Back from Colorado...and doing the Pikes Peak Ascent Race and Pikes Peak Marathon (Sat and Sun)! It was my 4th year to do both races back to back! One of my slowest time...the altitude still kicks my ass. As of July 31st, I'm one of US Track and Field Associations National Champions for 100 mile trail races, but Pikes Peak still challenges me! I can now get to 11,000ft before the altitude becomes debilitating...then it's still 3 to 3 1/2 miles to the mountains summit...and a struggle. This year saw me dealing with 2hrs of pea gravel sized hail during the marathon (2nd day) up on the mountain top..and having to sprint (at my hardest) scrambling down steep rocks and rough trails for the last 10 miles in order to make it back in time...Nothing like Pikes Peak. Guess I have to make the Pikes Peak races my pinnacle of focus. Focusing on these races has driven my physical training to new heights...and helped my to attain great successes and wins in other races. Time to push it harder and farther than ever!! |