Stage 2 : No Hope for me Pass! Goal: Take Pictures finish under 4 hrs.

Today would be over Hope Pass. I've heard a lot about Hope Pass as it's part of the Leadville 100 course. I have successfully avoided ever running over it because honestly, it doesn't sound like much "fun". Needless to say I wasn't looking forward to today even though it is only 13.4 miles.

The night before we had dinner and then the awards ceremony (top 3 teams in each category) and then there was a briefing for the next day. This mostly involves a guy talking about race conditions, the course, etc. I do my best to pay attention, but I often find myself thinking about those really cute shoes I'd like to buy!

So last night the guy does his speech about the course. The only thing I really remembered was that he insisted we had to be ready to take the most dangerous school bus ride (that would probably break down before we got to our destination) by 7 am! Now I'm never one to show up to an event on time never mind EARLY. I figured 7 am was pretty early considering we didn't even start until 8:30 am. I also have this completely rational fear of being cold! And given we were starting around 10K feet, I figured it would probably be cold!

Mike & Rob (those guys leading the race & veteran's to the race) reassured me that the bus would not leave without me and that all the threats of being ready by 7 am were really just that ... threats!

So the next morning I get up and do the breakfast thing (in my pajamas, winter coat, and hat...I looked like a bag lady!). I do notice that Mike & Rob have already hopped on a bus towards the start line. Granted they are probably warming up or something productive.

As I'm getting my stuff together I hear James (I think James because I wasn't really looking) whistling over to Carlos and I to hurry up as the bus was leaving. Ugh! I still had a few preparations to do and I needed to go to the bathroom! As I leave the bathroom and head towards the bus it starts taking off without me...seriously! Of course this makes me start running (who said I don't do warmups!). I jump onto the bus as James and his partner Tinder are laughing! Such a middle child (James) brotherly thing to do! Carlos is still behind me as he had to move the car, but we all make it successfully and not prior to 7am! Win Win!

On the bus to the start...our Red/Pink Day 

I do give James a break as it's his birthday. We sing a little birthday tune to him and then start chatting to the people around us. There is a girl with Oxygen...like actual cans of Oxygen!! She had a box of Oxygen mailed out to her so that she could use it over Hope Pass. As if I wasn't concerned about Hope Pass before, now I'm a little worried. The girl is a 3 or 4 time veteran runner of the race too! Although these cans are quite bulky, kudos to the fact that they are very light...after all it's OXYGEN!

Per usual, we are the last people to check in...and we are off. The first part of the run is flatish, which is normally my preferred way to warm up, but with the hamstring issue, it actually hurts. The Aid Station was only about 2.5 miles in and so we check in as quick as possible and then start the CLIMB!

This part of the trail is a single track climb. The only thing I can say is that it sucked!! Carlos was behind a girl that was using those little hiking poles and she was moving pretty slowly (I was relieved!). But the people behind us weren't so much! In fact, I think it was Goat that screamed "move out of the way"! Ha! Who said all Ultra runners are nice ;). Carlos and I did stop a time or two, the only challenge is that if you stopped, you ended up behind a long line of people. Eventually Carlos decided that he was going to Tow me up so that we didn't end up further behind. It worked like magic!!

Sara (the top female in the solo division) had told us about towing the night before. She had used the technique with her male partner in years prior. The only difference is that they had proper towing materials....like a rope around each other's waist with a bungee in between that clipped on. Carlos and I didn't have much time to prepare, so any type of towing device was out of the question. So instead he just grabbed my hands and literally pulled me up the hill! I called it the "poor man's tow".

Carlos 'Towing" me up Hope Pass

A word on towing. It really is amazing. Conserves so much energy so that my heart rate stays at a manageable rate and it keeps me moving at a much faster rate than I would be on my own. It also saves my legs for the downhill. On the other hand it really does add work (I'm told!) to Carlos. He was really such a great champ!!

Prior to Carlos towing me, I was in a pretty bitter mood (and doing my best to hide it!). Carlos would ask "how you doing?", I would respond "fine". He would then say, "do you need to stop". Me "no". "Did you take a gel?" Me..."yes"...which was probably a fib ;). This is where Carlos excels because he sensed my less than desirable mood and took action.

He changed my whole climb around and I started to enjoy the scenery!

Carlos, Billy, & I made it to the top!

We made it! 

After our ridiculous climb the fun part was about to begin! I didn't know what the descent would be like, but I knew it would be much easier than the climb. The first part is pretty steep, so I just took off. There was a checkpoint about 1 mile down, so Carlos and I checked in and then he just let me go!

