Friday, August 20, 2010

Countdown to the TransRockies Run!

Based on the feedback from my last post, we are all crazy for running like we do, we don’t care that anyone thinks we’re nuts and we plan to keep running well into old age because it is better than harvesting a beer belly and watching TV. It keeps us sane and makes us feel powerful, productive and strong.

What I am fascinated by is the number of you who swear by pizza the night before a race! Man, my body must be screwed up. The first time I really crapped my pants in a race I had Old Chicago’s Pizza and two Bass Ales the night before. Don’t get me wrong, it wasn’t an all out mess, but enough to call it gross. Sometimes major amounts of cheese and me don't agree. I learned my lesson on that one.

Oh, the excitement and the NERVES!  The countdown is on. About 36 hours from now I will be running out of the small mountain town of Buena Vista, Colorado with Dean Karnazes for the first stage of the Gore-Tex TransRockies Run. I will be giggling like as school girl all a-twitter (at least that’s what Shana said I should do). I will be trying to act like I’m not tired as we head up the first 7 mile stretch which goes from 8,000 feet to 9,300 feet. What do you think we’ll talk about? I’ll probably ask some really dumb questions like, “OMG!! Like, how do you run so far??” I could be like the late Chris Farley in those Saturday Night Live skits where he interviews celebrities: “Hey Dean. Remember that time when you ran 50 marathons in 50 states in 50 days? That was so AWESOME!!”

After the initial 7 mile climb, it’s 13.4 miles of ups and downs (literally and figuratively) to the finish.

Here are some pictures from last year’s Stage One (source). Looks pretty amazing to me. The forecast is in the 80s and there is very little shade on this course. Between that and the climbing, I might cry a little.

 stage1-2    

stage1-3

stage1-4

stage1-6

stage1-12

Here’s what I know:

  • Check points with fruit, sport’s drink, power bars and water every 7 miles. Tequila shots and full body rubdowns would also be nice.
  • Last year Dean broke several ribs on day three. He powered through the next couple of days, but was unable to finish the race.
  • Last year Dean ran with Helen Cospolich, who is quite the dynamo. She won the Leadville 100 trail race in 2008 if that gives you any idea. Dean referred to her as “Sherpa Helen.” They finished the first day (20.4 miles) in 3:25. I know. Insane. There will be absolutely no comparison between Sherpa Helen and I. Except that we both have lady parts.
  • On this race, you are only as fast as your partner. Poor Dean.
  • A professional film crew and photographers will be document the race. That night we’ll have a slideshow and awards ceremony with a dinner cooked at the camp (fajitas and rice with pine nuts, I think).
  • Dean says he will be posting nightly on his blog about the days of the race. So check in on Sunday night for his perspective. I will try to write my story the next day if I can type. P1070365
  • The family will see me off at the start and will be waiting at the finish. Man, will be glad to see them! I will carry the good luck charm from Emma the whole way. I will carry your thoughts and support with me because you’ve been so generous with those. 

Now all I need is a snazzy new running shirt to show my curves.

If you want to wish me luck (again) now’s the time. I could use it. Hopefully I’ll have some great stories to relay back to you next week!

44 comments:

  1. Good Luck!! What an amazing experience! can't wait to read post race report!

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  2. You are going to do great...have a good time! you are cracking me up over here!

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  3. Yes, good luck You'll do great! Enjoy!!!

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  4. Run well, and have a good time.
    BTW can you ask Dean to reply to my email for some advice for a 1400km run I'm doing next year. There aren't many folk out there with that sort of experience for me to call upon!
    Andy

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  5. So excited for you!! You are going to do fabulous and with your wonderful sense of humor, you will be cracking Dean up and having fun the whole way :) Will be thinking of you and sending happy running vibes your way!

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  6. i'm totally wishing you the best of luck! yay! so exciting girl :)

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  7. Good Luck! I can't wait to hear all about it!

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  8. You will be great! Good luck!!!

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  9. I recently found your blog and I have to say that you crack me up!!! Good luck with your run with Dean- I would be so in awe I could hardly run!

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  10. Good luck & I'm already looking forward to your recap of the adventure!

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  11. Post disappeared. Dang - I thought I had it worded just right.

