Wed 7/22 - AM 65 minutes

CR 150 to Zapata Falls trailhead. Not that long of a run but plenty of climb, from around 8,000 to 9,400'. The dirt road from the highway to the trailhead, first visited a year ago, was somewhat longer than I remembered it with unending switchbacks it seemed. Got going a bit on the stretch along the highway but that was as much to get off the highway as for any other reason. By the end I was feeling baked and parched. Some tightness in the right hammie, no doubt from all the sitting behind the wheel of late. Later in the afternoon, hiked up to the highest dune within sight of the visitor center and wandered in the creek which is flowing with a surprising amount of water after a wet summer in these parts.

Tue 7/21 - PM 45 minutes plus 4+ hours hike in the AM

The day began before sunrise with a drive from Gunnison up and over Schofield Pass on the road that was just as nerve-wracking as I remember it from my last visit five years ago. Unlike the ill-advised traverse of the Four Pass Loop that I did then this time it was a much more mellow hike up to Frigid Air Pass and back down. Spectacular scenery and wide open spaces with wildflowers everywhere. Alas, the overcast skies yielded passing showers that came through about every half hour starting an hour in. Conditions went from sunny and mild to wind-driven rain in the blink of an eye. Soaked through and feeling pretty miserable by the time the trailhead was reached and the wind and rain really picked up. Of course, it let up again soon after leaving for CB and lunch. The day's run happened after that, and a long nap. The climb from the parking lot to the main plateau was much too hard and something I should have avoided by parking up above. Once up top I was able to move a little bit but predictably, not a whole lot in the legs after the hike up and down in the morning.

Mon 7/20 - AM 55 minutes very easy

Salida. Probably the same run as a year ago at this time, i.e. the day after the Barr Trail race. Very easy putter up to the top of Tenderfoot Mountain, some pictures of the nice view, and then a slow putter back down. Quads not as stiff as I was expecting, but left iliacus and right QL were both pinched, no doubt from the descent yesterday.

Sun 7/19 - AM 2 hours up and down Barr Trail

One minute faster than a year ago, with the difference entirely on the climb that went in just over 69 minutes this time around. Overall the race was a pleasant surprise as I felt like complete crap going in and couldn't really muster the energy or interest to do a decent warmup. Emphasis was on staying patient during the climb and not falling on the descent, successful on both counts. I did take one small spill just before turning around trying to avoid someone coming down the other way who wasn't in the race. Glad I wore cycling gloves, I was probably the only one. Over two minutes in front of the next runner at the turnaround, which removed any sense of urgency about holding people off. As it turned out one person came from well back to pass me (and plenty of others) and I passed two people myself who must have blown up entirely. Some overcast and felt a bit humid by Colorado standards at the start, found myself sweating more profusely than I was expecting.

Sat 7/18 - PM 30 minutes very easy

Cheesman Park. Completely strung out after a wakeup call in the wee hours followed by two hours waiting around the airport and a flight that started with waiting 40 minutes on the runway. Beyond tired by the time I was able to squeeze in a brief shakeout in the park. Legs felt just as I expected they would, which is to say crap. Not at all sanguine on how the race tomorrow will go.