State Park. However Jade's last minute consignment shopping means I get to stay home with the babies on Friday night. So I woke up at 2:30am on Saturday morning and left the house at 3:30 am for the three and half hour drive to the race. <br />
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Somewhere near Burlington, I realized I had left my wallet back at home. My car was down to a quarter tank at this point. I could turn around and go home but that means I would start late, way late, like and hour and half late. I went to a gas station and started talking to the gas station manager about options. I told him I knew my credit card number, but he was pretty iffy about that without any kind of photo ID. Finally it dawned on me that I may have send a scanned photo of my driver's license to someone in the past so I started searching on my phone for past emails and hallelujah, a scan of my driver's license and my credit card! He saw that scan and finally decided that I was likely not a credit card thief. <br />
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Pulling into South Mountain State Park at 7 am, I noticed all the towering ridges around me. It seems like the road leading into the park followed the bottom of a steep valley. The impression I got is every trail here goes UP. As I collect my race packet and get my hydration pack ready, I looked around and realized everyone I see seemed really fit. Seriously this is the fittest group of runners I have ever seen at started of a race. Every one is lean, and every one is ripped. It made me really question why I'm even here. I don't belong to this group! I'm a slow plodder, and everyone around me seemed capable of running in circles around me. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Race briefing</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bigfoot! We tag his head to finish. </td></tr>
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We started with a bull horn blast and ran across the parking lot and I intentionally settled into the very back of the pack of 50 runners. The trail immediately starts to climb and I settle with the back of the pack into a power hike. The race is divided into five sections, Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, Delta and Echo. Alpha section is just under 6 miles, with the first 4 miles climbing on a rugged steep jeep road, then the course drops off the side of the mountain on a steep technical single tracks dotted with slippery steps. Here I met Kathy from OBX, where the biggest hill is the Wrights Brother memorial mound, and she pulled away from me while bombing down the mountain. How in the heck did she train for this?<br />
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Alpha section: 5.65 miles, 1,700' gain, 1,700' loss, 1 hour and 20 minutes. <br />
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At AS1, my legs were a bit wobbly from pounding down the mountain. After refilling my pack, I took off down Bravo section with three other runners in a loose pack. The first mile and half were fairly mild with only 300' of elevation gain and two cool creek crossings. Then it turned upward in a mad 30% grade along an ridge line. Here I manage to let everyone get ahead of me, since it was useless try to keep up. Fortunately the madness was short, not even a quarter mile but climbed over 450'. Then the course emerged onto a decent jeep road and gently climbed to 2'600 ft before a long quad pound descent back to the same aid station. By now my legs were ready for a massage, with quads and IT bands screaming on the downhills and hips and calves screaming on the uphills. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First creek crossing</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Still happy since I didn't know about the climbing ahead of me.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rachel pulling ahead on the 30% grade single track trail around mile 7.5</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view on the top is gorgeous but we didn't get to see much of it</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another creek crossing on a log bridge</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Creek crossing near end of Bravo section. </td></tr>
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Bravo section: 8.52 miles, 3,000' gain, 3,000' loss. 2 hours and 15 minutes. <br />
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The friendly volunteer at AS2 promised less hill for Charlie section. He was right, at least for the first 1/2 mile. Then we hit the waterfall part, where a section of super steep stairs climbed to the top of the falls. My strategy for the stairs was to do 10 steps, then rest, then repeat. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trail just before the waterfall</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crossing the base of the fall</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dreaded stairs, which climbed straight up for 350 ft.</td></tr>
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Charlie wasn't done after the waterfall yet. I met a runner named Wayne from Georgia and we climbed more moderated grade jeep trails (like 15%) for awhile, then dropped off along a single track into a cool creek valley before climbing steeply away from the creek. Wayne was bothered by leg cramps so he couldn't down hill much so eventually I left him. I get passed by Jake who had gotten lost and ran extra 9 miles in Bravo section and still manage to pass me by mile 17. After the long climb along the single track trail, I ran gingerly down a steep jeep trail for a mile to protect the quads from cramping and came across a beautiful creek with a beach along it so I took the opportunity to cool off and laid down in the creek and thoroughly chilled myself. 5 minutes later, I was overheating again because the damn trail decided to climb another 500 ft to the end of Charlie section. <br />
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Charlie section: 6.23 miles, 3,250' gain, 2,100' loss, 2 hours. <br />
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AS3 is located where the trail pops out onto a private road. I met a couple in the aid station and they looked as fresh as at the start of the race, and the woman is wearing a pair of sandals! I couldn't imagine how she could run these trails in them. Delta section follows the road for about a mile with no shade and it's 1:30 or so in the afternoon, and temperature hovering around 90'. I was more than happy to see the course re-enter the woods at end of the road and starts down the mountain along a gentle single track. Normally this kind of trail and terrain would mean fast times, but with quads completely shredded, I could only manage to plod along at a snail pace with occasional walks to relieve the pain in my legs. Finally the sections comes to an end with a godsend creek crossing to cool off and a short out and back section to AS4. <br />
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Delta section: 4.98 miles, 870' gain, 2,100' loss, 1 hours 8 minutes<br />
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The fine folks at AS4 promised me there are only two climbs left in Echo section but was vague on the details. A thunderstorm approached as I took off down the short out and back spur and crossed the road to start the first climb. Within minutes, the storm came down and the jeep trial became a creek. On the other hand, I was no longer overheating. I actually got a bit chilled from the driving wind and rain, and probably from the fear of getting hit by lighting. Later on I would find out another runner actually saw a lighting splitting a tree no more than 50 yards from him. <br />
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20 minutes later, running scared, the storm finally settled into a nice rain. The trail turns down the mountain along a slippery single track and I caught up to Rachel. Rachel is also from OBX. I honestly can't think of a good reason why someone from OBX would choose to run this race. We stuck together for the next few miles as the trail once again turn skywards toward another long climb. We marveled how it is possible to cram these many hills in a 50k. Super relieved to hit the summit, we started slowly jogging down the hill, then the trail disappeared. More accurately disappeared downward. The steepest downhill in the entire race lay between us and the finish. 500 ft down, in about a third of a mile of slippery muddy trail at very end of the race caused us to mutter more than a few curses. <br />
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I was super relieved to discover the final half mile of the race is flat. Flat! Holy cow! I rocketed toward the finish line moving at a lightning pace (hmmmm.....about 9 min pace...lol) and touched the Bigfoot's head at 8 hours and 45 minutes. <br />
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Echo section: 6.02 miles, 2,300' gain, 2100' loss, 1 hour 44 minutes. <br />
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It's gonna be a long drive home Sunday, especially after 5 beers, 3 sangria's and staying up until 2am on Saturday night. Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00921924865002345936noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2619242846650641487.post-85383655800391826672013-08-04T14:08:00.002-07:002013-08-04T14:08:35.362-07:00Annihilator 50k previewThere isn't really much to say about this race, except that with 5 hour cutoffs at end of Bravo section (4700ft up/4700ft down), 8 hours cutoff at end of Charlie section (6700ft up/6700ft down), my chance of DNF this weekend is excellent. Maybe I should bring more beer instead of running hydration since beer will more likely to be consumed after an early missed cutoff. <br />
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<br />Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00921924865002345936noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2619242846650641487.post-20637677208412036172013-04-18T06:59:00.002-07:002013-04-18T06:59:38.450-07:00SCAR Flyover.<br />
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Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00921924865002345936noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2619242846650641487.post-61457852659780363202013-01-21T14:09:00.003-08:002013-01-21T14:55:27.982-08:00Weymouth SupriseI can come up with a training plan for any situations, including some rather hopeless ones. <br />
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Following my shoulder surgery in middle of October last year, I took about 5 weeks off from running. To keep me from going insane with boredom, I joined a gym and started walking on the treadmill. So this formed the basis of my new training plan. <br />
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Training plan 1: resume running in middle of November for one and half weeks with intense focus, then attempt a half marathon PR on Thanksgiving Day. Reasons why this plan should succeed: my legs ought be fresh, probability of overtraining is zero, and walking on the mill is the same as running (!!!) Reasons why this plan should NOT succeed: too many to list. Result: held PR pace for 2 miles then crashed and burned spectacularly. <br />
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This is what I looked like at finishing line, with my nephew Vincent pacing me the last 1/4 mile. He raced the 6K earlier and waited an hour near the finish to run me in. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Those final agonizing steps in the finishing chute</td></tr>
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Immediately following the failure of training plan #1 is the end of semester stretch at pharmacy school so I was side tracked from creating training plan #2 and also got side tracked from doing much running. After the last final exam, training plan #2 got kicked into action on December 15th. Weymouth Woods is 5 weeks away and winter break is 3 weeks long. So it's natural to train super hard for 3 weeks during the break without interference from school, then taper for 2 weeks for the race. Plan called for 3 x 60. At least it's not the shortest training plan ever. Plan #1 (see above) claimed that title. <br />
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Week 1: 57 miles in 5 days. A bit short of goal but with two weeks remaining there should be plenty time to bring the average back up to 60. Week 1 started with a 25 miler tripping on LSD and ended with a 10 miler on speed. <br />
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Week 2: 62 miles in 6 days, including 29.5 miles at Boxing Day Are You Kidding Me FA event where I decided to start super slow and race a 10k at end. It was painful. This week is also special that I spent a total of 8 hours running in cold cold rain. <br />
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Week 3: 47 miles in 5 days. The inevitable blow up for attempting such an ambitious running schedule. I did two 11 milers on Falls Lake trail to prepare my feet and ankle for the famous Weymouth roots. By the middle of week 3, both calves feel like they're about to seek new owners. I had no choice but to convert a planned 25 miler to 10 to avoid jumping over the cliff. <br />
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So I didn't necessarily complete the ambitious training plan but came close with 166 miles over three weeks for an average of 55/week. This is about 98% higher than my average training week. Didn't someone famous said something about the 10% rule? Well, I can't find that link anymore.<br />
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I also promised my physical therapist that I will only run during the daylight and walk once it gets dark to avoid potentially injury my right shoulder again. She's not particularly happy about me running this race at all and really didn't like how long this race is. She wants to know why I didn't pick a 5k. <br />
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On race day, Kristen and I stopped by Waffle House to lubricate our GI's for the big day. This is Kristen's first ultra and she's super pumped. <br />
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Lap one had me plodding along and finishing in 55 minutes. I was fairly happy, it was about 2 minutes faster than 2011, and my heart rate is nice and low. It was warming up rather quickly so I shed my fleece vest. Lap 2 and 3 were done both in 53 minutes and I got really excited since I'm now over 15 minutes ahead of 2011. Hmm....could a PR be possible, even with walking at night? But toward end of lap 3 I noticed my heart rate creeping up. Even slowing down does not seem to help. It took me the entire lap 4 to figure out the cause of the cardiac drift. I drank only 22oz of fluid (one full bottle), in 18 miles. Hmm...holy crap, I somehow got myself dehydrated even though I don't feel that way. Quick solution is needed, so I consumed two bottles of fluid on the next lap, and then noticed my fingers are tingly and a bit swollen. Holy crap, now I'm hyponatremic. <br />
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I continued to consume my Perpeteum mix at rate of 1.5 bottle per lap but now added a Saltstick capsule each lap. The disadvantage of doing this quick hydration is I had to hydrate trees often, twice per lap for the next three laps. By lap 7, most of the symptoms had disappeared, I felt somewhat better, and heart rate settled back down. <br />
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At end of lap 6, I grabbed a burger from the main aid station. I did not realize it was a veggie burger until I bit into it on the trail. Oh well it couldn't hurt so I ate it, and within 5 minutes my stomach turned into a steel knot. Ouch ouch ouch. I begged for some hot liquid at the far end aid station and got some ramen noddle soup. It wasn't bad but I couldn't stomach the noddles so I just sipped the hot liquid along the trail. It took two more cups of soup to eventually made the steel knot in the stomach to feel tolerable. What heck is in a veggie burger? My GI can't tolerate fake proteins!!! No more solid food for rest of the race. <br />
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By lap 8, I was getting pretty tired, and my hips and legs are achy, stomach is ok but not great, and even though my heart rate stayed even, my entire body just feel like a big turd of dull pain. Though I pre-taped my feet this time, I started to feel there maybe issues developing down there that I rather not deal with since I couldn't bend over enough to touch my feet at this point. Somewhere along lap 8 I decided I need an appointment with a psychiatrist to figure out why I choose to abuse myself this way. Seriously thought about sitting down and called it a day at end of the lap. <br />
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At started of lap 9, the psychiatrist showed up in the form of Tait, a fellow runner. We had ran together for a lap earlier in the race and it was good to run with a familiar face again. The doctor's solution to my problem is to discuss his plans and his upcoming 100 miler attempt at Graveyard 100. We swapped stories and I shared my lone attempt at 100 at Umstead in 2011. By end of lap 9, he had came up with a mental plan for me to deal with the remaining laps. Do one lap in the light, and then only 4 laps in the dark to the finish. Any morons can do 4 laps in the dark, so it ought to be easy. <br />