It was such an awesome feeling to be flying down the trail. It was pretty steep & rocky, which I love. I passed a ton of people (major confidence booster), which helped us get back on target with our 4 hour (very aggressive) goal. I only had one person pass me on the downhill (and I was truly offended,. lol). It was this girl I called "America" because she had USA flag shorts. I later talked to her and learned she was doing the 3 day solo as a "warm up" to the Leadville 100 (happening on Sat am!). The crown of crazy rests on her head! :)

Once we hit the flat section, I was done mentally. Carlos caught up to me and we ran/walked it in to the finish. I didn't take any nutrition at the last aid station, so I was behind on my sugar intake. When I took some it was a bit too late to turn around the last part of the race. As we were running in we (and when I say we, I really mean ME!) were doing our best to not let any mixed teams pass us. However, right as I was pushing it across the finish line a girl & this guy come in seconds before me! I was pissed, but really too exhausted to do anything about it!! Instead I headed to the med tent to have my hami stretched! 

We came in just over our goal at 4:03:06. We then took the shuttle into Leadville where we met up with James (and ate some very yummy pizza!!) and enjoyed the coffee shop and INTERNET!

Billy worked up an appetite too! 

Carlos and I also decided that we would take a hotel!! YIPEEE!! Carrie & Ken also joined us. In order to get to the hotel Carlos had to go back and get our car. While he was getting our car, Carrie, Ken, & I wandered down to the Refreshment station. I saw the results posted so I took a look and to my extreme surprise we came in 3rd place in the Open Mixed Category!! I was so stoked!!! I had no idea we had done so well. We were going to be standing on the podium at the awards ceremony tonight!!! Something I could have never dreamed! 

I'm so excited that I call Carlos (texting is not worthy of this kind of news)! He is as stoked as I am. We decide not to tell James and just let him be surprised as we get called on stage!  

We got checked into our hotel and I was able to take a bath!!! Ahhh! Then it's time for dinner. I see Sara for the first time that day and ask her how her day went. She did amazing (as usual) and actually ran the entire way up HOPE PASS!! She really is a monster! I tell her our exciting news and she turns to James and says...did you know they got 3rd place?! haha! James was totally shocked! I guess he didn't have a lot of faith in our abilities. 

We won Nathan Hydration Packs...ironic since we are sponsored by Nathan. Notice our shirts

I again didn't pay close enough attention to what would be happening the next day. I was just thrilled to be sleeping in a hotel room! Cheers to stage 3...halfway point!

  XOXO,

Moderngypsygirl.

Sun Sentinel Article on JJ100

Going long

Rachel La Grandeur, of Fort Lauderdale, ran 101.4 miles in 27 hours, 46 minutes, 18 seconds last weekend in the Javelina 100 at Fountain Hills, Ariz. She was 94th of 137 finishers. Lou Esposito, of Sunrise, completed about half the race before dropping out with a leg injury. La Grandeur prepped by running 46.2 miles in the Javelina 12 Hour Night Run in September.

Fort Lauderdale 13.1 addition

A 5K run has been added to the 13.1 Marathon Fort Lauderdale on Nov. 14. For details, visit http://www.131fortlauderdale.com.

Cycling champ

Wil Zegers, of Miramar, won the gold medal for age 45-49 in the 750-meter time trial at the Track Cycling Masters World Championships in Portugal, clocking 50.768.

Craig Davis can be reached at cldavis@SunSentinel.com. For more Participant Sports news, visit Craig Davis' blog at SunSentinel.com/recreation

Ironman 70.3 Miami on Saturday: Dolabella going strong after 3 decades

Stage 1...Goal: Take Pictures, finish under 6 hours.

The best part about our accommodation (other than the comfy bed, great fireplace, & beautiful shower) is that it was right in front of the race start! The best part of this is that we could sleep in!! Which is kind of comical considering the race doesn't even start until 8:30 am...one of the benefits of running at 8000'.

Although I had a comfy bed, I didn't sleep super well (sleep seems to always be a casualty before a big race for me!), and I was a bit anxious to run. You see, I don't like to run on courses to which I'm not familiar! I feel like if I know a course I can mentally prepare for any surprises (like long hill climbs!). BUT, with 4 days notice, it's not likely I'd have any time to prep for today's run. I'm lucky I had time to pack clothes!

Carlos and I ready for Stage 1 (This is our Orange Day!)
We did our best to coordinate outfits each day! 

I was also a bit anxious because I've never ran with a partner before. I am not certain of the rules, but there is some rule that you have to check into the check points within a minute of each other or something?!? My biggest concern was that I would be super slow and that my left hamstring would be bothering me!

So the week prior, I went to a PT to have some ART done on my legs. When I found out that I was running the TR, I was open to trying anything to help me get healthy, fast! So I tortured myself by doing cryotherapy. It is basically putting yourself naked into a cylinder that blows cold air (like -300F) onto your body for 2.5 minutes.  The only benefit I gained was that it entertained my masochistic tendencies for 5 minutes (yes I did it twice!), and drained my wallet of $100 bucks!  Moving on!

