Pike’s Peak
In a few weeks there will be one of the most grueling and unique events in the country, the Pike’s Peak Marathon.
It is like a forced march from Manitou Springs Colo., up Pike’s Peak Mountain to an elevation of 14,110 feet.
The marathon is on Sunday, but on Saturday they have the ascent race that is approximately 14 miles, but you get to ride a bus down the mountain.
Twice I did the ascent race, and it was about as much fun as skipping rope with a high ankle sprain.
The first time was 1990 and I had been free of cigarettes for six months. I trained for six weeks, and the longest run I had was less than five miles.
Probably the best thing that happened to me was going out early and running into Jim “Marquis de Sade’ Johnson, who was more well known in the ad agency business but very respected by the running community.
Jim insisted on driving me to the top of Pike’s Peak two days before the event, and up there we had some sort of special doughnut _ yeast doesn’t rise at the elevation _ some hot chocolate, and then spent an hour getting accustomed to the thin air.
To be honest, I didn’t originally think it helped, but as you’ll find out in the next blog, it was a huge move.
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I too ran the Pike’s Peak with my two sisters. Most memorable thing I have done in my life. I was googling Pikes Peak race since my oldest sister decided to run it again this year and found this post. I was shocked and amazed that Wally Hall ran the Peak. You make me laugh when you say it was as much fun as skipping rope on a high ankle sprain. SOOOOOO TRue! You don’t know what you are getting into with this race but it did change my life. Let’s ALL (AR) do it again soon!