Limitless...

I had an idea about this post. I had some notes written down. I was going to fill it with boring stuff for most of you...excuses of my DidNotFinish at Run Rabbit Run 100...finishing Chicago's Marathon...end of season racing plans...and my hopes and dreams of next years season. Even as I read what I just wrote, it sounds boring...vanilla.

This past weekend, I witnessed something purely amazing. The inaugural Moab 240 mile endurance run. That's not a misprint- 240 MILES, they rounded up from the actual mileage of 238.3 miles. I volunteered myself to pace a new friend who was attempting to complete the triple crown of 200+ mile events, this being the last in the trifecta. I wanted to see it for myself and only a few hours drive away, why not!
What a privilege it was.
The perseverance of achieving such a feet was incredible to witness. These athletes' heart, strength, and determination is immeasurable and contagious. They show the pure essence of limitless and how the mind is our only barrier. Beyond words...
Mike did amazing finishing third at the event and winning the triple crown! Congrats!!

The Ironman World Championships in Kona Hawaii was this past Saturday as well. This race has so much history. Canadian Lionel Sanders was second overall as well as owning the second fastest bike split on that course. He was passes at mile 23 of the marathon, less that 5k from winning the World Championship. In his race recap, he says it only motivates him to do more...What a humble competitor.
German Jan Frodeno was the favorite to win as the two time defending champ wearing race number 1. It wasn't his day. He stopped and walked a bit of the run dealing with hamstring/lower back pains. He didn't quit though. He persevered through to finish. Even in discomfort and the loss of glory, he managed to honor himself and all the competitors by going on.

I can only hope to learn from these experiences. I can hope to use my experiences as motivation. I can hope to persevere through.  I can hope that my mind can take my body, when my body hesitates.

Lionel Sanders:
"From my experience, it appears that there are no limits, other than the self-created and imposed ones that only exist in your mind."

...And Miles To Go Before I Sleep.

This has been one helluva season of racing and training. My running has brought me to all sorts of new places as well as revisiting some old stomping grounds. 

Maroon Bells "road" run in winter

In January, I began a challenge of running everyday for the month. It's design was to get a quick bit of fitness to pace a friend at Rocky Raccoon 100. I did my challenge and then ran 87 consecutive days after totaling 118 days and 709 miles. 

February brought me to that pacing gig - didn't pan out for my friend and I was only able to get a ten miler in at Huntsville State Park. It's always nice to wear shorts and a tank in February though!

April 1st Thomas and I knocked out the Zion Traverse. That has been a long standing bucket list run. Read my post about it here. 

Zion

Angels Landing Zion

June brought with it the Ragnar Trail Relay in Snowmass Village. Racing on a team of family, and new and old friends was exciting.Our non-competitive team was 8th overall! A few weeks later I raced the Desert RATS Kokopelli 150 stage race. This was another bucket list route (failed miserably twice on single push bike attempts). What an awesome experience! I met so many new friends and pushed myself to new limits. Another post about this week can be found here.

Kokopelli Trail

In July, I got a taste of "wild and tough". I had planned to pace a friend at the Hardrock 100. Again, that didn't pan out. I did manage to volunteer for trail clean up and thoroughly enjoyed some new friends and checking out all the hype of Hardrock. It did not disappoint. I am hooked and will be back to volunteer until I can get in. I summit-ed  my local Mt. Sopris as well as ran up to Sunlight Ski Resort and did two laps of the 4 Pass Loop, all on the regular circuit for local trail running.

Last Pass of the 4 Pass Loop

Island Lake

August brought on the Leadville Trail 100. This race is what started it all for me as an ultra runner. I did not get to toe the line this time. My role was crew and pacer, and again, my runner didn't make it...I did enjoy the racer meeting and camping with my newly engaged friends and watching the race from the role of crew. I did two scouting missions to Steamboat Springs, running on some new to me trails and exploring.  I also made an attempt at the Ten Mile Traverse, running the ridge of peaks 1-10 from Frisco to Breckenridge. I only got peaks 1-8...It will stay on the bucket list...

