“Mother Trucker!,” I thought to myself as I gingerly made my way down the stairs Monday evening after my return flight home from Colorado Springs.
The mountain descents from our Pikes Peak 30K race on Saturday have definitely caught up with me. I had always heard about quads “being shot” after a mountain race but now I know what it actually feels like.
The race in Colorado Springs last weekend exceeded our expectations. The scenery was gorgeous! My first time visiting Colorado, the mountains did not disappoint.
The race included 3,500 feet of ascent and descent. The biggest climb occurred two miles into the 18 mile race with a 2.5 mile climb up the mountain before it leveled off somewhat and became a single track runnable trail. It was in fact the biggest crotch kick of the race course.
The initial climb (which everyone hiked) went on FOREVER! The only saving grace was knowing that we would have the opportunity to run back down the mountain again on the way back to the finish.
And let me tell you that the downhill stretch did not disappoint. Crazy Amy and I FLEW down the mountain running 8 minute miles (which for us is super fast on the trails). But, my quadriceps and shins are paying the price now.
The weather was perfect, sunny and between the mid-50’s and mid-60’s by the time we finished the race just before noon. Although it was a race (the 30K National Championships as a matter of fact!), we reminded ourselves to slow down at times and enjoy the scenery. We took numerous photos on the trail and met new trail friends.
Our training in hot, humid Florida paid off. When you’re used to running in 100 degree heat with 100% humidity, the low 60’s temperatures at a whopping 20% humidity (the Colorado runners said they were “dying” in the humidity!) was a cakewalk. Plus, the altitude never got high enough during the race (8,000 feet) that it affected us. I suppose the copious amounts of water and electrolytes we consumed in the days leading up to the race helped too.
Crazy Amy and I were the only two racers from Florida in the 30K race. Everyone who learned we were from Florida told us how great we were doing and were amazed that some “flatlanders” could handle the steep mountain terrain.
My takeaway from the race is that Preparation is Key to a successful outcome. Of course we couldn’t anticipate everything on the trail, but our training did prepare us well and I felt surprisingly confident out there.
So too with your Family Succession Planning. Preparation is Key. If you work with an estate planning professional and custom design your plan to meet YOUR planning goals and desires, you will be amazed as the peace of mind you experience knowing your loved ones are protected when the inevitable occurs.
I had lofty plans to get back to bootcamp and the gym this week but I’ve decided to indulge myself a little and take the week off from working out.
I have a feeling I will need the break. Crazy Amy texted me last night to tell me she is registering for the Rock n Roll Marathon in Savannah, Georgia on November 3rd. Sigh. And so the races continue!
Kristen “Nursing My Quads” Marks
P.S. I posted photos from our Colorado adventure on my Facebook page. The photo album is public so you do not need to have a Facebook account to view the photos. Here’s the link.
