Pikes Peak Ascent - What I didn't know until I got on the mountain

When you are thinking about hardest half marathons in the US, depending on your knowledge Pikes Peak Ascent may be on this list.  Pikes Peak has topped various list as one of the hardest half marathons.  This is a trail race that starts in Manitou Spring and climbs 7,815FT Vertical Gain.  The top of the peak is 14,115, that alone should scare you.  It didn't scare me but probably because I didn't know what I was getting myself into.  My friends were doing it so I wanted to.  At that point I had completed 44 half marathons, two marathons and currently training for another marathon.  In addition I trained in the heat to help, which I know that you can't duplicate altitude but this was the best I have in Oklahoma. Due to my crazy schedule I wasn't able to go train on the mountain, which I should have but didn't make it a priority.  

When picking up my packet I had the same feeling as any half marathon, I knew it was going to be a challenge but I had 6:30 hours I should be fine...I was wrong.  The morning of the Ascent I was so excited, it was going to be hard but we are going to finish.  The cutoffs are as followed and added my times to it as well for reference. 

NoName (8,800) - 1:40:00 - 4.3 Miles

Crossed 1:34:23

Barr Camp (10,200) - 3:10:00 - 7.6 Miles

Crossed 2:47:23

A-Frame (12,000) - 4:30:00 - 10.2 Miles

Crossed 4:11:25

Summit (14,115) - 6:30:00 - 13.32 Miles

Crossed 7:01:25

As you can see I made good time and hit the first three cut off with time to spare.  What I didn't realize that when I hit A-Frame altitude hit hard.  At the start off the race I thought we were going to power hike the first mile, little did I know we all were going to run the first mile to gain some time.  It was a hard mile but took it with intervals and finished the first mile in 13 minutes.  At that point the course got hilly so we started to power hike.  I also didn't want to burn too much too early.  Pretty soon we were stuck in a hiking/walking train up the next section.  That was a little frustrating because we are racing the clock.  It did give us time to catch our breathe but with three different cut offs before the summit every second counts.  

Once Heather and I got to NoName it was a relief to at least pass one cutoff.  I was told at this point that we could run a little but decided that wasn't going to happen due to how much of an incline there was during that part.  Once I hit about mile 5 there were some downhills and decided to take those to help with time.  I also made it a point to hike quickly at any point I can.  Around this point Heather told me to go on. I felt bad for leaving her but I had two more cut offs to get through.  I was able to drop my mile 6 under 20 instead of 24 or 25 min mile.  This happened the next few miles which helped me mentally in thinking I could make the next few cutoffs.  At around mile 6 I started to feel my head and knew this was altitude.  That wasn't a good sign but kept going.  Barr Camp was next, once I saw the sign I was so excited.  I'm more than half way up and was feeling good to continue.  It was a party there, there were so many volunteers and aid station to help. I had everything I needed so I kept going.  Before I left this section I was asked if I had a jacket and luckily I did because they were going to turn people around as it was cold at the peak...which I didn't know.  I did see some runners were able to get trash bags if they didn't have a jacket. 

With the first half of the race behind me I was excited to move forward.  I was taking nutrition earlier than normal because I knew I needed it.  I luckily ran into a friend (Dani) around mile 8 but she ended up passing me as I was losing some steam.  

I also had to stop more than I wanted to, which I knew was not a good sign but just needed to catch my breathe.  This part of the course did get a little steep and you had to climb boulders so I took my time.  I felt a little defeated when people would pass me but did what I could.  I just knew that the only thing I should be worried about was the clock.  While I climbed more my head started to pound even harder.  The only thing I could relate the pain being drunk but I wasn't drinking it was just altitude.  I knew I wasn't the only one feeling this so I pressed on.  A-frame finally came and "wow, I can't believe I made it."  I had hope to make this cutoff but just didn't know.  This is where the fun started...well the hardest three miles ever.

When I crossed A-frame I had about 19 mins so I had 2 hours and 19 mins for three miles.  I can definitely do this.  This is also where we lose any covering/shade so I would be in the sun and exposed.  My head wanted to pop but I knew if I turned around I would have to complete another ten miles so 3 miles up shouldn't be that hard right? I was wrong.  The final three miles took me almost three hours. What is wrong.  I can't even count how many times I stop but it was a lot.  I was around 11 miles when I saw my friend Karen.  I yelled at her and she actually heard me.  I thought I would never catch up because she looks so far.  I kept going and ran out of nutrition.  How did that happen? I thought I over packed.  There was nothing I could do but move forward.  I caught up to my friend and luckily she had a pack of chews I gave her a month ago so she gave it to me.  I was very thankful.  We decided to take on the mountain together. I needed support at this point as it was hard to do it by myself.  We took 15-20 steps and stop for a break and this was continuous for the next two miles.  It was like my body was forced to stop and sit or lean against the rocks.  With one mile to go I was losing hope that I would finish on time.  At one point I was like they can sweep me, I don't care any more.  There were a lot of medics so I felt safe while I kept climbing.  I overhead there were 16 golden steps so I was waiting for it...I found out afterwards that it was 16 switch backs which glad I didn't know that when I was on the mountain.  

Once we passed the 6:30 cutoff I told myself I was going to finish.  Having Karen with me help because I would push her to keep going which would push myself.  I initially thought the finish line was by the train as I kept climbing. I hiked up this weird section that was roped off and then crossed a mat. I thought to myself am I done? Did I just finish? I made sure to stop my watch in disbelief.  There were a lot of people around this area so I assumed we were done.  Shortly after I crossed a volunteer came over and put a medal on me.  I started to get emotional "what the hell did I just do and did I just finish?" Our official finish time was 7:01:22, which is about 32 mins over time but at this point who cares.  We finished.

We took a few photos and kept moving so we could move inside where it was warmer.  The volunteers were amazing.  They were packing our go bags when we got to the train platform.  A volunteer came down and took our numbers.  He said for us to take shelter and he would bring it to us.  The volunteers knew what we went through and did whatever they could to take care of us.  I was so appreciative of them.  Due to us being passed the timeline they were trying to get us off the mountain quickly.  I didn't get to look at the new center but I did get donuts thanks to Katie and Stephanie.  We got into the van and was able to catch our breathe.  They filled our van with as many runners as they could.  The drive down was terrible, it took a long time and was ready for some food.  We joked about the experience and that we would never do it again.  At the post race party we were able to celebrate with some food and a post run massage.  We also talked about how bad this idea was. 

It's been a month since I ran the race and while I didn't finish before the cutoff I was glad I did it.  It showed me that I can do anything if I set my mind to it and that I am not going to do this race ever again.  This race isn't for me and I'm fine with it.  Next up is OKC Marathon which I know will be a lot easier than Ascent.