After the Pikes Peak Marathon was rerouted I was feeling a bit unfulfilled at the end of my season, entertaining some late fall races but not feeling really too jazzed about any of them. I have to thank Emily for going back out last week and lighting the fire to get back out and give longs another rip. I went back and forth about it but got some great advice that there’s no time like the present. Who knows what next year will bring.
Really gave it the send tonight. Was not smooth in the least (botched a section on the trough descent and ledges that cliffed out and had to back track) but had a greater sense of urgency I was definitely missing last time (seems like you gotta substitute speed for smooth sometimes, I have def not mastered both). Gnarly adductor cramps coming out of the boulder field and into the chasm junction which resulted in a fall but thankfully had one last gel to try and mitigate. That last three miles was a careful dance not to re-aggravate the cramps while also giving those more runnable miles some speed. Note to self I really need to carry salt pills for these kinds of efforts. Also Leuko tape is my true queen and saved my ankles at least half a dozen times. Missed the one remaining water stop in the boulder field and did not realize it so accidentally went the entire time without a water refill. Cool enough but also much warmer than expected.
It’s such a joy to have this mountain in our backyard and I look forward to seeing all these badass women continue to challenge each other. Really cool to be a part of something seemingly arbitrary but also the epitome of pushing ourselves in competition, community and sport.