Leadville Silver Rush 50 Mile Trail Run

This week is a critical training period in preparing for UTMB.  The Leadville SR 50 is a tough distance at 11,000 feet above sea level.  There is about 8,000 feet of elevation gain on this course, which is about 25% of the elevation gain we'll see on the course in Chamonix.  There is no question that UTMB elevation gain of about 32,000 feet is what takes down even the most experienced trail runners.  The Leadville Marathon course had 6,300 feet of elevation gain over 26 miles and for those that have raced that course know that it's a tough track.  When you finish, you're finished.  Trekking poles will be an important tool to leverage during the race.  32,000 feet of elevation gain is significant.  You have to respect the distance and the amount of ascending and descending that this course presents.

This week I will have logged (post SR50) about 90 miles.  It will be my highest mileage week in preparing for UTMB.  Structurally I'm feeling pretty good, except for my left outer ankle that I rolled 2 weeks ago on the Leadville Marathon rocky trails.

The entire UTMB team will be in Leadville this weekend for the race.  We are all getting together this evening for dinner at Zichatelli's and to get ourselves organized for UTMB.

Overall goal this weekend is to log the miles, stay healthy and enjoy the scenery of the Rocky Mountains.

Training Update

We've got about 58 days till UTMB and training is coming along nicely.  Post Marathon I've gotten in 3 days of running.  Day 1 was 10 miles, Day 2 was 10 miles as well and today Day 3 or one week out from the marathon I managed to get in 20 miles in the 100F heat in Nashville.

Overall training has been good.  Ready to have a couple of shorter distance runs this week, once I make it back to Denver.  Big run this weekend ... 50 mile trail run at high altitude.

More to follow...

Cheers!