Part 5 of a 10 part strategy to finish Leadville Twin Lakes to Winfield Total Miles 10.5, miles running 4, miles walking 6.5 Cutoff time 14:00, planned arrival 12:30 We are now at the section we've all been waiting for, the signature of Leadville, Hope Pass. So far, you have run a very controlled race and will be able to go over Hope with no trouble at all. Well, maybe just a little struggle. Actually, this section is brutal and should not be taken lightly. You should train specifically for this section with hill work, weights etc. You may not have a problem while actually climbing Hope but it's damage will manifest itself later in the race. No one is spared. Before I start, if you've ignored my advice about carrying a jacket up until now, that's ok, but now is not the time to risk it. On the warmest day, it is rare that it will hit 60 on the pass. Most likely it will be 50. It could be 30 and snowing with a 50 mph wind. I have seen the weather drop from 60 to 30 in the high mountains in a matter of minutes on many occasions. For your own safety, you should expect bad weather on top of Hope. If it's nice, consider yourself lucky. When leaving Twin Lakes, the course will be flat for the 1st 1 1/4 miles. If you've been able to keep your feet dry up to this point, great, it's now time to get them wet. There is a main river crossing, Lake Creek, that feeds Twin Lakes. Depending on the runoff from the snow melt, this could be anywhere from knee to waist deep. Before you get to this crossing, there are many smaller crossings, 4 or 5 that need to be crossed first. Don't waste your time taking off you shoes and socks to cross. It's too far and rocky to walk barefoot between crossings and you'd take forever putting on and taking off your shoes. If it is dry and sunny out, your feet will dry in a mile or two anyway. The water is freezing cold and feels great after running for 40 miles. After the crossings you should continue running until you hit the trees, at that point, it will be straight up for 3,400 feet. There are many strategies about climbing Hope. The fact is, you need to get on top and it is going to take a lot of energy. My suggestion, which is part of the strategy is to arrive here fresh, then push it hard until you're at the top. Go as fast as you can without going anaerobic. If you have to stop and rest, you've gone anaerobic. Find a pace that you can continue non- stop until you get to the top. Keep pushing the pace but not so that it forces you to stop. There have been many suggestions to synchronize your breathing with your pace. I think it is a good idea, it really helps with your rhythm. There will be a small aid station, 1/2 mile before the top. If you need to, fill up your bottles and take some soup or something to carry with you. Don't stop and sit down. You've gotten your momentum going and you'll need it for the final push. If you give yourself a chance to stiffen sitting down, it will be tough getting over the top. Once at the top, smile for the camera, they'll take an awesome picture of you to show your grandchildren. The next 2 1/4 miles are down a 21% grade. The first part is on loose gravel and switch backs, happy sliding. Take short strides until the footing gets better, but don't waste too much time here. In a few miles you'll be walking again. Since this is an out and back, you'll get a chance to see everyone ahead of you climbing back up the pass. Say hi to all your friends. When you hit the road to Winfield, it is gradually uphill. You can run a few of the flatter sections. Most of it you will need to walk and it makes no sense to try to fight it. I suggest looking at your watch when you get on the road. It will seem like an eternity walking to Winfield, it should take 30 to 40 minutes depending on how brisk you can walk at this point. Depending on how well you did on the pass, hopefully you will arrive at Winfield 12:30 into the race. You will be weighed again, after that, sit down and refuel for 10 minutes, no longer. You have gone halfway on a very challenging course. You should feel good about that. Don't be alarmed by how achy your muscles feel, it is expected and you will be going slower on the way back. It took you 12:30 to get here, you now have 17:20 to get back. You should leave the aid station at 12:40, 1:20 ahead of the cutoff. I'm not a big NSAID user but I usually take my 1st of two 200mg tabs at this point. It takes a little of the edge off. Make sure you continue to eat. Even if the altitude has other ideas for your stomach. Hint for enjoyment: As you are approaching Hope and when on top, look back to the North, you can see everywhere that you've been. Twin Lakes are below, Turquoise lake which seemed so long ago is off in the distance and Leadville itself is to the east of the lake. To the South you can see straight down into Clear Creek canyon where your headed. On the far side of the Canyon are some spectacular 14,000 ft mountains. They are Mt Oxford, Mt Belford, Mt Missouri and Mt Huron. Next Segment: Winfield to Twin Lakes If you missed segments 1 through 4, 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