So after checking in (near the back of course...this is our theme!) We listened to AC/DCs "Highway to Hell" ...as if I wasn't already questioning my decision to say Yes to this race! 

And we were off! The first bit was really quite pretty! Since we were near the middle/back of pack, there was a long line up the hill. I didn't mind as I really don't find any enjoyment in climbing hills!! 

It was also nice because we had an opportunity to meet people around us. Since it is hard to remember people's names I just called people by their state. We had our California friends (2 very awesome ladies from Cali!), we had our Canada crew, and then we had our Florida ladies!! We also met "goat" who is a bit of a legend in the Ultra running community and is the race director for Nanny Goat and some other races out in California that have the word "goat" in them.

The best part was that Billy the Bison (remember our stuffed animal from my first report...are you reading these things?!?), had a lot of friends out on the trail. There was a squirrel carried by a Swiss German girl (more about her in a minute) and Rocky the frog carried by a man that I pretty much would NEVER assume would carry a large stuffed animal in his pack :). 

Back to the Swiss German Girl with her free loading squirrel.

She was running with her boyfriend, but he wasn't as fast as her, so she would run ahead of him until she got near a checkpoint. Then she would run back to meet him, so that they could check in together. So she gets the award for having ran the most miles! Every morning when we would see her running backwards we would think, GREAT, there's an Aid Station coming up!! 

Cheers to a job well done for both of them!

We did see some pretty cool views out there today too!

Our last 4 or so miles were all on a flat ground...which I wasn't such a fan of as it really bothered the Hamstring. However, my awesome partner Carlos kept me going those last few miles...which will be a theme in this race!

Billy taking  a break. It's hard work  riding in a Nathan Pack. 

I adhered strictly to the 20 MPH ;)

The awesome tunnel we ran through 

After finishing our days run. 

Carlos and I sporting our amazing sponsor! 

Here are the stats for the day :)

Maybe it's just me, but it looks like there is a more direct route to the end. 

I knew that last bit wasn't FLAT!!! 

At the end of the day Carlos delivered the good news that we had come in 8th place. Which I thought was fabulous, until I discovered there were only 11 teams in our category! lol.

Since our race ended in the middle of nowhere (literally), I had the pleasure of taking my first (AND ONLY) shower in the mobile shower. In all honesty it was actually pretty nice.

In addition to the mobile shower there was tent nation. 

I just couldn't bring myself to sleep in a tent. Luckily Carlos was a good sport (or on the same page as me) and so we opted for car camping.. Yes, it's a step up from sleeping on the ground. I actually had my Pottery Barn duvet, European Shams, & blankets with me...not suitable for a tent. Not my best nights sleep, but acceptable. Here's to Stage 2: Hope Pass!

 XOXO,

Moderngypsygirl.

Stage O...Trans Rockies Run

First, I must say that I have the best Bosses ever!! I mean how many people can say to their boss on a Thursday afternoon..."Oh, by the way, I know I just took a week off work for my last race (less than 2 weeks ago), but I'm going to need to take another week off starting.....uhm, Monday ;)". I have a zillion other reasons my bosses are great, but that is for another post...and I really don't want to brag too much because I'm afraid if I do there will be a line of people with resume's outside my office who can perform my job better than me!

While I was at work, a great box from Nathan Arrived!! Check out our awesome packs! I feel so lucky and blessed!

Nathan Hooked us UP!! 

So, I'm guessing this is how the "other half" lives :) #feelingspecial 

So after a quick meeting on Monday, Carlos and I packed up the car and head to Buena Vista where the start of the Trans Rockies Run will begin.

We had NO idea where we would be staying that night (because all the accommodation in Buen-ie (as it's called by locals) is taken)!

When we arrived in Buen-ie we did a quick check in (and probably scared some locals with our Buffs!)

This is our "baKlava" YUM! also know as Balaclava

A normal one for Nathan ;) 

 Lucky for us James said that some friends of his had rented a house and they had some extra space! The house was BEAUTIFUL and happened to be right at the start of the race! It was a lucky coincidence. Thank you Ken and Carrie for letting us crash your awesome pad!!

Our beautiful Accommodation

Cute little street where the race started. 

Our Race Strategy

When we arrived the "boys" James Bonnett and teammate Brian Tinder, and Rob Krar were all out going for a run. I'm guessing this may be a reason why they are such amazing runners. I however, chose to wait and run my warm up and cool down as a part of the 24 mile run we will be embarking upon on Stage 1!

We did our first nightly briefing (which I should always pay closer attention to!)

Afterwards we headed back to the house, had dinner, packed out duffle bags for the week, and then I took a bath! I Love Love Love taking baths, so, it's kind of like the "last supper" for me, as I don't know when I will have another opportunity...

