My Pikes Peak Sports teammate Brandon Stapanowich played mind games in the Summer Stampede 12K. I'm playing mind games now with my training. Everyday I'm trying to figure out ways to get up the Peak. Last week I couldn't make it above tree line but every hill I ran I envisioned was a piece of Barr Trail on the way up Pikes Peak.

Wednesday morning I ran the Santa Fe Trail (with it's lack of elevation change) and I had to find some way to push myself past the usual mindless one-foot-in-front-of-the-other routine. It was 5:00 a.m. and I could hardly see 50 yards in front of me. My mind games kicked in.

Behind me I could hear the breathing of a 300 pound mountain lion. In a series of 9:00 tempo intervals, I worked to outrun that hungry cat. My heart begged to rip out of my chest. My lungs felt soaked in acid. Everything burned.

If I can't get up the mountain, I'll bring the mountain to me.

Happy training to all... just 20 days to go!