Goodbye Leadville

At the beginning of the summer if you would have told me how difficult it would be to leave Leadville, I would have shaken my head. At the time I had no idea how the mountains would change me. Tana and I had an amazing summer there and we were both sad to leave. There are so many things I am going to miss from being there. The number one is the views that I was treated to each and everyday. No matter what direction I looked the scenery was soul filling. Morning walks with the dog won't quite be the same. There was no better way to start the day than gazing at the mountains. Until we meet again, thanks for the awesome summer! 

Morning walk

2013 Leadwomen

Mile of Tears

Running 100 miles gives you lots of time to think about your journey. I was overwhelmed with the support I received in reaching for the goal of Leadwoman. Throughout the day, the night and into the day again I couldn't believe how many people were pulling for me. I had 4 guys who came here to crew and pace me. I don't know what I did to deserve so many wonderful people in my life but I am grateful daily. I was able to hold it together emotionally until the last mile. All the thoughts of well wishes and the cheers from the sideline spectators brought me to tears and they didn't stop flowing. I've lost it emotionally at a finish line before (in 2010 I cried all the way down the hill to the finish in the bike race) but this was different. I felt such an huge wave of love and support from all my friends and family far and wide. I set out to do something that was well out of my comfort zone. Something completely unknown and scary and I made it to the finish. I savored all the cheers and was so happy to have earned the title of leadwoman. That last mile I shed some tears of joy, of exhaustion but none of pain. I I didn't leave my soul on the course, my soul expanded by each and every race and experience in this series. Of the all the miles I covered the mile of tears will always be with me. Thank you to everyone who made my dream a reality. 

Coming into the finish with one of my awesome pacer (mules). 

One Year Ago

Last year during the Leadville Trail 100 mountain bike ride my friend Chris was on Powerline inbound watching the riders. She kept sending me pictures of all the riders and spectators out on the course. It made me feel homesick, for a place I had never lived but had left my heart. We decided that day we were going to attempt to become Leadwomen. For a year now we have been on the journey together. This weekend we undertake the final event. No matter what happens at the end of this journey you can't take away the amazing experiences we have had along the way. 

After the 100 mile bike ride last weekend, we got to run a 10k. It seemed only fitting that we finish it up together and spend some time reflecting on the journey. We have now done 4 of the 5 events and it has been incredible each step and pedal stroke of the way. Thank you Chris for embarking on this insane voyage with me. I wouldn't have wanted any other travel partner:)

Yes, we always are having fun:)

One more buckle for us to nab!

Miracles Happen

The Silver Rush 50 mountain bike was an explosion of awesome. Gorgeous scenery in every direction, and explosion of wildflowers and flowing streams. Maybe the week I spent off my ankle recuperating made me appreciate the outdoor beauty all the more. I found the mountains breath taking, could also have been the altitude. My ankle held up and I crossed the finish line in race 2 of the 5 race Leadman series.  I had such an amazing day out there. The night before the race the universe sent me a message on my tea bag. It said 'when the mind is backed by will, miracles happen'. It was a miraculous day:)

Thanks to everyone who got me to the start and finish lines. Believe in miracles:)

Trust and Fall Back

You know that team building game where you stand with your arms crossed and your eyes closed and fall backwards? The one where you are suppose to trust that the people standing below you will attempt to catch you and are strong enough to not drop you. I'm playing that game this Saturday when I line up for the Silver Rush 50 mile mountain bike. My ankle is improving, I can walk without a limp, the swelling has come down and with a bit of tape I have pedaled a bike. I loosened the cleat so that I can easily unclip on that side. (note to self, try substituting a few choice words for that F one now so you don't get disqualified when they hear you cursing on course). Saturday morning I will close my eyes, cross my arms and trust that the fitness I am falling back on will catch me and carry me to the finish line in under the 8 hour cutoff. 

"All the world is made of faith, and trust and pixie dust."- Peter Pan

This little piggy went to market, yes I realize that putting polish on this foot is about equivalent to applying lipstick to a pig- but my mother was appalled by the condition of my toenails. 

Bring on the pixie dust!

We Are Family

One of the greatest things about my experience in 2010 riding the LT 100 was all the fantastic like minded people that I met. I was sure that if I came back and did the ride I would be disappointed after such an amazing experience. Well, magnify that by 282.4 (the number of miles I need to cover to be a Leadwoman). The fellow Leadman competitors that I have had the privilege to meet and get to spend time with are all great people. 

We have only done one race so far but the camaraderie out on the course was immeasurable.  Sure we are all here for ourselves and our own goals but we all want each other to be successful as well. Everyone out there is there for a personal reason but that doesn't mean that we have forgotten how to by caring empathetic human beings. During the marathon I was relieved to see and hear that each of my Leadman friends were doing well. I wasn't able to rest easy until we were all across the finish line safe and sound. 

There are lots of athletes around but the Leadmen are a special group. We don't just get to run or bike, we are doing both. We need the fitness to do the 100 miles on a bike and turn around one week later and do 100 miles on the run. Our training is different than a single sport athlete. Things we do seem crazy to even people who are crazy enough to run 100 miles above 10,000ft. It is great when we can coordinate some group training and I have been fortunate to do it several times.

First trip up Hope Pass with Fellow Leadmen Chris and Swamp

Night run after the marathon with Pitbull and Swamp

Hammer fest on the 100 course with Catherine and Pitbull

There isn't much time for socializing and just hanging out when you are training for Leadman (unless you are Co Scotsman who does the majority of his training in the coffee shop) so most of our socializing is done on the trail. 

"You discover more about a person in a hour of play than in a year of conversation'. 

On Saturday while I was out training on the 100 mile run course, this happened to my ankle

 Not exactly what you want your ankle to look like a week out from a 50 mile Mt bike race. Peoples actions speak volumes above words. Yesterday I had 5 different Leadman competitors drop by to help me with walking the dog, visiting me, brining me ankle braces, dropping off ibuprofen, offering to get groceries for me, providing me words of wisdom and just checking up on me and keeping me company while I convalesced. I feel very blessed to be part of this group of people. We are not competitors we are family and although we all have individual goals, we are all in this together. Thanks for being in my Leadman family to Chris, Andy, Catherine, Willie and Stephen. I hope our family keeps growing and on August 18th we are having a big family reunion at the finish line! 

Braxton Hicks Marathon

The Leadville Trail marathon was the first race of five in the journey to becoming a Leadwoman. It was a spectacular course with amazing scenery. Everything looks sharper when you have limited oxygen reaching your brain. With the stunning views came lots of climbing and descending. I didn't take a camera with me so I don't have pictures of the actual day. I was cruising along enjoying myself. Around mile 20 Mother Nature had enough of my moseying and decided to cattle prod me. I was on an exposed single track on top of a mountain when lightening struck. I heeded the warning and sprinted off the mountain. Prior to actually going into labor women begin to experience practice contractions. This race was my Braxton Hicks marathon. The real work is still to come and I am no where near ready to push yet. One down, four to go.

on race course prior to race, this is close to the lightening strike location

so many wildflowers on the course