Gore Tex TransRockies: Training Is A Blast!

Fun, fun, fun....I'm having loads of it. To be honest, compared to training for a regular road marathon, this is amazing!  Over the course of the summer training for the Goretex Trans Rockies,  has seen me run through some of the most beautiful scenery Colorado has to offer. I have not missed pounding on pavement and dodging cars, or the smell of exhausts.  Instead training for the Trans Rockies has us running through lush forest, along burbling mountain streams and single- track lined with verdant wildflowers.

Over the past two months or so, my training partner Paul Mandel and I have slogged up historic mining roads, raced the gondola up the near vertical Aspen mountain and stood breathless at the top of such runs and gazed on great vistas. Sure, extreme trail running is no picnic, but the rewards are incredible.  Will I ever want to return to road racing after this incredible experience? It will be hard...

We have a little over three weeks to go and have made great progress. Our bodies are getting accustomed to running up and down mountains. Running at 10,000 ft now feels normal, where a couple of months ago it was a challenge. Yes, we are both making the odd visit to the physical therapist for some fix-up work, but all in all we are feeling good and ready to tackle the big one.

A huge shout out to all our sponsors for the fantastic gear they have supplied.  A little more than three weeks till we head to Buena Vista for the real deal. Bring it on!