Get High and Run!

Dates: May 16 run, May 17 ride
Route: Mineral Belt Trail
Distance: 11.6miles
Location: Leadville Colorado
Altitude: 9,500 - 10,300 feet
Experience: AWESOME!

Yes friends, that was my weekend training locale. Saturday morning, I drove up hoping the trail would be clear as Leadville received 12inches of fresh snow on Wednesday and it was overcast on Thursday but Friday the temp hit 65degF and it was supposed to stay like that through the weekend. I called my local friend Chad once I got into town, dropped off some stuff at his house and we went down to the main trailhead, South of town. He was on his bike, taking pictures for work related stuff and I was set to run the 11.6 mile loop. I wasn't sure what to expect at the altitude, knowing it was going to be a slow uphill climb for the first 5 miles. Sure enough I was breathing much more heavily than normal as soon as I started, slowed a little and adjusted to find a manageable pace and just told myself that it was going to be tough, the only goal to keep running til' the end. After mile 1 my legs felt real heavy; not like they have in the past where the entire leg feels heavy but this time it was only in my calves and it felt like my knees didn't want to fully bend. Nothing to do but keep pushing, taking in the scenery to keep me distracted. Through those first 5miles I went through an emotional roller coaster; feeling, at one moment, like I could run the loop twice, to the next moment, just holding on trying not to slow down, telling myself not to walk, just make it around the next corner. Alas, once the hill was over my breathing quickly recovered and I felt great. The first mileage marker I passed was mile 7 and looking at my time I was running around 8:30min/miles. I was ecstatic because I mentally felt I had been running much slower up the hill. Realizing that my perceived exertion was much more than actual exertion actually made me feel good, like I could just keep going like I was and even though I felt slow, it wasn't half bad considering the altitude. Once finished, I recovered quickly and felt great. I didn't push it too hard and will easily be able to ride it tomorrow.

Sunday wasn't as nice with some cool winds gusting about but I was determined to take advantage of the altitude training and get in a great ride on trail I don't get access to very often. Around the 4mile point, I took off on a dirt road heading up higher into the mountains. Wow was it beautiful. I cranked up it about 3-4miles until the road was completely blocked w/ snow. I was about 12,000-12,500 feet up and surrounded by incredible snow caps all around. Man, this is living. Back down to the path and I quickly finished off the loop. Feeling higher than a kite, I made the journey back to Longmont, relieved to hear the family had been having just as much fun planting flowers and shopping while I was gone. Now THAT'S a win/win weekend.