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The doctor's wife showed up at end of lap 9 to pace him for a lap, so I bid him farewell. It turned out his idea of pacing is a bit more involved. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tait's wife "pacing" him on lap 10</td></tr>
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Lap 10 ended at 9:40 on the race clock and all the sudden I wondered if 14 hours would be possible. It'll take 1:05 average lap time over the the 4 night laps would get me to 14 hours. Two years ago I averaged 1:17 at night, and even on the final lap when I went for the kamikaze lap, I still only managed 1:08. So four laps of 1:05 at night is out of the question. I relaxed knowing I most likely will still break my previous PR of 15:20 without trying too hard at this point, and grabbed my ginormous <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Fenix-HP11-Resistant-Lumens-Headlamp/dp/B0055PER0E" target="_blank">Fenix HP11 headlamp</a> and took off on lap 11, the first full lap in the dark. <br />
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What a difference the Fenix lights combination makes in night running!!! Previously I ran with <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Black-Diamond-Equipment-Storm-Headlamp/dp/B004AJI8MO/ref=sr_1_1?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1358783615&sr=1-1&keywords=Black+Diamond+Storm" target="_blank">Black Diamond Storm </a>headlamp which is a really nice headlamp but seeing roots and rocks at night sure is difficult. Since everyone else ran with similar or even dimmer headlamps, I always assumed night trail running is about guessing where the roots are rather than seeing where the roots are. Last year at Weymouth, I watched <a href="http://gene-spincycle.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Gene </a>storming the course at night with his Fenix HP11 like it's daylight and end up buying the light after the race to try it. Somehow Fenix mis-threaded one of the straps on my HP11, and for the next 10 months I couldn't figure out how to comfortably wear the super heavy battery pack on the back of my head. I just assumed Gene's head/neck is just that much tougher than mine. Yes I'm not that bright. I finally figured out that the strap was not threaded correctly two months ago. The second element of this combination is the handheld. Over the years I have heard multiple people say having a handheld light at night helps with roots but I didn't want another thing in my hand so I ignored them. <a href="http://www.sofarfromnormal.com/" target="_blank">James Plant</a> had tremendous success last year at Weymouth with his Fenix E21 handheld light, so I finally decided to give it a try and bought it, and promptly tossed it in the drawer for a whole year. So the combination of HP11 and E21 debuted at Weymouth this year, and it turned night to day. The HP11 has an optional diffuser and I played with different combinations on lap 11 and found that I liked it best to have the HP11 with the diffuser pointed a bit out in the front to give me a good idea of what's coming up, and the E21 in my right hand pointed just in front of my feet to give three dimensional view of roots that I'm immediately about to step over, which leaves my left hand free to perform rocket blows and other bodily functions. <br />
<br />
I did not bother to check time during the laps the entire race. So I had no idea what lap 11 time was going to be. When I came into the finishing area and saw the race clock at 10:45, I did a double take and had to do the math twice in my head to make sure I didn't screw it up. 1:05 night lap? Is that possible? Because I did not push on that lap whatsoever. That lap was spent on working out the best way to use the two lights, and I also ate a bowl of hot grits again at Doug and Jimmy's 3 Minutes Hostel. I noticed another curiosity that first surfaced at Mountain Masochist back in 2011 and again at Hinson in 2012, where once I get past 10 to 11 hours of running, it became harder and harder to get the heart rate up. Lap 11 was only about 30 seconds slower than lap 10, but my lap average heart rate dropped from 137 to 135. I still can't explain this. Regardless, a 1:05 night lap without killing myself was a complete surprise. The lighting solution I had must have made a far bigger difference than I thought possible. All the sudden 14 hours is not only possible, but very doable at this rate. Like throwing a switch, my body and mind changed mode immediately, and instead getting a cup of chicken noodle soup like I had been doing since lap 6, I grabbed a small piece of pumpkin bread and rushed to my gear and chugged a bottle of Starbucks Frappuccino and hurried out of the aid station. Frappuccino was a big gamble consider the stomach trouble I had earlier, but with 14 hours all the sudden on the table, I had to risk it. <br />
<br />
Running through scenarios for the last 3 laps in my head as I pick my way through the rooty section in the first quarter mile, I figured if I could do 1:05 on lap 12, then a slight speed up on lap 13 before going for it on lap 14, I should have 14 hours with a few minutes to spare. All along lap 12, I keep reminding myself do not speed up, do not speed up, do not speed up.......be patient and wait for the next lap. A sub 14 is big enough goal, don't get greedy and go for more and crash. However I did not stop with Doug and Jimmy's for grits this time but ran through their aid station for the first time during the race to save time. <br />
<br />
About 1/4 mile past Doug and Jimmy's, the Fenix E21 in my hand dimmed. Oh crap! I have a set of Sanyo Eneloop 1900 mAh rechargeable AA batteries in the E21, and a set of 3100 mAh Energizer Ultimate Lithium in the HP11 headlamp. I figured the E21 is rated at almost half the lumen as the HP11 so the smaller capacity battery should be ok. But I did not consider the effect of the cold temperature on batteries. The Ultimate Lithium's claim to fame is cold temperature high drain application. I immediately noticed how much harder it was to see roots. After a few hundred yards of this, I yanked the HP11 off my head and used it as a giant handheld and was immediately rewarded with good depth perception again. Running through the timing once again in my head, I decided I need to be super efficient at Aid Station to not blow the 14 hour goal. Even though the to do list is fairly short, I did not want to screw it up. I need a crew for the first time in the race. <br />
<br />
Crossing the timing mat once more at end of lap 12, the clock showed 11:50. Perfect, another 1:05 lap. I saw Linda at the aid station wrapped in blanket cheering me on, and I yelled (sorry Linda) at her to grab a piece of pumpkin bread and meet me at my table. I frantically changed the batteries in the E21 as Linda came over and I told her to fish a bottle of Frappuccino out of my gear bucket and open the lid for me. I wasn't gonna risk another set of the Eneloop batteries again, so I popped in my remaining Ultimate Lithium batteries in the E21 and chugged the Frappuccino from Linda like a freshman chugging his first beer on spring break then bolted for the trailhead. I had stopped drinking from my waist belt water bottle two laps ago and forgotten to ditch it each time, and it was bothering my already troubled stomach and sure enough I forgot to ditch it again. Without no time waste, I tied the belt to the post guarding the trail head and ran into the woods on lap 13, with a piece of pumpkin bread dangling from my mouth. <br />
<br />
My promise to my PT to not run in the dark had now morphed into not running in the dark in the rooty sections. Once I got through the first mile and half, I hit the first smooth trail and decided to do a bit of fartlek to get my body warmed up for the the final lap. Here and there I picked smooth trails and hills to pick up pace and still cautiously went through rooty sections and downhills. Near the start of lap 13 I felt something pop under the left foot's tape and I really did not want to have another blister ruin my race again so running hard downhill was out of question since that just aggravated whatever is going on under the left foot. Without stopping at Doug and Jimmy's once again, I finished lap 13 at 12:53 on the clock. Lap time is 1:02. <br />
<br />
I seriously considered not stopping at the aid station, but realizing there is a good chance of bonking without additional calories. The fastest source of calories is once again Frappuccino, all 180 kcal of it. Taking off on lap 14 burping Starbucks, I was filled with adrenaline knowing this lap is going to be exciting, and is also going to be painful. <br />
<br />
Shortly into the final lap, I passed Kristen and Darryl. Darryl had paced Kristen for the past 6 laps after volunteering at the main aid station all morning. I told Kristen she looked awesome and thanked Darryl for taking care of my friend. At Doug and Jimmy's, I stopped to thank them for taking care me the entire day. They are simply amazing, manning that remote station all by themselves for the entire 20 hours, and smiled and helped every one of us all through out the day and the night and provided amazing drinks and food. At the second to the last hill, I power walked past another runner and we briefly exchanged cheerful notes and found out we were both on the final lap. Half way up the hill, I started hearing his footsteps behind me catching up. I have no idea who he is, however I sure don't want to be passed by him at this point, so I took off running up this hill for the first time in the race. I felt bad doing so but also really really wanted to finish ahead of him for some reason. This means I had to run up the last hill, the worst freaking hill on the course. Running up that hill on a good day is not fun. Running up it at end of a 100k is just a cruel joke. It's payback time. Last year I somehow convinced Gene and Lauren sprint up that hill on their final lap. Should have known back then it was bad karma. <br />
<br />
Crossing the finishing line in 13:48 is just unreal. Coming into the race without much of a goal except to finish and not hurt myself, then shaving 92 minutes off my PR. I have no clue how it happened. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IozaQ3GNM_Y/UP2hhUkt3ZI/AAAAAAAAjs8/ZKLvN4fFAjc/s1600/IMG_2543.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IozaQ3GNM_Y/UP2hhUkt3ZI/AAAAAAAAjs8/ZKLvN4fFAjc/s320/IMG_2543.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Happy to be done!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The best news of the day: not a single text from Jade. I had made plan with her that if she's not feeling well and potentially go into labor, text me and the worst case it'll take me about 2.5 hours to get to Rex Hospital (1 hour to finish the lap to check the phone, then 1.5 hours to drive). There is no reason so suspect she may go into labor early and our OB said she's looking great the previous week. But with twins at 31 weeks, anything is possible. I had made arrangement to have a friend drive her in if anything happens. Each lap when I checked my phone and do not see a text, I breathed a sigh of relief. <br />
<br />
I hang out between the aid station and the lodge waiting for Kristen to finish. She's just amazing. Her first marathon was only 10 months ago at Umstead, and here she is finishing her first 100k! Kudos to all the people that took her under their wings during the race: Linda, Darryl, Tom, and Ray!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ot8drb5WOBM/UP2lG5CmhGI/AAAAAAAAjtM/Yxreg7V9GBQ/s1600/P1040021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ot8drb5WOBM/UP2lG5CmhGI/AAAAAAAAjtM/Yxreg7V9GBQ/s320/P1040021.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kristen smiling with her finisher's award after over 18 hours of running!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Race numbers:<br />
<br />
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 507px;">
<colgroup><col style="width: 48pt;" width="64"></col>
<col span="2" style="mso-width-alt: 2616; mso-width-source: userset; width: 55pt;" width="74"></col>
<col style="mso-width-alt: 3128; mso-width-source: userset; width: 66pt;" width="88"></col>
<col style="mso-width-alt: 2816; mso-width-source: userset; width: 59pt;" width="79"></col>
<col span="2" style="width: 48pt;" width="64"></col>
</colgroup><tbody>
<tr height="19" style="height: 14.4pt;">
<td class="xl65" height="19" style="height: 14.4pt; width: 48pt;" width="64">Time</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; width: 55pt;" width="74">Distance</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; width: 55pt;" width="74">Lap time</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; width: 66pt;" width="88">Lap distance</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; width: 59pt;" width="79">Lap pace</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; width: 48pt;" width="64">Avg HR</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; width: 48pt;" width="64">Max HR</td>
</tr>
<tr height="19" style="height: 14.4pt;">
<td class="xl66" height="19" style="border-top: none; height: 14.4pt;">0:54:42</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">4.59</td>
<td class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0:54:42</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">4.59</td>
<td class="xl69" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">11:55</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">135</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">152</td>
</tr>
<tr height="19" style="height: 14.4pt;">
<td class="xl66" height="19" style="border-top: none; height: 14.4pt;">1:47:44</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">9.06</td>
<td class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0:53:02</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">4.47</td>
<td class="xl69" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">11:52</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">137</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">146</td>
</tr>
<tr height="19" style="height: 14.4pt;">
<td class="xl66" height="19" style="border-top: none; height: 14.4pt;">2:40:51</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">13.53</td>
<td class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0:53:07</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">4.47</td>
<td class="xl69" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">11:53</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">139</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">152</td>
</tr>
<tr height="19" style="height: 14.4pt;">
<td class="xl66" height="19" style="border-top: none; height: 14.4pt;">3:35:58</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">18</td>
<td class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0:55:07</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">4.47</td>
<td class="xl69" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">12:20</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">142</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">151</td>
</tr>
<tr height="19" style="height: 14.4pt;">
<td class="xl66" height="19" style="border-top: none; height: 14.4pt;">4:32:12</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">22.47</td>
<td class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0:56:14</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">4.47</td>
<td class="xl69" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">12:35</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">144</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">155</td>
</tr>
<tr height="19" style="height: 14.4pt;">
<td class="xl66" height="19" style="border-top: none; height: 14.4pt;">5:31:35</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">26.94</td>
<td class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0:59:23</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">4.47</td>
<td class="xl69" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">13:17</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">141</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">151</td>
</tr>
<tr height="19" style="height: 14.4pt;">
<td class="xl66" height="19" style="border-top: none; height: 14.4pt;">6:32:06</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">31.41</td>
<td class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">1:00:31</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">4.47</td>
<td class="xl69" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">13:32</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">140</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">154</td>
</tr>
<tr height="19" style="height: 14.4pt;">
<td class="xl66" height="19" style="border-top: none; height: 14.4pt;">7:31:24</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">35.88</td>
<td class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0:59:18</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">4.47</td>
<td class="xl69" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">13:16</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">141</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">152</td>
</tr>
<tr height="19" style="height: 14.4pt;">
<td class="xl66" height="19" style="border-top: none; height: 14.4pt;">8:35:16</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">40.35</td>