Ten Mile Traverse

As I reflect back on my year in running, I can't help but to be grateful for all the places it has taken me. In the next few days I will be toeing the line for the Run Rabbit Run 100 in Steamboat Springs, Co. Its a big deal to me. I have put in a lot of work for this. It will be the culmination of an entire training season, 9+ months. It is not the end though. It's just another stepping stone in the journey.... 

...and miles to go...

Desert RATS Stage Race-Recap

My feet are raw, really raw. Specifically my heals. I have hardened callus skin on most of my toes. Basically dried out blisters. I am sure I will lose two of the toe nails. My calf is tight, the right one. My left is much worse. My quads are literally peeling, sunburnt. My shoulders too. I'm driving eastbound. I was in this same spot a week ago, but westbound. I can see sections of the course. I have a much greater respect for the trail seven days later.

Seven days before.
Strawberry Shortcut 10k
I awake and slip out the door without disturbing any of the relatives visiting for the annual Strawberry Days Festival. With coffee in hand I drive to town for the locals foot race. This year will be a little different as I have a new team kit to sport. I'm in town for the annual 10k  foot race. A little locals race of about 100 athletes. I heard a rumor of a new course and that was true. Pretty standard meet and greet around the makeshift start line and then we're off! I accomplish my goals, but my mind is already wandering..., wondering..., with anticipation... for the week to come...

start at Loma

Six days before.
Stage 1- Salt Creek
This stage was pretty familiar for me as I have trained and raced on the first 12 miles of this 19 mile stage. Mary's, Lions loop, Troy built, all really flow-y single track fun. Crossing the Salt creek on the pedestrian bridge to the finish was all new terrain for me. I floated in the creek to cool the core temp and it was really helpful. The climb out of  Salt Creek was obnoxious. I was pleased to see the aid station at the crown and the two track road to the finish of the stage.

Five days prior
Stage 2-
"If pain is weakness leaving the body, then this can only make me stronger."
The days mantra for me was pivotal in the work being done. Two-track roads and some pavement sections were in order for the 38 mile stage. This day proved to be the warmest of the week. I struggled in the heat and was unsure if it was actually hot, or if my issues were with the cumulative miles of three days of consecutive racing. John confirmed for me that it was indeed hot! I owned my mantra through my rough times and worked them out. I thought about our soldiers who have braved warmer climates with much more than some silly stage race on the line. My day was successful, but many others did not have the same results. Our incredible medical team had recorded temps of 121 degrees on the pavement. I kept a steady constant pace as best as possible but the third day of racing was taking its toll. We all eventually made it back to camp safe and tired. I heard stories of great teamwork, camaraderie, and looking out for each other. They all played into the days events. This ultra community is simply amazing.

Four days earlier
Stage 3- Sprint stage
This is the shortest of the stages at 9 miles. No one, including myself, wanted to sprint. We all took the short stage to recover and just survive to day 4. The route has spectacular views of the Colorado River and had a little more climbing than I would have expected, but still less than 1,000 ft. After the few hours of running, we all enjoyed the river at Dewey Bridge. The participants were relaxed and the work crew was flawless, like a well oiled machine. The sites and sounds made me think of a traveling circus, a good one, if there is such a thing. We were becoming a tribe.

Three days ago
Stage 4- Expedition Stage
"It's going to be OK."
This stage was the pinnacle of the week. The 7,750 ft of gain over the 42 miles was enough to get my attention. I carried extra water, lights, as well as a shell... you never know... This was my day. The best day I was to have on the trail. I stuck to my nutrition plan and actually enjoyed the run. This section was the most scenic of all the days, and it did not disappoint. A grey fox was spotted playing on the rocks near the start and that was the just the beginning. It got hot, but I kept my cool about me. When the course topped out at 8300 ft. I had a bit of a break down, a good one. I enjoyed the view.I thought about the opportunities that I have been given and that I have created for myself. I thought about my family and my friends sending all those positive vibes from afar. I enjoyed the open trail and one of my favorite albums, singing most of the way down. I did fry my quads pretty good and needed to walk backwards down Castle Valley Boulevard in the steepest of descends.

