I haven't done the round trip, so I can't speak for the marathon. I have done the Ascent 3 times, though. Been a while, as my last one was in 2002. I've always been a little skeered of whether my legs would continue to function while trying to run that downhill. Probably a stupid fear though, there is always the notion that you're not really going to be running the full downward portion. In fact, *most* people (Matt Carpenter and others of his ilk excepted) don't actually run the whole upward portion either.
The trail is a nice, fairly wide in most places segment of ground for walking/running. As you probably would expect given that this is a 14k-plus mountain, above tree line the weather can change dramatically and quickly, particularly the later in the day you're up there (any time after 12 noon). In the last couple of years there's been snow up there, and duirng one of those events the rescue folks and race officials started to turn people back. That caused a lot of uproar, to which I say, "really? you're so unable to consider your own safety that you're actually mad that someone else is voluntarily doing it for you." (sorry...my editorial views about people not taking care of themselves in the outdoors sometimes gets the better of me). Those weather changes are all manageable with the right degree of forethought and preparation. Imagine the stories you'll tell afterwards!
If you at all dig the mountains, are willing to want to do a fair bit of uphill training on trails, are willing and able to carry a bit of gear for the potential conditions the mountain may throw your way, I'd say go for it. I've heard that it is a special welcome that you get coming back into Manitou Springs after the marathon! (as long as none of the residents caught you peeing in their bushes prior to the race...that's been an ongoing saga...)
Do you have anyone who's going to sign up with you?
Thanks for the info. Yeah, I do have a thing for the mountains, and I need something big to do this year since Im not currently planning on a full IM until 2011. Plus, I have plenty of trail running and hills to train on here in Montana. I dont have anyone else to sign up with yet. Im not sure how fast the spots go, but I will be there trying to get a slot when registration opens. Any other pointers?
Hey, I just stumbled onto this thread. I signed up for the ascent this year. It's 2 weeks after Boulder 70.3. Not sure if that is ok or plain stupid. I am not looking to set and crazy pr's or records, but just want to have fun. Plus I don't have any other Tri's on my schedule after Boulder. Olivia, do you have any suggestions for training for it. I will moslty be training for boulder, but maybe a few runs up in the higher altitude.
Greg, Good luck with the whole thing, I am assuming you signed up?
Jessica, when I was doing the Ascent I trained for it like a marathon but with some additional trail runs mixed in. I knew I'd be at it for about 4 - 4.5 hours so I trained accordingly. It might be worth a ping to the coaches in the "macro picture" thread to see what advice they might have. I don’t know for sure whether additional run volume would be practical or reasonable based on your HIM training. It might very well be that since you're training your engine for 5+ hour triathlon events that there would be enough crossover for the run/walk that you do to get up the side of that mountain. (It really does turn into a fast walk…and then a slow scramble/walk) It almost seems risky to consider adding more running, but maybe a slight increase would be OK. See what the guys say….and then post back in here and let us know. I’m curious.
BTW – I’ve been really sick this week…seem to be getting better now, so I have some hope of actually being able to ramp up for Boulder. Yesterday I thought I’d have to scratch the race. Fingers crossed!
Oh so sorry. I hope you can recover and get in some good training. I did my long run today and my IT band flared up again. I just can't seem to shake this. Going back for more Active release and making best friends with my foam roller and trigger ball.
You are in Denver right? If you ever get down to the springs and want to ride, let me know. Thanks for the tips, I will ask the guys and see what advice they give. I'll let you know.
Epic event. A must do on an endurance athlete's bucket list.
Train like an ultra. Will generally take your open Marathon time PLUS 1/2 hr just to reach the top. My open time is 4hr and took me 4.5hr just to get to top.
coming down is worse..
Going up is alot of power walking.
Miles go by very slow.
My time was 7.5 hr (MOP).....see in comparison to my open time!
Take a fanny pack with lite cap, long sleeve shirt and glove. It could be 80F at bottom and snowing at the top!
So I raced the Ascent this weekend. Probably one of the most fun events ever. I finished in 3 hours and 49 minutes. My goal was 4 hours, but I really had no idea. I didn't add on any training to my boulder 70.3 plan b/c my IT band has still been bothering me. It did hurt on the portions that I ran, but not the fast walking. Weather was perfect, I wore shorts and a t-shirt and pulled on some arm warmers at the top. I carried my infinit run formula and drank every 10 minutes. No issues. The altitute didn't even seem to bother me at the top. This just might have to be on my to do list again next year. Jessica
Comments
The trail is a nice, fairly wide in most places segment of ground for walking/running. As you probably would expect given that this is a 14k-plus mountain, above tree line the weather can change dramatically and quickly, particularly the later in the day you're up there (any time after 12 noon). In the last couple of years there's been snow up there, and duirng one of those events the rescue folks and race officials started to turn people back. That caused a lot of uproar, to which I say, "really? you're so unable to consider your own safety that you're actually mad that someone else is voluntarily doing it for you." (sorry...my editorial views about people not taking care of themselves in the outdoors sometimes gets the better of me). Those weather changes are all manageable with the right degree of forethought and preparation. Imagine the stories you'll tell afterwards!
If you at all dig the mountains, are willing to want to do a fair bit of uphill training on trails, are willing and able to carry a bit of gear for the potential conditions the mountain may throw your way, I'd say go for it. I've heard that it is a special welcome that you get coming back into Manitou Springs after the marathon! (as long as none of the residents caught you peeing in their bushes prior to the race...that's been an ongoing saga...)
Do you have anyone who's going to sign up with you?
Hey Olivia,
Thanks for the info. Yeah, I do have a thing for the mountains, and I need something big to do this year since Im not currently planning on a full IM until 2011. Plus, I have plenty of trail running and hills to train on here in Montana. I dont have anyone else to sign up with yet. Im not sure how fast the spots go, but I will be there trying to get a slot when registration opens. Any other pointers?
GV
Greg, Good luck with the whole thing, I am assuming you signed up?
BTW – I’ve been really sick this week…seem to be getting better now, so I have some hope of actually being able to ramp up for Boulder. Yesterday I thought I’d have to scratch the race. Fingers crossed!
You are in Denver right? If you ever get down to the springs and want to ride, let me know. Thanks for the tips, I will ask the guys and see what advice they give. I'll let you know.
Did it in 2002.
Epic event. A must do on an endurance athlete's bucket list.
Train like an ultra. Will generally take your open Marathon time PLUS 1/2 hr just to reach the top. My open time is 4hr and took me 4.5hr just to get to top.
coming down is worse..
Going up is alot of power walking.
Miles go by very slow.
My time was 7.5 hr (MOP).....see in comparison to my open time!
Take a fanny pack with lite cap, long sleeve shirt and glove. It could be 80F at bottom and snowing at the top!
Feel free to PM me if more quesitons!
Jessica