Tough Luck in Leadville.

After much, much training, Andy was pulled at Leadville for time at an aid station. Candi called me at about 10:30 p.m. EDT and gave me the news. It was the altitude. He'd had only two training sessions at altitude, and knew that that might be his undoing. Apparently, the lack of oxygen at 10,000 feet is a greater foe than streams and rocks and lots and lots of miles. But hear this: he did not quit. Andy doesn't have anything to prove, and he's got every right in the world to coast a bit. But I bet he won't. So, what's that mean? 411 days in the slam?

Okay, you want an update? Here's an update. I'm really tired. I made the last station cut-off time with 20 minutes or so to spare. My foot's holding out okay. My spirits are pretty good. Alicia, my crew-chief is taking pretty good care of me. I'm about ready to go into Hope Pass, which will get me near to half way. I prolly already told you, but these here is Mountains. See? http://www.leadvilletrail100.com/merchant.ihtml?id=1535&step=2. The local weather? The weather's pretty good at the moment, about 53 degrees. Check this out: http://www.weather.com/weather/local/80461?lswe=80461&lwsa=WeatherLocalUndeclared&from=searchbox. This is tough, but I ain't quitting. No way.

Somewhere, Over the Rainbow...

Roger and I aren't big fans of Western States. Their favorite sport is screwing runners out of money, they are very good at it. They are arrogant, they are heartless, for goodness sake they wouldn't let Anton in.

That said, they have a great race in spite of themselves. And one thing they do very well is update interested parties on the whereabouts of runners. Vermont, I love those guys, but they don't even have a clock, if you aren't wearing a watch, you may as well wait till Sunday noon and check the Internet to see if you finished and if so when. Arkansas, same.

So, today isn't Western States, so my guess is you don't know where I am on the course, heck, I may not know either. I aint lying, I'm scared of this one, it's high in the mountains engulfing Leadville, it's not a Florida friendly course.

But, I will not quit. I won't nap on the course (shoot that can turn into hypothermia and even a light death in the Rockies). I won't lose my phone, so I'll be able to call SuperDave and update him. I will soldier on, I will do all I can do to be all I can be to have a super nice day and keeping my higher being and my power animal in the forefront of the cosmic karma (good pizza!) at all times. (Just practicing stream of consciousness for mile 83.6.)

Be cool (underrated movie with John Travolta and the Rock and Uma)
A-Man

Fair to Say this would have been Easier!

Ok, this is what we are going over tomorrow (Good Lord willing and the snow don't rise too high!):

That's Hope Pass. Look like fun? Yeah, that's what I thought.

Now, this is the race I proposed as the third (now second) leg of the Grand Slam. It's in Alabama, it traverses this:

That's Fair Hope Pass. It's in Fair Hope, Alabama. Looks kinda boring, but I don't see any snow, I don't see..... er, er, a MOUNTAIN! Yeah, that's looks a little easier.

Next year, it's the Southeastern Slam. No running, we go to Fair Hope and drink some Alabama Slammers, then down to New Orleans to Pat O's for a couple of Hurricanes, then Mississippi (it's a big river, can you spell it?) for some Mud Pie, and we finish in Key West with some Key Lime Pie, and some , "I never knew you liked," Pina Colada's!

Finish rate 100% and the tattoo is wicked cool!

Song of the Week: Could it be Another?

This was as easy as Parcheesi! I mean this choice.... easy peezy, lemonjello squeezy!

It's John Denver. It's 1974. It's me in Leadville, Rocky Mountain, can't get much Rocky Mountain Higher!

Cold Hands, Warm Cart

Isn't there a saying, "Cold Hands, Warm Cart?" I never really understood that, but I guess it means, if it gets too cold outside get in the darn car and crank up the heat.

Well, the weather service says, "It's going to be cold out there campers." Oh joy.

Ok, let's recap:

1. I'm from Florida

2. There are Zero Mountains in all of Florida

3. The high point in Florida is 41 feet below sea level

4. The record low in Florida on August 16 is 86 degrees.

Now, Let's look at the Leadville Trail 100:

1. It's in Colorado

2. It has mountains so rugged they are called the Rockies

3. The low point in Colorado is 41 feet above Ski Level, no one know the high point.

4. Whilst August is the 12th snowiest month in Colorado, it snowed last night on the LT100 course, it's supposed to snow tonight on the LT100 course, it's supposed to snow tomorrow night on the LT100 course, the low on the race course on Saturday will be around -10 Centigrade.

Er, I'm not in trouble... not yet, I'm in Chase's office working on his computer, shoot, I've got hours more of relative comfort before I go to Leadville. Oh higher being, oh power animal, oh great goddess of the handwarmer be with me!

Tell me it aint so, tell me I got it wrong, tell me it isn't "Cold Hands, Warm Cart!"

Tail on the Scale: #173

Hey, I've pretty much decided this is now my new weight. It agrees with me, and I can still drink the occasional brewski and stay here at 173. Too late to worry about carry the extra lard around Leadville.

I'm cool with it.

Guess that's what happens when you get older, you can't just drop the weight (except maybe from your chest to your belly!) like you used to could.

Hey, I'm off to Leadville today, wish me and belly good luck!!

Love ya!
AndyMan
(will he be 2 for 2? Garsh, I hope so!)