The Best Thing I Ever Put In My Mouth (almost)

I debated whether I wanted to drive 4 hours round trip this weekend to experiment with one of the runs I will be doing for our upcoming ultra relay. Georgia Pass, baby! This is to be a 12.9 mile run up and down a mountain. I kind of wanted to know what I was in for so I could either be really confident or really terrified.

So…I got up at the ass-crack of dawn and drove to Jefferson, Colorado, which consists of a gas station, a school house and a ice cream/burger stand. I remembered that when we first moved to Colorado over 20 years ago I stopped at that gas station once with Ken’s VW Jetta and tried to put diesel in the car. Ken probably would have divorced me, but we weren’t married yet. That was the total of my experience with Jefferson, Colorado.

My friend, Julie, lives in Breckenridge, so she met me at the trailhead for Georgia Pass. While waiting for her to show up I downed this, which may be the new best thing I have put in my mouth (twss). Crazy good. I might have to put it on ice cream in the future.

Oh, and I had not felt these temps since last April.

When Julie arrived, I made a run for it.

I seriously had to poop for the last 50 miles of driving. Always feels good to unload before a big run. No need to carry extra poundage up mountains. And, good thing you can’t clog a pit toilet.

I didn't know what to expect from this run.

I knew it was 2,100 feet of elevation gain and 6 miles to the summit.

Here’s Julie heading above tree line.

We took our time, and it was an hour and a half to get to the top. The views were amazing. I could not breathe, but NBD. Breathing's over-rated.

What a damn ugly place. I need to move.

This was the timer shot I attempted.  Hey look! It’s the sky!

I brought q-tips:

This is my “take a picture of me for the blog while I pretend to run” shot (because a few have asked: this is the Nathan Firecatcher Hydration Vest. Goes for about $57 on Amazon):

We finished a bit before lunch time. And, then there was this, because there had to be (kind of weird no Colorado brews..):

Saw this sign at the place we had lunch. If they knew I was coming, they would charge $25.

12 miles. 2,150 feet of gain. 2:45 minutes

When I do the actual relay I will be going up and over the pass, not up and back like I did this weekend.

Glad I did it because now I know I can do it. This will be my 3rd of 6 legs for the relay. I have decided I will fuel with only salted caramel GUs for 39 miles.

 

Favorite GU/Gel flavor?

Favorite post-long-run meal? EGGS in any form. Or a burger. Or pizza. Or anything with calories and cheese really.

SUAR