TransRockies – The End. Written on August 31, 2008, by admin.

After six tough days of running through the Rocky Mountains Tom and I completed the final 21 mile circuit (4,600ft climbing) from Vail to Beaver Creek yesterday, finishing the stage in second and securing second place overall.

The final day was particularly tough as it was the first time we’d done 3-hour runs back to back (the earlier stages were interspersed with shorter races). The whole field seemed to be feeling the consequences of that aswell as the 9-mile descent on dirt road from the previous day (a serious quad basher) as the pace was quite cruisy out of Vail. We soon reached the bottom of the first climb and followed the leading team of Eric Skaggs and Max King (Nike/Rogue Valley Runners). Unfortunately my achilles tendon, which had been nagging since day three, finally yielded and it was all I could do to walk and let Tom attempt to drag me up the hill with a windproof tied up to his bum-bag to form a makeshift tow system – cheers Tom! After Ibropufen was found at the first drinks station the pain subsided slighlty and we were able to regain some momentum, get back up into 2nd place and finish the stage in that position.

A couple of monsterous breakfast burritos and we’re ready to make the journey back across the Atlantic.

Andy