Distance 12.68 mi
Moving Time: 4:00:16
Pace 18:57 /mi
Elevation 5,318 ft
Calories 1,923

Pre-Run Thoughts

The moment I saw a 4-hour run appear on the schedule; it has flooded my thoughts ever since. Hyping myself with strategic questions have been an enjoyable process throughout the week.

I finally nailed down the location and built a three loop route climbing Green Mountain via the Chautauqua trailhead in Boulder. Each loop is 5 miles with 2,300 ft of climbing in half that.

A few of the most recent trailhead reports recommend spikes. I’ll bring some along, but don’t intend on using them. I’m hoping the weather stays decent though tomorrow. Highs are expected in the 50s, and future conditions are favorable!

I did a virtual pace strategy at 16 min miles, which finishes the run at 4:08. I found a cut-through if I need to adjust laps on the fly. I’m not too concerned about speed, but want to focus on being smooth and efficient through the difficult terrain.

On the nutrition side, I’m pretty excited about that too. My Skratch supercarb 100mg per serving was delivered today. I’ll have two of those and two G1M Sport in 4 16oz bottles, and about 60oz of fluids in the car. I’ll have about 8 gels with various formulas and recipes. Maybe a protein bar or two; and an entree pouch in my pack. Hmm, beef patty or Mexican style chicken stew?! 

I also look forward to a solid workout after work today, then preparing the mixed water bottles and multi layer clothing options. In the morning, I basically have to wake up, eat, and go.

On a side note, everything is booked for Oregon. Registered, air travel, vehicle, and a massive baller Airbnb less than a quarter mile from the start line. I’ve got a colleague coming to crew, and an army buddy I’ve known for 20 years running the 50K. Future conditions are favorable!

Post-Run Thoughts

This was everything I wanted it to be; difficult and challenging! Don’t mind looking at the map, I was lost the first couple of miles. It didn’t seem to matter though, I kept thinking, I’ve got 4 hours to figure it out.

Spikes would have been nice in many areas, especially towards the icy stuff on top. The steep downhills were particularly challenging to prevent cracking my skull open. Every time I slid on ice and didn’t fall, I was fortunate it wasn’t the muddy mess I was wading through a couple weeks ago. I only fell once and it was on purpose. In a split second, I decided not to let Newton decide that particular icy maneuver.

As tough as this trail was, I was quite surprised to pass roughly 40 people that included several small children. It’s nice to see the same faces multiple times and get called out. With his eyebrows high and his chin low, he said. “You’re going up again?! You have my respect!”

I don’t do this for anybody else, I don’t post on social and I don’t care about anybody’s approval. However, that brief moment on the trail when somebody else recognizes the discipline, it seems worthwhile. Especially, in the middle of a brutal climb.

I grinned and replied, “On a beautiful day like today?! Absolutely! Have fun and enjoy!” I kept rolling along. In a deeper egotistical sense, it’s satisfaction in taking someone’s soul.

With the tough conditions, I’d give myself a B- for smoothness and efficiency. In better weather, I’d let my guard down more. Most steps were not in propulsion for the next, but more of a brace in preparation of a slide. This taxed the thighs a bit more, but I welcomed it.

I was pleased with my physical body response and condition too. The nutrition strategy worked well and the super fuel was tastier and easier to go down than expected. I drank three bottles and enjoyed a brief pause for four gels. I took one selfie and had a quick chat on my second summit.

Of course, I stopped at the Skratch Cafe afterwards and had a rice bowl loaded with plants and fried chicken. I recovered an hour in compression pants and feel great. I love the next day thigh burn when climbing stairs.