Stay tuned for Stage 1!

  XOXO,

Moderngypsygirl.

Let the Journey Begin...Trans Rockies 6 day

The other day I was sitting at work minding my own business (which is usually how these things happen) when I get a text from a friend asking how I was recovering from my Grand Mesa debacle.  The truth is, other than a bruised ego (no one ever likes to DNF!!) and some sore leg muscles, my recovery is going "fine". In fact, I had even signed up for a half marathon the upcoming weekend, you know, to "get back on the horse'! Here's were the textversation gets ridiculous..... my friends then says "how about you skip the half and run Trans Rockies instead?" WHAT! Yep that was my reply.

You see, I know very little about the TR. In fact I'd never even heard of the race before last summer!?! What I do know is that it's a 6 day event that happens high up in the Rocky Mountains and it involves my dreaded "camping". I'm pretty sure I'm going to use a lot of quotations in this post :)...sorry...

I honestly think that this is some sick play by my friend James to get me to go camping. See when I first met James, he was teaching me how to put up a tent for the Javelina Jundred. I'm pretty sure he thought I was some silly city girl that clearly doesn't know how to put up a tent. Well I don't know for good reason...because I"m a silly little city girl that doesn't like camping!! Ever since that day, it's been a bit of a secret challenge for him to teach me that camping is "fun".

I however, am never one to say NO to an adventure or a free race entry. James is sponsored by Nathan Performance Gear (you know the hydration packs and cute little water bottles) and they had an extra entry for a team of 2. I'm not going to lie, I feel pretty honored that he even thought of me...or maybe they were just that desperate! My plus one (or vice versa) is James's older brother Carlos aka Charlie.

Here I am a tad concerned. You see James is like some child prodigy runner, and comes from a running family. His dad is a high school track/cross country coach in Arizona and also amazing Ultra Runner...in fact his license plate reads "ULTRAZ"! (a fun tid bit I learned from Carlos :) ). So I'm pretty sure Carlos is bad ass! I on the other hand, as we all know, am pretty average on a good day! I'm not being modest here, just painfully honest!

I also know that James (in true Ultra Runner style) has probably told Carlos nothing about his partner. My concern is that Carlos is competitive like his brother and will want to perform well. I on the other hand only have moments of brilliance (like descending down the side of a mountain). Sadly, most trails aren't down hill (unless a considerable amount of uphill is FIRST required).

It should also be noted that since Grand Mesa I’ve only ran 4 (maybe not quite) miles on asphalt…and I had to stop several times to stretch my painful hamstrings!

I being a type A personality need DETAILS…James however, is a type C and just floats through life assuming things will work out, which they generally do—for him! In order to keep myself sane I ask as few questions as possible, but POUR over the website! After all this isn't a 1-2 day event…this is 6!

Sunday morning I go to the Denver Airport to pick up my running buddy. I haven’t even seen a picture of this guy, so I am pleasantly surprised when he is “normal” looking. By normal I mean, clean cut, and looks like he showers on a regular basis, which makes me quite happy ;)! I think shower's are over-rated in the Ultra running community! 

Carlos & I fueling for our week long race! 

We have some quick introductions and I learn that he is married and has a 4 yr old daughter and is in the Navy…probably NOT a serial killer (or any kind of killer) like all my friends and co-workers had imagined ;)!! I’m relieved! He also has a sense of humor…and seems to enjoy my sarcastic wit! It’s like we've known each other much longer than just a few hours!

Carlos is hungry and so we decide on a little sushi for our pre-race meal. Fortunately for me he isn't some Vegan eating (nothing wrong with those peeps—I love you all!) ultra runner. 

He likes dessert and chocolate so we decide to indulge in a little treat ;)…after all we are going to" run it off!"

For the rest of the afternoon we drive around town running errands (2 REIs to be exact). With just 3 days notice, I had a lot of prepping to do before the week! Lucky for me 2 of my friends from Florida ran the Trans Rockies last year and their brother lives here in Denver, so they were gracious enough to let me borrow their sleeping bags and mats! Thanks Tami & Brian!!!  Since I don’t do camping, I don’t even own a sleeping bag! After we finish all our errands, I begin packing. Packing is one of my specialties…packing light, well…not so much! The challenge I have is that everything we bring needs to fit inside the large duffle bag they give us at check in. I do my best by packing each days outfit inside a separate zip lock bag (which will come in handy later on…oh, the suspense!).

Carlos and I talk a little bit about our “race strategy”. I’m relieved that we are on the same page. He is in to enjoy the journey and takes some pictures! He even brought along a friend (Billy the Bison) for his daughter! “Whew”

Stay tuned for Stage O!

   

  XOXO,

Moderngypsygirl.