<td class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">1:03:52</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">4.47</td>
<td class="xl69" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">14:17</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">138</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">150</td>
</tr>
<tr height="19" style="height: 14.4pt;">
<td class="xl66" height="19" style="border-top: none; height: 14.4pt;">9:40:14</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">44.82</td>
<td class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">1:04:58</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">4.47</td>
<td class="xl69" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">14:32</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">137</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">168</td>
</tr>
<tr height="19" style="height: 14.4pt;">
<td class="xl66" height="19" style="border-top: none; height: 14.4pt;">10:45:53</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">49.29</td>
<td class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">1:05:39</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">4.47</td>
<td class="xl69" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">14:41</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">135</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">146</td>
</tr>
<tr height="19" style="height: 14.4pt;">
<td class="xl66" height="19" style="border-top: none; height: 14.4pt;">11:50:40</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">53.76</td>
<td class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">1:04:47</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">4.47</td>
<td class="xl69" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">14:30</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">136</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">146</td>
</tr>
<tr height="19" style="height: 14.4pt;">
<td class="xl66" height="19" style="border-top: none; height: 14.4pt;">12:53:08</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">58.23</td>
<td class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">1:02:29</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">4.47</td>
<td class="xl69" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">13:59</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">138</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">147</td>
</tr>
<tr height="19" style="height: 14.4pt;">
<td class="xl66" height="19" style="border-top: none; height: 14.4pt;">13:48:40</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">62.7</td>
<td class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0:55:32</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">4.47</td>
<td class="xl69" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">12:25</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">144</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">167</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00921924865002345936noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2619242846650641487.post-16031665313710297122012-10-01T08:45:00.004-07:002012-10-01T08:45:52.538-07:00Hinson LakeI did not achieve my main goal at <a href="http://www.hinsonlake24hour.com/" target="_blank">Hinson Lake</a>, which is to run/walk/crawl for 24 hours. I quit just shy of 21 hours. My pain tolerance is apparently lower than most people out there who persisted to the very end. <br />
<br />
However, there are quit a few things that went well, very well at Hinson for me. <br />
<br />
I've half heartly followed the low heart rate training since 2010, but started really stick to it after the half marathon in Jacksonville in December of 2011. According to SportTracks, the average heart rate of all of my runs was 145 for 2010, 139 for 2011, and 132 for 2012. The benefit of this training did not show up at <a href="http://www.leetiming.com/SCR2012_OA.htm" target="_blank">The Scream</a> in July, but really shined at Hinson. I run most of the first 65 miles/16 hours, and while running, the heart rate stayed in the 130 to 135 range. As the distance piled up and the running slowed down, so did the heart rate. Eventually it was rare to get above 130. This was HUGE. In the past, my heart rate would spike at any thing past 20 miles. I remember back at Umstead 100 in 2011, after 40 miles, even the smallest imperceivable hills caused me to walk slowly. At Hinson this weekend, I was still happily running up (some called it shuffling, others called it not running) the small hills at mile 60. So the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Book-Endurance-Training-Racing/dp/1616080655/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1349104636&sr=8-1&keywords=phil+maffetone" target="_blank">Maffetone </a>training has definitely paid off. <br />
<br />
I have been playing with <a href="http://www.hammernutrition.com/products/perpetuem.pp.html" target="_blank">Hammer Perpetuem</a> since March of this year. It worked very well at Chattooga 50K for me. At Hinson, Jade mixed 1.5 scoops in each 1L nalgene bottle, and I drank from it at end of each 1.52 mile lap and never carried anything during the lap. I did not take any salt tablets or eat salt, except for whatever salt that was in the three slices of pizza that I consumed. I was urinating every 1.5 hours to 2 hours, and did not see any signs of swollen fingers or feet. Came home on Sunday and discovered I was at the same weight as pre-race. So for running at this effort level, Perpetuem is a tremendous success. <br />
<br />
Brian posted this quote on the Hinson group page last week, and I was repeating it to myself during the night when I was doing most of the laps on my own, occasionally passing or getting passed. It kept me going for a long time. <br />
<br />
"Beyond the very extreme of fatigue and distress, we may find amounts of ease and power we never dreamed ourselves to own; sources of strength never taxed at all because we never push through the obstruction", by William James. <br />
<br />
Other things did not go well. <br />
<br />
Blisters........blisters suck, need to learn to tape.<br />
<br />
Chaffing.......need better lubs. <br />
<br />
Motivation......I lost mine when I realized I couldn't hit 90 miles with about 2.5 hours to go. Well, I could get 85, maybe 87 miles, but the drive simply disappeared. I guess I was so super fixated at hitting 90 for the last 6 or 7 hours, that once it became impossible, I didn't have a second goal to help motivate me. Sort forgot my main goal for the event. Maybe I should write it down on my shoes so every time I look down it'll remind me. Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00921924865002345936noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2619242846650641487.post-51734598801428645352012-08-08T11:29:00.001-07:002012-08-08T11:29:48.307-07:00End of summer and fall racingIn the past 2 days, I have sent the drop emails to Laurel Valley and Medoc Meltdown, totally disappointed my Blue Ridge Relay team by dropping from the team a month from the race, and sitting here debating whether I should drop from Medoc Marathon as well. <br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
This past Thursday I took my relatives to climbing at the gym. While getting a belay from a friend at the gym on a route, I slipped on the right side but my right hand somehow hung on to the hold which resulted in a quick and hard twist on the right shoulder. I heard a loud snap from that shoulder and instantly knew what had happened. To my surprise, it didn't take much for my friend to reduce the shoulder, so I hoped that it wasn't very bad and will recovery quickly. Then on Saturday morning around 5am, still asleep and all the sudden felt my shoulder moving out of the joint. Apparently I had stretched the right arm above the shoulder then moved a bit which was enough to pop it out. Jade heard my grunt and jumped up and reduced it for me (this had happened 6 years ago right before the surgery that fixed the same shoulder). </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
So now I know how loose things are in that socket. Being a veteran of shoulder dislocations and surgeries, I kinda know what my orthopedic surgeon will say when he exams the shoulder on Aug 21. I'll most likely end up consuming many bottles of oxycodone and oxycontin by September after he operates on it. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
In the mean time, climbing is out, kayaking is out. Stand up paddling may still be possible after the soreness goes away and before the potential surgery. I'm avoiding trail running since a fall will probably be devastating to the shoulder. </div>
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I'm really hoping for a frequently surgery discount from my orthopedic surgeon. </div>Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00921924865002345936noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2619242846650641487.post-68904079904208140782012-06-05T14:13:00.000-07:002012-06-05T14:13:04.668-07:00Chattooga River 50K revisitedI stood at the start of Saturday's edition of this year's Chattooga River 50k, shivering. June, South Carolina, seriously? <div>
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I don't think I have done anything to earn this gift of perfect running weather. So I'm sure I'll pay for it, either at Boogie, or Laurel Valley. One of those two races will hit record high temperature and humidity, I'm sure of it. </div>
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Jade couldn't make it to the race, so I drove by myself to Cherry Hill Campground on Friday in the rain, and setup the camp in the rain. Everything got wet. As soon as the tarp and tent are up, the rain stopped. Go figure. <a href="http://incleanair.blogspot.com/2012/06/chattooga-river-50k-and-though-weve.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+InCleanAir-ARunningPhilosophy+%28In+Clean+Air-++++a+running+philosophy%29" target="_blank">Sean</a> was already at camp, so we chit chatted about our year of training or lack of training, and the weird weather that we're about to experience. I found Terri at her campsite which serves as the start/finish/post race food area for the race. Terri wasn't terribly happy either. Rain caused her to not able to organize the race supplies, and the runner marking the 10 mile stretch of the course is over due. She had dropped him off at the trail head at 10:30 that morning, and it has been almost 6 hours. Course marking must be difficult, I thought. </div>
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Dinner was a can of campbell soup, and a bit of rice. I worried there isn't enough carb, so a can of Yuengling got tossed into the dinner mix. Relaxing in the cool weather, I manage to read about 150 pages of Bill Bryson's book A Walk in the Woods before falling asleep in the tent.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Doug and I at start</td></tr>
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At the start, I bump into Doug from SC. Two years ago, I came to this race to do my first ultra. Stupid stupid stupid idea. Most people look for a flattish 50K to break into ultras. I thought this race runs along the river, so must be fairly flat right? Doug took pity on me that year and slowed down to allow me to stay with him the entire race. Without him, I most likely would have gotten lost and turn into another <a href="http://dakiniland.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/deliverance-banjo-boy-e1296452279364.jpg" target="_blank">banjo boy</a> and never be seen again. Doug and I quickly caught up and discovered both of us have absolutely no goals for the race except to not die. Excellent. </div>
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We cruised comfortably through the first 7 miles on Winding Stair Trail and catching up on our lives and races and things in general. Coincidentally, we finished this section and hit AS1 in 1:32, exactly the same as two year ago. </div>
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The next section is the first ten mile stretch that runs along the Chattooga River. Still taking it easy, we soon catches up to a few runners. A camper around mile 12 is looking for his dog. We promised we would bring the dog back if we see him. Eventually we caught up to Walt who is coming back from a toe injury. Walt is an amazing runner, and it takes an injury and three months off from running to slow him down to our pace. </div>
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The trail is not how I remembered from two years ago. Someone had done a fantastic job of trail maintenance, and it is far more runnable than before. There were a few sections that I call the super highway, no rocks, no roots, just smooth dirt. Holy crap, there goes my excuse to run slow. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Walt cruising down the super highway</td></tr>
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We hit the mile 17 AS2 and I discovered I still have about 1/4 of the 2L Hammer Perpeteum mix left, so I elected to not refill it, and hope it'll last the next 4.5 mile section. The next 2.2 miles to the turn around bridge is all downhill, and by the time Doug and I arrived at the bridge, I was getting tired of running down hills, if there is such a thing. However coming back is nothing but power hike, which made me wish for downhill running by the time we arrived back at AS2. </div>
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Topping off the hydration bladder and loading up on food, we headed out into the final 10 mile stretch. Walt had caught up to us as AS2, and from here on out we end up running together for rest of the race. </div>
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I could not stomach the thought of letting a crippled runner pass me, so I did my best to stay in front of Walt. Walt on the other hand, didn't really want to finish before 9 hours, but didn't wan to run alone either so he stuck right behind me. Doug who brought up the rear, could not figure out what the heck the two morons were doing in front of him, but also didn't want to run alone, so he stayed right on Walt's heels. Chasing each other, we finally crest the "Hill that sucked the happiness out of me" and arrived at the beach. Taking a break from the accidental racing, we soaked our noggins and feet in the cool Chattooga and generally prevented vomiting. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hanging out on the Chattooga, mile 26</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Big Rock, mile 27</td></tr>
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The last few miles of the course had quite a few downed trees. For some reason, I feel like the best way to get over these trees is to sprint then hurdle over them. On one of these hurdles, the landing made me painful aware of my trashed quads. Walt and Doug knew better than hurdle at end of a mountainous 50k. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the many trees along the course</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The brownie that I got from AS2 melted, making my food look like shit</td></tr>
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We climbed to Hwy 107 the final time and I glanced at my watch and was surprised to see it's just shy of 8 hours. How the heck did that happen? The three of us cruised into Cherry Hill Campground, not caring about the finish line, but made a beeline for the chicken BBQ sandwich, baked beans, potato salad, watermelon, ice tea, and cookies. This is the reason I run: yummy food at the end. <div>
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</div>Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00921924865002345936noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2619242846650641487.post-67536209376034460522012-05-31T11:22:00.002-07:002012-05-31T11:22:59.771-07:00First month of summer break, and Chattooga River 50KMay is my first month off from school, and it has been a good month. The first week of May saw me running over 60 miles, which was the highest weekly training mileage ever for me. Other than someone stole my cooler with all my resupplies during the long run, that was a great start to the summer.<br />
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The previous week, I spent 6 days in the mountains. The first three days were mountain biking with 11 other guys on the annual "Guy's Weekend". As usual, I was the absolute worst biker of the group. Only my cardio conditioning allowed me to not die that weekend following these guys up and down goat trails. I then ran portions of the Appalachian Trail in the Smoky as scouting for the SCAR run. Those couple runs told me one thing: SCAR would be brutal, brutal, brutal. Overall, I covered 70+ miles of steep mountain trails that week, feeling great! <br />
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In two days I'll be back one of my favorite races, the Chattooga River 50k. Two years ago, this was my <a href="http://jim-wei.blogspot.com/2010/07/chattooga-river-50k.html" target="_blank">debut </a>ultra. It wasn't the brightest of ideas, as usual. I'm looking forward to revisit the race and and renew friendship made two years ago. Unlike two years ago, there won't be a 16 hour flight to catch after the race!Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00921924865002345936noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2619242846650641487.post-44316665891399828882012-04-20T11:35:00.000-07:002012-04-20T12:43:24.925-07:00Summer breakdown planThe worst semester in the PharmD curriculum means zero races in the spring, and changing rotations in the summer has screwed all attempt at a summer racing plan. I did manage to keep about a 30mpw training schedule. Training for what? I don't exactly know anymore. <br />
