Sponsors

Christopher Bean Coffee
Live your passion, love your coffee - the perfect slogan for a company passionate about the perfect cup of coffee. From dark roasts like the Roubaix to the more mellow Breakfast Blend, there's a coffee to suit anyone's tastes. The flavored coffees like the Cinnamon Stick Amaretto are scrumptious. Christopher Bean supports coffee farmers around the world and roasts each batch to order. The flavors are non GMO.
Now is the time to make a passionate cup of coffee - use Thelen$5 for $5 off your first order!



Human Potential Running Series
When I was looking for my first 50 back in 2015, I found the challenge I wanted and more at the Sheep Mountain Endurance Run. When I wanted an adventure for my 40th trip around the sun I knew where to look. There is more to running the finish time and Strava segments. It's about being part of a community, giving back to your fellow runners. That is the goal of the 2020 Trail Crew - to not only run and challenge ourselves through the miles, but to give back. 




ProCycling 
The staff at the shop is easy to talk to, knowledgeable and responsive. They carry our favorite bicycle brand - Specialized - along with a few other high quality brands. They have everything from commuter bikes to the latest tech for your dream racing machine on the shop floor, as well as helmets, shoes and many other accessories (Specialized shoes, Smith helmets, and awesome Gore Bikeware.) They also typically have that small part you are looking for; from that broken brake lever thanks to the last crash to a buckle for those perfectly fitted shoes in the shop. If it's something they have to order, they are quick to take care of it. Stop in and say hi, and let them take care of you.
Skirt Sports
As part of my return to running ultras, came the struggle to find something comfortable, functional and good looking to wear. After much trial and error, I made the leap - discovering that the design of Skirt Sports fulfilled all my needs. Built in shorties that covered my legs and prevented chafing. Pockets that actually held something! And lightweight, cute skirts to match all styles - from frilly to the simple. Clothing designed by women athletes for women athletes of all shapes, sizes, ages, ethnic backgrounds, athletic abilities and more.
Use code SSA1095Tra for 15% off!
Skratch Labs
All natural hydration is just a small part of what Skratch Labs is about. Real food alternatives based on science and hydration that reflects what's actually lost in sweat. I've been using Skratch Labs for years and my gut has never been happier. Add in the Feed Zone family of cookbooks and you've got everything covered - from breakfast to training and then to the dinner table with friends.






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A long way on foot - Sheep Mountain Endurance Run

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Fifty miles is a long way - regardless of how you travel. As I was training and preparing for Sheep Mountain Endurance Run, I knew that it would be a long day - I knew that there would be ups and downs, that the plan would have to be fluid and goals adjusted mid-race. That is the nature of endurance sports and the people who achieve are the ones who can go with the flow and find the ability to turn things around if they do go south. Obviously, for my first 50, I was hoping for nothing but smooth sailing - with no dark spots, no demons and smiling the whole way. A girl can always hope, right? Runners assembled for the start Photo - Human Potential Running The sun was just starting to brighten the clouds as we walked to the starting line with nearly 100 other runners. The race director went through a few things, noting that there had already been some DNS's due to the elevation and to be smart. Smart... Most people would say smart would mean not doing something like a 50 mile ...
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Mortality

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Friends with the Monsters..

And the voices inside of my head.  As Saturday approaches, the voices - the demons - have begun talking to me. Sometimes a whisper, sometimes a scream. 54 miles. It's the distance from Colorado Springs to Lake Pueblo State Park. Or the top of Wilkerson Pass... A long bloody way to cover on two wheels, let along two feet! Yet that is my goal. Traverse the trails and roads west and east of Fairplay, covering more then the distance of two marathons. Theoretically, it should be nothing. After all, I've run back to back marathons many times - once getting both under 3:10. Fifty two miles, in just shy of 24 hours at a pace much faster then I'm planning. But in this ventures, I had time to recover between races and took the recovery seriously. Here, nothing but continuous forward movement. One step in front of the other, no breaks between efforts and the the clock doesn't stop ticking.  As Saturday approaches, those voices are getting louder. Ever doubting, ever questioning - ...
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