Marathon training and an ultra journey

For the past few weeks, a major focus has been on Harrison’s training for the upcoming Leadville Trail Marathon — the most difficult marathon in the country — on June 27. In addition to being 26.4 miles, slightly longer than a standard marathon, the course ranges between 10,200 and 13,187 feet in altitude and includes more than 6,000 feet of total elevation gain.

So there have been long runs, and longer runs, including a 22-miler on his 22nd birthday back in April, and several other big efforts like the big vertical day on Hermit Pass last week, and then a double this past Wednesday that included nine miles with Black Cloud Run Club in Leadville, followed later by a hike up Mosquito Pass, the high point in the marathon. I’ve also made sure he has previewed unfamiliar sections of the course in recent weeks.

During this Wednesday hike, I was trying to count how many times I’ve reached the summit of Mosquito Pass. For certain, I have done so 87 times in pack-burro races from both the Leadville and Fairplay sides. I’ve also climbed that pass numerous times in training, including three memorable outings in which I crossed it twice in one day. I’m certain I’ve climbed that hallowed rock pile more than 100 times. Counting this past Wednesday, Harrison has five summits of Mosquito Pass — two in the Leadville Boom Days Pack-Burro Race, and two in the LT Heavy Half run.

All the while we have been putting the finishing touches on The Blur Goes to College. It’s hard to believe we are reaching the end of this written history. Looking over our final installments, it seemed strange to break any of it up into smaller parts. I’ve also been informed that this Sunday is Father’s Day.

So, on Sunday, we will be dropping the final chapter of the book in one longer episode called “Graduation.”

Writing this story has been an ultra-journey, both in word-count and in collaboration. People have asked what it is like to work with Harrison on such a project. The most interesting facet has been learning through his writing about things I never even knew happened. At other times it has been challenging, as I have kicked a few chapters back to him with questions or asking him to inject a little more emotion — he is amazing with facts, dates and the order of events, but sometimes writing his feelings is elusive and I do believe that is what people are most interested in. I do feel this book provides enough storyline that readers can implicitly understand our emotions without us having to state them.

I for sure could have written this thing, and much faster, without Harrison, but it wouldn’t have been any good. We’ll now turn our attention toward publishing this story on paper. In the next few days, we will have some exciting news about our front cover design. Stay tuned!