Trails!

Day 1 of "Softrock" - 

The original plan was to run as much of the first half of Hardrock as possible with Jon.  That is until I got sick.  I have been feeling off for a couple of weeks now and struggled through Logan Peak Race and the two runs since then.  I finally went in to the doctor on Sunday and he said I have Mono.  What would the smart person do?  Hmm, stay home and miss out on your sweet vacation?  Nope, the smart person would modify their running plans to be Hiking ONLY plans.  Ok, not so smart still but that is what I did.

Today's plan was to start at KT aid station and hike to Telluride.  That would involve 2 passes.  Grant Swamp Pass at 12,950' then a descent to Chapman aid 10,200' (where my wife and friends Tim and Azusa would crew us).  The second is Oscar's Pass at 13,100' then a descent to Telluride at 8,800'.  

The first pass was gorgeous with insane views and so many photo opportunitites.  The second was a grunt of a climb and we were trying to hurry because the afternoon thunderstorms were moving in.  We got hit by a scary lightning and hail/rain storm while exposed on the top.  We hurried off as quick as we could.  Another gorgeous descent with many photo ops.  Loved it.

Spent the night in T-ride.

First Hike was 3:06 elapsed time, 2:12 moving time - 2400' vert

Second Hike was 3:50 elapsed time, 3:13 moving time - 3000' vert

Day 2 of "Softrock" - 

Today we hiked from Telluride 8780' to Governor Basin 10,100' over Mendota Ridge 12,575' and Virginus Ridge 13,100'.  Another scenic day with lots of photo ops and lots of amazing views.  The descent off Virginus was sweet with lots of snow to glissade.  Had a great time.  Beth had a rough day as she was tasked the assignment to drive from T-ride to Governor Basin but the truck's alternator died not far out of T-ride.  She was able to hitchhike and beg our friends to rescue her and us.  They were kind enough to drive us back to the truck buying a battery en-route and then we were able to drive the truck to a shop and get it fixed while we all soaked at the Ouray Hot Springs.  Stressful day for her.

Today's Hike was 4:12 in elasped time and 3:17 in moving time.  4400' vert 9.1 miles

Day 3 of "Softrock" - 

Today was a rest day so that we would be able to pace at the official Hardrock race tomorrow.  Jon would pace Stuart Air and I would pace Tim Adams.  For our rest day, we took a scenic hike up Bear Creek (start of Engineer Mtn).  We even had Beth along for today's hike so the company was infinitely better than just Jon and I.  The pace was pretty easy but even with that I was feeling worn down and tired.  Better get to bed early and get some extra sleep so I could pace around 20 miles of hiking with Tim.  

The trail today was pretty sweet with a ton of switchbacks to climb about 1k' before entering the canyon.  Miners cut this trail literally out of the side of the mountain.  Very cool.

5 miles - 3:10 elasped, 1:40 moving, 1500' vert

Instead of waking up feeling refreshed and ready to do more hiking today I woke up in serious pain.  I thought my spleen was going to explode.  It was huge and very painful.  I went in to race headquarters and was the first medical issue the race organizers would see that day.  They checked me out and recommended an ER visit.  The ER confirmed their diagnosis and I ended up having a rare side effect of mono.  Something called Ascites which is basically fluid in my abdomen.  This caused my liver to be stressed and so they felt they should monitor me for 24 hours or more to make sure things improved and I didn't go into liver failure. Lots of IV's and pain meds and rest.  I had to 'watch' the race from the hospital bed.  Not the way I was planning to spend the day.  They let me leave Saturday and now (sunday) I am home and resting.  I feel a lot better but it will be awhile before I am able to run.  Gotta rest and heal.