Pikes Peak

This past Saturday morning, I got the opportunity to join a few old friends and run Pikes Peak. I haven't been on this beast since last years PPM and I'm still bitter about missing the 5 hour mark by 4 plus minutes.

J'ne(too many times to count winner of the PPA), Karen(fresh off her 2nd place female showing at the North Fork 50K) and Maureen(who I had only met once) arrived rather early to Manitou Springs. Apparently 6:15am wasn't early enough as we were forced to park near the finish line of the PPM. Which was fine to me as I was more then happy to tack on another mile to my run.

I had no game plan going into the run. Turn back at Barr? Turn back at A-Frame? Or just ascend with the gals and get a ride back down since J'ne's husband who would be waiting for us? Just figured I'd let the day play out and figure it out later.

The climb up Ruxton was slow as we all conversed. Once we hit the Barr Trail, I was off. Never was I pushing hard thru the W's but I was working it as evident from the shower of sweat pouring out of my body. Hit the No Name Creek area (recalled that it housed an aid station) and pulled back a bit. Then as the terrain flattens out and descends, I picked it up again. Actually pushed it thru this section. With about a mile to Barr Camp I slowed my pace down, fumbled around my GU and water some and hit Barr at 1:28.

Not sure what to make of that time but I'll take it. Felt like a strong effort. After sitting around for a few minutes. I opted to head back down till I ran into the group of gals and run back up with them. Added just under 2 miles of extra miles here and off we went to A-Frame.

Last year this stretch got me good and it got me again this year. About 1 plus mile up the climb I just ran out of running energy. The rest of the climb was spent power hiking and running whenever possible. Wasn't sure of my split to A-Frame, but once there I ran back to catch up with the group maybe 0.5 miles back.

Back at A-Frame I seriously contemplated just running back into town and waiting for the gals. Figured it would be a much better workout as I prepare for the Steamboat 50. But the peak was just calling and with the blue bird skies, we were off after a few minute break.

I ran about half of the next mile but was feeling it, then with the 2 mile sign, I just bonked hard. Sapped of energy I let the girls go and took a few minutes to rest up. Looked at my handheld and noticed I had only drank 10 ounces which came at Barr Camp. My hydration pack (which I had put in 30 ounces) hadn't been touched. How I forgot to stay on top of this is beyond me. One thing to not hydrate while running around Wash Park, but at 12,000 feet, there really isn't any excuse.

The last 2 miles were spent at a pace between hiking and power hiking with one one-minute break at the 1 Mile sign. So frustrating as these last few miles have many runnable portions.

Topped out and was thankful to be done. Quickly polished off my hydration pack and into the packed visitor center for some water, soda, donut and a snickers which ran me about $7.

In hindsight, I should have 1) hydrated and fueled better and 2) opted for the return trip from A-Frame. I love those last 3 miles to the top but if I'm not able to run them, then it's worthless. Plus the drive back into town sucks it big time!

Forgot to hit the start/stop button here and there, but guessing I got in some 15/16 miles with something like 8,300 feet of climbing in 4 hours.