Having directed 4 triathlons and 3 running races June through now (just one more left), I finally got to race twice myself the past 3 weeks. 

First up was the La Sportiva 10K Trail Run at the Nordic Center of Eldora Mountain (30 minutes outside of Boulder).  Heavy rains the night before made chips unusable, as race management worried that chips would be lost in the deep mud we would all be running through – they predicted shoes would be lost!  Well, it wasn’t quite that bad; but, it was gnarly enough to love it if you’re a true trail runner; which, at heart, I am.  Anyway, I solidly won my age group (50-59 … pays to be old) and a new pair of La Sportivas.  Nice!

But, this was just a tune-up for the August 16 Pikes Peak Marathon.  Billed as “America’s Ultimate Challenge,” you run up Pikes Peak 7,815 feet in 13.3 miles on a single track trail … and, then, run down.  The Peak is at 14,050 feet … not a lot of air up there.

Anyway, the day before the Marathon is the Pikes Peak Ascent – “just” the run up the mountain (shuttles down).  Team Timex superstar, Tim Hola, toed that line in the morning, and against over 2,000 competitors – runners – finished, uh, 18th (!) overall.  Major kudos to our #1 Real Man!  At the start cheering Tim on, along with myself, was Team Timex “Mr. Young Up-and-Comer,” Brian Schaning.  Brian was also decked out in full kit, getting ready for his day of a 6 hour bike ride and one hour run (prepping for IM Moo).  So, so cool to be there as part of Team Timex – we looked good!  Oh, and Tim ran good!!!

Sunday was my Marathon day, and it went great.  I was able to run the first 10 miles with just walking at the few aid stations there are on the course.  My training was not that focused for running this long, nor at this altitude; but, i seriously felt great.  I have been using Power Breathe ever since April, and I really do feel it has strengthened me for this type of effort.  You can literally hear everyone breathing and wheezing when at 12, 12, 14,000 feet; but, I was fine; well, maybe until about 13,500.  I ran 3:36 up, and 2:12 down, good enough for 7th out of 73 in my age group.  I was pleased.  I also used our awesome Sugoi compression socks in this race, and my recovery was absolutely aided.  We are blessed with such terrific, high performance gear!

Next up – Ironman Arizona in November.  But, first, this unpaid political announcement: I am running for Boulder City Council.  Please check out www.siffforcouncil.com … a new kind of ultra-endurance race!  Cheers all.  Barry.