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Lately the SCAR run has captivated my mind. So it's not exactly a race. Most people have never heard of it. I'm a long way from having enough fitness and experience to attempt it, but it's a good thing to drool over, and as a long term goal to focus on my training on. <br />
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I did sign up for three events in the summer. <a href="http://www.theboogieraces.com/" target="_blank">Boogie</a> is such an unique event, that I must do it at least once, and to experience those midnight thunderstorms. Then I plan to get really sore at <a href="http://www.thescream.blueridgemultisports.com/" target="_blank">The Scream</a>, to take my "quads and calves to a place they've never been before". Sometimes in August, I will suffer serious heat exhaustion at <a href="http://claudesinclair.com/lv2012app.html" target="_blank">Laurel Valley</a> as a first time sweeper. Between these events and my summer rotation, I hope to run/hike the AT in GSMP to scout for the SCAR run. <br />
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And then there is Captain Thurmond's in August and New River Trail Challenge in September.........<br />
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By end of August, I'll either have written a bunch race reports, or be in the middle of renaming this blog to some injury related themes like Anthony's <a href="http://www.running-down.com/" target="_blank">blog</a>.Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00921924865002345936noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2619242846650641487.post-15378957491461964772012-01-23T10:34:00.000-08:002012-01-23T10:34:29.268-08:00Very very very late Grand Canyon trip report.I never did finish my <a href="http://jim-wei.blogspot.com/2010/07/grand-canyon-preparation-driving-day-1.html" target="_blank">Grand Canyon trip report</a> from back in 2010. I'm way too lazy at this point to write up that huge report, so I'm gonna just post a video of our trip for anyone that even cares at this point. I'm in the green kayak and green helmet. <br />
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<br />Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00921924865002345936noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2619242846650641487.post-8260675837469664812011-12-20T08:31:00.001-08:002011-12-20T14:14:17.048-08:00Jacksonville Banks 1/2 Marathon, PR attempt<div>
My running career started with the 2008 OBX 1/2 Marathon, which I finished in 2:09 with minimal training. 3 month later, I ran the Myrtle Beach 1/2 Marathon in February of 2009 with with even less training, and struggled for a 1 min PR at 2:08. That turned out to be the last time I raced a 1/2 marathon. <br />
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Fast forward to March of 2011, I signed up as an alternate pacer for the Tobacco Road 1/2. On race morning, I wasn't needed but I was dressed and ready so my good friend Gary talked me into running with him as pacers for the 2:00 pace group. I didn't want tell him I have never ran a 1/2 that fast. To my amazement, it was not difficult and I ran forward, backward, knocked over cones, talked to runners going for PR's, sprinted to take pictures and finished in 1:59:58. <br />
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In general I hate running fast and do not care for racing hard. I prefer long slow runs on trails. Even my "goal" races are long slow runs where the cardiovascular system is not stressed. However that pacing run at TRM got me curious on what I could do for a 1/2. <br />
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Fast forward to November of 2011. After Jade finished <a href="http://www.medoctrailmarathon.com/" target="_blank">Medoc Marathon</a> and I finished <a href="http://www.eco-xsports.com/events/mmtr/" target="_blank">Mountain Masochist</a>, she wanted a winter 1/2 to find out where her fitness is compare to a few years ago. This obviously require a flat race. After some research, we settled for the Jacksonville Banks 1/2 Marathon. I asked her if she wanted me to pace her. I was secretly been lazy and didn't want to have to run fast. She told me to race for myself. Crap, now I have no excuse to not try to run fast. <br />
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A couple short tempo attempts at 8 min pace on the Tobacco Road and greenways made me think that 1:45 goal may not be realistic. However after reading <a href="http://fastcoaching.blogspot.com/2011/11/what-separates-elites.html" target="_blank">Meagan's post</a> about the elite racing, I figured what heck, I'm never gonna find out how fast I can run if I don't gamble and try. <br />
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Race day weather is perfect, low 40's at start, some breeze, and expected to get up to high 40's by finish. We shivered by a big spot light to stay warm before the start. I lined up next to the marathon's 3:30 pace corral, hoping the sheer momentum of the crowd will not allow me to slow down. I wore my Umstead Marathon shirt with that big ole tick on the back of my shoulder. A guy standing next to me asked if I had run that race. Turned out he did it this year as well for his first marathon. Very cool, 500 miles from Umstead and I find someone who did the race lined up next to me. <br />
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The first three miles I tried to relax and maintain the magical 8 min/mile. At 3 miles we run by the start/finish and 5K racers peel off, at the same time the 3:30 marathon pacing group catches up to me. I tuck in next to them and after a mile or so my heart rate was rising faster than I wanted so I let them slowly pull ahead. However I was able to keep them no more than 15 to 20 seconds ahead of me and keep the HR steady in the mid 160's. <br />
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Each mile I give myself a probability of finishing in 1:45. After 5 miles, the probability has dropped to about 20%. I simply could not see myself maintaining this pace for another 8 miles. I grab my first cup of gatorade from the mile 5 aid station and attempted to run and drink at the same time, which ended with about 3/4 of the gatorade dripping down my shirt. I got wiser at mile 7 aid station and walked while chugging down the gatorade, which puts me back about 30 seconds. No big deal, the probability of hitting 1:45 just dropped to 10% at this point. <br />
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From mile 7 to mile 10 there wasn't any race clocks at mile markers. The last race clock had me about 35 seconds behind. A few 2 ft high hills in this section made me gasp, and the HR continued it's slow march toward 170. The marathon pacing group split off on their own course just past the 8 mile marker, but by now I have found a girl and a guy that were running the exact same pace. The three of us ended up pacing each other, taking turns leading and drafting from mile 6 to about mile 12. The mile 11 marker has a race clock and to my surprise, I was 39 seconds off the 1:45 goal. That meant I only lost about 4 seconds in the previous 4 miles. There is HOPE!<br />
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I took one last sip of water and gatorade at mile 11 aid station, and skipped the aid station at mile 12. Shortly after mile 12 I leave my tiny pack and figured I was close enough to start punishing myself a bit more. By now the HR has risen to 174 and no amount of coaxing the watch will make the # go down. Finally I see in the distance runners turning left onto the soccer field, signaling the end. I lean forward as much as I could, and dig in through the hard left turn onto the soft soccer field. I figured I was less than 2 minutes from the finish, and told myself I could endure just about anything for 2 minutes. Really digging deep within myself, I focused on moving my feet as fast as possible and rounded the track toward the finishing banner. When I finally saw the race clock at the finish, it was about 40 yard in front of me and said 1:44:58. CRAP! <br />
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I crossed the timing mat around 1:45:09 or so and immediately dropped down into a fit of dry heaves and could not move myself away from the finish line. Fortunately nothing came out, since there wasn't anything in my stomach. After a few minutes, the hazy cloud in my head starts to lift and I remembered something about gun time chip time business. Wait......scrolling through my watch history.......1:44:51!!!! Yeehaaa!!!<br />
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<br /></div>Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00921924865002345936noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2619242846650641487.post-77313347694053885882011-11-06T17:46:00.000-08:002011-11-08T17:44:53.314-08:002011 Mountain Masochist Trail Run<p class="MsoNormal">The start of MMTR is on the Blue Ridge Parkway at James River Visitor Center in the darkness. It was just below freezing at the start and we huddled around each other for warmth. As the race director called for people to form up the starting block, I give my down jacket to Jade and lined up near the back of the pack. I knew coming into this race that I would be one of the slowest runners, and I certainly didn’t want to get trampled over.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dE5aRmDJzPQ/Trc9tgY-3qI/AAAAAAAAVsA/M0e5N0W8mcU/s1600/P1010378.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dE5aRmDJzPQ/Trc9tgY-3qI/AAAAAAAAVsA/M0e5N0W8mcU/s320/P1010378.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5672070107694554786" /></a><br /><br />We took off at 6:30am sharp and I settle into an easy effort at around 10 min/m pace. Soon we made the spur turn around and I started to warm up. By the time we got back to the start, I was warm enough to not need my fleece vest anymore. Fortunately Jade is still hanging around the start area taking pictures of us coming through so I handed her my vest and went off. We turned onto highway 501 heading north along the James River and soon I catch up to Joey Anderson. Joey has done this race three times so I hang around with him a bit and try to suck in every bit of race knowledge from him. Along this stretch of 501 there is one significant hill. It’s significant enough that if it was in Raleigh, it would have a name and everyone would talk about it. Here at MMTR, it’s hardly a noticeable bump on the elevation chart. Still I walk the majority of it. </p><p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">By mile 7 (Horton mile 5.7) we reach the first aid station at Cashaw Creek trail head. I asked for the cut off time and was told that I had a 5 minute cushion! I decided to keep my headlamp with me instead of dumping it in the drop box since I knew I can hand it to Jade in 4 miles. From here we head up Cashaw Creek trail, and up and up it went, climbing 500ft in the first mile and just over 1,300ft in the three miles. Ouch ouch ouch. I ate some pretzels and brownies at Peavine Mountain aid station with a 8 minute cushion and continued the walk up the trail. Finally the trail summited at just over 10 miles and then a fast and furious descent of 600ft over the next mile to Dancing Creek aid station. I fully expected to see Jade here but to my surprise she wasn’t around. I thought maybe she’d gotten lost so I asked one of the volunteers to let her know that I had already came through if she sees Jade later. I grabbed some more junk food, refilled my bottle, and discovered my cushion is now up to 16 minutes!!! </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">The next section is rolling hills, though much bigger than any rolling hills similar to Umstead. I noticed my heart rate started to creep and creep even though my pace wasn’t any faster than earlier. Also my body in general starts to feel tired. Very ominous signs this early in the race. I thought perhaps I hadn’t eaten enough, and combined with the harder than planned effort to build up a bigger cushion is taking a toll on my body and that is very bad news at mile 12. I slowed down and start thinking about what to do. Soon I was running/walking with a group of three runners. I recognized one of them. Tom Green has the most finishes at MMTR at 27. I then learned one of the other two runners is John Price with 25 MMTR finishes, and the third runner Matt used to be a 2:48 marathoner. All three are in their golden years and here I was doing everything possible to keep up with them. Soon we climb up to Parkway Gate aid station and I found Jade waiting for me.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F4dsiL8iQsY/Trc8YAYfVQI/AAAAAAAAVqY/-e8MFavY-Xo/s1600/DSC_3285.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F4dsiL8iQsY/Trc8YAYfVQI/AAAAAAAAVqY/-e8MFavY-Xo/s320/DSC_3285.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5672068638813672706" /></a><br /><br />She had miss read the aid station time table early and missed me at the previous aid station by a few minutes. My cushion is down a bit to 13 minutes at this point. Jade reloads my goodie bag and fill my water bottle and rushes me out of the aid station. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">The trail descents for another half mile then popped out onto a smooth crushed gravel road at mile 17. I do my best to hang with the veterans here and they fill my ears with advices and race knowledge. 1.7 miles and 600ft up on this smooth road and we made to Robinson Gap aid station and I discovered the cushion is now down to 7 minutes. Hmmm…… fortunately the trail descents at this point for the next 4.5 miles which made excellent running and I felt my body starting to respond again. I ran the next 2 mile in just over 18 minutes, made to Irish Creek aid station with cushion back up at 12 minutes, then another 2.3 miles in 25 minutes to the Reservoir aid station with the cushion still at 12 minutes. Tom and John informs me the fun is over and the real work starts here. The next leg climbs over 1,000ft in just over 3 miles to the plateau of Long Mountain followed by another mile along the plateau to Long Mountain aid station, the half way point of the course. Our pack has grown to 7 runners strong as we left the Reservoir aid station, all following the excellent leadership of Tom, John and Matt. The climb is long, steady, and long. The veterans shared war stories and rest of shared grunts between huffing and puffing. When we summited on the plateau, we saw the most amazing view, like a painting in front of us, of an entire mountain side in beautiful falls colors and a meadow with cows grazing. It was so tempting to sit down and rest the tired legs watching this amazing view, but the race must go on.</p><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LWmZTVB7J2A/Trc8iTGvyjI/AAAAAAAAVqo/JmG9GNkEFiw/s1600/DSC_3334.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LWmZTVB7J2A/Trc8iTGvyjI/AAAAAAAAVqo/JmG9GNkEFiw/s320/DSC_3334.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5672068815638219314" /></a><br /><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">I made to the Long Mountain aid station at 12:23pm. The cut off here is 12:35pm so my cushion is steady at 12 minutes. Jade is the perfect crew, having the cooler, my bag of gear and clothes, my alternate trail shoes and two pair of socks all laid out in case I need them. I had gotten both shoes and socks soaked at mile 12 when crossing the tunnel under the Blue Ridge Parkway but they all had dried out by now so I elected to stay with the Nike Free. However the Frappuccino in the cooler is impossible to ignore so I chuck one along with some bites. Waving goodbye to Jade, I head up the trail alone leaving the pack behind. Buck Mountain aid station awaits, 2.85 miles distant and 1,300ft above me. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Passing through the prime fall color elevation into the next zone, the trail is covered by a layer of fresh fallen leaves, making it feel like walking on a golden carpet. My body feels fresh, the 14 miles with the veterans had let my body recover, and the caffeine and sugar from the Frappuccino fueling the power to push on. I pass quite a few runners on this stretch, which is extremely abnormal for me since climbing is my one of my weakest areas. When I round a bend along an exposed ridge, I was greeted by the sound of Rocky Theme song from across the mountain. The music was already unidirectional, like coming down from the heaven. It also somehow made me think of my old dog Enzo and made me really wish he is still around and running on the trail in front me wagging his tail and waiting for me to catch up to him. I shared the next ten minutes alone with him until I climbed up to the aid station at the summit of Buck Mountain. