2014 CANADIAN DEATH RACE

 

Finally after 5 Ironman, 6 Half Ironman, countless triathlons (my first in 1987) 20+ Marathons, Countless Half Marathons and Road Races, 2 Ultras, 50 for 50, 51 for 51, a handful of adventure and bike races, shoulder surgery x 2 and a pesky heart scare, I put the money down for the Canadian Death Race today....125k, 3 summits, 18 weeks away....did Leg 1 a couple of years ago no problem....how hard can 4 more be??? 

 

Well its going to be tough for sure.....I have always loved running uphill and this will be a huge challenge. Death Race is one of the worlds toughest adventure races. The 125 km course passes over three mountain summits and includes 17,000 feet of elevation change and a major river crossing at the spectacular Hell's Gate canyon at the confluence of the Smokey and Sulphur Rivers. 

 

Training got underway this week. The base of the program is long runs on both Saturday and Sunday starting with 2 and 2 1/2 hour runs this weekend building to up to 6 and 8 hour weekend runs! including 3 more weekday runs of 1 to 2 hours.....but no running Monday and Friday (recovery and rest for the weekend!).....weight training, stretching, yoga and massage. There is a couple of training camps in Grande Cache that allow you to run most of the legs over the weekend and get some training and logistical tips from some Death Race veterans. I will attend just one because the other one falls on the same weekend as the Calgary Marathon....which I will be running on June 1st!

 

Go Death Racer!!

Trying out some new gear in this photo from this morning. The Ultimate Direction PB Adventure Vest 2.0 Hydration System is a must have for the race. You can carry 2 water bottles, a bladder if you need it.....and lots of compartments for gels, bars, headlamps, poles, pizza, beer.....whatever you want. My first run with it was good. It stays close to you and very little movement and stays secure. This will be part of all my long runs from now on ! Retail price is 150.00 but if you tell Lisa at Run Walk and More that she looks nice....I'm sure you can get a discount!