Like most people, I like to do something fun on my birthday. Unlike most people, that "fun" usually consists of many hours of physical exertion over mountain trails, roads, and snow. Typically in the thin air of the Colorado Rockies.
This year was no different. Since I was turning 26 (the distance of a marathon), I figured I was obligated to run a marathon, 26.2 miles. Well, it just happened to fall on a Saturday, which is also the day I usually do a long run. As of lately though, 26 miles is not really "that long". So, I decided to conjure up something a bit more.. epic. A "marathon triathlon". The day would start out with a 26 mile skate ski, followed by a 26 mile road bike ride, and capped off with a 26 mile trail run. Three different activities, three full marathons, one glorious day!
This year was no different. Since I was turning 26 (the distance of a marathon), I figured I was obligated to run a marathon, 26.2 miles. Well, it just happened to fall on a Saturday, which is also the day I usually do a long run. As of lately though, 26 miles is not really "that long". So, I decided to conjure up something a bit more.. epic. A "marathon triathlon". The day would start out with a 26 mile skate ski, followed by a 26 mile road bike ride, and capped off with a 26 mile trail run. Three different activities, three full marathons, one glorious day!
The fun began early when my alarm went off a 5:45 AM. At 6:30 I was out the door and pleasantly surprised with a warmer than average morning. It was already in the upper 20's and the sky was mostly clear. Looking down Elk Ave, I did not see a single person. There was only silence. The entire town was still asleep.
I quickly rode over to my friend Nate's house and tossed my skies in his truck, hoped in the cab, and drive up to Lilly Lake. (don't worry, I did not steel his truck. He let me borrow it.) At 6:59 AM, in the pre-dawn light, I was on my way. I really had no idea how long this was going to take me. I had only just started skate skiing last winter and even then, my longest ski was less than 15 miles. This would be nearly double, not to mention, just the first of 3 marathons today. In the end though, it went better than planned. I finished in 3 hrs, 27 min and covered 26.21 miles. Here are my Garmin stats.
I quickly rode over to my friend Nate's house and tossed my skies in his truck, hoped in the cab, and drive up to Lilly Lake. (don't worry, I did not steel his truck. He let me borrow it.) At 6:59 AM, in the pre-dawn light, I was on my way. I really had no idea how long this was going to take me. I had only just started skate skiing last winter and even then, my longest ski was less than 15 miles. This would be nearly double, not to mention, just the first of 3 marathons today. In the end though, it went better than planned. I finished in 3 hrs, 27 min and covered 26.21 miles. Here are my Garmin stats.
With the skate ski successfully completed, it was time for the road bike marathon. Before that could get under way though, I had to re-fuel. For that, my friends Nate & Karen invited me over for pancakes. They had a nice stack of mini flap-jacks all ready for me! Thanks guys! In no time, I was back out the door and this time on my bike. My buddy Andy joined me for this portion (as well as part of the run) and with his help breaking the wind, we were in Gunnison in no time. I am not certain about the time for the ride, I believe we were between 75-90 minutes. According to Andy's phone, we rode 26.3 miles. Two marathons done, only one more to go!
We found a place to stash the bikes, got changed, and the run was underway. I really did not have a plan for the run. At first I thought about taking the road to Hartmans, but the thought of pounding on the pavement was not very enticing. Instead, we headed to the trails behind the college. I have never ran on these trails, so I knew it would be fun exploring and hopefully the miles would fly by.
Our intention was to keep the run as flat as possible and stay on the trails. That's what we did for the first half hour. Then we took a turn and after a while, the trail began climbing. "No worries, since were going this way anyway, we might as well tag Signal Peak". So we did. About 7 miles into the run, we stood on the summit at 9,042 ft. A quick photo, and we were on our way.
At around 10 miles, Andy and I parted ways. He headed back to the bike and then home, while I continued on another trail that took me east for about 5 or 6 miles before turning around. When I got back to the campus, I decided to add on some time running on the grass. During this time, I made a few phone calls (since I had not been answering my phone all day) and then headed back towards my bike. With about two miles to go, the sun went down and lit up the sky. I enjoyed this for a moment, then "quickly" finished the marathon. The third of the day! 26.23 miles in 3 hrs 51 min. Here is my Garmin link.
In all I covered 78.74 miles. 26.21 mile skate ski, 26.3 mile road bike, and a 26.23 trail run. My birthday adventure was complete, well almost. I had to hitch hike back to CB, in the dark. Thankfully Rich Smith saw me and gave me a ride home. With that completed, my next adventure would start tomorrow. I will be heading to southern Utah for a trail running extravaganza with some friends. Hopefully traversing both Bryce and Zion National Parks.
Until next time!
Run Pure.
At around 10 miles, Andy and I parted ways. He headed back to the bike and then home, while I continued on another trail that took me east for about 5 or 6 miles before turning around. When I got back to the campus, I decided to add on some time running on the grass. During this time, I made a few phone calls (since I had not been answering my phone all day) and then headed back towards my bike. With about two miles to go, the sun went down and lit up the sky. I enjoyed this for a moment, then "quickly" finished the marathon. The third of the day! 26.23 miles in 3 hrs 51 min. Here is my Garmin link.
In all I covered 78.74 miles. 26.21 mile skate ski, 26.3 mile road bike, and a 26.23 trail run. My birthday adventure was complete, well almost. I had to hitch hike back to CB, in the dark. Thankfully Rich Smith saw me and gave me a ride home. With that completed, my next adventure would start tomorrow. I will be heading to southern Utah for a trail running extravaganza with some friends. Hopefully traversing both Bryce and Zion National Parks.
Until next time!
Run Pure.
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