Woohoo, made it!As I laid out my schedule last Winter the goal was to try and find something hard, something that I felt would be a good challenge. And with that, I signed up for my triple crown. Bighorn, Leadville Marathon and Leadville 50 miler. All in the span of six weeks.
I didn't know what to expect at Big horn with only six weeks of "training" after coming back from Nepal. Not that I was out of shape, as we were on trail everyday for 6 to 7 hours so while I may not have been running, the legs were at least moving. And, I'd be able to use that as a gauge for the 50 miler. Needless to say, it was a stellar day in more than one way!
And with that, I didn't take the break I should have as I went back to work in preparation for the Marathon but looking a little bit past that as well. The marathon as it turned out was by far the hardest one day run I've done. And while I know going in I was tired and sore, I thought none the less that I could do ok. And I did, up until mile 16 when the wheels came off. Coming in to the aid station after Mosquito pass there was nothing left. And those who know, there is no worse feeling when you have at least ten miles to go and the body just isn't cooperating. Thank God the last three miles or so were down hill as those were the only three out of ten I ran! But, again, not that I didn't want to do good here because I did, and I did I guess.
So, with two down I had two weeks to my first 50. This time around though, I did taper and backed off the training and kept the miles down. And while I hate this tapering stuff one has to realize that rest is part of training as well. Often overlooked but just as important.
The week leading up I kept my workouts to just one a day, and low miles as well.
I rolled into Leadville Saturday just in time to pick up my race number and hang around to catch some of the 50 mile mountain bike race which takes place on the same course we would be running. And as much as I would have like to have done it, there was noooo way I was running on anything but rested legs. Next year.My hotel was right across the street so I checked in and unpacked, had a little to eat and took a quick nap before going out and checking some of the course for the race. This part of Leadville is just beautiful. That, along with the history, geology and geography are truly what drew me to these races. When I got back to town I hooked up with Cat, Alex, Rob and Mallory. The real surprise was that "Caballo Blanco" from Born to run (book) fame was staying where they were! and with that, we all made our way out and introduced ourselves, had a few beers, ate, drank a little wine and celebrated Rob's birthday a couple day's early. Perfect ending to the day.
Race Day. Needless to say, I woke before the alarm went off, but no worries as I slept solid. I met the gang as well and shared a few last minute smiles for the cameras. I do have to say that I was a little bit nervous (not that the temps didn't have anything to do with me shivering) but that went away as soon as they started the race. The first 70 yards or so of this race are straight up a hill. Straight up! and first man, woman get a silver coin. To me, certainly not worth it so I walked up as planned. The first ten miles are a gradual climb up to 12,000' before turning around and heading to aid station #2 at mile fourteen. There I grabbed my camelback from Cat and motored on. After about a mile of downhill it was back up again. It was here that Alex caught up and passed me, us on a hill. Damn I was thinking. Either he's super fit (which I know he's been working his butt off) or he'll pay for it later. None the less, I stuck with my plan and power hiked it. The next aid station (mile 18)was at a familiar spot from the marathon. I didn't have to stop as I had all the food and drink I needed so I kept going. This of course was Ball mountain which I came to despise during the marathon. Though they took us down and around it, there was some deviation from two weeks ago. Once on the other side it was only a few miles to the turn around aid station. It was here I saw Alex on his way back. And with a quick high five, "looking good" he was off and I was in. And as much as I'd a loved to have stayed, two minutes later it was time to head home!
Home, being the finish. And while one of the goals was to get to this station "feeling good" cant really say I was but, I told myself up to this point no negative thoughts, just keep on trekking. It took 4:30 hrs to get here, and with the goal of 10 hours total that I had to do the race it gave me 5:30 to get back. Somehow I was wondering knowing what we had to face if it was doable. None the less I broke the course down in sections. First, get up, over, around Ball Mt. to the aid station. Not an easy task but everyone had to do it. Again, just keeping positive thoughts only. Halfway up, the skies opened up on us. I knew this was coming knowing the area but, decided against bringing my plastic rain jacket with me. And, for what it's worth, the rain actually felt pretty good! One more power hike up to the aid station (mile 30) and it wouldn't be much longer.
I had a some coke and with that, it was adios to Ball mountain! damn I won't miss it that's for sure. From here, it was on to aid station at mile 34 where I knew Cat would be waiting. After some descending then some more climbing I made it. Woohoo. At this point, I truly believed that this was doable. Hell, only three miles up, then a gradual ten miles home. It was here that Rob finally caught me! Now my thoughts were hell, now I'm the last one from our group that will finish. So with that, it was "thanks Cat" and off I went after him. I caught up to Rob just where the pavement meets the dirt and the road goes up for three miles. Though felt like forever!
Rob at this point started to walk. Me, well, I knew that this would be my only chance to try and put some distance on him as I'm not good on the downhills so...best put some time here and now on him. And as painful as it was to "run" I'd count to ten, walk, count to ten, run and did that for most of the way up while never looking back to see how much if anything I'd put on him. This was a long three miles and any other day no doubt runnable but not today. And with that, I made it to the top and now it was only ten miles, all gradual downhill to home! By this time, needless to say my feet were sore, tired, and hot! so I decided to run through all the water crossings and streams I avoided on the way up! even stopping in a few of them to cool the legs off as well. With just six miles to go I saw Alex off in the distance! and was wondering WTF?
When I pulled up next to him I asked if everything was "ok" to which he replied yes. I asked again and again, yes. And as much as I thought about running in with him, I also knew I wouldn't get many if any day's where I'd finish before him so I motored on not knowing if and when he'd get a second (or third, or fourth wind) and come flying by me. So, with that, I picked up the pace as best I could, and this of course going downhill which I hate and of course, tripped and fell AGAIN, but this time just after passing some girl!
Then, with about two miles to go, no water, I began to walk, run as best I could not knowing where everyone else was. It was then I came upon someone that I noticed had some water and practically begged for it. And with that, in true Leadville "style" they threw one more incline before the finish (bastards) then it truly was down hill.
