Pikes Peak Ascent - Run

The race starts at Memorial Park in Manitou Springs and follows the city streets for the first 1.5 miles or so. Still steep, but paved, and a good chance for everyone to pass and be passed. Then we are quickly funnelled down on to a narrow path and commence THE CONGA LINE. It was still moving and was an odd feeling of climbing up a mountain in a line of people. Everyone still happy and chatty. Occasionally the path would widen and the line would split with people passing a few people before the path narrowed again. Depending on the pace of the people direclty in front of me I sometimes stayed in line and sometimes joined the passing group. At one point I was behind a guy who irritated me for a couple reasons. The first, and clearly not his fault, was the fact that he reminded me of someone I work with that I don't care for. Secondly, and still not his "fault" I suppose, was the fact that he had terrible gas! I generally tried not to surge to pass people, based on the recommendations of those that have raced before, but with this guy I HAD to!

At about 4 miles in there was a neat spot where we went under a large boulder that was leaning up against the mountain and it was cool, for a second. There was an aid station and the conga line seemed to dissipate. After that there were a few smaller lines but not the long, endless, line of racers. Somewhere near this spot I was passed by a woman who was barefoot. Yes, barefoot. She had vibrams in her bag, maybe for the rocky top.

The mile markers were done in reverse. When I got to "11 to go" I was surprised at how quickly the miles were passing. I was having a blast and enjoying the scenery. I decided to stay on top of nutrution, even though it felt like I'd just started to I took in a package of chews. At 10 to go I sent DH a short "10 to go".

I was watching my progress based on an estimate calculator for finishing in 5 and at the first few checkpoints I was pretty close. I was alternating nutrition and updating DH at the mile markers, though after the first message he got just a number.

There were supporters here and there, and rescue and rangers with horses here and there. And in between we were left with the beauty, and our thoughts.

Somewhere around 3 to go (the A-Frame) my body figured out what was happening and turned against me. I could no longer eat without gagging so I was left with just liquid. Although, I was only trying my chews. In hindsight I wish I'd tried the candies they had at the aid stations. As I went on I got deeper in to the pain cave. Somewhere in there we also broke above tree line and were left to bake on the rocks like lizards.

Interestingly, although I could hear my heart pounding my HR was dropping! I was gassed and felt like I needed to get my heart rate down, but it wasn't that high! I'm no longer convinced that HR is a great indicator of effort.

I trudged on, continuing the death march. I talked with the others also truding through their own death marches. We encouraged each other, we comiserated, we bonded. Up we trudged. Up and up and more friggin up.

My legs were never a problem, I continued to be able to step up on to the rocks without issue to the end. My heart and my lungs were the culprit. They were not happy with the heat and the oxygen deprivation.

At the last aid station the man offered me Starburst. I joked that I didn't have the energy to chew. In retrospect, again, I wish I'd tried.

Somewhere near the top I heard my name from above. No, not that above, DH was perched on a rock near the finish and called out to me. I stopped and waved. And with a small, not even worthy of the word burst, trickle of new energy I continued. It was still the better part of a mile to go. (We'd been able to hear the top since we topped tree line.) There were photographers everywhere! I wanted to say "please don't" but I figured I'd just chalk it up to more lousy race pix.

At one point toward the end we passed a spot where the people said "from here you can see the finish". Ummmm I've been looking at the finish for 13 miles, thanks. But anyway, they also told me that the woman in front of me had attempted the race before and was turned back at the intermediate check point. So I congratulated her and on we went.

Finally, I was within throwing distance of the finish line. I continued up and crossed. They said "your medal is up there". Yup, after climbing 13 some odd miles I still had to continue up to get my medal. I now understand why DS1 complains about being forced to continue moving after finishing the BolderBoulder. I just wanted to stop! But no, keep climbing to the medal and to the bag check. Then, finally, I could sit.


Maybe I should have tried to take in the candies at the aid stations when my stomach would no longer tolerate the chews. I wish I'd had liquid calories, like a soda or something.

When I reached the medal giver I also got an amazing finishers hug from Mary. I felt defeated but she reminded me that I'd done it. Then DH also told me he was proud of me. My BIL wouldn't let me hug him. What the...?!

Then I got hugs from my sister, niece and nephew while we hung out in the line for the bus down.

Of course, if the race isn't enough of a weekend highlight, we later went on a mini-craft-beer-tour with Salty and Laffinrock and her DH (arranged and researched by her DH (thanx Alex)). What a fun evening of brews and laughs!!!


Here are my thoughts after 3 days of retrospect. I've never had that problem before so it was a new experience. Was it because of the altitude? I'd been up to 12,800 with no similar issues but that was a much cooler day. Maybe the combination of heat and elevation?

And the HR, i don't understand that at all.

I've been struggling with my feeling of defeat over this race. The first 10 miles were awesome and I had a blast. Yet I'm letting the last 3, which are known for their difficulty, to cloud my memory. It is a beautiful race and an amazing challenge.


This is an amazing race that is suprisingly well organized based on the logistics. Getting the volunteers and aid stations up to where they need to be and getting the racers down after is quite a feat.