Life is full, and I am grateful.

14-ers, crewing, pacing, and even a little racing - what a July it has been! Was I sad about the CT DNF? You bet, very much so. While I had laid out all the logistics of why, and while every time the thunder claps, the lightening sparks the sky, and the downpour comes through the open sky - I am thinking: "Yeah, I am too old for that, not nearly as driven". But then, I sit quietly, and I sulk in my sorrow. In my "I wish I could", "I wish I did". Then again, my back twinges, my desire to do active things for as long as I live - and the preserving this ability comes to mind. My heart ached, I lost any interest in training - not running, not being in the mountains, but training hard, something I pride myself with. I pulled my name off the Bear 100 list. It's a long list of dirty laundry that stood behind the decision, it wasn't easy, or spontaneous. I thought it through, and came to a conclusion. I am not saying "Never a 100, again". I am definitely saying "Not this year, and not Bear". 

By Saturday, while still struggling with back and feet pain, Larry offered to do Pikes Peak from Crags side. I am the last persona who would ever turn down a mountain adventure, a 14-er (and my favorite at that), and, most importantly, Larry - if he expresses an interest in summiting whatever it is, I grab it and hold on tightly! Besides, I had actually never climbed from the "other" side - I once descended, but never a round trip. It is a somewhat shorter one (16 miles instead of 24+ via Barr trail), plus it has a 45 min drive each way. It was my chance to give it a chance, and compare.

It's a popular way, being shorter, which doesn't mean easier. It has a funky split: a very steep inside the trees climb, an nearly flat open stretch, and then a steep rocky climb in the shaky boulder field. Without much description, let me just tell you: I am Barr trail committed hiker/runner through and through. But, it was a lovely morning, and a great time together. We took it easy (I am - for obvious reasons, Larry - haven't been up high and that long in a while), and enjoyed the trail, whatever it gave us. Plus, we got to explore the new Pikes Peak building at the top, since I never bothered to go inside! It was my #25 Pikes, which was a great way to commemorate it with my honey.

The following week, I ticked off the list my monthly Incline, and we visited Larry's sister and nieces in Denver. I was sort of feeling better, if still totally uninspired. It felt so weird, after 6-7 months of hard and focused, quality, high miles, training, to have nothing on agenda. Oh, I got a race every month, that's my substitute for last year's Pikes Peak every month. It's just, you know, short races, local, I suck at that kind of distance, yet I can do it in my sleep...anyhow, I was moving basically with no pain (sans the removed couple of toenails I had a little surgery for), and that was good enough.

To offset the heartache, I set my sights on another 14-er. Sunday after Denver visit, I jumped in the car by 4 am, and got my ass to the lower parking lot of Princeton. It was a gorgeous morning, and so many memories flooded, at first I didn't even know if it was a good idea, or not so much. There was my original CT through-hike in 2018. Then, I started my first 2 attempts at FKT Collegiate Loop there, passed it on my 3rd attempt, and eventually started my (successful) 4th - and last. I began hiking up the dirt road, that first mile before the CT turns onto the trail, and smiled - and felt at ease. It was good to be alone for that...The road continued, all of 4.6 miles, before taking a sharp turn to the mountain side, where, almost immediately, it got into huge unstable rocks (a.k.a. final pitch to Pikes Peak from Crags I just did) - only instead of 0.7 miles, it lasted full 2! And the last steep climb was all loose, all "I hate this shit, I don't know how I am coming down". However, I kept pressing pretty well, caught up so many people (of those who drove their 4WD cars to the upper parking lot, nearly the trail turn), and made it to the top in great spirit. There was a "party" of young folks, and they kindly took my photos (and even provided me with a sign), and somehow, without a second thought, I made that scramble scree down, and the rock field, in no time, safely! It gave me a boost, and I blasted the dirt road downhill in barely over 8 min/mile, just in time for the clouds rolling in over my car and beginning to spit some rain!

The following weekend Larry and I did our yearly "paying the dues" to Mount Rosa loop, a 14 mile loop with over 4k gain, topping at 11,500 ft. It doesn't matter which side you take up - and down - it kinda bad either way:) But, it's so lovely at the top, and so satisfying...Besides, as I said, somehow it has become a tradition. Oftentimes I do a second loop alone (did it this year already), but definitely together once.

Not a couple days later, on my Wednesday - new day off, I decided to take an opportunity of a weather window, and get yet one more 14-er for the month, this time Antero, via Little Browns Creek trail. This route is not in any official guide, which is so weird, because it has the same distance as the crazy 4WD road, although, of course, those Jeep-owners can drive part way (or even almost all the way), and save their precious legs from hiking nearly 16 miles. But who wants it easy? Not I! I knew about this trail because of the Sawatch 50k race I ran last September, and knew it hooks up to Antero, so off I go!

The culmination of the month of July was our (Larry and I's) commitment to help the little Muffin (Annie) at the High Lonesome 100. It had a few things required mentioning. First, it was a weekend of Larry's birthday, yet he was all-in for this. Second, Annie's mom and step-dad live just a couple of miles from the start (Princeton TH, basically). Third, since both Annie and I own an FKT on Collegiate Loop (she - supported, I - unsupported, separated by a mere couple of weeks in September 2020, and a month into our relationship), we both knew the course of this 100 as it went through majority of the loop, and the race was dear to our hearts. Annie trained her butt off, running sections, and I, of course, per usual, set up her splits. My original plan had her do 24:30. She came back with her training splits, and asked for 25:30. I was like: "Ah-ah, no way, Jose", and we settled on 25 flat, while I firmly knew, 24:30 for sure, and if all goes well, sub-24. Shh, keep it quiet, don't get excited!

