-20 miles
-10 peaks ranging from 12,600 to 13,600
-Difficulty: Class 3 scramble
-8,200 ft.(Photo by: Jon Harrison) |
6am Wednesday morning (July 17) Sage and our friend Jon Harrison started
the Ten Mile Traverse from Frisco to Breckenridge, CO. We started a steep climb up to the first peak
and I immediately knew it was going to be hard day physically as my legs were
already tired from lots of climbing and miles. It probably would have been a
good time to turn around but I wanted the adventure. I knew I wouldn’t be able
to keep up with Sage and Jon though, and I didn’t want to torture myself trying
to. Thus, I put my pride away and let them get ahead while periodically waiting for
me so we could still somewhat stick together.
This
worked for a while and I didn’t slow them down too much but then much of the
way between peaks 2-4 required some class three scrambles. Then I knew I was
really slowing them down. While it seems like it’s becoming a Colorado trend
for ultra runners to get good at climbing, I am just not fitting in to that
right now as I have a HUGE fear of falling off of a mountain. I’m actually okay
with heights when I’m in a plane or have a window protecting me from falling,
but when it’s just me and my clumsy feet on some sketchy rocks, I am absolutely
terrified. I knew going into it there would be a little class 3 scrambling but
I had no idea it would last for so long. Plus, it was my first time doing
anything class 3 and so I had no idea what it would be like.
As soon
as we got to the first class 3 scrambling after peak two I got really nervous
and then upset as I saw how long the rocks lasted for. Jon excels on the
technical parts of the mountains and Sage, for previously being a road runner, definitely
holds his own. I watched in amazement as they seemed to effortlessly navigate
the rocks that could lead to their death if they took one wrong step. I didn’t
even want to take a step forward, let alone try to somewhat keep up.
(Sage Canaday) |
After a
few moments of almost shedding a few tears I realized I had a decision to make.
I could turn around, I could unhappily attempt to trudge on and be mad at
myself for being scared and really slowing they guys down, or I could just do my
best and be proud of myself for at least moving forward, even if I was
terrified and moving like a snail. While the first two choices would have
initially been easiest, I decided to go with my third option. I really did move
at a snail’s pace and I was scared the whole time, but I did it, and even if it
was ugly, I’m proud of myself for moving forward at my own pace. It of course
really helped that I had two great guys by my side. Jon helped show me where to step when I had
no idea where to and then Sage, being the wonderful loving boyfriend that he
is, slowed down to stick by my side and help me whenever I really needed him
to. I was with the right people and they were still happy to be with me even when I
really slowed them down. J
(Jon Harrison) |
"How much longer will this last?" (Jon Harrison) |
Happy to be breathing hard up less technical climbs! (Jon Harrison) |
(Jon Harrison) |
(Jon Harrison) |
(Jon Harrison) |
Peak 10, right before the hail/rain started (Sage Canaday) |
_________________________________________________________________________________
Animal sightings from the week:
-1 moose
-baby ptarmigans!
-marmots
-"Little Prince", Sage and mine's "pet" fox
Run Wild, Run Happy,
Sandi
It's nice to know I'm not the only one who gets sketched out by some of these Colorado mountain routes!
ReplyDeleteI hear you're going to be doing T-Rad (I am as well). Wow, they've lined up a solid field on the women's side. I'm honored to be running with such great runners in such a small (and tough) race. I only hope my health insurance covers chopper evacuations as I'm not sure how I'm going to finish...
Is Sage going to be there? Even if the 38-miler doesn't fit his schedule, the hill-climb could be a fun workout.
Good luck!
Hey David,
DeleteYep, I'm really excited to be going to T-Rad. The course is going to be amazing. I'm sure you'll finish just fine. Just focus on the scenery. Sage really thought about doing it but he will actually be in Switzerland for a really big mountain race that week.
See you at T-Rad!