4:57 ascent. 3:27 descent. The way up was tough due to the loss of oxygen... 50% oxygen content at the peak relative to sea level. Got a little dizzy, heart wanted to jump out of my chest. My hands got super swollen and my fingers all turned purple. I never stopped for a break. 45*F at the summit felt really nice.

Descent was tougher than I expected. Although the oxgen improvement really got the adrenaline going, I had no agility for the various rocks and roots. My quads were fried by mile 19 and jogged sparingly thereafter. I almost took a horrible face-plant at mile 22 with a succession of three trips, somehow I managed to stay upright. I'm very happy I escaped with all my teeth and no scratches! I saw many people vomiting and falling down on course. The last mile was off trail into Manitou Springs, paved with only 6% downgrade... I ran that sucker in 7 minutes :)

I would do weighted squats in training to prepare for the descent. My quads were no match for that mountain.

None


Lack of oxygen. Steep of downgrade.


My goal was to survive and beat the cut-off (6:30 to the summit, 10:00 for the course) I beat it by 1:30. I did well on the ascent, I sucked a big one on the way down. Happy with my effort and results. My favorite running shoes are shot after this one. I've never even touched a mountain much less trained on one or at elevation. I will have to consider doing the double next year... ascent (half) on Saturday and full marathon on Sunday. Everyone I met, whether volunteers or runners, were amazing people... great camraderie out there. I would recommend this race to anyone with the testicular fortitude to give it a shot.