Two days prior
Rest day
Ahhh, the well needed, well deserved rest day. AKA, the calorie and hydration game!! It was an amazing day of relaxing on Sandy beach and eating, and eating... It was nice to be able to clean up and take care of our bodies. A hidden waterfall off camp was so nice and refreshing.

Yesterday
Stage 5- The Marathon
" I am the only one who can bring me down. No one else has that power"
I was able to do my homework for this stage on the rest day. It starts out with a 10k climb before falling to the finish 20 miles later. There is an out and back section on the famous Porcupine Rim Trail that climbs 750 ft in the 2.5 miles. Pick up your stone and return to the aid station and then your home free- sounds simple-ish, right? Nothing ever is...
Destroyed myself on the climb, because..., that's my thing. I like to climb. I wanted to cruise the down and get 'er done, but I had a feeling about the stone. Man, was I right. Upon my arrival, my stone seamed out of place, larger you might say than the others. I didn't hesitate. I didn't think twice. I accepted the challenge and moved on, moved through it. " No one but me..." I owned that stone.

Its MY rock!!

After leaving my rock at the aid station, there was only a rolling descend to the Slick Rock parking lot. That 10k was bittersweet. I thought about the week, these people, this tribe. I thought about how I didn't want it to end, the circus. I thought about the challenges we all accepted to push ourselves, push our comfort levels. I thought about my own journey to this moment. I thought about my girls at the finish, waiting for me. I put on my music and start to sing...

My feet are raw, really raw. Specifically my heals. I have hardened callus skin on most of my toes. I roll the windows down and find my album. I think about my girls. I put on my music and start to sing...

#91 and the Zion Traverse

Zion Traverse

The Day Before...
Its raining. The wipers are on full speed. I'm not the kind of guy who overly uses the wipers in any car- so that's not the issue. It is wind and rain just at the slushy hail like state, and its coming down hard in this stretch of Utah. Just a few hours ago, Thomas and I were running around in what we thought was rattlesnake canyon...turned out to be devils canyon at the western edge of Colorado. We got a little "lost" so we down climbed to another trail to make it back to the car to continue on with the plan. And the plan...Zion Traverse. Tomorrow. East to West. 48 miles.
We drive and it rains, and rains, ....and rains. We try sleeping in our cars at the Lee Pass trail-head and it rains, and rains... I cant help but think that this is a lost trip- that we will eek out a ten miler on some overly populated trail and call it good.

Morning Start- Isn't promising...

Morning! Off to a good start!
We get moving just after 6am, after driving one of our cars to the East Rim trail-head on the other side of the park. Last nights rain has subsided to thick fog and dampens the sandy sections. We'll take it. We cruise the first climb easily and then begin the quick decent into the lowest point of the course, The Lodge. Just before the Lodge we turn up the switched path of Angels Landing. We are in the thick of tourists and it doesn't feel much like the epic trail run I had dreamt of. Thomas sets into a ridiculously quick pace and is chatting with the tourists in passing.
I'm out of my comfort zone.
The pace is to quick for me.
There are too many tourists.
A guy from Canadia slows Thomas down with conversation and I am able to rejoin them near the saddle.Wow. The saddle is filled with more... I cant muster up the mental fortitude to deal with all these tourists on the narrow trail to the top of Angels Landing- Its not really part of the trail anyway. We carry on the West Rim Trail.



