Day 3
The evening of day 2, in the aftermath of bouncing off the mountain descent from Hope Pass, my ankle started to swell up massively, and my ribs started to give me grief. By dinner time, walking was difficult and breathing was becoming painful. I had serious doubts as to whether I would be able to walk the next day’s stage, let alone run it. The fun of the event evaporated within a matter of hours and I went to bed early, dosed up on anti-inflammatories and resigned to see what happened in the morning.
Waking up on day 3, my ankle looked like an elephant’s. We packed up the kit and tents ready for the 24 mile stage, and I went to the medical tent to get the ankle strapped up. The strapping was tight and the first couple of miles were slow going and the inflamed ankle and strapping needed to ease into the day. The gentle downhill on tarmac to start the stage from Leadville to Nova Guides was painful. But with just under 3000ft of climbing in the day, and a maximum altitude of only 11000 feet, the main issue for the day was its length. Will was very patient and towed up the climbs, even getting in some sprint efforts to get enough momentum to pull me through short steep sections. For one early river crossing which we couldn’t walk around, I got a piggy back over it to keep the strapping on my ankle dry.
Downhill was not pleasant. In the second half of the stage, the pain killers started to wear off, and the downhill stress on my ankle and constant jarring on my ribs meant that the pain factor was sky high. But make it through we did, albeit at a pedestrian pace. The final three miles into Nova Guides, Will towed me through the flat to the finish, which seemed to go on forever. As usual, the end of the run was quickly followed by a trip to the creek for icing – though today I was chest deep to get my ribs soaked too.
Day 4
Camp Hale to Red Cliff was another short stage with a massive climb. The top of this stage was a ridiculously steep forest trail, where the tow rope was redundant. I was borrowing Adam’s Leki poles for the day – in the mid grade uphills I was unsure about their usefulness, especially given the added pressure on my ribs from the use of my arms, but on the steep climbs, they became invaluable, where a forced march pace up the slopes was all that we could manage. The downhill was better today – the ankle was well strapped but less swollen, and a better pace was maintained. I was still frustrated from losing places on the downhill on day 3.
The best part of the stage was a lengthy section running down a small creek. It was icy cold and made your feet instantly numb, but only a few miles from the finish so not too bad in terms of blisters and chaffing, though some people’s feet did suffer in the stage.
Day 5
Quads starting to feel a little sore. Ankle starting to feel a little better, if not looking improved – darkening purple patches showed the bruising coming through around the heel. My ribs however, seemed to be getting worse.
The stage was set to be nearly 24 miles, with 4400 feet of climbing, basically straight uphill for 11 miles, 3 miles of undulating, and then 10miles of decent. I was in the BOX by the top of the climb. Several teams overtook towards the top as my pace slowed our progress. But the pain really kicked in on the downhill. Between aid stations 2 and 3 I was nearly in tears thanks to the pain from my ribs and extra stresses through my right leg trying to keep my ankle out of trouble on the gravel downhill.
Arriving in Vale I was pleased to be done for the day. It was hot and lively, and with a beer and barbeque, the days’ challenge was quickly forgotten.
Day 6
Final day. This hurt. At last though, the ankle and ribs were not the limiting factor. Today, muscular fatigue and lung function were the main issues – and I was pleased to have this situation. Will was feeling the long week and the additional strain of towing days 2 through 5, and the tow rope saw a little less action today as we just worked through the fatigue.
The final climb of the day ended up a ski field in Beaver Creek before descending back into the town. That final hill is best described as a hike rather than a run, but we’d made enough time in the descents today to hold a good position.
The after party was something to behold. Things certainly loosened up and after a long week of work, celebration was the order of the day.
More photos to follow!
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