Steamboat Springs - 2024 RRR continued

Mindy and Pete arrived in Silverthorne the day after we arrived in Breck. They enjoyed hikes, fishing, and visiting Mindy's high school friend they stayed with. On the day before the race (Thursday, the 12th), we met them in Frisco for a big breakfast before heading to Streamboat.

Jedi and Ann had been in Steamboat since the 9th, having driven out. Tanya and Bucky got there on Wednesday. They'd stay with Kenny and Tammy, who'd driven there from Utah after Tammy's Wasatch run, until we got in when they'd switch over to our condo. It was a TMR party! We were all going to meet at Mountain Tap Brewery for an early supper. Rick and I hit Olympian to do drop bags and packet pickup. It was the least crowded we've ever seen it! I did the Bunny ears photo op this time. I figured I didn't do it previously and didn't finish. Why not change that one little thing, too? Lol.

Soon, our huge contingency of Trail Monsters were together at the Brewery. Beers and pizzas filled the table as did laughter and love. Ann, George, Tammy, Kenny, Tanya, Bucky, Squirrel and Marms, Rick and I made one special group. As we finished, I reminded everyone I needed to get a burger to go for my pre-race breakfast. I went to the Irish pub a block up the street. Was I surprised when my bill was $30.xx! Holy shit, that better be a good burger, but if it did its job, it would be worth every penny. Our group went its separate ways back to our condos. Tanya and Bucky were now moved in with us.

Jedi and I were both taking the early start (women over 50 and men over 60 could opt for it). This year, they were actually giving us two extra hours, an additional hour from previous times. My strong desire was to finish in the 36 hours given to the rest of the field, but I'd definitely take it in case I needed it. Plus I hate the start of races with everyone all together; the small group of older runners was the perfect size in my mind. Little did I know that the extra hour would make for an annoying conga line of fast runners coming at me when heading up the technical climb of Fish Creek Falls. Sigh.

I went to sleep fairly easily, but would wake up at 1am, unable to go back to sleep. The start wasn't until 7. My alarm was set for 5:30am. Sure, I tried to fall back to sleep, but when it was around 4am, I tried to figure out how I could be up and not wake everyone else. They were going to be operating on very little sleep in the coming hours and I would need them. 

I was so relieved when others started to stir. Evidently, Bucky slept terribly the entire time in CO so I probably could have had some company for some of those hours. To the burger! Meh, it wasn't that great reheated, but at least it was huge. After 3/4, I couldn't stuff anymore in. It did seem almost double the normal burger out. 

I had brought so many and so many different weather running clothes. If we had the rain and hail of the first year, I would want multiple changes of clothes, especially warm ones. The weather was pretty sure of itself; it would be dry. It turned out to be warmer in the day light than last year, but colder at night. I think I had my drop bags just right. It helps that Rick could get to Dry Lake and Olympian, probably where the biggest decisions need to be made. I was going to start just like last year: shorts, tee (this time my Team Scout Patagonia shirt from Lost Valley <3), sleeves, and my mushroom sprint hat. I was using poles again, but planned to put them away this year except on big climbs or downs where footing wanted me to use poles. Thanks, Todd, for the quiver. I really think it was part of the solution to my lean/bend.

Anyway, let's get this race going!!! Rick drove Tanya, Bucky, and me to the start. He drove back to the condo and then walked done to see me off. Ann and George joined soon. Normally they would have beaten me to the start, but they took the bus from their condo. Then Kenny, Tammy, Pete, and Mindy showed up. Tammy gave me her jacket to where until start. 

It's a good time to stop. Next post is "Go!"