Prep for the Labor Day 75 Mile Epic Run

So how exactly do you get ready for an epic 75 mile run? Hmm. Krissy just sat down this morning and packed up her backpack, easy peasy. Me... well I've spent two days weighing my bars/gels/powder/pack/etc. Reviewing guide books, reading and printing maps and analysing the TOPO software. That is part of the fun for me - the prep and anticipation!

We're out the door right now for the Olympic Peninsula. Starting around midnight tonight we'll be starting the Hoh Valley - Bogacheil Traverse: 75 Miles, 16,000+ feet of gain (yeah it's a doozey!). My pack should weight between 10-12 lbs. I've also replaced my stolen digital camera with the Waterproof/Shockproof Pentax W10 so I should get some great shots to post.

Hot Laps of Tiger anyone?

It can be done!! Tiger Mtn's Preston Railroad trail is 13 miles of technical single track with 2,500 feet of climbing. Last year the fastest I was able to ride it was 1:06. And I have yet to hear of anyone riding it in under an hour - so that seemed like a nice little goal - even if I only get to attempt it a couple times a year. Today's conditions weren't perfect for the attempt. It rained last night. This makes the extremely rooty and rocky trail more dangerous than normal. This caused me to ride a little more causious than normal. Even with a crash, a stop to check my tire and riding off the trail once, I was able to get that down to 1:02. Now I know it can be ridden in under an hour, gate to gate.

**There are some really fast XC riders in Seattle so post a comment if you've done this loop in under an hour will ya!? I wanna hear what the fastest time is!

Didn't accomplish the goal of my training today but I was able to ride the Preston loop 4 times. My totals were 52 miles and 10,000 feet of climbing in about 4:51. I did stop between laps to refill my bottles and eat a bit. With the exception of two Hammer Gels, I was on a liquid diet only today. First lap was Hammer Heed, my preferred fuel for under 2hrs.. then after that I used Hammer Sustained Energy and Hammer Perpetuem (which have a protein in them). I am trying to figure things out for Worlds!.

Tyler Patterson Swims the Circumference of Lake Washington

My DART-nuun teammate Tyler Patterson just swam the 55 mile circumference of Lake Washington in 37hrs. Congrats Tyler! Seattle Times Article on it.