Thru Endurance We Conquer!

It’s not like I haven’t been thinking about the next great challenge - I just haven’t had time. But you can’t hide from reality for too long. In less then 30 days, I’ll be at the southern terminus of the Rainbow Trail, about to make my first ascent of Music Pass. I’ll be on the starting line with some new friends, staring into the pre-dawn darkness. And when we are sent out into the wilderness, I’ll have 36 hours to cover 104.1 miles. Months ago, that was an abstract thought. I had plenty of time to prepare, put in the training and get organized. I had the entire summer to get ready for this final test! Now? The date inches ever closer. I can’t hide from the count down in Training Peaks, nor can I escape the reality. Summer is almost over and that means on thing. It’s time to follow the Rainbow Trail.  Mountains and miles... I think from a preparation perspective, I’m as ready as I can be. I’m definitely more dialed in terms of gear then I was before Stories. I learned...

That was the theme of the Sheep Mountain Endurance Run - to leave what was heavy behind and find the strength to maintain the ultimate goal of forward momentum. To further that purpose of that goal, John handed each runner a small black rock when they checked in. Carry the rock throughout the course while you figure out what is heavy and weighing you down. When you did, drop the rock and the worries associated with that stress. Leave What is Heavy Behind. Getting ready to start. It was a little chilly in the morning! For me, some of that was the course its self. In 2016, I’d lined up for the Sheep Mountain 50 Mile (which was more like 54 miles!), thinking that I’d done everything needed and would not only finish, but crush that course. While I finished (in what still stands as the “Long Course” record from the Fair Grounds) I did not crush that course. The course crushed me - I’d not only underestimated the distance, I’d underestimated the elevation and the challenge. I remember ...

Some things sound like great ideas when they pop into your head. Things like running to Barr Camp and back down as a way to celebrate entering a new age group. Yep, sounded like a great idea back in June! Then July arrived and I realized what I’d gotten myself into. Barr Trail Mountain Race is a big time event - attracting runners from all over the country to test their legs before the Pikes Peak Marathon. And this year, it was the SkyRunner North American Championships, so lots of young, fast kids were going to show up in addition to the local speedsters. Yikes! Seriously, what was I thinking that I could be competitive at this race? So of course, I decided to summit Mount Shavano as part of my long run before the race. Nothing like hiking up a mountain and then back down to get some confidence, right? Nope, all it got me was some sore quads, less miles then I’d planned on running, but a solid day on foot in the mountains. Not the best prep, but... Volunteering for packet pickup the...