Ok, let’s run, but first, lest I forget in my oxygen deprived state on the Mountain, I always want to thank the volunteers on the course, and I’ll do that now, just to make sure. “Volunteers, you are the heart and soul of these races.” I don’t know any runners who would disagree with me. No matter how much training I’ve done, I would not have a good race without the encouragement from the volunteers. The aid supplied is nice, but the smiles, whoops, and “Go Phil” are my staple diet for the race.

The training is over, the thinking is done, and preparations are organized for the weekend. Now it’s time to run. I’ll still run daily, and not much but at a good pace. Now it’s all about the weather and food. The weather report looks like it will be slightly overcast in the morning and I like that. The report is for light rain later; let's hope it hits after the volunteers are packed up.

I’ll take my jacket, hat, and gloves to the start and then decide if I’ll take some or all of them.  I’ve eaten the breakfast I’ll have Saturday morning most every Sunday since December. I know it settles well for me. Cream of Wheat, a banana, and a piece of peanut butter toast is what is on the menu. I have my Gu in several flavors; Espresso Love for later in the race, Triple Berry for early on, and Salty Caramel for mid race. I’ve had them multiple times for months, so I know I can eat them with confidence. I’ll get grapes and pretzels at the aid stations. I’ll have some electrolytes with me in case it gets hot, but they sometimees bother my stomach so I’m careful with them.

I’m a firm believer in no surprises and no changes race week. Several years ago I wore a pair of socks that I had used for short runs, but never for more than 6-8 miles. I decided they worked well for that distance and wore them for a marathon. I finished that race with blisters on the ball of my foot two inches across so I’m wearing socks in which I’ve run up the Peak many times. My shoes are well broken in.

I always have a hard time figuring out my goals for the Ascent. I primarily want to finish upright without needing the medical tent folks, even though they are great people and have taken good care of me in the past. Two years ago I ended the race frustrated and bitter that I’d gotten behind a group of runners who weren’t interested in running, just completing the course. Why they sprinted to the spur trail at the beginning and immediately started walking is beyond me, but I spent a lot of energy getting around them, and grumping when I couldn’t. I realized after the race that my slower time was a result of my thinking, not theirs, and I won’t let that happen again. I want to run well, have fun challenging myself to hard running in specific places, and maintaining a good pace, walking or running, in other spots. I want to finish with a smile on my face, and legs so tired that I have to work at getting to the vans. A good race is all about attitude for me, not time, though I would like to finish in less than four hours. I want to be at the finish line when my Marmot teammates finish, and if they finish before me, I want to congratulate them for getting up there before me. Being on the team is all about encouraging each other before, during, and after the races and I have enjoyed the companionship we've developed over the last couple months. 

Ok, let’s run. See you on the mountain.