PP Marathon Photo's

All I remember is how happy and relieved I was to be going down hill for a change (;-)>



 

Pikes Peak Course Elevation Profile

 

A few words about Pikes Peak Marathon

A few words about the Pikes Peak Marathon It is supposed to be the Hardest Marathon in the United States!
Pikes Peak Marathon: The views are inspiring it will leave you perspiring, Its very tiring . Something to share The air way up there is so very very rare, the trail is rough so take really good care!
Here are the facts from the web site: http://www.pikespeakmarathon.org/index.htm
“Course: Starting elevation - 6,295 feet (1,918 meters). Summit elevation - 14,110 feet (4,299 meters). Ending elevation - 6,345 feet (1,934 meters). Net elevation gain to summit - 7,815 feet (2,381 meters). Net elevation loss to finish - 7,765 feet (2,366 meters) Distance: 26.21 miles Average elevation grade of the course: 11% The course starts on a paved city street in Manitou Springs. The first 1.33 miles are on paved city streets. The course then connects to Barr Trail and follows Barr Trail to the summit of Pikes Peak. The first 3 miles (approximate) along Barr Trail traverses along the east face of Mount Manitou. Switchbacks and steep grades are the norm for this section. The next 3 miles (approximate) traverses over to Pikes Peak. The grades of this section are much gentler than before, and even includes a couple of downhill sections. The end of this section is Barr Camp. The 3 miles (approximate) from Barr Camp to A-Frame bring back steep grades and there are more rocks and boulders to negotiate along the trail. The final 3 miles (approximate) from A-Frame to the summit is the toughest portion of the course. It is entirely above tree line. The grades are still steep and the high altitude means that the oxygen supply is less than abundant. But don't worry, there's less gravity along this section, so you'll be nearly weightless as you bound along to the summit. (Well, not really!) After reaching the summit, runners turn around and run down Barr Trail to the finish line back in Manitou Springs.” OH and Yes up on top it is single track trail strewn with large rocks & boulders with two way traffic down hill runners have the right of way...

Pikes Peak Marathon V

I finished the race beat the cut off's & got my shirt & finishers medal! despite the Altitude ( try running & only breathing through a straw) Spawning up hill (down hill runners have the right away so if you are in the middle of the pack you are fighting for every foot of progress on single track technical trail)

Close up of Big Horns











Gasp! Huff Puff, I reached the summit Spawning up stream against down hill runners did the turn around now I'm going down hill











Wish I could run like these BHS maybe next year...

Pikes Peak Marathon IV

Above the clouds Curvature of the Earth











Some race-ist FRB






















See the big horn sheep running through the Marathon (click on Pic to make it bigger)

Pikes Peak III

The reigning Champion record setter & Winner Matt Carpenter












Views at timber line & above












Me posing with the rest of the trail & PP behind me












You have to watch your step these rocks will trip u up.

Pikes Peak Marathon II

 

Pikes Peak Marathon I The begining

Finish for Saturday half marathon Ascent Pikes Peak

This will be my half way turn around point for
the Marathon tomarrow Pikes Peak 14000 feet above sea level
the bad news its all down hill from here
The good news its all down hill from here

Pikes Peak

First Views of Pikes Peak from the Airplane
The Pikes Peak Ascent 1/2 Marathon















The begining of the Saturday 1/2 Marathon ascent in Manitou Springs











Trails at the top of Pikes Peak the Golden stairs 14000 feet I will be here for Sunday's Marathon

Pikes Peak Im going home to Colorado

Focusing in on Pikes Peak marathon & the Barr mountain Trail
I'll be there in a few days... 12,000-14,000 feet above sea level and asking myself...
'Gasping' for Breath (O2 Starved brain) half a brain to you buddy!
a) What the hell was I thinking?!!
b) how did I get here?
c) Great View! Where the hell am I?
d) Have I died & gone to heaven?
e) Why is this so hard? I thought the golden stair (Jacobs Ladder) would be more like an escalator?

Time waits for no one

Ready or not
Time keeps slipping on.

 

Six days to Pikes Peak Marathon

As this week has started, I am focusing in on my hardest undertaking,
The Pikes Peak Marathon, Sunday August 20th.
Everyone please send good vibes!
 

Bar Trail Run 1/2 Marathon July 16

Barr Trail Run 1/2 Marathon from the Base of Pike's Peak to Barr Camp & Back

ON Trail July 22

There is somthing about running at 12,000 feet that is just mystical
The scenery, being at cloud level, the Lack of O2

Now this is a Trail! July 22

What a view! & a bit of runable trail

Mystic Island Lake CO July 22

Mystic Island Lake, CO. My Grandfather & Great Uncles used to race here from Yeoman Park some 5-7 miles below its near backside of leadville, area south east of Eagle CO