PPA and PPM

Pikes Peak Ascent and Pikes Peak Marathon in a month! But first Speedgoat 50K, my nemesis from two years ago. PPA is the World Mountain Running Challenge this year, should be hefty competition!

Late last night, as I attempted to unclutter my mind and fall into a slumber, I read some intriguing articles in Trail Runner that I thought were important to share. First off, coming from a multisport background, I have witnessed first hand the importance of leg strength and running. Particularly trail running. Think of all the leg strength it takes to not only haul your body up 14,000 plus foot peaks but to support it when you are hammering downhill. Runner, Paul Dewitt, made a comment in an article on improving running performance by training on the bike. He said “Just because you can run 26, 50, or 100 miles doesn’t mean your legs are strong.” That being said, I feel really strong right now. Maybe not the strongest I have ever been, but I’ve put in a fair share of biking and backpacking this summer, which definitely paid off during the brutal Kendall Mountain Marathon this past weekend. Two laps up 13,000 foot Kendall Mountain left my legs, well, fried. Great training for Pikes though!

Secondly, a couple notes from the coolest trail runner in the world, Mr. Bernie Boetcher (he is Mr. Trail Runner). LETS PUT THE “TRAIL” BACK INTO TRAIL RACES! Amen to that! Talk to Danelle Ballengee, there’s someone who knows how to put on a real trail race. Oh and with all do respect for Mt. Washington, it hasn’t got nothing on Kendall Mountain, whew!! And thanks Bernie for the shout out to remembering our fellow trail runner’s who passed away this last spring. Feels like just yesterday that Jenna Gruben was in my back seat laughing and planning Trans Rockies after the Red Hot 33K. Every one of my races this year is in her memory. Wish she could be here for them… And to Ted Violet, Gunnison’s running legend, you couldn’t go north of town without seeing him and Martha running. Hopefully we will carry on with the Signal Peak run in the late summer, in his memory.

That’s all for now. It was a huge comfort to see all my buddies this weekend. Nobody can make me laugh like Jane…and who knows maybe someday she will succeed with hey match making quest for me.

Training in the Desert Heat

Practically my entire life has been spent in the cool, mountain air of Colorado. Even my short stints of residency in Cedar City, Albuqurque, Greeley, and Grand Junction have put me close enough to the mountains that I could escape the summer heat. However, being in the Needles, the mountains are close, but definitely not near enough for a quick jaunt to higher elevation. It dawned on me that this could potentially be beneficial to my training. I recall three years ago blowing a 20 minute lead over second place in the Pikes Peak Marathon because the near 100 degree temperatures in Manitou Springs left me cramping and dry heaving on the side of the trail. So, despite the huge amount of suffering that heat can cause on a long run, I've been forcing myself out during the peak heat on my days off, requiring my body to learn to adapt. Again lessons are being learned. Just like my under preparation for the cold, winter days that I have learned lessons from, I am learning about preparing for heat. Most signifcantly, MORE WATER THAN WHAT YOU THINK YOU WILL NEED. Preferably frozen water bottles, but bring one unfrozen to start the run with. Plus electrolyte tablets, Salt Stick seems to work great (plus the owner I met at Trans Rockies is an awesome guy). These keep the leg and foot cramps away (it is amazing how much salt can come out of one person on a hot day).

So what prompted me to write this? A couple interesting incidents in the last week and a half. First I decided to make the trip down Red Lake Graben Trail to the Colorado River and back, what turned out to be a 19 mile trip and 4 hours. I took my standard water pack that normaly lasts for a three hour run. Ofcourse going down to the river in the morning was no sweat (no pun intended) but after a nice refreshing swim in the river the run out took its toll on me. Lets just say it took a good hour to cool down once I returned and I was getting a little nervous when I ran out of water with 3 miles left to go. My mouth has never been that dry. Today I made my third trip to Druid Arch. By far one of the most spectacular places! You feel so small when your standing there staring up at this gigantic arch. Its an 11 mile round trip and I did bring plenty (more than enough) water. However some people I passed on the way down thought perhaps I hadn't. They reported to Ranger Dorita later in the day at the campground that they had passed a crazy woman running with no water at Druid Arch. Dorita assumed it was me and inquired as to whether I had taken any water.

Anyways, all in the name of fun at the Needles.

Arches and a Return to Racing for the 4th

It is a bit ironic that my return to racing after an injury hiatus was on the 4th of July because running to me is the epitome of freedom. After a long, educational week of patrol at Arches National Park the desire to race prompted me to take a comp. day on the 4th and travel to Crested Butte for the 42nd annual Gothic to CB 1/3 Marathon. I was anxious to see how my foot would handle the brutal concrete and pavement downhill in the last 4 miles of the race, but much to my suprise and delight it held up amazingly. Strategy wise I chose to hammer the uphills in the first 4 miles of the race and coast in on the downhill, but it wasn't necessary since both my legs and foot held up fine. However, WHEW, I am feeling the soreness today (something I haven't felt for some time). So the results of a month and a half of not running...first place for the women and a personal record on this course!! On the downside I missed my annual Agate Creek/Monarch Crest run with the Jane gang, but word on the street is that my long time running comrade has fractured her knee cap in a horse accident. Best of luck with a speedy recovery Janey.

As for me, back to the Needles today! It feels good to be back in "my park." Good run this morning, weights (still waiting for some muscles to appear in these puny arms), quick road ride tonight, and now Avatar. Sadly (for us), Ranger Brad is leaving in a week, but good for him since he is off for some bike touring on the Colorado Trail and Continental Divide. Not to worry though he will be back come fall.