- Arrived on Thursday, played a round of golf (first time I played since I left Japan in 2005) at the highest golf course in North America: shot a 49
- Went to Quincy's Steakhouse - as we enter the receptionist asks, "Are you familiar with our menu?" No, she proceeds to read us the menu, (I'm thinking just give me a menu, no need to read it) "We have a filet mignon, baked potato, bread and a salad for $6.95 (6 oz ounce)
- Decided to test the altitude and run to packet pick-up (1.1 miles)--approx 9mins
-- Not sure if it was the incline or the altitude but it wasn't the easiest run
- After packet pick-up went looking for the Swiss Boy Mine in Winfield, CO
-- Didn't really find it but did find something from that era buried in the Aspens
- Made our way back to Leadville for dinner, had too much wine but wasn't really taking tomorrow's hike that seriously
- Up until Leadville I'd only run one other race that went to such an altitude and that was Mt. Fuji half-marathon (DNF)
-- Still use that race for motivation to this day
- Wasn't sure what to expect from the steepness and altitude of this marathon but was convinced it was not going to be tougher than Mt. Fuji
- Could not have asked for better conditions on race
- Race started at 8am to a "shotgun" start
- Had a goal of walking running walking running but the steepness changed that goal to more of fast hiking, less running and more walking
- Had a few conversations with folks ranging from how the altitude was kicking their asses (these were people from Colorado) to first time marathoners
- Actually ran with a "bandit" who was using the marathon as a training run for the Leadville 100 (he didn't use the aid stations) for several miles
- Once we cleared the woods it became single track for about a mile
- After the single track it was time to breakout the camera again for some of the old mining operations
- From this part of the course it was the last downhill before the ascent to Mosquito Pass
- After loading up on junk food and sunscreen it was all uphill; at this point I was running with Chris who had quite the sense of humor and was calling every woman we passed (full/half participants were together at this point), "Momma", let's go Momma"
"Great job, Momma"
--It was enough to take your mind off the uphill we were facing
- After what seemed 3 three hours of running and hiking, finally made it to the summit in approx 2:50 (Mt. Fuji took 4:13 to go 20km))
- From this point on, it was downhill except for the uphill on the elevation map above
- As I approached the single track again, the sky started getting gray/dark and then Thor let loose his anger
- Great, on the top of a bald mountain with no shelter, which makes one the tallest object on the mountain
- I'm a sissy when it comes to lightning and this was not an enjoyable moment but I still managed to snap a few pictures of flowers??
- Just as a I entered the woods, the lightning picked up in intensity but fortunately I wasn't struck (otherwise I'd probably wouldn't be writing this)
- Came across the last aid station just under 5 hours with 4 miles to go so my "goal" of 5 hours was not gonna happen
- At this point all I wanted to do was finish and I ran the last few miles in a group of about five runners
- Crossed the finish line in 5:38
Post Marathon
- Went to a bar where it was 2 PBRs for $1, won't find that in DC!
-- Talked with a retired Air Force SMSgt, saw him later, he could barely walk
- Saw a few minutes of the CO Army NG Band in the Old Opera house
- Meet up with another runner and then partied until 2am (I think?)
- Sunday, off to Denver to catch a Rockies game
No comments:
Post a Comment