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">To my astonishment, the volunteers informed me that I have 21 minutes cushion. How the heck did I gain 9 minutes doing nothing but walking? But complain I shall not. Another slug of mountain dew, a bit of brownie and ham cheese sandwich, I head off the summit and start actually running down some very runnable gentle downhill stretches. The next 2.5 miles is simply the most enjoyable trail running. Beautiful smooth trail, not too covered by leaves, gorgeous views through the woods, occasional runners, simply fantastic. Time flew and before long I made to Wiggins Spring aid station with Jade cheering me on. Cushion had grown to 27 minutes by now to my sheer amazement. I don’t need anything since it’s only a mile and half to the Loop so I told her to meet me there. The first mile on the smooth dirt road climbs 500ft and I end up climbing along with Jay and Anita. I discovered Jay has nine finishes and there is a 10 finisher jacket waiting for him in Lynchburg, and Anita is going for her eight finish after surviving cancer! Simply an amazing persistent pair of ultra runners.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mLtC_QU_pt0/Trc8oR42ShI/AAAAAAAAVq4/LDPm1cv16P0/s1600/DSC_3480.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mLtC_QU_pt0/Trc8oR42ShI/AAAAAAAAVq4/LDPm1cv16P0/s320/DSC_3480.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5672068918390704658" /></a><br /><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">At the entrance of the Loop, my cushion is steady at 28 minutes and I told Jade to have my running jacket ready when I finish the loop, since that’ll be the last time I see her before the finish. I eat a giant piece of brownies chased down with some mountain dew before going in. The first mile of the Loop is soft pine needle covered smooth trail gently descending, superb for running which I cover in about 10 minutes. Then the trail abruptly changes in character, pinching into extremely tight and boulder strewn single track that heads straight up toward the ridgeline. I found my Nike Free not only provide zero protections from the rock, they also provide zero tractions with loose leaves. I carefully climb up the next mile and hit the ridge at a snaily 17 min/m pace. My assumption was the trail atop the ridge would be runnable. I was very wrong. Instead, the trail follows the ridge descending back toward the east but the descent is extremely steep, with giant rocks and boulders and loose leaves making it treacherous to walk in the Nike Free, much less running. Here a bunch more sure footed runners pass me while I gingerly tiptoe my way down the mountain. By the time I existed the loop at the Loop aid station, I was sick of rocks under loose leaves, and my cushion had shrank by 3 minutes. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Low spirit was immediately raised by sight of Jade and also by the smell of BBQ pork sandwich. I snatch a sandwich from a volunteer’s hand and Jade hands me my running jacket and wishing me good luck.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yFldkA5Te7k/Trc8ssKi7JI/AAAAAAAAVrM/2G4OdcMuxpw/s1600/DSC_3616.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 218px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yFldkA5Te7k/Trc8ssKi7JI/AAAAAAAAVrM/2G4OdcMuxpw/s320/DSC_3616.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5672068994163731602" /></a><br /><br /><br />From here on, I will not have the sight of her beautiful face and warm smiles to look forward to until the finish line. After digesting the yummy sandwich, the next few miles provides easy downhill running on smooth trails. I seesaw with another runner for awhile and made it into Salt Log Gap aid station and was shocked to discover my cushion shrank from 25 minutes to 17 minutes! How could it be? Then I remembered what Charles said about the disappearing cushion on this stretch and it’s another one of those “Horton” magic. The cushion is still large enough that I feel safe about the race and the volunteer tells me the next aid station is only 1.5 mile away so I choose to not refill and instead push on without stopping. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">That “1.5” mile turned out to be only 1 mile or so but more than makes up the shortage by the elevation gain of 450ft. The fresh climbing power I felt back at Buck Mountain is gone from the legs. The climb became a torture to be endured. Once on top, the volunteer at Forest Valley aid station claimed I had gained a minute back. Really? Sure, not going to argue with that one. I shove a bunch food in my goodie bag for the long haul coming up. The next section starts out innocently enough, totally covered by leaves making sure footing a wild guessing game. A few hundred yards later, the streamer points to an extremely narrow trail on the left, signaling the start of what I now known as “AT Hell”. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">This section follows the blue blazed AT and start climbing steeply right away. Soon it climbs to an open area where three sides are surrounded by very steep hills. My first thought was where could the trail possibly go? The answer is “up”. I fall in step with two other runners and we silently suffer our way up the trail where it manages to gain another 400ft in only 0.5 miles. My Nike Free once again dances the slip and slide routine on leaves. Once on the ridge the AT descents in the same slippery fashion into a valley. It was the most welcoming sight after that stupid climb. Not even a half mile later, I look up and the only thing I see in front of me is a wall and the trail heads straight toward it. No way, I thought to myself. Then I scan the wall carefully and see two green dots that barely move. It was so steep that each of my step overlaps the previous step and yet my heart rate is still sky rocketing. For the first time during the race, I had to pause in the middle of a climb to rest. The climb was mercifully short, only about 0.2 miles but gains over 240ft. However it completely demoralized me. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">One of the runners that suffered the climb with me tells me there are no more climbs left on the course. Do I dare to believe him? The next two miles had a few small gentle rises however the leafy nature of the trail continues making is difficult to pick up pace even on the downhill sections. Finally after what seems an eternity, we pop into the final aid station at Porters Ridge. The temperature has dropped enough that I’m cold, so I put my running jacket back. My cushion is now back up to 20 minutes. Yeehaw!!! The volunteer tells me it’s 3.8 honest miles, as opposed to the 2.9 Horton miles indicated on the race chart, to the finish. And to top it off, it’s all downhill from here. The trail opens back to more reasonable shape for running, though I still have to carefully pick out landing spots for each step. I pass quite a few runners here and after 2 miles the trail angles down and turns to more smooth dirt trail. The down angle and increasing speed made my legs, ankles and feet very sore but I refuse to slow down for anything at this point. Soon the course comes out to a paved road, and from the beta I received from the veterans, I knew it is 1 mile to the finish. I pick up the pace to what I feel like tempo pace (only to discover later it’s only about 9:30 min/m) and rocket my way down the road. Soon I see the finish and there is Jade yelling for me like a crazy supportive wife that she is! We run side by side, holding hands and sprint across the finish! It was sheer exhilaration! I finished MOUNTAIN MASOCHIST!</p><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gFN6Vx8wB44/Trc8w2AMgeI/AAAAAAAAVrU/V221-G2wBqY/s1600/DSC_3732.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gFN6Vx8wB44/Trc8w2AMgeI/AAAAAAAAVrU/V221-G2wBqY/s320/DSC_3732.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5672069065524150754" /></a>Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00921924865002345936noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2619242846650641487.post-12713515105478749602011-11-04T05:56:00.000-07:002011-11-04T06:01:17.753-07:00Mountain Masochist this weekendIt's here. This is the race that I've been training for all summer and fall. The weather is slightly on the chilly side but can't complain about the sunny fall days on the Blue Ridge mountain. <div><br /></div><div>I've never done a race where I flirt with the race cutoff at every aid station even at my maximum effort, so this will be an interesting test. 12 hour! </div><div><br /></div><div>They seeded me 248 out of 294 runners. Wonder what convoluted logic they used to create these seeding. I really should be 280 or 290 LOL. </div>Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00921924865002345936noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2619242846650641487.post-73585275623622070682011-09-15T06:55:00.000-07:002011-09-15T07:17:16.192-07:00Blue Ridge RelayWow, what an amazing race! We first formed the team and all worried about making the 10 min pace that's required to finish. At end, the team, mostly with the original members (we only had replace one due to injury), and with a couple injuries before and during the race, we finished in 31 hours and 46 minutes, which is 9:09 pace!<br /><br />This race is so much more than just running. Actually running is not even the hardest part of the race, despite it been the steepest terrain that most of us have ever raced in. It takes an amazing amount of work to organize the gear, water, gatorade, food, driving, sleeping, all the things that 12 people needs for over 30 hours while living out of vans. The fact that we managed to do it without any real conflicts was incredible.<br /><br />Our fastest runner suffered a partial MCL tear in his right knee the week before the race. This gave us a bunch worries but he convinced us he's gonna run with a knee brace. To our relief he did not make the knee worse and though he did not run as fast as he would liked, he still posted the second fastest time for our team.<br /><br />The unexpected injury was our team Captain. She had leg 12, 24 and anchoring the race with leg 36. Leg 12 was a long one on the Blue Ridge Parkway and at end of that leg, her left foot was painful, but she kept it to herself. Leg 24 was a short 5k which she cranked out and really aggravated the foot. When she told us about the pain, we were super worried. The pain was around the the 2nd and 3rd metatarsal area and we thought it maybe Morton's Neuroma or stress fracture. She insisted running leg 36 and carried a cell phone with her just in case sometimes happens. We waited anxiously at finish line in Asheville, and to our shock, she came in around 10 min pace! On Monday after the race, she was diagnosed with stress fracture. Tough girl, running all over the mountain with a fractured foot!<br /><br />I tallied my sleep, and counted about 4 hours total from Thursday morning to Saturday afternoon at end of the race. Needlessly to say, I crashed in the hotel Saturday evening. Still feeling a bit tired from the effort, but hopefully will be ok for Hinson Lake next weekend.<br /><br /><a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150292247428131.335817.748818130&l=9523265c4a&type=1">Pictures</a>Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00921924865002345936noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2619242846650641487.post-56140138344251983362011-05-23T08:48:00.000-07:002011-05-23T09:10:22.798-07:00Unfit to ......<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>This past weekend Jade and I each taught a class at the <a href="http://carolinacanoeclub.com/">Carolina Canoe Club's</a> Novice/Intermediate Clinic.<br /><br />Jade taught the introduction to playboating for women class and had five amazing women to share her passion for rotating the kayak in three dimensions. I'm almost kind of envious of her class. Wish mine was as fun. <div><br />Jade's class at Ledges putin.<br /><br /></div><div><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MP0MDTbGIKg/TdqCqN6VbKI/AAAAAAAATU4/0yxOucY8IFo/s320/227320_2077610581992_1296822983_2480912_597482_n.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 720px; height: 540px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609939947643825314" /></div><br /><br />My class had four students. Steve was the most skilled but hard headed, Sonia and Bob are about equal skill and absorbed instructions like sponges, and Chip is just on a whole new level of not fit for paddling. Ok, I get that kayaking can be appealing to people who are not fit, since you do everything sitting down. How hard can sitting down be? Let me show you this video of this kid Dane sitting in his kayak:<br /><br /><iframe align="center" width="560" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/ojkWQqiDHxY" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /><br />Nothing Dane did in this video happened by accident. Kayaking at Dane's level requires super strong core strength, flexibility, not to mention ability to not breath for extend period of time and fearlessness. Chip weighs about 280 lbs and is 5'10. He's out of breath and strength simply from draining water of his kayak and trying to get back in the boat. I can teaching kayaking, but I can't teach fitness. While majority of people are fit enough to benefit from paddling instructions, Chip will benefit far more from losing a few pounds and enroll in some kind of work out program. <div><br /><div>I still enjoyed the weekend immensely. I simply wish people will realize there is no magic formula. To be good at kayaking or anything, you have to work hard at it, and that includes working hard at being fit. </div></div>Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00921924865002345936noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2619242846650641487.post-16491889900416617592011-05-18T12:41:00.001-07:002011-11-11T11:35:13.271-08:00Art Loeb Trail RunI have heard of the Art Loeb Trail before, but never paid much attention to it. When Charles first invited me to this run, I found some amazing pictures of the balds atop the Shinning Rock Wilderness area that made me super excited about this opportunity to run the entire trail.<br /><br />After I injured my right leg during the unsuccessful attempt at 100 miles at Umstead 100, I took two weeks off from running and slowly got back into it during the next four weeks. A week before the Art Loeb Trail run, my longest run was 13 miles which was a huge cause for concern since I was forecasting at least 11 hours for the ALT. On Monday, I decided to see if I can do a little better, and staged a 20 mile run on the Falls Lake Trail from Hwy 98 to my parent’s house off Falls of Neuse Rd. It went successfully, though it took less than 5 hours, and nothing hurts afterward, so it gave me some confidence about ALT.<br /><br />When Charles send out the list of runners, I recognized about half of them and realized there is a good chance I will be the slowest runner by far and there is a good chance I’ll be running alone for a good part of the run. After been warned about lack of trail markers and confusing trail intersections on the ridge portion of the run, I started preparing my packing list with the intention of be prepared to stay overnight on the ridge if necessary. I worried that my Nathan 2L pack won’t carry enough gear, even though I can carry almost 3L of water by combining it with the Nathan water bottle belt. So I went to the Camelbak 3L hydration pack that I originally bought for mountain biking, and that I have never run with before. It has two very large gear pockets which enabled me to carry the following:<br /><br />• Map<br />• Compass<br />• Camera<br />• Rain Coat<br />• Long sleeve shirt<br />• Leg sleeves<br />• Hat<br />• Headlamp<br />• Knife<br />• Toilet paper<br />• First Aid Kit: bandait, duck tape, water purification pills, salt sticks, blister tapes<br />• Food: three Honey Stinger gels, three Honey Stinger chews, 3 oatmeal cookies, and 2 PBJ sandwiches.<br />• $20 cash<br /><br />I was going to carry my phone as well, but when I found out the phone didn’t have signals within a few miles of Camp Daniel Boone, I decided to not carry it. In hindsight, it was a mistake. Damian later told me there are spots on the ridge with enough signals to send text messages. The Camelbak does not have any pockets on the front of the harness, so I added two Nathan pockets to lower webbing harness to have easy access to food, map, and compass.<br /><br />Jade and I left Raleigh on Thursday morning and paddled the Nantahala River on Thursday and Friday in preparation for teaching the Carolina Canoe Club’s Novice/Intermediate Clinic the following weekend. We arrived at Camp Daniel Boone on Friday afternoon just after Mark and Tom but before anyone else. One by one runners, families and friends arrived and we made some discussions about the trail before going to sleep around 10pm. We end up changing cabins twice after discovering hornet nests in two of them. Finally got to lay down in the bunk bed around 11pm with the alarm set for 3:45am.<br /><br />Ben planned to have simple breakfast of bagels, PBJ, and OJ for us. I usually eat oatmeal, almonds, crasins and bananas for breakfast with coffee. But since breakfast is provided, I got lazy and didn’t bring my usual food with me. Instead I went with what’s available: Bagel, turkey, OJ, and a can of Mountain Dew for caffeine. A few runners set their alarms at the wrong time so we end up not leaving camp until 5:45 as opposed to the planned 5am departure. Ben, Hayley and Melinda drove the 10 of us to the start of the run at Davidson River Campground. The shuttle route involves hwy 215, Blue Ridge Parkway, and hwy 276. All very scenic but extremely windy roads. My unusual breakfast, plus trying to drink mountain dew, plus riding in a fast car through the mountainous roads, made me extremely nauseas and it was all I could do not to make a mess in Ben’s car.