So last week I tried to finish the Leadville 100. I failed miserably and my day came to and end at mile 23 or 24 (I got lost so I had an extra mile not on the course). The reason for my failure was completely inadequate preparation. I did about half of the workouts my coach planned for me. I did about 25% of the course specific workouts designed for my trip. I lost about 0 of the pounds that I was determined to lose before this race. In short, I showed up overweight, undertrained and poorly prepared. And it’s all my fault.
That doesn’t mean I didn’t learn a lot and have a lot of fun. It also doesn’t mean that I have nothing to share or comment on. But for those that think finishing or finishing fast is all that matters, they can stop reading now and conclude there is nothing further of value.
But I think there is. I’m an extremely busy person doing a lot of things. Most things I do well. Not running right now. But that will change, and when it does, there is much to learn from and grow on. Which I’d like to share.
Coaching: I think coaching was extremely valuable. I used Liza Howard at Sharman Endurance Coaching. Liza is a two time champ of the race and knows every inch of it. Liza trained for and won Leadville from the flatlands of San Antonio Texas. She knows how to prepare when you don’t have mountains and altitude. She was right about everything she suggested and her assistance was extremely valuable. I can’t reccomend getting a coach to tackle something like this enough. And I can’t recommend her enough.
Training: Liza scheduled me for a lot of running based on my perceived effort, which I rather liked. We focused more on how hard I was trying for a certain part of my run than a specific pace. We built slowly. We alternated heavy run weeks from heavy climbing weeks. The mixture really improved me and my running. I have run more miles as of August 2023 than I did in all of 2022. And a lot of that was vertical treadmill miles. I did a lot of vertical treadmill miles. I really really hated vertical treadmill miles. Really. Until I kinda didn’t any more. I found myself asking to keep one of those workouts in my schedule per week going forward because I kinda got used to them and liked them. This basically involves power hiking on the treadmill at 15% grade (usually while watching Little House on the Prairie).
The problem with the training was me not doing it. Between work, aid stations, race directing, podcasting and etc. life got in the way more than it didn’t. I think I did about half of what was asked of me. Which isn’t ideal. Next year (yes, I said that) I will try to find more ways to get more of these workouts in. I think inadequate training was a huge reason why I didn’t finish.
Sidenote: I went 9 days early to acclimate. It worked. Every morning I woke up and felt like I couldn’t run. My runs sucked. My friend Emily (who took 7th) assured me it would. Race morning I could finally breathe. I will do this next time as well. I can see the difference it makes.
Nutrition: I had planned to eat NSNG (No sugar No grains) leading up to the race in an effort to lose weight and get in better shape. I’m no expert on anything diet or weight related. But I can tell you that I have enjoyed the most weight loss and best healthy eating that way. I feel better when I eat that way. But, not unlike training, this was a half-assed effort and I didn’t successfully lose the 50 or so pounds I set out to. This is something that is completely in my control and I completely failed at. Hopefully next time I can will myself to do this. I am convinced that every extra pound I carry around is a liability when I run. And that’s multiplied when trying to climb up and down mountains.
Crew and Support: I had the absolute best crew and support team and they went above and beyond in helping. The only mistake I made in this department is that I felt a tremendous amount of guilt and anxiety about them leading up to the race. I feared an early cutoff and them being disappointed. I felt like I didn't do the work and that therefore I was wasting their time. I need to let that shit all go next time. I need to remind myself of all the times I crewed or paced a DNF. Not once did I get down on the runner. This might be easier said than done, but I will have to try.
Leadville is, amazing. I love everything about it. This was the first time I got to run down that boulevard, with the other starters, hear the shotgun, run with the mountains surrounding me. I have been curious about what running this race is like for years and it didn’t disappoint. And I can’t wait to get back. If you haven’t been there you should go. Crew. Pace. Or just sign up. You can have a great time whether you finish or not.
Failure. Eh. I’m kinda used to it. I know that I can fail without being a “failure.” I saw so many people that I love. So many friends and fans of Ten Junk Miles showed up and told me what it means to them. Many appreciated my thoughts and feelings pre race about disappointing people, failure and the like. The Nation is strong, and everywhere it seems. I can live with failure. Especially when others can be inspired by it. My hope is someone watched this rather public utter fail and found themself less worried about trying something they might not succeed at. One shouldn’t be afraid to try hard things.
I realize I need to do more training and nutrition and less of something else. I can’t figure out what it is (I bet you wish it was writing :) ). I guess that’s something to think about. Maybe less podcasts or maybe I’ll just get better at RD’ing such that it won’t consume as much time. I don’t know. I really don’t. But I do know that if it is going to be exactly the same as it was this weekend I would go back and do it again. Because putting on the bib, and hearing that shotgun and running in those mountains is just worth it. Even if there is some guilt and same in DNF’ing. It pales in comparison to the entire experience. Which was amazing.
Sidenote: In the events leading up to the race I was reminded of the fact that running is a hobby and leisure activity for me. And that I have to find a way to enjoy it, or what’s the point? And you know what? I did! I enjoyed the treadmill climbs and coaching. The prep. The planning. The training that I did do, and the experience of being in the Race Across the Sky (if only for about 6 hours). And I think that’s really the main point. This is the thing I do for fun. For me. And it was. And it will be. And next year, trainined or untrained, I’ll be in Leadville again. Trying.
And don’t you be shocked if I finish.
Or DNF again.
Great read Scott, we buildup these races in our heads with a finish being a huge part of that. It is certainly a goal as we hit that starting line, but it doesn't define our race or experience.
You nailed so many of the parts of why we do this crazy sport. It's the training, the runs with friends leading up to a big race, traveling to amazing locations, connections, and just being a part of this community!
Great write-up. The crew-guilt is so real, totally get that one, and getting mentally wrapped up in it.