My latest running adventure occurred on Saturday when I participated in the Pikes Peak Ascent. This race has been on my “to-do” list for over 5 years but scheduling never worked out. It was on my race schedule going into 2018 but scrapped when the car accident happened on January 3. I was signed up for 2020, but COVID-19 pushed it back to 2021. I was excited when arriving in Manitou Springs, knowing the race was finally happening.

For those not familiar, Pikes Peak Ascent is a half-marathon distance race up Barr trail from Manitou Springs to the summit of Pikes Peak (14,115 feet). The race starts at 6,300 feet above sea level in downtown Manitou Springs. The trailhead for Barr Trail is 1.5 miles into the route. From there, the trail takes you to the top with an elevation gain if 7,815 feet. It’s very challenging, especially for those of us who train in the flatlands of Wichita, KS.

Some folks from Wichita train for PPA by running parking garages, stadium stairs and hitting the stair climber at the gym. Others prepare by using the difficulty of extreme heat to simulate the difficulty of altitude. I used the latter. I scheduled many of my summer runs during hotter parts of the day and I completed a 32-mile run in 91-degree temperatures. In addition to that, I purchased an oxygen deprivation mask to use on the treadmill. I wore the mask once per week with the incline set to 12% (the average grade for Pikes Peak is 11%) for 90 minutes. I tried to one-up myself each time in both distance and incline.

As for the race itself…wow…it was tough. I began the morning with DDP Yoga’s “Standup Classic” before leaving the hotel. I needed all my muscles activated and stretched for the long-haul. I felt very prepared during the first 10 miles. I was managing the altitude just fine and my body felt great. I only had one minor glitch the first 10 miles, and it was overhydration. I’d rather be overhydrated than underhydrated, but I had to step off the course 4 times over the first 10 miles to relieve myself. Most of the course is a single-file trail making it difficult to pass others. I seized on opportunities to pass ahead any time the trail widened up. It seemed like I would gain ground for 45 minutes, then stop for a bathroom break to only fall right behind everyone I passed. I think it cost me about 10-15 minutes. Maybe more. No way of knowing. I won’t beat myself up because underhydration could have resulted in a “DID NOT FINISH”. I know how to prepare better next time.

When passing mile 8, the race staff warned us the temperature with a wind-chill would feel like 20 degrees once we passed the tree line. I added gloves and a long-sleeved shirt shortly before mile 10 where the treeline would end. After feeling good for 10 miles, I struggled during the final 3. It was cold and windy as I began the most treacherous portion of the race. The final 3 miles were continual switchbacks alongside a steep slope. We traveled back and forth for 3 miles on a gravel-like surface. At this point, it seemed as if everyone was struggling with the altitude. Although it is cold, I begin feeling warm due to extra clothing layers and the sun beating down on me. Very few people were passing others and I noticed nearly everyone looked fatigued. The final 3 miles took 80 minutes. I can still see that white gravel and hear the crunching noises of running shoes moving along the surface. Those noises are still ringing in my ear. This last portion was tough physically, but it became more of a mental game. I felt woozy and developed a headache at mile 11. I could hear cheers as others finished as if they were close-by, but they were not. The mountains bounced the sound from the summit making it seem closer than it really was.

I finally crossed the finish line at 4 hours, 34 minutes. I didn’t know what to expect due to lack of experience in these conditions, so I didn’t have expectations. I wanted to finish, first and foremost. There were 1410 participants, 1271 finishers and I was #553. I’ll take it. There were 90 participants from the state of Kansas with 60 finishers. I was #20 amongst my Kansas peers.

An idea popped up the moment I summited to finish the race….

….TO BE CONTINUED….