Thanks for the kind words on the report.

This event is a good one! There is something unique about a point-to-point course especially being a first time on the course as I experienced. It made it quite an adventure and your weren’t 100% sure what was coming next.

The race finished right at the back of the host lodge which was kind of nice as well. People just hanging around and cheering on incoming runners. A nice vibe.

It is not an extremely flashy race but extremely high quality, well marked, great aid stations, and beautiful terrain.

To your question – It is definitely hilly but it is not Colorado. My Garmin recorded ~14250 ft of ascent and ~14500 ft of descent.

The course was somewhat broken up into sections of more climbing and then sections of more flat areas. I am a flat-lander as well so this event is definitely doable. I never did training to simulate this kind of terrain.

Knowing what I know now, my training would include some stair-stepper, walking/hiking on treadmill at 10-15% grade, walking multiple sets of stairs in a building, or something that assists in strength building for a hiking/steady walk pace.

I am not sure what your trail experience is but conservative pacing would be recommended at least through the 25 mile mark to get a feel for the course. Then you have a fairly good idea for what you are up against.

If you decide to race it, let me know how it goes.

Really enjoyed your race report… you have a great sense of humor!

Was wondering how hilly is the course? I’m a flat-lander living in the Hoosier (Indiana) and am trying to train on the small hills we have in our area. I’m not sure yet if I want to do this race or something closer to home and later in the year?

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