<br /><br />I also forgot to turn on the GPS earlier, so while people are getting ready with their packs, I was circling the parking lot waiting for the damn piece of crap electronics to get signal. It didn’t work, and I followed the runners into the trail with the stupid thing still searching for satellites. I did look at my watch and it said 7:04am.<br /><br />Immediately I realized I have a problem. I put some food in one of the Nathan pockets and the camera, map and compass in the other Nathan pocket. These things are designed to be strapped to a 2 inch webbing belt, not the slim one inch webbing harness that Camelbak uses. As soon as I start running, they bounce around like banshees. Couldn’t stand this stupidity, so I moved the camera, compass and map to my short’s pockets instead. Fortunately I was wearing my hiking shorts figuring I will do more hiking with running.<br /><br />The flat start lasted less than a mile, and we start up a long steep climb. Later I would not call this stuff steep, but perspective changes when one moves from flatlands to mountains. Soon I realized with my ultra heavy pack, my bouncing pockets, and my general lack of fitness, I could not keep up with anyone else without exceeding the effort level that I need to sustain in order to have something left near the end. By mile 2, I was all alone, and to be honest I was fine with it. This means I can focus on maintain my effort level rather than been sucked into keeping up with someone else’s pace. This portion of the trail is very dense with not much of a view. I found the climbs hard, but the descents just as hard and very difficult to run down. Pace is rather slow and not worth mentioning.<br /><br />I came across a few trail junctions and had no issues finding the correct trail due to excellent trail marking. Around mile 6, I came across one junction and with no good indication of which way to go. Left or right? Right goes up, and left goes down. Left looks bigger, so I took it. After a minute or so, I was surprised to see Mark and Tom coming back. They haven’t seen a trail marker in awhile and decided to check. I came back with them, and together we took the right trail which went straight up, and up, and up, and up….. and finally we climbed to the very peak of the mountain. The view is spectacular, but the Art Loeb Trail is not where we’re. We had just made a 400ft climb detour to the top of Cedar Rock Mountain.<br /><br /><a href="http://jimwei.com/alt/IMGP0893.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 800px; height: 600px;" src="http://jimwei.com/alt/IMGP0893.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />Back down the trail, we did a good job of sticking to the trail and arrived at our first aid station at Glucester Gap at 11:40. By then the three of us are an hour behind the group in front of us, and Mike and Mark decided to drop due to leg issues.<br /><br />Tom and I refuel and refill, and after a 12 minutes stop, started the climb toward Pilot Mountain. Tom is a far stronger climber than I’m so I told him to go ahead and I’ll catch up on the downhill or when we get confused about trail junctions and he can wait for me and my map. The climb up to Pilot Mountain is absolutely brutal. In just under 2 miles, the trail climbs from 3200ft to 5000ft. It took me just over an hour to make the climb, yes I’m a pathetic climber. The other side of Pilot Mountain is just as steep, to the point of pretty much unrunnable. I made another wrong turn near Deep Gap shelter but fortunately found my way after only 10 minutes. At Farlow Gap, I ran into a couple attempting to make a loop hike armed with a hand drawn map. They were pathetic enough that I stopped and attempted to help them with my big map. Not sure how much I was able to help, and hopefully I don’t hear about search and rescues for a lost couple.<br /><br />The trail then gradually climbs toward the Blue Ridge Parkway. The grade is not hard but consistent. I see no sign of Tom, and a few hikers that I ran across also did not see him. Finally I arrived at the unmanned Aid Station at 2:36pm. I wolfed down as much pretzel as I could since I had left my Salt Stick zip lock bag at the first aid station by accident, and have been swallowing as much sweat from my face as I could to not get into hyponatremia.<br /><br />On the north side of the parkway, the ALT literally goes straight up for 500ft in 0.3 miles. It was slippery and wet since the fog has moved in. Once the trail reaches the top of the ridge, it flattens out to nice runnable trail for a mile before reaching a road crossing where Melinda was waiting with her kids in the truck. I checked in with her and pondered whether I should continue or not since it’s already 3:22pm and we had set an unofficial cut off at 3pm. I knew sunset is 8:24pm, which leaves me five hours to complete the last ten miles. Even with a bit of trail finding, I thought I had plenty time to complete the run before sunset. I knew all along that the next 6 miles will be the reward for all the hard work getting here since the trail traverses a 6000ft ridge through the Shinning Rock Wilderness and the scenery up there will be unmatched. I got this far, there is no way I will deny myself the chance to see this portion of the trail.<br /><br />There are tons of hikers in the first few miles of this section. Quite a few made comments about my Dirty Girl Gaiters. Despite numerous side trails, it was relatively easy to stay on the ALT through Black Balsam. At top of Black Balsam, I could see the entire Shinning Rock Wilderness laid out in front of me, and with a quick compass reading, it was easy to find the set of ridges leading northward toward Cold Mountain. Even Cold Mountain was visible from this far away. I stopped quite a few times taking pictures, no way I come this far without capturing the moments.<div><br /></div><div><br /><br /><a href="http://jimwei.com/alt/IMGP0919.JPG" title="Cold Mountain is the dark peak in the center" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 800px; height: 600px;" src="http://jimwei.com/alt/IMGP0919.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />Some of the trails are runnable here and some are not, but it was pretty easy going. Around 4pm I reached the summit of Tennent Mountain and set the camera on timers to take a few shots of myself. Come off Tennent Mountain, I was alarmed when the trail led me eastward toward an another set of ridges, all the while I could see another trail in the distance climbing up toward the northbound ridge that I need to go. Not wanting to make a mistake, I turned back and climbed back to the summit of Tennent Mountain and found a plaque confirming where I was, and the map then verified that the trail will eventually turn back from the eastward direction on Ivester Ridge toward then Grassy Cove Top which is where I need to go. Happy that I’m not lost, I took a picture of Looking Glass Rock that’s visible in the distance toward the southeast.<br /><br /><a href="http://jimwei.com/alt/IMGP0934.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 800px; height: 600px;" src="http://jimwei.com/alt/IMGP0934.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a href="http://jimwei.com/alt/IMGP0930.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 800px; height: 600px;" src="http://jimwei.com/alt/IMGP0930.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />Running down as much as possible on big and small boulders and after an obvious trail junction, I arrived at Ivestor Gap where the Shinning Rock Wilderness starts and the very last trail sign points toward ALT. There are six trails that intersects within a few hundred yards of this spot, so I was super careful about not taking the first two rights, and really paid attention that I followed the contour line that wraps around Grassy Cove Top on the east side. The trail heads east first then wraps around the bald heading north. I kept the compass in my hand the whole time here checking directions. Just over a mile past the trail junction, I came across two backpackers coming toward me. I asked if they knew how far Deep Gap is, and they both looked at each other and said that would be on the Art Loeb Trail, and this is not the Art Loeb Trail. It turns out they had climbed up from Hwy 276 via Grassy Cove Ridge Trail and had hoped to eventually camp along the ALT. Crap! I turned back and ran along the wet and swampy trail looking for anything on my right that remotely looked like a trail. A couple false leads later, I found a well worn but tiny trail not even a hundred yards from the big trail junction that leads to the correct direction. Apparently the ALT is the tiniest of the trails around here. Happy that I survived this confusing trail junction, I ran as much as possible toward the next confusing spot, the trail junction near Shinning Rock.<br /><br />Along the way, I passed a few backpackers already setup camp near Flower Gap. The trail here is super nice and I really enjoyed running and also the beautiful scenery and miles and miles of mountains visible around me. It was a wonder that the weather was nearly perfect, some rolling clouds but none are low enough to sock in the mountain, and pretty much no rain to speak of. Near Shinning Rock, I came across a beautiful clearing and thought to myself this would make a superb camp and wondered how come no one is using it. The map showed five trails in the trail junction just before Shinning Rock, so I stopped admiring the views and started to pay attention. Soon enough in the thick rhododendrons, the trails splits in two, veering left and right. The map showed two trails on the right of ALT, so I take the left split and continued to climb until I reached the base of a huge white quartz rock and the trail disappears. I searched the entire area for the trail and concluded the only possible route northward was a crack in the rock that climbs 20 ft up to the top of the rock. The climb was hard on wobbly legs but soon I was on the top and circling around looking for a way down. Soon I was on the west side looking down at what looks like a trail leading north west. Ok, this could be it, but between me and the trail is a 20ft cliff. I carefully climbed down the rock, and followed the trail into a wall of rhododendrons that’s impassable. Crap Crap Crap! Retracing my steps to the base of the cliff, I couldn’t find a way around it, either on the north side or south side. So the only route back was climbing back up the stupid rock. I would later learn that this pile of rock is the Shinning Rock.<br /><br /><a href="http://jimwei.com/alt/Shinning%20Rock%20track.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 500px; height: 292px;" src="http://jimwei.com/alt/Shinning%20Rock%20track%20small.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><br />There really isn’t a good way to get down on the south side so more free climbing is required. By now I was getting sick of this rock. Finally made to the bottom of the rock, I eventually found the trail that I came up on and retraced it all the way to the split. The logic goes if the left side dead ends, then the right side must be the trail right? Taking the right side I climbed higher and eventually came to a small camp with two trails leading off. Ran down the trail on the right a bit and realized it started to fall off the mountain, no good since I need to stay on the ridge. The trail on the left immediately splits into a couple trails. Taking the left split, somehow after some really thick rhododendrons, I end up at bottom of Shinning Rock again. Crap Crap Crap! Really couldn’t find my way back through the rhododendrons so I went all the way down to the bottom trail split, then climbed back up the right side to the small camp again. This time taking the left trail then the right split, I found another camp a few hundred yards down the mountain, and now the trail heads north! From this camp, two trails leads off, one northward, one northwest bound. The northern trail eventually bears east and down the mountain, so this is probably Old Butt Trail, no good. The northwest trail ends in a super steep area with no apparent trails leading off from it. By now it’s past 6:30pm, and things are not looking good. I have no idea where the ALT is, and only two hours of day light left to find the ALT, run 3 miles to Deep Gap, and 3.8 miles down from Deep Gap to reach camp. Pretty much giving up the hope of getting off this mountain, I remembered seeing a tent at Flower Gap about a mile back so I headed down the mountain toward it hoping to find someone to hang out with for the night.<br /><br />The irony of this situation does not end, and on the way down I somehow lost the trail again and ended up once more have to free climb Shinning Rock for the final time. Just past the first trail junction, I saw a couple hikers off to the left near a cliff hanging out. They looked pretty friendly so I went over to talk to them. Turned out they had just arrived from Deep Gap! Holy Crap! They knew where the trail is. Two of them were nice enough to offer to show me, and led me southward to the clearing where I thought was a nice camping spot before. And in the trees on the west side of the clearing, two faint trails leads off! The right side is the ALT, and the left side is Little East Fork Trail. It had taken them two hours to hike from Deep Gap to this spot, but given my light load, they were confident I could get to Deep Gap before sunset. I thanked them for saving me, and took off running northward on the ALT at 6:45pm.<br /><br />Surprisingly, the trail is extremely flat and runnable. 30 minutes later, my GPS died. Oh well, time to rely on stone age gear. The trail then ascends a small peak and ends up on a ridge called The Narrows. The top of the ridge is about 5 to 10ft wide at most, and both side drops off steeply at least 45 degrees. The view here is absolutely stunning, and sun shining from my left. At one point, I stopped to take a picture on both sides, and realized I probably could see Camp Daniel Boone on the left if the sun wasn’t shining into my eyes.<br /><br /><a href="http://jimwei.com/alt/IMGP0938.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 800px; height: 600px;" src="http://jimwei.com/alt/IMGP0938.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://jimwei.com/alt/IMGP0937.JPG" title="Camp Daniel Boone is just above and left of center of this photo, barely behind the second ridge. If the sun was behind me, then I could actual see the corner of the field of the camp" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 800px; height: 600px;" src="http://jimwei.com/alt/IMGP0937.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />The thought about the IPA that’s waiting for me at camp renewed my spirit. After The Narrows, the trail drops steeply and shortly after comes out to a clearing that the hikers had told me is Deep Gap. I looked at my watch and it said 7:51pm.<br /><br />There was a tent there and a hiker chilling out. I spoke with him for a few minutes, verifying the location and trail, and took off down the left side heading steeply down the mountain. Though this section is all down hills, it was not particularly runnable, very steep, and full of rocks and downed trees to jump over. The ALT descends 1800ft from Deep Gap to Camp Daniel Boone in 3.8 miles according to the map. Soon it was dark enough to get out the headlamp, and a few minutes later, I took the last sip from my Camelbak. There were a few streams to refill from, but it would take 30 minutes for the water purification pills to work, and I figured by then I would be at the camp drinking IPA. It was actually very peaceful going down the mountain at night, listening to critters waking up and going about their nightly business. I knew people at the camp especially Jade would be super worried by now. But there wasn’t much I could do about that, except to make it down safely. Running down at night was out of question from a safety point of view. A single slip around here at night would be a catastrophe.<br /><br />Soon the compass indicated I had made the final left turn and heading south toward the final switch back of the trail. About 10 minutes later, I heard voice below me, and saw a couple headlamps. I yelled to get their attention, and it was Jade and Damian coming up to check on me. I was maybe sixty or seventy feet directly above them, and I yelled that I would soon turn down the switch back and find them there. Somehow among the excitement I missed the right turn down the switchback, and end up on a very faint trail heading across a ridge. Eventually the trail disappeared, and I turned around and realized I couldn’t really tell where I had come from. Thinking that Jade and Damian were on the road below in the camp, I figured instead of attempting to retrace my steps, I could simply head straight down the hill through the vegetations and find the road. Five minutes later, it was obvious the strategy was a bad one. I was on very steep hills, among greenbriar thorns and poison ivies, and generally have to hang on to thorns and ivies to prevent from slipping off. Eventually I heard Jade and Damian’s voice again, and soon saw their headlamp above me. It wasn’t long before I joined them on the trail and turned out we were still almost a mile from the end of the trail. Good thing I didn’t continue to bushwack my way down the hill. I was super happy to see them, but I think Jade was far more happier to see me.