I've been wondering lately why I should keep trying for a shot at Hardrock, but this post gave me a clear and welcome reminder. Everything you say matches what I experienced when I was there as a pacer in 2017, from the casual mingling of everyone with everyone, to forcing myself up those high passes that took me way out of my comfort zone (in terms of both exposure and physicality). I guess I'll keep putting my name in the hat for a while longer. Thanks.
Wow....this absolutely made me tear up. I spent nearly all weekend (Friday through Sunday), following as much of the coverage as I could and feeling genuine awe for all of those involved (runners, volunteers, pacers, crew, film crews, commentators, spectators). The specialness of this race--this community--is palpable and contagious. The odds that I ever even qualify to enter the lottery, let alone run the race, are pretty low, but your article tells me that you don't need to race to experience HRH. I love that you ran the Depletion Mile; I'm not sure I would have been as brave to actually exit the car and stand on the line. THANK YOU for sharing and for all you contributed to the race. I'm hoping to tackle Grant Swamp Pass as a birthday run when we are there next month...it will certainly be a worthy birthday challenge!
Descending through that scree field looks absolutely terrifying! No thank you! Love the spirit of the depletion mile. Thank you for sharing this insider’s view with us. Btw, you worked with a friend of mine and Chris’s (Jenn Coker) at Animas Forks. What a small world.
That's my picture from Grant's Swamp Pass. I was volunteering for IRunFar. I was there from about 9pm Friday until Noon Saturday.
The snow was soft when I arrived as the day was quite warm, close to 80 in Silverton, which was approaching a record.
By the time the first runners came through, around 1am, it was quite firm and it was nerve wracking to watch them come up the icy snow field.
I was planning on coming to the Depletion Mile but after seeing the final finishers I went back to sleep.
I've been wondering lately why I should keep trying for a shot at Hardrock, but this post gave me a clear and welcome reminder. Everything you say matches what I experienced when I was there as a pacer in 2017, from the casual mingling of everyone with everyone, to forcing myself up those high passes that took me way out of my comfort zone (in terms of both exposure and physicality). I guess I'll keep putting my name in the hat for a while longer. Thanks.
THANK YOU!!! Definitely will take you up on the advice...I may be too slow to run (and unacclimatized!) to run with you!
Wow....this absolutely made me tear up. I spent nearly all weekend (Friday through Sunday), following as much of the coverage as I could and feeling genuine awe for all of those involved (runners, volunteers, pacers, crew, film crews, commentators, spectators). The specialness of this race--this community--is palpable and contagious. The odds that I ever even qualify to enter the lottery, let alone run the race, are pretty low, but your article tells me that you don't need to race to experience HRH. I love that you ran the Depletion Mile; I'm not sure I would have been as brave to actually exit the car and stand on the line. THANK YOU for sharing and for all you contributed to the race. I'm hoping to tackle Grant Swamp Pass as a birthday run when we are there next month...it will certainly be a worthy birthday challenge!
Loved this post and the post depletion mile video was the icing on the cake—Pam Reed and Courtney Dauwalter chatting was a fan’s delight
Descending through that scree field looks absolutely terrifying! No thank you! Love the spirit of the depletion mile. Thank you for sharing this insider’s view with us. Btw, you worked with a friend of mine and Chris’s (Jenn Coker) at Animas Forks. What a small world.
Amazing