Which Way to the Gondola?

It seems that the closer we come to August 22 - 27, the more interested people have become in learning more about the TransRockies run, and exactly what type of training we are doing to prepare for it.  The first reaction of most people who hear "113 miles and Colorado" in the same sentence are something along "wow, that's ambitious", and then a muttering under the breath "you crazy SOB!"

I heard that.

At this point, people then ask the next logical questions - "How are you training for altitude?", and "How are you training for hills?".  Both very good questions.  According to the run website, the altitude for most of the run will be between 8,000 - 12,000 feet.  Ooooohhhh.  Aaaahhhhhhh.  Altitude of Charlotte, NC = 649 ft.  Uh-oh.   So, the short answer to the first question is - we are not training for altitude.  How can we?  Maybe run with a sock stuffed in our mouth???  (Peanut gallery - no comments please).   Sure, we can go up to the "High Country" of NC - and maybe get to 3,200 feet in Boone, NC.  Don't think that will give the same effect.   In the end, there isn't a good training program for those competitors (yes - that sounds so much better than participants...who knows, we might win when everyone else drops out from too much altitude training!) like us.  We will just have to deal with it when we get there.  Good news is, we are arriving 4 days prior to the run, so we can acclimate as best possible.  But, everyone has had an experience in the mountains, and is providing their input on how we should best prepare.  Yet, nobody wants to be our Sherpa.....

Just so you all know what the course really looks like, the photo above is of the elevation changes through the 6 stages.  Don't think I haven't notice that Day 2 seems like quite the anomaly.  Thankfully, it is ONLY 10 miles long that day.  What is that anyway, like a 27% incline???? (click on photo to open up larger version)

Now for the hills question.  See earlier paragraphs.  Not much elevation change in Charlotte.  Hills in Boone are a two hour drive away.  Solution (at least for me) is an inclined treadmill.  Yes, it is boring. Yes, it is hard.  Yes, I am a crazy SOB for suggesting this run.  But, heck - you only live once.

Just wait until you see us run DOWN the mountains.... that won't take as much skill, right???

If only we could get the other competitors on OUR playing turf.  Flat roads.....we'd show them how running is really done!

KEIYH