Breakfast is served
Kathleen was up early Saturday morning to get in a run before we headed out to Buffalo Creek for the North Fork 50. She was able to get a nice 7 mile run in, while I took my time getting up and getting ready for the day. She got chased by a doe on the trail, adding adventure to her run with graphic images of being trampled by her hooves!! When she got back to the house, these guys were having a buffet in our Xeric garden. We have been having more deer activity lately after several months of them not being around much.
Strawberry Jack Trail
After a nice drive up to the Pine Valley Ranch Open Space, it was time to get focused for pacing our friend Tim at the NF50. He was able to pick up a pacer at mile 30.5 where the 50k runners split off for the finish and we would head out for a second loop of 19.5 miles. Kathleen and I tried to stay in the shade at the trail junction as much as possible as it was already getting hot.
Preparing for the run
Game On!
Kathleen captured a great shot here! Tim was just the second runner through the split - both 50 mile runners. Uh-oh, the heat is on. Literally. It had already reached the low 80's by the time we headed out. For some of you that is not much, but above 7000' with the overhead sun beating on you, it is a UV beat down. The start of the second loop is also a repeat of the worst climb of the day where the race started.
Up, up, up they go...First set of switchbacks
In the photo above, Tim was giving me the run down: "I have just spent 30 miles in a solid second place and I don't want to lose it." As he was saying this, I was "force feeding" him the first round of mandatory food/salt intake. He has some good stories about how I was nagging him and they are probably true - gotta keep him running, right?
At some point, about 4 miles into the second loop, I started to have some red flags. Answers had changed to grunts and Tim was having some discomfort in his hips when we tried to start running after hiking the steeps. Not good. It is strange how your body can feel great one minute, and then things incrementally go haywire. That is unfortunately what started to happen to Tim. I felt bad because it was nothing I could help with. On top of physical issues, it was now in the low 90's. By the time we hit mile 36 - 37, the goal changed to finishing the race. The next 4 hours would be about making sure Tim stayed nourished (you can read all about that routine on his blog) and continued to move toward the finish. As time ticked away, Kathleen was doing her own "pacing" - back and forth at the finish, worrying that one of us was on Flight for Life headed for Denver....
At the last aid stop, we ran into Ace, who had unfortunately missed the time cut. I felt really bad for him as he headed down the trail back toward the finish. At this point, I asked Tim if he could run the 2.8 mile descent to the finish and he was up for a try. I let him run in front now so he could see what was left in the tank. For everything that went wrong, for as bad as the conditions were, and for being in a really dark spot for quite a few miles, Tim really dug deep and drug himself to the finish. He finished 6th and I was so proud when he ran through the chute to the applause of all the folks hanging out for post race festivities. And it was a darn good thing we ran the descent - 7th place was 7 minutes behind us - whew!
At the last aid stop, we ran into Ace, who had unfortunately missed the time cut. I felt really bad for him as he headed down the trail back toward the finish. At this point, I asked Tim if he could run the 2.8 mile descent to the finish and he was up for a try. I let him run in front now so he could see what was left in the tank. For everything that went wrong, for as bad as the conditions were, and for being in a really dark spot for quite a few miles, Tim really dug deep and drug himself to the finish. He finished 6th and I was so proud when he ran through the chute to the applause of all the folks hanging out for post race festivities. And it was a darn good thing we ran the descent - 7th place was 7 minutes behind us - whew!
I'll never run a 50 miler again!
That is a direct quote, repeated several times. Two days removed, and some reflective time later, I had a nice chat with Tim. "Maybe I'll look at Run Rabbit Run 50 mile in Steamboat in September - what do you think Steve?" I don't know quite what the Ultra-bug is, but he has it. I have not yet been infected, but I will say this: there was a nice vibe hanging out with all the folks at the finish pavilion - lots of camaraderie and genuine good people enjoying their "scene". It was great to be part of it for a day - Thanks Tim!
19.5 miles, 3500' climb, La Sportiva Wildcats and Drymax socks kept the feet happy.
Good Times!
Driving home through Woodland Park - Nice Pikes Peak view from the back side!
Sunday Recovery Run
More takers at the salad bar
After almost 5 hours in the baking sun on Saturday, we decided to get up early Sunday and run before the heat. Not knowing what the legs would have after Saturday, we stayed close to home and ran at Ute Valley Park. Mama and her playful little fawn were already making short work of our newest blooms....
Stopped by the arch
Group photo with that "Hill" in the background
It was a pretty non-spectacular run other than the fact that we both actually felt good, albeit a bit tired. So we kept a little slower tempo and got a nice 10 miles in. While we were out running UVP, there were a bunch of folks on "The Hill" - Pikes Peak that is, running the Barr Trail Mountain Race. Lots of good stuff on their page and they have cool results with splits that show just how SLOW you are trudging up the mountain!
Shoes - K Saucony Guide Trail
S - Asics Trabuco
Monday Ride
Ride day with HILLS for Kathleen on Monday
Happy Trails!
