TransRockies Run: Snippets

Well, we’re back. We survived… and we actually didn’t do too badly. (5th Open Women ~ Wooo!)

I’m kind of still in a bit of a fog. Actually, scratch the ‘kind of’. I feel like I'm totally still processing everything that was TransRockies, and that I'm still a bit tired and bewildered from the adventure that was (the cold that hit me the day after the race ended may also be contributing to the hazy feeling).

Haze or no haze though, overall, I'm feeling pretty positive about the experience.

Anyway, while I process all my thoughts and feelings about the race and contemplate a “race report” (or something like it), here are a few words and photos that remind me of each stage.


Stage 1: Buena Vista to Railroad Bridge (approx. 20.9 miles, 2,550 feet elevation gain)
Pre-race nerves and excitement. Conservative start. Sand. Climbs. Tim from Massachusetts heavy footsteps. Beautiful rocks. Aid station oasis. Photo ops. Rock tunnels. Long false flat (uphill) county road. Fun.

Stage 2: Vicksburg to Twin Lakes (approx. 13.3 miles, 3,250 feet elevation gain)
Met Martin. Cold morning. Hope Pass. Major elevation. Altitude. Switchbacks. My pacing angel from Texas. Beautiful views. Cold wind. Cowboys. Fast (for some) descent. Ghost town. Rolling trails, just like home. Asthma attack. Wheezy, tough finish.

 

 

Stage 3: Leadville to Nova Guides at Camp Hale (approx. 24.2 miles, 2,800 feet elevation gain)
Historic Leadville. Main Street start line. Easy pace. More good climbs. Rolling downs. Swarm of bees. Lots of stings. Small creek crossing. Feeling good. Colorado trail. Long long descent. Grueling country road, into a beauty finish line. Awesome camp.

Stage 4: Nova Guides at Camp Hale to Red Cliff (approx. 14.1 miles, 2,900 feet elevation gain)
Favourite. Tough tough climb. Steep Jeep track. Familiar faces. Amazing ridgeline views. Fun FAST descent. Happy splashy creek time. Numb feet. Strong happy finish. Mango’s!

Stage 5: Red Cliff to Vail (approx. 23.6 miles, 4,200 feet elevation gain)
Live rounds in the start pistol. Long uphill grind. Mental ups and downs. Switchbacks up. Charging hard. Feeling good. Happiness. Rock scrambling. Switchbacks down. ‘V’ shaped track. Fred’s Lunch sucks. Ankle pain. Mental lows. Hard push to the end. Swear words. Tears. Our one and only podium spot ~ 3rd on the day.

Stage 6: Vail to Beaver Creek (approx. 20.9 miles, 4,900 feet elevation gain)
Final day! Slighty depleted. Sore ankle. Sore knee. Beautiful Aspens. More switchbacks. More single track. Up Up Up. Down Down Down. Up Up Up. Down. Foggy head. Finish line. Happiness. Beer.

 

 

Also, because everyone else has asked, I'll save you the time... Yes, it was tougher than Ironman.

Okay, okay, so maybe not physically, and not during the actual stages, but - mentally - at the end of each stage and over the course of the week, having to keep yourself motivated and "up", well, that was kinda tough.

I think the fact that I was the 'slower' partner contributed to that feeling a little as well. Kirsten assured me she didn't care, but being the person constantly trying to keep up and feeling like you're holding your partner back, kind of fucks with your head a bit.

Oh, also, altitude makes me swear. A lot.

More to come later. In the meantime…. Happy Trails!