Good times down in the San Juans with a big loop starting/ending at Purgatory, a ski resort just north of Durango. I had a pretty rough patch from mile 80 to 95 but other than that the 105 miles went pretty well. Was running around a 30 hour finish until mile 80 before that hot mess of a stretch did me in. Overall I'd say I had a great race, moved well for most of the loop. No pacer. Possibly my last one unless I can somehow get into High Lonesome next year, just not enjoying the time it takes to train for these hundos anymore. Highly recommend this race, do it soon before it turns into an influencer convention like so many other Colorado races have become.
We stuck around Durango for a few days after the run, spending lots of time at the dog park and various breweries and bars around town.
Then it was off to the Grand Canyon. My first time ever visiting as a tourist and not running R2R2R. It was quite nice. Parked the van at the Mather campground for a few days and just hung out at the campsite and around the rim. Such a magical place.
Then Flagstaff for a night. Lots of great breweries. Even accidentally found the other Absolute Bikes.
Next planned stop was Taos, but it was a long drive so we overnighted at a brewery in Grants, NM. Grants was the site of my biggest endurance failure when I pulled the plug on a disaster of a bike trip along the Continental Divide trail. The town hasn't changed much since then. though the new (to me) Mt. Taylor coffee shop was a nice stop before heading down the road.
Next day was the trip to Taos, taking a break at the Santa Fe Brewing Company. We hit Taos and immediately went out the van friendly Hotel Luna Mystica, conveniently located a short walk from Taos Mesa Brewing. Saw formerly local COS band Steely Dead and had a blast that night.
Could have made the trip home after Taos, but as is usual for us we got sidelined in Salida. Was a nice way to spend the last night of our road trip.
Great trip, took a while to adjust back to normal life after this one.
For the month of August I turned 51, ran my 14th hundo, and put up the following numbers:
run - 213 miles, 52 hours, 27444 feet of climbing
hike - 125 miles, 56 hours, 12431 feet of climbing
