Runner #361

We, (Sophie Peter and I), are on the road to Leadville.  Our Eurovan is full.  The weather forecast doesn’t look kind, rain-snow level somewhere between 10,000 to 11,000 ft. and we go as high as 12,600 ft.  On the brighter side, 60% chance of precipitation also means that there is a 40% chance of cloudy dry skies!  Should be a full moon this weekend, if I can see it, I promise to howl!

My first tomato of the season was ready for harvest on the day we left for Leadville.  We enjoyed it sliced with basil (also from our patio garden), goat cheese, olive oil, and balsamic vinegar on a ciabatta roll....yum

Packing for Leadville was much different than Vermont, I surely would not have met the airlines baggage weight restrictions.  I have at least 3 of everything..... a wet and cold runner is not a happy runner.  I am anticipating expending more calories.  I have been training up at Snowbird and Alta service roads.  This is the best simulation of high altitude close to home.....top of Snowbird is 11,000 ft.  Fortunately I do OK at altitude, but then again I never felt as if I had the cutting edge in Vermont  @ ~2,000 ft.

My speed goal is to beat my Vermont time 26:45.  I say this in gest “to prove that I am a Rocky Mountain girl”, however for some reason I have the inkling that I

 may have a better race.  Alas, the ultimate goal is the Grand Slam and I just want to safely arrive at the finish line before the 30 hour cutoff.

So, take a break from the Olympics this weekend and check out LT100.com, runner #361......oh, and send good vibes and mountain spirits my way too.

Peter taking photos on Tourquoise Lake, the race starts and finishes on a nice trail that parallels the shore.

I am really psyched for Michael Phelps.... surely I will never know the feeling of winning Olympic gold but maybe he would want to convert one of his medals to wear in the form of a belt buckle.  I really like the timed events, swimming and track are my favorites.  I am not too much into the style events.  What the gymnasts does is super hard, however does wearing sparkles really improve a gymnast  score?  My favorite gym event is the men’s rings.  The iron cross always amazes me....and what is best is the look on the guys face when he is holding that position, a total game face that says “it....really.....doesn’t ......huuurrrrttt”.