Part 8 of a 10 part strategy to finish Leadville

Halfmoon to the Fish Hatchery
Total Miles 7, miles running 3.5, miles walking 3.5
Cutoff time 23:00, planned arrival 21:40

In the preface I mentioned a mix of 40 miles of running and 60 miles of
walking.  Through Halfmoon, the strategy is at 40.5 miles cumulative.  If
you need to walk the rest of the way in, you can still finish as long as
you average slightly better than 21 minute miles.  Very possible, but
risky.  Therefore, I've decided to add just 3.5 miles more of running to
the strategy for a total of 44.  By doing this, you'll be able to walk
the last two sections without the worry of running out of time.

This section happens to be the easiest one of the course.  It is
gradually downhill on a dirt road for 6 miles followed by a 1 mile
slightly uphill paved section.  After you leave the aid station, get into
a shuffling stride and just keep doing this for as long as possible.
There is little risk of falling so you can just waddle along barely
picking up your feet.  You want to average 15:45 per mile on this section
so we are not talking about speed records.  The longer you can keep the
shuffle going, the more valuable time you will save.

The first landmark you will get to is the treeline where there will be
people cheering you on.  Yes it will be after midnight and they'll be
there waiting to give you some moral support.  After that, it's open
space until the paved road.  If you can run on the paved road, great,
if not, then try to maintain a decent pace you'll be at the aid station
shortly.

You'll arrive at the Fish Hatchery for your last weigh in at 21:40.
Don't hesitate to get more clothes for the next section.  You will be
going up over 11,000 feet, it will be below freezing and possibly windy.
I usually wear enough clothes to keep me warm at 10 degrees during a
normal training run.  The difference is that you are now exhausted, are
moving slow and generating little heat.  The last few years, this aid
station has had terrific potato soup.  It has really given me the energy
to get over Sugarloaf pass which is next on the agenda.  If you can, try
to leave in 5 minutes at 21:45.  The reason is that, it will give you
more than enough time to walk the rest of the way, spend time at the
next aid station and have 15 minutes to spare at the finish.  21:45 is
1:15 ahead of the cutoff.

Hint for enjoyment:  If you are on time with this strategy, at some
point during this section, you will come to the conclusion that you are
going to finish.  It is a tremendous feeling.  You only have 20+ miles
to go and you are going to do it.  All you need to do is keep the
momentum going forward.  Congratulations!

Next Segment:  The Fish Hatchery to May Queen
If you missed segments 1 through 7, e-mail me direct and I'll forward
them to you.  Or, Stan Jensen has put them on his homepage if you have
web access, http://www.run100s.com/Pb

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