TranRockies

Well day one was what could be described as a “nightmare”. An almost flat (gradual incline) half marathon on dirt roads with some depressingly long straights disappearing into the distance. We grit our teeth, lungs bursting with the 8-9 thousand meters of altitude and completed what will hopefully be the least fun days of the week.

Day 2 was much better. This time a fell run! The challenge was always going to be the altidude. Starting at just short of 10,000ft and climbing up to 12,600 we steadied away and crested the pass about a minute down on the american pair (apparently made up of last year’s winner and an Olympic steeple chaser). As we hoped, they weren’t as strong on the down as on the up and we soon passed them finishing about 90 seconds clear with the 3rd team (who summited just behind us) a further 10-minutes down.

Tomorrow’s going to be a different ball game. After two short stages we’ll find out who can hold it over 20+miles. Tom and myself feel good, but not that “chuffed” about the quantity of dirt road and rolling terrain - why can’t we climb these massive mountains at the side of the path!

Time for a bite to eat and a lie down in america’s highest town… Tomorrow we have a hilly marathon… and then another… and another… looking forward to it!