Darla is awesome! Who's Darla you ask? Darla is my RunGo app! Its an app I was just introduced to through researching route info for this trip. The app does turn by turn voice directions for predetermined routes. The voice is the standard electronic voice of a female, Thomas and I started referring to her as "Darla".  She was spot on- didn't miss a turn. Darla prompted us before a turn and then again at the turn. After three or four directions from Darla, we were so confident in her ability to lead us that we even put the map away. She told us when we went off trail, we took the East rim trail as apposed to telephone canyon due to snow. Darla is extra special. She can download a route to your device and be used when off grid. My phone was in airplane mode the entire run, and Darla lead the way. The app was free, but I did upgrade $2 for the month to be able to download routes for offline use. Get this app. Use Darla. "Darla, your a darling"
https://www.rungoapp.com/


After Angels landing we got to the meat and potatoes of the trail- no more tourists, no more man made paths... just the trail and.. mud, snowy muddy trails. I regain my pace and my composure and return to enjoying the adventure. Luckily the trail has some amazing views to get us through these obnoxiously muddy sections. After I return home I recount the stories for my mother and describe the mud. She remembers and shares my childhood tribulations with mud. I played outside in the dirt more often than not, and mud never bothered me then. Great reminders!

Rim Views ...For Days!

The rest of the day we maybe saw 10-15 other trail users. Two in particular were a couple from Seattle. We crossed paths at the halfway mark. They were on a four day backpacking trip to see this great park. They insisted that we take some of their water as they were going to fill up in the next half mile which saved us from the out and back of Saw Mill Springs. They are retired and out in the middle of nowhere enjoy each others company. My thoughts drifted to aspiring to be like them, no formal plans, no timeline, just taking it all in. They lift my spirits. What a cool lifestyle.

With our route change, we were unsure if the mileage would be the same and started second guessing how far the end was. As the sun was near the horizon, Darla spoke up "You are 1 mile from the finish". With that added relief I snapped off a last picture. My legs were heavy and my body tired. I was hungry and muddy. At this point, I couldn't help but think of how long this trip had taken to put into action, how long this epic run has been on my bucket list, how many plans were made that fell through to not get this done earlier...
...In that last mile, I am full.

During the drive home I start the process again, ...what is next.

Team Passenti- Leadville recap 2016

The Infamous Hope Pass

It was less than a week ago I was toeing the line of my 6th Leadville Trail 100 run.

4:00am 6th & Harrison 
I find some friends in the pack- we wish each other the best of luck- joke for a minute how this sounded like a good idea in January...and we're off!

Already this has started off like your typical race report recap-

Headed out for the creek crossing

but its not.

An old friend tells a joke about a pro skier in the lodge bar surrounded by the best looking ski bunnies- He says-

"Alright, alright ladies, enough about me. Let's talk about you. 

Have YOU ever seen me ski?!?"

I can talk about running all day long -just ask me.

This is really about teamwork-
Team Passenti.
Team Passenti is friends and family. This isn't some rookie team. Collectively, we bring over 35 years of racing/pacing/crewing experience at Leadville and now 6 finisher buckles combined. That helps. A lot.

3:40pm mile 54
"Nice work Brian"-Peter
I can't look up, again. I want to stop. How far is the top?
One foot at a time, just look down...
Think they have Swiss? ...and mushrooms?! I bet the Silver Dollar Saloon does..STOP looking UP!
Bacon too...I want the greasiest one, the one that when you pick it up the juices run down your hand and collect on your elbow till its too heavy and drops, staining your pants. I want a cheeseburger.
Down! Keep looking down. Keep moving....I can smell it and my mouth tries to salivate, to no avail...just keep moving...

Ken Chlouber and Merilee Mauqin!

The Coveted Buckl

2016 Team Passenti
Katie Passenti: Crew Chief -7th year
Jeff Wissing: Assistant to the Crew Chief/
                     Assistant to the Party Chief- 1st timer
Amber Wissing: Party Chief/ Pacer- 2nd year
Leanne Evans: Crew/ Pacer- 3rd year
Mark Bauer: Crew/ Pacer- 7th year
Peter Heitzman: Crew/ Pacer- 5th year
Gina Giuliani: Crew/ Shuttle- 1st year
Ken McDonald: Crew/ Shuttle- 5th year


3:20am mile 94
Wait- what did he just say? Was he talking to me? 
Did that silhouetted cowboy leaning on the hood of that truck just say something under earshot of our pack? Am I the only one to hear that?

