Notes
Now this was fun, wicked tough, but fun! Eeeegads the grades were steep. Mount Hope and Hanson Ridge don't compare. Imaging doing the steepest part of Hanson Ridge for 7.4 miles and then for the last quarter mile the gtrade becomes 22%... that's not even drivable!!!
The hardest part of the race was convincing myslef that I did need to bring extra gear. My yearsof hiking experience caution me to "be prepared in the mountains." Instead we all were in shorts and singlets running up a mountain with a history of fatalities due to exposure and weather. I wanted a back pack with rain gear, survival gear, etc... I lived.
I ran the first mile to the water stop, where Jane was helping the WC hand out water. She got SOAKED walking up to set-up the stop 1.3 miles in what can best be described as a deluge about 45 minutes before the race start. Luckilly the rain stop within minutes of the start and never returned. Very crowded start made it difficult to get into any sort of a rhythm, and after the first quarter mile the HILL began. Tried to stick with Mountain Legs Michelle. That woman is made to climb hills. After first mile, went into a 200 stride run, 100 stride power walk sequence for about 2 more miles. After that the power walks were far more efficient and FASTER than running. I passed more people while I power walked than I did running. People running would go past me and within 20 yards stop, and I would walk right by them as they tried to recover.
The views were specatacular, if not a bit hairy in some places! I came around the final corner to the top only to face the WALL. 22% grade with all the fans there cheering. I ran part of it, walked 20 yards, and then sprinted to the finish. They gave us PolarFleece blankets instead of Mylar sheets. Very nice considering it was wicked cold up there.
We had to wait around for about an hour and half before they would let us ride down. Thanks to Joe and Laurie for giving me a ride. Richard also drove down. Now that is a scary trip down... The road is narrow, no guard rails and sheer drops.
BTW - A woman fell off the side of the road while running up around mile 2. She rolled 50 yards down a steep embakement before crashing into a stump. Lots stopped to help her.
WC had a great tent party at the bottom. Grub and Beer of course.
Asked if I would do this again. Oh definately... but next time a different training plan.