any other crazy people doing the mt. washington road race this weekend? it’s my first time and i think it’s going to be really hard. advice from veterans? strategy on how to run 7.6 miles at a 12% grade?
My 1st time too. Friend of mine that did it last year didn’t want to have anything to do with it this year… cold, wet, windy, etc. She’s doing vehicle support this year, and says we’ll probably have balmy conditions this year. Yesterday there was a temperature inversion thing going on and it was 14 degrees warmer at 5300 ft than it was at 2300 ft. You really can’t predict weather in the mountains.
Weird… today the warm spot seems to be at 4000-4300ft:
oh my god. here i’m planning for it to be 30 degrees colder at the summit! what are you going to wear/carry?
be prepared with clothes - i would take polypro and fleece for the body post race up in someones car b4 the race starts and put it in a sack that is easy to find - it could be 30 degrees on top while 70 at the bottom.
take it out very slow - start near the back…and try to stave off going anaerobic as long as you can. the stretch from 4.5-6.5 is brutal - i had to walk at a few points in this strech as i was about to puke from the pain. if you have a goal time for this race and its your first time ‘racing’ it you are foolish.
great fun though i might add. consider running down after - its a great view on a clear day. wildcat pub in jackson for post race beers never hurts either.
good luck. tristan
go there, and warm up thoroughly, because it will go fast right away…
Maybe I’m being naive, but based on what it’s been this week (upper 40’s to low 60’s with little summit wind) I’m just planning on wearing tights and a long-sleeve zippered top, no gloves or hat, not carrying anything except maybe a gel for midway. Of course I’ll bring heavier stuff along just in case, and I won’t make my final decision until race day. I’m sure we’ll be able to find out the summit conditions at the bottom of the mountain before the race starts.
Now someone just told me the ppl that run down afterwards do so in their underwear? How true is that??
First time, hoping to crack top 25.
I’m bringing my bike and planning on doing a ride on Sunday after the race. I did a mountain race earlier this year and although the race itself was really strenuous, I felt really good afer. I am staying at the hostel in Gorham if anyone is interested in riding with me on Sunday (40 - 60 miles?). Sounds like weather has been pretty nice this week, hopefully it will be a good one.
My advice based on a previous uphill run, is to figure effort equivalent to 1/2 marathon, although you will be going much slower. I am trying to figure out how much of an effect the altitude might start to have for us lowlanders, when you hit 5000 feet and you are already pretty tired. At least as far as hiking goes, I don’t seem to notice the altitude until I get over about 8000 feet.