Death Race training camp

With a name like that its actually not surprising that so many people want to race it.  A few years ago someone planted the seed in my mind and this year I'm going for it.  

Grande Cache

August long week end

125 K off road race that includes 17,000 feet of elevation gain

Why you may ask....well in the words of Mallory....because it is there.

Today was the first day of the training camp, and everything is going surprising well.  We met at noon for an information session then we got our bikes ready.  I know, you're wondering why are we using bikes at a foot race?  Well, the camp is over 2 1/2 days, so to save our legs a bit we will be cycling part of legs one and three and only running 100k....which is still really crazy!!!!

After the info session, we took our bikes and viewed a bit of leg one -only about 30 minutes with one big hill.  Then it was time to get serious.  

After a short session on how to use our poles we were off to do leg two-supposedly the most difficult leg in the whole race.  It wasn't too bad but it was really muddy.  After jumping a few puddles and running around the larger ones we just resigned ourselves that our feet were going to be wet and muddy for the duration.

I ran/walked by myself for almost the entire 5 hours that it took me, but I wasn't alone....I had all of you with me.  Ted telling me to be careful, but also reminding me to enjoy myself.  Domhnall saying 'lean forward' on the steep downhills....not sure why the one is called 'bum slide' :-))).  Marco and the other Italians saying 'jump Lucille' because I'm so afraid to jump across large creeks.  All the hang glider and paraglider friends when I saw the sign that said hand gliders on the summit.  And of course everyone else who has total confidence in me, and let me know.  Thanks to you all for accompanying me on this leg, it was fun!!!  Now a bit of food and a short rest, because we are leaving at 2230 for a night run.