Partook in the annual tradition of running the last 23 miles of the LT100 course at night a couple of weeks before race-time.  This year we had a group of about a dozen or so show up.  The spectacularly clear night of last year was replaced with clouds and rain.  We all got totally soaked, but at least it didn’t really get too cold.

I came out of this run with a good feel for where my fitness is at.  I’m pretty happy with where things are, and could definitely feel the big mile weeks of July kicking in.  I only wish I could be/stay healthy enough to string 4-5 months like that together.  Getting there…

Here are some highlights:

Getting into town early and running the 8 miles out to the meeting spot.  I gave myself plenty of time, took it very easy, and enjoyed cruising along to some tunes watching the storms gather around the valley.

Meeting Brandon (of 2:59 Boston fame), and Brownie (multi-time Hardrocker and on his way to a Rocky Mountain Slam).  I’ve followed their blogs for a while and it was great to meet in person and get a good run in together.

Blazing up Powerline.  Despite doing essentially zero climbing in training, I hung with the lead group and ascended Sugarloaf 10 minutes faster than last year.  I felt really strong on the running portions, but sucked bad on the hiking sections – that fast/efficient hiking stride is something I need to work on.

Running in the rain.  It had been a while, and I was soaked to the bone, but stayed warm and comfortable.  Good practice anyway.

Shot bloks.  I had just popped 3 in my mouth when Brandon took off leading the group down the Colorado Trail.  It was wet and slick, and I was concentrating hard on my foot placement.  I was so focused that I think I just ran with that huge mouthful of bloks for 5+ minutes without ever getting them down.  I finally gave up and just sprayed them into the trees.

Night train.  I love running at night at a good clip on a trail with a good group like that.  Just hang on.

Footwork.  Plenty of opportunity for trouble, but no slips or trips.  A+.  Even felt good enough to blast down the final hill full of chunky rocks and blow past the group.  Really happy to have survived that, a fall would have been ugly.

The group.  Man, what a solid bunch of runners!  Brownie, Brandon, Leila, Ryan, Greek, Patrick, and Woody.  Really worked me over.  That is one strong crew and are all looking super-good for race day.

Race numbers are assigned, time to start tagging the drop bags.

See you in 2 weeks!