<br /><br />We emerged from the trail at exactly 10pm, and Hayley was there to give me a ride back to the camp half a mile away. I was the last person off the mountain. Hot dogs, burgers, chicken and IPA have never tasted so good.<br /><br />The Art Loeb Trail is a stunning place to run. Amazing views, very few hikers, and extremely challenging. I would not come back here without carrying proper survival gear, even though I know the trail very well by now.<br /></div>Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00921924865002345936noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2619242846650641487.post-21638699051508466912011-04-23T05:32:00.000-07:002011-04-23T05:42:55.210-07:00Is my leg coming back? Slowly yeahI took two weeks off after Umstead 100 to let my body, and especially my right leg to recover. The <a href="http://www.breg.com/cold-therapy/polar-care-300.html"><span class="Apple-style-span"><b>Poloar Care 300</b></span></a> is the bomb when it comes to treating inflammations. The first week of my recovery is pretty much living with the Polar Care unit whenever I'm home and awake. Second week I walked around normally and generally felt better. Then I read some of my U100 friends went out and did a <a href="http://www.sofarfromnormal.com/2011/04/24-hour-run-for-cancer-team-awesome.html"><span class="Apple-style-span"><b>24 hour race on April 16</b></span></a>, ok, I feel wimpy now but also inspired to get off the couch and try something. <div><br /></div><div>First run was Friday, April 15th. Jade is in Florida visiting her family, so no one can tell me it's a dumb idea to try to run. To minimize embarrassment, I got to the park at around 8 when it's just getting dark, so no one can laugh at my slowness. 7 miles around the race course loop, and slow as heck, with skyrocketing heart rate and right leg still feel weird. </div><div><br /></div><div>This week, I decided to stay with that distance but try various surfaces: bridle roads, single tracks and road. 4 runs of 6 to 7 miles so far this week, and the right leg is improving on each run, while the heart rate is coming down slowly as well. Plan to do a 16 mile run on Sunday at ATT to see if there is any endurance left. </div><div><br /></div><div>So there is a slim hope that I may able to do ALT 50 on May 15th after all. </div>Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00921924865002345936noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2619242846650641487.post-29600833373318099502011-04-06T17:55:00.000-07:002011-04-06T17:58:26.819-07:00Lessons from Umstead 100<p class="MsoNormal">So let’s go over what went well first to make myself feel better.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Pacing went well.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>With the issue of right leg, I would never know if I could hold up the pace in the second 50, but the first 50 even though was mentally draining, was not physically difficult.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Eating went extremely well.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I was never hungry or lack in energy.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Mentally I was alert, no one saw me ever said I looked tired.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I was able to talk and joke with people all the way up to mile 70 when the right leg self destructed.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Hydration and electrolytes management went well.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I averaged one tree watering per lap, and never felt thirsty or any sign of dehydration.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The amount of salty food I was eating and Saltsticks kept me feeling good.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Never any signs of cramps.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">What did I not do well?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Quite a few things.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">First, I relied on myself too much rather than seeking help, before the race and during the race.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I guess it’s just part of my nature, learning and researching things on my own and trying them out.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I was happy with Jade cheering me on and ordering burgers from the aid stations, and fetching gears for me from the bags, and really nothing else was planned with her and my pacers.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I didn’t even tell her which bag had what gear in it beforehand.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I even told her to take Canyon for a walk, and take a nap here and there to not get too worn out, and don’t worry about if she misses my stops.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I basically told my pacers that their job is to run with me, and keep me entertained.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Nowhere did I tell them that they should also check my body, health, eating, drinking, gear, etc.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I was too independent, and didn’t have the knowledge and experience to back up that up.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I think I got this attitude when I paced Darryl last year and saw how he pretty much took care himself, and as a pacer my job was mainly to keep the conversation going.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Second, I did not know much about blisters and blister management.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>A small blister caused me to change my running mechanics, which led to strained hamstring and tendon that I ignored for too long, and led to my DNF.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I did not realize just how much a 100 mile race will amplify even with the tiniest problems and weaknesses.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I had a perfect race at Weymouth Woods, and it led to overconfidence.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Third: making that time table in hindsight was probably a huge mistake when I had no one else to back me up on my decisions throughout the race.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Once I realized how close I was running to the schedule, I subconsciously did not want to stop to deal with what I thought at time small problems and get behind from the schedule.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>During lap 5 when I realized I was truly falling behind, I made the decision that I must stop to deal with the blister.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It was too late.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">So what I have learned?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I know nothing about blisters and feet.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Must address that issue.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Changing running gait is a disaster waiting for happen, never do that even if that means making a blister worse, since you can fix a blister but cannot fix catastrophic muscle damages.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>If I have a crew, rely on them, make detailed plans, and don’t be too independent and assume I can take care of everything.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Mostly, I have so much to learn about running long distances.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p>Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00921924865002345936noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2619242846650641487.post-71976509502304796112011-04-06T17:54:00.000-07:002011-04-06T17:55:43.694-07:00Crash at Umstead 100<p class="MsoNormal">Race week.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I run into Lady Luck on Thursday, when my classmates convince my professor to move the Monday morning exam to Wednesday.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>So the pressure to study for an exam after a 100 mile race is off my back.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Friday evening.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Erika and her husband Nic from Maryland stayed with us.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We met them at Weymouth Woods 100k and Erika is also running her first 100, and Nic is supporting her.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Everything is packed and in bed by 10pm.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Saturday.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Actually got a solid 5 hours of sleep, which surprised me.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We get to the race headquarter and park our bags at table with Darryl, Linda, BD, Dana, Angela, and Judy.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It’s the table closest to the fire place.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Race started at 6am with us still in the lodge, which was fine with me since I took my jacket and hat off and wearing a short sleeve with arm sleeves, long sleeve, and ¾ CW-X compression pants with gloves.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>No hats.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It was in the low 40’s.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Most of the back of the pack fast walk the ½ mile to the top of the hill near the gate to the camp, and we start running when we turned toward the water fountain and airport spur.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Unlike some other races where I skip the walk break initially to warm up, I decide to immediately settle into the interval.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>No headlamp, since it’s only dark for 30 minutes and the surface is excellent for running blind.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I really couldn’t see who’s who around me so I focused on keep my feet shuffle at what I feel is around 180 to 184 cadence.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Around mile 4, Darryl, Dana, Judy and BD pass me near the Graylyn intersection.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Soon I feel in pace with a runner that I have seen many times at Umstead and always waved but never officially met.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Mo is her name.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>She’s attempting her first 50.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Not much further up Reedy Creek, Angela also fell into our little pace group.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Angela is also attempting her first 50.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The three of us cruise the first lap together, and back and forth we would pass and get passed by Stephanie and Valerie, sisters and both attempting their first 100.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Lauren, another 100 virgin, is not far behind us.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The three of us finish lap 1 at 8:32 on my watch.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Perfect.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>With the congestion at start of the race and extra 0.1 miles on lap 1, I nailed the first lap pace, and it was effortless.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>My eating was fine, and I mainly stuck to sweets the first lap, fruits, banana bread, etc.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">I took off my long sleeve before heading out for lap 2.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Somewhere around north Turkey Creek, Angela eases ahead of us and eventually disappears.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Her goal is 10 hours so I wasn’t surprised when she made the move.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Mo and I stuck together, near the vicinity of sisters and Lauren.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We would finish lap 2 at 11:10 on my watch.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Still the same 2 minutes lag, so my lap 2 time was within one minute of my best case scenario.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Mo had to clean her shoes, so I leave for lap 3 on my own with a cheeseburger in hand.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>In a way, it was nice to finally be able to really focus on how my body is feeling. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The first 5 miles go by without any issues, and I enjoy seeing many friends including Charles, Jeff, Erika, and others on the out and back section.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Nearing the top of Reedy Creek Lake hill near mile 5, I felt a bit of tenderness in my right heel.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I made a mental note that I need to check it at end of the lap, and also to change my socks.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I never changed socks at Weymouth and there was a patch of very white skin on the sole at end of race.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I certainly didn’t want that here.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Aid Station 2 wasn’t serving soups yet, so I grab a turkey sandwich and some snacks and a Mt. Dew.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Around the back of the course, I hiked a bit slower on the Sawtooth section, knowing I have an extra 8 minutes in my plan for this lap.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Coming up toward Cemetery Hill, I see Jade with Canyon on the side of trail taking pictures, which really brought up my spirit.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>She hiked with me to the top and then I took off running back to the lodge and end of lap 3, at 1:56 on my watch.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Still the same 2 minute lag from lap 1, body wasn’t working hard, could this really happen, a 24 hour finish?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">I run into the lodge to change socks and check my feet and saw our friends Tina who came out to support us.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I gave her an update on my progress and she helped me take off my shoes.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>A deep blister is in the very initial stage of forming on my right heel.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Erika’s husband Nic is also there to help me.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I really don’t have much experiences dealing with blisters, since I never really had much.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Note this small blister the step 1 of the cascade that eventually lead to my demise.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>When Nic suggested body glide, I figured that sounds good, reducing the friction on it.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I put on a new pair of socks, changed into a fresh t-shirt and off I went, after grabbing a burger and chicken noodle soup.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>This stop had taken me 9 minutes, when all the previous stops were 2 minutes.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">In hind sight, I definitely should have asked the medical staff to check the blister and dress it properly.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Two things stopped me from getting help.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>One, I was ignorant about the how much a blister can change a race.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Yes I have read about it, but never had really experienced the ugliness on my own, it was all academic.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Two, I was nailing my best case scenario schedule, and body was feeling like not working much at all.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Deep inside my head, a messed up brain cell is telling me to avoid get stuck in aid stations and keep nailing my lap splits.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">I run into Jade and Canyon twice at the water fountain as I made the round of airport spur to start lap 4.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Body still feels great.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>But I’m concerned about not making the blister on the heel any worse.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>So either consciously or unconsciously, I started making my right foot landing further and further toward the toes and not letting the heel touch the ground.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Basically running tiptoeing. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>This is step 2 of my demise.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Just before Cemetery Hill, I saw BD coming in on lap 4.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I checked my watch and realized he’s going to hit the 50 mile mark in under 9 hours.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Holy crap.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Then BD tells me he’s done for the day, just not his day.