Trail running trials and tribulations : Preparation for Hardrock 2018

Ultrarunner fighting Atrial Fibrilation (AF)

This blog has pretty much always been about running ultras, mostly Hardrock. It still is but now it is also about running after AFib. I was forced to miss Hardrock in 2011 due to the onset of AF but my long term goal was to get back to running milers. And hopefully help any other runners with AF who stumble upon this site. I never made it into Hardrock in 2012, or 2013, or 2014. I didn't have a qualifier for 2015. I ran Fatdog in Canada instead. That was tough. I finished my 4th Hardrock in 2016 and now I'm back to try for the magical number 5.

If you want the history of my AF the heart problems all started back on May 25 2011: http://howmanysleeps.blogspot.com/2011/05/out-of-hardrock.html

Tuesday, July 17, 2018

Preparation for Hardrock 2018

Time for another crack at Hardrock.

July 1: Fly to Durango via LAX.
July 2: 13km for 3hrs (400m) of easy running on the trails above Durango. 3km walk in and then 3km out of Durango.

July 3: 14km for 4hrs (761m) up Kendall Mtn with Larry Hall.
July 4: drove over to Silverton for July 4 parade with Dale, Larry, Liz, Robert and Howie.

July 5: 6km for 1hr around Durango. Smoke still pretty bad. Moved to Silverton.

July 6: 16km for 5hrs (1,300m) up to Handies and back with Larry from Grouse.

July 7: 9km for 2hrs (300m) up Kendall solo to box car and back.

July 8: 16km for 6hrs (800m) Cunningham to Silverton with Larry and Beth.

July 9: 13km for 2:40hrs (325m) out to creek crossing and further out along Nute's Shute.

July 10: 16.7km for 6:48hrs (1,383m) up Handies again with Larry, Beth, Rachel (Beth's daughter), Roger and Hailey.

July 11: 12km for 4:28hrs (800m) up Grant-Swamp pass from Chapman with Larry and Roger. Drove over Ophir Pass and back the long way via Telluride to avoid sketchy road in storm.

July 12: 8km for 1:36hrs (182m) out via beaver dam trail to white ski hut, Arrastra Gulch, solo. The beaver dam has been breached and is now fully drained, sadly.

July 13: 11km for 3:23hrs (680m) Governor Aid Station to Virginius Pass with Larry, Roger and course marking team. Then hot baths (pool) and mexican to round out the day.