Part 2 of a 10 part strategy to finish Leadville

May Queen to the Fish Hatchery
Total Miles 10, miles running 5, miles walking 5
Cutoff time 6:00, planned arrival 4:43

I'd like to take a moment to talk about the weather and various subjects.
At the start, you can expect the temperature to be 25 to 40 F.  Easy to
prepare for.  As the day goes on, it can warm up to the 70s even 80, then
in an instant, a storm can blow in and drop to freezing.  I strongly urge
you to carry a goretex jacket the entire way.  I tie mine around my waist
and forget about it.

Drop bags, I don't use a crew and only use two drop bags.  One at the
Fish Hatchery and one at Twin Lakes.  This allows access every 20 miles.
Do not hesitate to have 5, one for each aid station, especially if you
don't have a crew.  It never hurts to have more than you need.

Calories, let me start by giving some facts.  You will burn a good 12,000
calories in order to finish Leadville.  Your body can provide around
1,800 from Glycogen and possibly another 2,200 without much trouble from
fat.  That means you need to consume 8,000 calories from outside.  If you
don't, the body needs to continue burning fat but you won't feel like
moving at a rate that's worth much.  In addition, your body will also be
using muscle for protein requirements.  If you use an energy drink, you can
get another 3,000 calories if it isn't overly diluted.  The remaining 5,000
calories must come from food.  That's 500 calories per aid station.  That is
a lot, I strongly suggest you have a plan to eat that much.

As you leave May Queen with energy drink in your bottles and food in
your hands, you will be walking up a gradual hill on a paved road.  No
need to run, it is more important to make sure you are eating those 500
calories.  In less than 1/2 mile you will turn left and cross the first
stream.  Usually you can get across without getting your feet wet.
I would suggest just wading through but it is very easy to keep your
feet dry for the 1st 40 miles on this course.  After the stream you will
connect with the Colorado trail.  The 5 miles leaving May Queen to the
top of Sugarloaf pass is a 1,200 foot climb.  There will be a few level
spots where you can run but for the most part this will be a walk.  Be
very carefull not to go anaerobic as you get higher in altitude.

At this point, after warming up for the first 2 1/2 hrs at 11 minute pace
you should feel great.  The sun will be rising, you haven't gone out too
fast, cleared out the cob webs and are now ready to get to work.  After
running for most of 2 1/2 hrs, it will feel good to walk.  You should
walk as briskly as possible climbing the hill.  After the Colorado trail,
you will turn on Hagerman Pass road.  Many people run on this road, there
is no need to.  If you do, you are burning precious glycogen that can be
put to much better use later in the run.  A brisk walk at 20 minute
pace will do fine.  After a mile, you will turn off Hagerman on to a
steeper jeep road leading to the top of the pass.  You will know you are
at the top of the pass when you go under the power lines.  From here it
is downhill to the next aid station and time to run.  The downhill of the
pass is very steep at points.  I suggest you neither push the pace or
hold back.  This is a quad trasher so be careful.  I am tall and tend
to run this section at 7 minute pace or faster, I love the gravity.  I
suggest trying 9 minute pace if you are concerned about agility and
safety.

At the bottom, there will be another stream crossing that usually has a
board across it.  Soon after, you will hit pavement with lots of people
cheering for you.  Walk up a 1/4 mile hill then run downhill for a mile
to the Fish Hatchery aid station.

At the aid station, this will be the last quick one, allow 2 minutes to
refill your bottles and get another 500 calories of food.  You will be
leaving the aid station 1:15 ahead of the cutoff.

Hint for enjoyment:  This is one of my favorite sections.  I have warmed
up, fallen into a rhythm and have become aware that I am in the process
of undertaking another incredible experience.  As you climb Hagerman rd,
the view back to the lake is just spectacular.  Turquoise lake is nestled
in a valley of lush evergreens, at this time of day, the water is dark
blues and greens rather than what it's name implies.  The sun is rising
in a orange, yellow and violet sky.  A mist will be evaporating off the
lake and trees.  To the West, there will be snow capped peaks of white
and pink from the sun hitting them with a deep blue sky background.  The
richness of all the color is just incredible.  This will all be happening
right at the same time you experience your first big endorphin rush, wow!
At that point you should shout out to the world, "I feel great".  You'll
be at the top of Sugarloaf before you know it.

Next Segment:  Fish Hatchery to Halfmoon
If you missed segment 1, e-mail me direct and I'll forward it to you.

Dana Roueche
Boulder, CO
danar@us.ibm.com