Well, I survived the 57th annual Pikes Peak marathon, a popular challenge that usually fills within an hour after registration opens. Highlights of the race were: reconnecting with my Youngstown cousins after 35 years, having my photo taken with Matt Carpenter, the marathon record-holder and perennial champion, and finishing the marathon in less than ten hours and thus earning a medal and a finisher’s shirt. That’s me with Matt in the photo.
This marathon, my 55th, was, to put it mildly, much more than I bargained for, and, although I was in pretty good shape, Pikes Peak showed no mercy to anyone. Going 13 miles up the mountain (from 6400 feet elevation in Manitou Springs) to the summit (14,115 feet) took me longer than any of my full marathons in the past. But coming back down was the real test. Rocks, loose gravel, countless roots, and boulders line the narrow trail that zigzags through many switchbacks up and down the mountain. I decided that safety would come first and so I walked a lot and ran in only the flat and open parts of the path. Most runners, however, were accomplished trail runners and could hop from one rock or boulder to the next, like a mountain goat, making good time. The leaders zoomed by us like gazelles, bounding effortlessly from one obstacle to another – as we struggled upwards. A few weren’t so lucky as their cuts and gashes proved. But apparently no one got seriously hurt.
Above the treeline, which is completely rocky ground, the air is low in oxygen, which makes it hard to breathe and to move. I had plenty of energy but my leg muscles wouldn’t push. So these last three miles to the top took me a long, long time. Fortunately I took Tums, which seemed to have prevented altitude sickness, and, aside from moving like a zombie, I had no problems at the summit.
I did have another interesting experience – at the marathon’s pasta dinner. I sat across from an 80-year-old who will be running the Ascent (uphill half-marathon on Saturday) since he is done with the marathon, having fallen face-first on the loose gravel on the downhill and not finishing under the time limit. Lou told me that at 69 he ran the Leadville 100, a supreme ultramarathon up and down several mountains similar to Pikes Peak. He obviously enjoys challenges.
In hindsight, since this race is truly a trail marathon, I should have prepared myself by doing one of these, rather than the typical marathon which is routed over pavement. A trail marathon is a different animal: it requires knowing how to skip, jump, and avoid tripping over roots. Anyway, I was lucky enough not to have fallen and have crossed this off my bucket list. Next up: the user friendly Akron marathon in late September.
I felt at home in Colorado, the state that merits first place in fitness ranking and can boast of having the lowest percentage of obese residents (20%). Most, if not all, of the Colorado children I saw were slim, a testament to their active, outdoor lifestyle. They spend a lot of time outdoors all year round. Sedentary isn’t in their vocabulary. Future LifeNuts of America!
This marathon, my 55th, was, to put it mildly, much more than I bargained for, and, although I was in pretty good shape, Pikes Peak showed no mercy to anyone. Going 13 miles up the mountain (from 6400 feet elevation in Manitou Springs) to the summit (14,115 feet) took me longer than any of my full marathons in the past. But coming back down was the real test. Rocks, loose gravel, countless roots, and boulders line the narrow trail that zigzags through many switchbacks up and down the mountain. I decided that safety would come first and so I walked a lot and ran in only the flat and open parts of the path. Most runners, however, were accomplished trail runners and could hop from one rock or boulder to the next, like a mountain goat, making good time. The leaders zoomed by us like gazelles, bounding effortlessly from one obstacle to another – as we struggled upwards. A few weren’t so lucky as their cuts and gashes proved. But apparently no one got seriously hurt.
Above the treeline, which is completely rocky ground, the air is low in oxygen, which makes it hard to breathe and to move. I had plenty of energy but my leg muscles wouldn’t push. So these last three miles to the top took me a long, long time. Fortunately I took Tums, which seemed to have prevented altitude sickness, and, aside from moving like a zombie, I had no problems at the summit.
I did have another interesting experience – at the marathon’s pasta dinner. I sat across from an 80-year-old who will be running the Ascent (uphill half-marathon on Saturday) since he is done with the marathon, having fallen face-first on the loose gravel on the downhill and not finishing under the time limit. Lou told me that at 69 he ran the Leadville 100, a supreme ultramarathon up and down several mountains similar to Pikes Peak. He obviously enjoys challenges.
In hindsight, since this race is truly a trail marathon, I should have prepared myself by doing one of these, rather than the typical marathon which is routed over pavement. A trail marathon is a different animal: it requires knowing how to skip, jump, and avoid tripping over roots. Anyway, I was lucky enough not to have fallen and have crossed this off my bucket list. Next up: the user friendly Akron marathon in late September.
I felt at home in Colorado, the state that merits first place in fitness ranking and can boast of having the lowest percentage of obese residents (20%). Most, if not all, of the Colorado children I saw were slim, a testament to their active, outdoor lifestyle. They spend a lot of time outdoors all year round. Sedentary isn’t in their vocabulary. Future LifeNuts of America!
RSS Feed