"Better get a movin- times running out..."

He knows it- and I know it too.

"Hey Leanne, did you hear that guy...?"

"No, what guy?"
"Lets go-"

I owe you all a HUGE THANK YOU! You selflessly traveled around the course for nearly 26 hours with little rest(understatement) attending to my demands(bigger understatement).
It was even one of our 41st Birthdays! Really. I know you love this race as much as I do though.
We accomplished the goal!
Thank you guys for supporting me along the way and all season. I honestly couldn't do this race without you.Thank you for taking time away from your own lives, families, and passions to support mine. I am indebted to you for this. Words cannot express my feelings, nor my thanks for all your help.
Thank You

I only stand 5ft 9in tall, but when a small army of friends and family are walking right behind me at mile 99 bringing me home, I stand a bit taller.


and finally,
Thank you...


I still have yet to get that burger, but I'm sure I will this week...

2013 racing and training goals

I recently had the privilege of helping a friend with pacing duties at the Rocky Raccoon 100 in Huntsville State Park, an hour north of Houston. Micky is a veteran distance runner, and he has lofty goals for most of his races. Just two weeks prior, he ran a marathon in Phoenix in 2:55, and wasn't happy with it. Micky and I met at a race, the 2010 Silver Rush 50 in Leadville. We were both using that race to gear up for our first Leadville 100 five weeks later. After the race, we exchanged numbers and have been racing and training together ever since.

Houston skyline

My duties were to consist of pacing from miles 60-100, texting Micky's friends and family updates on his progress, and meeting him every 20 mile lap with his personal items. This was to be my first time in this type of role, as usually I am the racer. I was excited to be there and I wasn't alone. The crowd was buzzing with energy too. A lot of warm hugs and words of encouragement are shared prior to the 6am start. 3-2-1...and they're off. The energy is infectious and I quickly remember why I love racing. A flood of adrenaline sends goose bumps to my skin and butterflies to my gut. I have the itch, the drive. I want to race.

This year, just like Micky, I too have lofty goals for my racing schedule. I have outlined my season around four major races.
  1. HITS half Iron-distance triathlon. May 18th in Grand Junction, Co.
I really wanted to get a long tri race in this year as I have not raced a triathlon since my 2009 Ironman Arizona finish. May would be hard for me to commit to the full Iron-distance, but I do think that the half will be the perfect season kickoff. Breaking the 5 hr mark would be an ideal goal. I believe that in my triathlon days I was a more well rounded athlete. This HITS race will keep me honest, and force me to swim.
  2. a.Hardrock 100. July 12th-14th in Silverton, Co.
Hardrock would be a honor to be able to try.Ultimate goal is to finish before the 48 hr time limit. I have a backup plan for this race because I am 12th on the "first timers" wait list. That's close enough for me to gear my training for that specific race right now. It wont be clear till May or June if I will get in. If I am not brought to the entry list, my backup plan is the Grand Mesa 50.
  2. b.Grand Mesa 50. July 27th in Grand Mesa, Co.
The Grand Mesa was a great race last year for me. I used it to get my final miles in before Leadville. A challenging course just a few weeks out from Leadville is the perfect approach.
  3. Leadville 100. August 17th in Leadville, Co.
 I will then toe the line for my fourth start at Leadville. Goal for this one would be another under 25 hr finish, but just to finish is the mission. I love this race. I love this town.
  4. ING NYC Marathon. November 3rd in New York, NY
My final race of the season will be the New York Marathon. I grew up back east and watched many a NYM finish from behind the barricades in Central Park as a young adult. This will be my first official marathon and I think a 3:10- 3:15 is a reasonable time after an already long season. I would love to be able to just enjoy this one.

