Where to begin. Well to start, I got very little sleep last night due to elevation. I woke up every hour. Breakfast was held from 6:30AM - 7:30AM and then we were transported via bus 13 miles into the course to run to Twin Lakes. It was a postcard morning and day for that matter. Sunny with some clouds, 48F this am and a high of 68F this afternoon. Here are some quick stats for the day before I delve into the details of a rather challenging 26 mile run through the Rockies:
5:15 total run time for 26 miles (too fast)
4,100 calories burned (ok)
Average HR 126 (ok)
Time in zone 4:52
High HR 150
Calories consumed about 900 (too few need another 350)
Fluids consumed 112 oz or 7 bottles (too little need another 70 oz a big issue)
Consumed 2 Enduralites an hour except last hour (think that this was ok - but need to be very diligent and take them religiously)
Dehydrated at end of run
Faded at mile 22 ( climbs and rocky descents were a bitch)
Post race drank 3 cokes, ate 1/2 a chicken sandwich, a little pasta noodles and a nectarine
Drank Recoverite and took two Enduralites, 2 glucosamine and 2 vitamin E pills 1 hour post run
Took two Alleve - about 450mg
Icing calves and quads
Applied bug spray/deet due to mosquitoes
Used SPF 50 sun blog on neck, ears and nose along with lip block application throughout run
My feet took a pounding.......
Todays run was a great learning session. Here are the take-a-ways from today's run:
1. Buy a pair of trail shoes, need more cushion from pounding a result of the rugged terrain.
2. If you can run with someone that is going at your pace it is great for the company. But if not do NOT force it and run too fast. I went out too hot today and was feeling it. Hills and elevation take so much out of you - this is not a forgiving course.
3. Assemble a clear game plan for nutrition and stick too it - even if you're nauseous - especially hydration - it'll take you down!!!
4. Get through the aid stations - do not waste time here - it's too easy to do - discipline!!
5. More strength training is needed for quads and calves - must get stronger.
6. Above all stay focused with your eye on the prize - do not give up!!!
7. Break up the course into sections with goals for each one - be realistic.
8. Again - do not go out too hot - or you'll pay for it and suffer at Hope Pass
The 5:15 26 mile run today was very challenging. I'm having a hard time trying to wrap my mind around doing another 74 miles on top of what I did today. There are about 800 people that are signed up for the LT100, however only 100 showed up for the training session this weekend. I gotta say - if they have not ever done this course and expect to just show up and complete it - I've got news for them - they are in for a world of pain. This is truly going to test my endurance and mental game - which is why I signed up for the event. I thought, heck i can finish in under 25 hours and get this very cool belt buckle. I'm now thinking about how I'm actually going to complete this track in under 30 hours??? It's not a gimmee by any stretch of the imagination.
The course takes you through every type of terrain. Flat road, Gnarly trails with streams that must be traversed, well groomed dirts roads/trails and not so well groomed trails with lots of rocks. What's ironic is that we run through some of the most beautiful country in the world, but you cannot enjoy it because you have to keep your eyes glued to the trails to avoid doing a face plant or lose your balance and fall off of a cliff - seriously - no shit. I actually got dizzy and lost my balance several times today - that's why I'm trying to figure out how I'm going to manage my way through some treacherous trails 15 miles from the finish line. At mile 85 my legs are going to be trashed and I'll become very susceptible to falling - and there are some nasty nasty nasty falls that could occur - like knock your ass out - hit your head on a rock - face plant fall. This is where I'm going to need my most experienced pacer to help me - it's dangerous - period.
So today we ran to Twin Lakes- which is about 40 miles into the course and not far from the ascent to infamous Hope Pass. I learned all about the hazards of mid afternoon lightening strikes, changes in weather from 65F to 25F with sleet and hail in a matter of minutes. It's suppose to take 3 hours to get over and back Hope Pass - or so I was told today. We'll see tomorrow as the game plan is a 21 mile run over and back Hope Pass.
The run is really a run, hike, walk event. The terrain doesn't allow one to run it - except for the young studs that will finish in 16 hours - they're freaks.
What else ........ oh lot's of unique people that I met today. I ran for 1.5 hours with Fred a 62 year old man from Denver that has attempted LT 100 12 times and only has finished 5, yep that's right 5 times. Met a nice couple from Fairfax Virginia, a mountain guide from Oregon, a 26 year old John Deere salesman from Iowa, Andy from Denver and sister Mary Margaret from Wisconsin. All very nice people and willing to share their insights. There were also 1/3 that never have done the LT 100 before.
Overall a good day, except that Team USA lost to Ghana???
Going back to ice the legs and get my recovery in order so i can do it all again tomorrow....
Cheers!!
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