    Anyway - you will do great. This is such an awesome experience . . . one that you will remember the rest of your life. It is wonderful that there will be photographers to capture the images, smiles and struggles.

    And just think - next year another runner will be talking about Deans partner from this years race. We can only guess what name Dean will have for you. ;-)

    I will be anxiously awaiting to read your race re-cap.

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  12. Go easy on poor Dean Beth, you don't want him to break three ribs again. And oh, please tell him that I said hi and that I love him (but not in a crazy stalker kind of way).

    You'll do just fine girl. Relax and have fun. :)

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  13. You're going to do great...promise to enjoy every minute!

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  14. You don't need luck, but I'll wish you some anyway! I hope you have a wonderful time and I sure hope Dean knows how lucky he is to run with a stud like you! :-)

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  15. How exciting! Good luck to you...you will be awesome!!

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  16. I keep telling everyone that "my friend" is running with Dean this weekend! And even if you shit your pants part of the way through....which I think is HIGHLY likely :), I will still say that you I "know" you!
    Have a great time! You're going to do AWESOME! ps....dear lord, please stay away from pizza! and no midnight vet visits this time!

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  17. Have lots of fun on your rendezvous! And remember, there's no crying in trail running! :-)

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  18. You are going to do awesome!! I know you're gonna feel as if you're suckin' it hardcore, but just remember: YOU (and only you) got chosen to run with Dean. That makes you an incredible rock star, and Sherpa Helen got nothin' on you!

    Rock it out girlie!

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  19. Oh my gosh!!! I cannot wait for you to blog about this experience!! You are going to rock it out! Good Luck!!!

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  20. Wooo-hoooo! That's all i gotta say!;-)

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  21. Have fun!
    I wish I lived closer, I would have set up the table just for you with tequila shots and full body rubdowns.

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  22. Ooh, good luck! You'll do great. Those photos are AMAZING - enjoy!

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  23. oh geeze. I can hardly wait!
    I'm giggling like a school-girl thinking of it.
    you are going to do so well and the time will fly.
    you're my new hero!
    love s

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  24. Kick some butt! I'm sure it will be awesome. Hopefully you don't have to take too many 'nature breaks'!

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  25. GOOD LUCK!!! :D you will be awesome!! have fun running with dean!! :D

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  26. Have fun! Don't poop yer lady pants.

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  27. Good luck!! You will do amazing. Enjoy every minute of this amazing experience. You have totally earned this, and Dean is lucky to have the chance to run with YOU!! Can't wait for the recap.

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  28. What a run! How exciting! I know your nervous but you're so good. You're going to totally calm down and get into this run after the start. Great conversations with Dean, super scenery, a one time experience that will leave you in the clouds. Can you tell how excited I am for you?!
    One foot in front of the other - Dean does it the same way as you do. Go girl!

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  29. Knowing the attitutde of most Ultra-runners, I'm sure that Tequila shot & body rubdown suggestion isn't far off from what they'd prefer, too! ;)

    So excited for you!! Good luck tomorrow, tackle those trails with confidence!

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  30. Wow that was a great adventure and run...I like the stories and picture, it is fun!!!

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  31. I'm late with my good luck, but I think maybe you are running.....RIGHT NOW! Best of luck, you'll do great! Can't wait to hear all about it.

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  32. OMG I'm soooooo excited for you! BTW, pizza before a race makes me crap my pants too.

    Good luck!!!

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  33. Oh AND I got my salonpas. Thanks so much!!! I can't wait to try them.

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  34. Can't wait to hear about it!! And the pizza thing...CAN'T do it before a race...it always gives me heartburn, so I don't chance it. I have the opposite problem that you do, everything constipates me! I have to balance getting good nutrition, yet keep things light before a race because when I get stressed, the bowels stop completely and I feel so bloated and gross! Ugh..

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  35. Those are the coolest running pics I have seen in a year.

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  36. Good luck, you will do great! I can't wait to read your post afterwards, I KNOW it will be entertaining!

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  37. yeah! can't wait to hear about it :)

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  38. Oh...I went camping this weekend and missed wishing you luck! I hope the race went well! I can't wait to hear all about it!

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  39. You did awesome...I was there and was so thrilled to see you running with Dean and setting the pace. Congrats!!!

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