Unfortunately, Micky rolled an ankle at mile 36 and could no longer go on. He has had a prior injury to that ankle, and there was no "walking it off" this time. I spoke to him a week after the injury and he is healing his wounds. I need him to be well to pace me at Hardrock, this July.
I was only able to run 2 miles in Huntsville State Park, but I came home with a lot more... a renewed drive to race.

Fun

**UPDATED 1.15.2018**
I wrote this post as my first 5 years ago. As I was tracking out new terrain today on my shoes, I thought about this post. Its crazy how some things are completely different and some haven't changed a bit. Ken and I were out just a few days ago on our snowshoes and pretty similar to 5 years ago, it was impromptu and fun. 

Fun is a relative term. If you have ever spent half a day with me, you've probably heard me say this; "Fun is relative". Some chose the more popular "fun" activities, like skiing, biking, reading(per my wife), or lounging in our local Hot Springs. But, again, fun is relative. There is plenty of "fun" for all.
The definition of fun:

fun 

1.amusement: a time or feeling of enjoyment or amusement

2.something amusing: something that provides enjoyment or amusement

the best training partners, under 7 miles...

This now brings me to the most recent "fun" I encountered with a friend, yesterday. Lets call my friend Ken, simply because well, that's his name. Ken and I have been friends almost as long as I have lived in this mountain town, 13 years. We have biked countless miles together, some seasons more miles than others, and we both share a love of cheap beer. Ken and I set out on an impromptu snowshoe outing on a secret stash of trails/ranch roads in North Glenwood. Nothing out of the norm for us. The day is perfect and so is the trail. But... that's not enough for me.Yes, I was having "fun", but there must be more "fun" out here somewhere? As I check our surroundings, I spot more "fun"! "How are you feeling back there?" I ask Ken. Ken says "good??" with a bit of hesitation. I think he's on to me. "How bout we bushwhack up to the top of that ridge?". Ken obliges, with more hesitation. I am now experiencing more "fun"! I hurry to find a good gap in the sage to navigate to the base, hang my snowshoes on a limb as a reference point for descending, and start my push up. It is muddy(understatement), and the snow slushy(and another...), and there is no clear path which shouldn't surprise anyone reading this, if you know me. Suddenly, I can feel the excitement, adrenalin rushes, and I surge and scramble upwards making my own trail in the direction of the summit. This is "FUN"! I look over at my two best training partners, Cori and Jessy, and their experiencing it as well! Running, diving, digging in the mud as two chocolate labs do best. "FUN" screams across the face of Jessy. It's addictively contagious, and I push even harder, managing to eek out a grin proving that this must be "fun"! I pause to check my surroundings, take in a quick view, search for a hole in the sage to find the next line up, and look back for Ken. He is below mumbling explicits at first, then they aren't mumbles. I spot him, and his body language says it all, not "fun". Seriously, how can this not be "fun"? I wait. He catches up. We talk. He has a half dozen reasons why this was a bad idea, and only one has any validity. He is not having "fun", and that is good enough. We agree that he will head back down, and I will push on for more "fun". I know, I know, not the best idea, but reason gets pushed aside for "fun". We part. I scramble up with a purpose, and eventually reach the rocky outcropping that I had viewed from below, 2,000+ vertical feet above our starting point.

  

view from the ridge of West Glenwood Springs

Wow. Views. Silence. I rest and praise the dogs, snap a few pics, and head back trying to follow my original line. A little sketchy in spots, but otherwise fast and "fun", I bound down. I can't help but to anticipate my next visit to this rocky ridge line. It's only going to get warmer, and drier, and I might just be faster. Maybe I wont be, but one thing is for sure, it's gonna be "fun!"

Update: Ken made it home safely. I caught up to him about a mile from our start. He appeared to be having "fun".