After bagging my second Pikes Peak Ascent this weekend, I find myself in a familiar predicament where I walk around swearing that I will NEVER do that race again. Not because it was particularly bad (I actually even had a little bit of fun), but purely because I’m reminded how difficult it really is to climb 8,000+ feet in one morning and how I simply don’t do well in crowds. Although the addition of several new start waves was supposed to alleviate the crowding on the trail, it was a moot point for me since based on my horrid qualifying time, I was still placed in nearly the last wave with individuals who insisted on stopping and taking photos on the single track areas so that the rest of the conga line was left helplessly standing still and continually losing momentum on our journey to the top. However, as I had no real serious goal in mind for the race, I was able to maintain my humor with the fact that I was carrying the PikesPeakSports.us Triple Crown Runner team mascot, Mike the Marmot, securely on my back, which made for a lot of conversation and smiles along the way. I also purchased a new Nathan VaporAiress hydration vest from Colorado Running Company the day before the race, and was extremely pleased with the lightness and versatility of the pack. Not only is it so far the ONLY hydration system that hasn’t caused me undue frustration and irritation, but it was able to carry Mike the Marmot, 2 liters of waters, a jacket, hat, gloves, gels, lip gloss, my cell phone and even two Dale’s Pale Ales, which each fit eerily perfect in the front two pockets without feeling bulky or out of place. I also loved the magnetic fastener so that I wasn’t fumbling around trying to fasten and unfasten the water hose every time I wanted a drink.

With my eternal dehydration issues solved, it left me to happily hike the trail, looking forward to enjoying my beer. As I popped open the first one at Barr Camp, it foamed out of control and after a futile attempt to wipe up the mess with my sweat soaked shirt, I simply took a swig and passed the can around to all my brand new friends and then continued on my way. The happiness was short lived though, since about a half mile out of Barr Camp, I was assaulted by an angry bee which promptly stung me right on my nose. As I screamed like a panicked toddler and clawed at my face, I managed to remove the bee, along with a small chunk of skin from my nose. As my face and nose began to swell, I realized that blood from my claw wound was also now streaming down my face. Wiping the blood away with wet clothing was as futile as my earlier attempt to sop up the beer and I found that I was now hiking along with my left nostril swelled shut, my face burning from the sting, and my whole body reeking of sweat, blood and stale beer. Not my best moment, but I believe the pure adrenaline rush pushed me to what might have been my fastest mile of the day. As I continued on, the swelling and stinging eventually subsided and by the time I made it to A-frame, I was already back to happily sharing beers with my even newer best friends.

Working my way to the summit, I found that I felt much stronger than the last time I attempted the Ascent, but still a bit tired and fatigued in the raging heat. I pushed right through Cirque station without stopping, confident that I could make it to the top where I planned to chug two bottles of chocolate milk I had stashed in my bag that morning. I was thankful to be hiking behind an older gentleman who had clearly done the race many times before and was coaching his daughter (or granddaughter?) on her first quest to the top. He was full of positive, encouraging words and tips which I desperately needed as I drug myself up the last mile.

As the finish area came into view, I felt a bit delirious from the climb and absently wandered through the finish, hoping that my husband would find me and deliver my precious chocolate milks. Knowing that he had likely finished at least an hour ahead of me, I was certain he would be ready to climb on the bus and call it a day. Unlike my first Ascent, I didn’t feel obligated to linger and take many photos. All I really wanted was to do was get home to my babies and relax.

Having taken a couple days to reflect, I am extremely grateful for the experience and am so appreciative of all the people who not only support and contribute to the Mighty Marmot team, but also to everyone who supports and assists with the Triple Crown Series as a whole. I couldn’t possibly list all the names, but know that for every volunteer, teammate, employee and spectator I saw along the way, your presence is genuinely appreciated and it is you who make these races so special and memorable. It’s also why people like me keeping coming back – even when we say we won’t. Lastly, another huge thanks to my husband, Andy, who also completed his fifth Pikes Peak Ascent this weekend not because he wanted to, but because his loving wife signed him up in order to share the pain. He never once complained and in his usual fashion, was waiting for me at the finish with a smile, a hug and words of encouragement. I feel incredibly lucky to have a partner that supports all my crazy endeavors and most importantly, doesn’t hesitate to wrap his arms around me, even when I smell like sweat, blood and stale beer.