The East Room, Upstairs, at Adobe Abode
The View from the Balcony!
Me, post race, in front of Adobe Abode
On Thursday, Dennis and I drove to Moab, Utah. I was excited to run the Behind The Rocks 50K Trail Ultramarathon and he was excited to sample the famed mountain bike trails. The drive went really smoothly and we arrived in Moab mid-afternoon.
On the Day of the Dead, Doug and I ran the Indian Creek Fifties. The Race Director, super nice dude named Sherpa John, apparently can’t do math…it turned out we all got to run 10K “bonus miles”. The course is really beautiful, mostly single track trail which winds from the North Rampart Range Road, to Strontia Springs, via the Roxborough State Park. Trail conditions were nearly perfect and part of the race was on the Colorado Trail!
For the Day of the Dead race, I decided to honor my Grandma Pat, by wearing a tribute to her on my race shirt. I went to a craft store and purchased some fabric markers…
The Front of my Tank
The Back. Ode to Grandma Pat
I decided to run another trail Ultramarathon, since I had so much fun at Way Too Cool earlier this year. I picked the Deception Pass 50K, on Whidbey Island in Washington State.
Why I selected this race, over the others:
1. It is almost entirely on single track, with only a small amount of pavement involved.
2. It is small, with less than 200 runners total.
3. It is at sea level.
4. It is right before the holidays, so I will be able to enjoy ski season without having to train throughout the winter.
5. It is affordable, being only $65 bucks.
6. It is not an out and back, so I will not be bored.
7. I get to run across a bridge!
8. It is unlikely to be over 70dF or under 20dF.
9. I get to visit with family before the race.
10. It is an incredibly beautiful setting!
Here are the numbers of minutes I ran every week, while in “training mode”. Prior to the 3 months of training, I spent all summer climbing mountains…24 to be exact. So, my legs were in very good condition prior to the training period.
Week 1: 275
Week 2: 350
Week 3: 60 (I was sick)
Week 4: 405
Week 5: 430
Week 6: 540
Week 7: 320 (I was sick, again)
Week 8: 570
Week 9: 490
Week 10: 380
Week 11: 350
Week 12: 470 (This includes the race itself!)
A big shout out to my coach, Lea, for devising the custom weekly training runs and keeping me focused. Also, to my friends Tilden, Dan, Kristina, and Erin for running with me during training. Most important, thanks to Dennis for providing me with aid, both nutritional and emotional, during training and the race. My success is a reflection of your care and support!
Climbergirl completing the Way Too Cool!
With 4 months of intensive training, I was ready to run the Way Too Cool 50K! I had heard the hardest part to running an ultramarathon is showing up to the starting line healthy. So, my training program and coach were focused and determined to accomplish this very task!
The Way Too Cool 50K Map
Unfortunately, no amount of training can prevent a person from contracting a viral upper respiratory infection! About 4 days prior to my race I was having a rough time. Seeking respite from the constant coughing and hoping for a good nights sleep, I went to urgent care. I was informed, by a doctor named Claire!, I didn’t have bronchitis or pneumonia. Yay, I was “cleared” to run the race, but would I be able to do it?