race across the sky

I'm not sure how I feel about the Leadville Trail 100. After spending the weekend spectating/cheering/learning I can't quite decide if I want to make it a long term goal or stay far FAR away.

We rolled into Leadville (yet again) Friday evening. We ate some pizza, pitched the tent, and set my phone alarm for 3 a.m. Yes, 3 a.m.. Why this race starts at 4 a.m. is something I still have yet to understand. Saturday morning we threw on our fleece and headed for town to watch the start.

At 3:45 there were 592 very lean bodies milling around the start area. At 4 a.m. the shotgun blew and those 592 bodies headed down the dark roads of Leadville to the even darker trail that circles Mirror Lake. The sea of headlamps bobbing down the road into the unknown was a truly breathtaking sight.

J, Maddie and I met up with the runners again circa mile 13, after they made their loop around Turqoise Lake, and before they really headed off into the mountains. The sun was just peeking over the horizon, the steam was rising from the lake, and most runners seemed to be in good spirits. It was a nice morning for a little run. There were a few runners who even at mile 13 looked like they were struggling and many would drop out at the next checkpoint. It was going to be a long day.

After a nap (we did get up at 3 a.m. remember?) we headed out to Twin Lakes where we spent the afternoon cheering on the runners at the mile 40 checkpoint. We saw the race leader, who would eventually win by three hours, running the other way. Just as most runners were about to head for Hope Pass (topping out at 12,620 feet), the sky opened up and the rain came down. Along with thunder and lightening. I wouldn't have wanted to be going up there.

We met up with the runners again later that evening at the Fish Hatchery aid station, circa mile 75. The sun was beginning to go down and the temperature was plumetting. At this point most runners had pacers with them (allowed after mile 50) as they headed off into the darkness. We stayed for a few hours and then went to grab some dinner. As I walked out to the tent at 11 p.m. and realized just how dark it is out there, I wondered how these people could do it.

Morning came and we headed back to town. We hung out at the finish line for the final two hours (that would be hours 28-30) (yes, twenty eight to thirty hours!) trudged in. All late race finishers were welcomed back to Leadville by a huge crowd. They ran up a red carpet and each one received a hug along with their finish medal from the race director. Belt buckles will be doled out at the awards ceremony this evening.

In the end, roughly a third of those who began the race Saturday morning made it to the finish line. One third. Part of me was terrified by this experience. Part of me was inspired. I am a long way from being ready for anything like Leadville, but I definitely want to give ultrarunning a try. I was already planning on running the Leadville Trail Marathon next year but I might also try to find a 50k and maybe even a 50 mile to do. I'd also really like to be a pacer at LT100 next year. We'll see ...