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I get a little sad.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I was truly looking forward to see him crack that 20 hour mark.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>He’s such a great runner and the nicest guy.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Lauren eventually caught me on south Turkey Creek and passed me, obviously feeling very good.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I stuck to my pace, wasn’t willing to deviate from my plan, though I would have liked her company.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>James caught up to me and I ran with him for a bit, talking about his cold, this race, chit-chats.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Eventually he passes me as well when I had to water the tree at about a mile before AS2.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Rest of lap 4 was done completely on my own.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I get a bit of mental low nearing end of the lap but was really looking forward to starting lap 5, knowing both Dave and Jessie will be pacing me and Canyon will be running with me as well.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">The heel blister doesn’t seem to get any worse with my new running style.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>However the right hamstring was slightly tender.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>But having a bit of tenderness at 50 miles is not exactly cause for concern, is it?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Step 3 of my demise.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Finishing lap 4 at 5:02 on my watch.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I’m now 13 minutes behind my fantasy schedule.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Not too bad for 11 hours of running, but most of that were lost on this one single lap.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The long stop at end of lap 3 had a piece of it, but I know I was slowing down a bit more than the fantasy schedule.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Jade greeted me with her customary loudest cheer at any aid stations.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Dave and Jessie are ready to go, and they decide to bring their dog Aiden along as well.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Aiden is a superb running dog, and given the right weather, he could easily do the 100 mile!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I also see Crystal, my lap 8 pacer, getting ready to go out for Stephanie’s lap 5.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>My neighbor Chris and his daughter also came out to see me.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>This stop really got my spirit up.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I change into my Weymouth long sleeve shirt, grab a potato soup, Mt. Dew, and half a cheese burger, and three of us and two dogs take off down the trail.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I didn’t bother to even think about getting someone to look at my blister, and to figure out why my right hamstring was a bit tender.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Step 4 of my demise.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">The first half of the lap went quickly with Dave and Jessie, chatting about all sorts of things.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Climbing the long hill toward mile 5 after the lake, I noticed my right hamstring was getting worse and told them about it.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I start to try to sort out why it is the case and after a bit connected the dots between the heel blister, tip toeing, and now tender and sore hamstring. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I told them that when we finish this lap, I will need to get this problem addressed.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Now this was all before AS2, so why didn’t I deal with it there?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>After all, they do have medical staff there.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Again, wasn’t thinking clearly.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Step 5 of my demise.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Ate my usual Mt. Dew, potato soup and cheese burger at AS2.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The downhills on north Turkey Creek is now getting very uncomfortable for my right leg and progress is slowing down due to the right leg.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Ok, this is getting serious.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Damn.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">I also didn’t think we’d get back after dark.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>With my newly acquired slowness, we made it to the water stop at Graylyn and Reedy Creek when it got completely dark.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Darkness really wasn’t an issue on Reedy Creek, but it made running impossible after the turn at gate toward the lodge down the rocky trail.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Finally we made it back to the camp at around 8:30-ish.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Jessie is done and I asked her to make sure Jade get some rest after Dave and I head out for lap 6.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I worry about Jade wearing herself out helping me and others and also had to take care of Canyon.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Back at the lodge, I immediately asked a race volunteer about getting some medical help and within 20 seconds he was there.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We decided to do this in the lodge so I can also change clothes and get something to eat while he works on me.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The blister on the right heel is now much bigger than 25 miles ago, despite my tiptoeing effort to protect it.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>And a smaller heel blister is also forming on my left foot.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>After much discussion, it was decided to not pop them.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>He dressed both blisters while I ate, then I took some steps in the lodge to test them and they felt great.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>In my focus to get the blisters taken care of, I’ve forgotten completely about the right leg.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Part of me probably thought once the blisters are taken care of, my gait will be back to normal and the issue with the right leg will go away.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>That normally happens on my run, if something is not right, I figure out why, correct it, and problem goes away.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Only now I have abused the poor right leg for over 25 miles, and not realizing that it about to hit the point of no return.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Step 6 of my demise.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Before I head out, Jonathan, a world class runner who’s volunteering at the race, check me over and pronounced I’m in good shape.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I must have done a superb job of hiding the hamstring issue.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>He did make a note that I should bring more clothes, so now I’m wearing a long sleeve, a short sleeve, and Dave is carrying my jacket, gloves and a headband.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I stick to my ¾ compression pants for now.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Dave also brought his fleece top and gloves along for later when it gets colder.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">The stop takes almost 30 minutes in the lodge nearing the roaring fire and we step outside at 9pm, and I immediately start to shiver.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The inactivity and the heat of the fire had turned off my metabolism completely.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>So I immediately put on the jacket, headband and gloves and we head out.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Both feet are feeling great, and legs also felt good from the rest.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We manage to run most of the airport spur and warmed out bodies up and after a mile or so I was warm enough to shed the jacket and headband.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Running down Corkscrew hill, my right leg starts to act up again.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The downhill pressure is definitely aggravating the hamstring, or at least it felt that way.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I stopped running and start power walking again.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Dave commented that I was walking much better now than the previous lap.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I felt good about walking and decides I probably should give up running to protect the right leg.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We hit AS2, mile 69.3 at 10:45 pm or so, I have 30 miles to go and over 13 hours left in the race.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The 24 hour dream is obviously not going to happen, but I was confident I would finish in a decent time by walking rest of the race, probably around 26 to 27 hours or so.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">At AS2, I take off my right shoe to address a rubbing of my toes and discover that the fourth toe is bleeding a bit.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I clean it with neosprine and put a bandaid around it.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>After eating some soup and really yummy banana bread, Dave and I head out toward the dreaded Sawtooth 79 section for the 6<sup>th</sup> time of the race.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I was cold from the stop at AS2, so we run up a small hill to warm up.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Immediately my right hamstring complained, so we stop and I put on my jacket, gloves and headband.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Walking toward the narrow section of the trail before the first big climb, I felt the right hamstring tighten even more.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The climbing up that knarly hill caused so much pain that I had to stop at the top, and Dave attempted to stretch my right leg out gently with some success.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">We start walking again but at a much slower pace, and within a minute the pain become somewhat unbearable.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Multiple attempts to stretch out failed miserably.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The sharp hills on that section was probably the worst kind of terrain for my condition and my right leg moved slower and slower and each step was getting more painful.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I remember getting passed by a lot of runners at this point and every one of them lies to me telling me I’m doing a good job.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Dave is doing his best to motivate me to make progress.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I was getting cold from the lack of activity, so he takes off his fleece top and made me wear it under my jacket.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I immediately felt warmer, though I was concerned about him wearing only a long sleeve shirt at this point, probably around upper 30’s to 40’.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Dave assures me he felt fine and is not cold.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Going down the long hill toward the metal bridge brought out tears.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>All the sudden I remembered joking with friends about the Ivan Scale of Perceived Suffering that Jonathan had came up with shortly before the race, and realized I was probably moving up that scale nicely.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Dave is now resorting to distracting me from my suffering by telling me one ridiculous story after another.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Fortunately he’s no stranger to pain, having suffered some good ones in the past, so he had a good sense of what I was going through.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Once we got to the bottom of the hill and crossed the bridge, we face one of the worst hills on the course climbing back up to Graylyn.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>This brought out more crying and cussing.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Our pace drops even further, probably to around 40 min mile at this point.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Daniel passes by also not feeling good and stretching his calves along the hills but eventually he pulls away into the darkness.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We slowly move along, finally making the left turn on Graylyn with a long flat section that quickens our pace to a bit faster than 40 min where the pain of making each step is reduced to something like a shallow knife stab.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The sharp stabbing pain returns in force once we start going down Powerline hill.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Here we run into Rhonda who is the assistant race director of the race patrolling the course on her bike.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I immediately realize the seriousness of the situation, and holds back the cussing and tears and did my best to hide my misery from her, not wanting to get pulled and hence ending my chance of finishing.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">That was very delusional thinking.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The climb back to Reedy Creek was even more miserable if that was possible.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I was getting cold and I can’t imagine how cold Dave is wearing only a long sleeve shirt.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We both eat a couple snicker bars from the water stop there.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The last 1.9 mile back to the camp was a bit of blur, I remember lots headlamps in both directions, and thought nothing could be worse than climbing Cemetery Hill.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>That changed when we turned at water fountain toward the lodge.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The rocky downhill trail killed me.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I gutted onward knowing the lodge is not far away.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>There are few steps right before we get to the lodge.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>If I was thinking clearly, I would have taken the steps with my left leg.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>But the body is now addicted to more pain, and naturally I stuck the right leg out down the first step, landed, and collapsed.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Dave saw it coming and caught me before I crumpled.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>And soon Jade saw us and ran down the hill to help Dave getting me back in the lodge.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">It had taken us 3 hours and 10 minutes to complete the 5.7 miles from AS2 to the lodge.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Guido who is the captain of the main aid station immediately came to my assistance.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I didn’t know it at the time, that the tendon behind the right knee is now the size of an half buried egg.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Guido started icing my tendon and told me to stay on ice for an hour, and at 3:15am, I can try to get up and assess my situation and making a decision.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>In the mean time, I wolf down a hot dog, two pancakes and some fried potatoes.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Jade, Sherri and her husband Brian, Crystal, and Jessie were all tending on me and chatting with me.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>That and the roaring fire almost made me think I was ok, maybe.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Next thing I know it’s time to assess my body.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Guido helped me roll onto my back, and that motion bought out a gut wrenching pain.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>He looked into my eyes and I shook my head, and told him my race number.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>My race is over.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p>Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00921924865002345936noreply@blogger.com4