We arrived to her parents' home on Thursday, by 5 pm. This cute angel baked Larry a birthday cake! Joy and Doug, amazing hosts, made us feel like family - it was our second time together (first being a brief after-Leadville thing), yet it was the first time we had a real adult conversations (while Annie was at the pre-race meeting). So much in common, so much fun, so grateful for the connection we have! 

The morning of the race was dark, and full of usual anxiety for all. We went over some details of her splits, at which point I said: "If you show up at mile 31 - Cottonwood - my first crew point, before 7 hrs into the race, I'll tie you down and hold you back". With that, and a hug and a kiss from all, the runners were off onto the course...

Larry and I had some time to spare, so I took him to the Colorado Trail section that runners went on, and we ran into the first aid station. It was like a paradise, gosh, I love this trail so much!

Then we got back to the house, took a quick shower and ate some breakfast, and drove to the dirt road parking lot, from which the race shuttle was taking crew members to Cottonwood AS. Larry stayed behind, and I was the one who took the shaky jeep ride for 10 min (and $10), trying to hold on to my consumed food! Once there, I went for a 2 mile hike, came back, saw first guy come in, 2 more, 2 more - and, at 1 pm, on the spot, 7 hrs into the race, I spotted her. I squealed loudly "That's my girl!!" (I told everyone who'd listen she'd be there at 1 pm), and boy, did she look great! Calm, collected. I fed her, wiped her sweat and legs, switched the bottles and gels, gave extra required gear, and sent her back - all under 3 min. Speaking of looking good, she later told me - and the whole world in her IG post: "My crew leader and mentor, @olgav100 , told me she’d kill me if I showed up to the Cottonwood Aid (mile 31) in under 7 hours. I don’t like to be in trouble with Olga, so this forced me to take it out slower than I probably would have otherwise. However, I still got within 3 miles of the aid station a little after the 6-hour mark, and it was all downhill. So I walked, slowly the whole way down to the aid station, and I made it there precisely on time. Olga was happy, my legs were happy, and I still left the aid station in the first place female position."

I got back on the shuttle, found Larry, and we drove to the next crew point, Hancock, just around 50 miles into the race. All the while, her Mom was texting us updates on other females, and her pacer and friend Lindsey (a.k.a. Peanut) had a car trouble, but quickly was able to find a way to adjust (a good friend who picked her up and drove to the same AS). We reunited, and I brought the crew up to date on some odd idea I came up with while I was alone at Cottonwood. Annie had a pacer (Lindsey) from Monarch (mile 69) to mile 94. She planned to go alone from Hancock to Monarch, and then the last stretch. I wanted this girl to live up to her potential. So, when she came to mile 31, I said: "I will get ready for that 19 mile section to pace, required gear and all. Once you come, you can decide if you want it or not". Somehow, I managed to have all the stuff with me (including rain pants and bivy!)

We waited, and just as I predicted, at 5:15 pm, on 24 hrs pace, she is running in, 4th overall (behind 3 first guys, while 2nd and 3rd were looking rugged)!! I actually put Annie in a chair, gave some food, switched the bottles/gels, wiped her up, looked her in the eyes, and asked: "So?" And she said "Yes".

Whoa! I was ready, alright, and eager to help, and pleased, but almost surprised, because she also said how great her legs feel. And I was like: "Yeah, a lesson, it's because you took it easy for 31 miles!"

We took off - well, she took off, running up the hill on a rocky Jeep road, while I was trying to open one hiking pole, keep up, eventually remembered I need to start the watch, opening another pole...what did I just sign up for?!? It took me nearly a mile to get on her heels! Don't take me wrong, she was never farther than 100 yards, but she ran, up, and I don't do this! I was praying for that climb to come sooner to Chalk Creek pass (as I said, I knew the course) - it did, I got right behind, and as we crested, there was an official (Mile90.com) photographer, and we both smiled...Just as at Cocodona, here we are, running together, in a beautiful setting. And I felt so lucky to be connected to this tiny incredible human being, and filled with love...

We ran down on the other side, still together, until I slipped, banged my middle finger on the right hand (or, the irony, my favorite finger to use, ha-ha...which got hyper-extended and hurt), and then we entered some rolling and slight uphill terrain, and she ran like crazy, again...That made me work at the red line! I mean, I already did 10 miles this morning, I am 30 years older, far out of my prime, and even in my prime, I was always a risk-averse racer! She made me work for my "mentor" title for good 8-9 miles, 6 of which were into the Lost Wilderness Hut AS. I was hanging for dear life, wondering what will happen if I crack before she does, but I had to do what all the mothers would do - my girl said she needed me, she knew something I didn't, and so I worked my ass off. We quickly turned around at the AS, and left in a second. I got a message 2nd girl was 18 minutes back at Hancock...

Annie always has to ask what my phone says. I answered, and she became so anxious and negative! "How is that possible, I'm working so hard right now?!" I was like "I know you are, you are killing me, and I've paced you before, I am not supposed to feel like that! Calm down, she'll falter!" "How do you know?" "I know! Have I ever lied to you, have I ever been wrong? Do your thing, don't run her race!". 

We ran more rollers, hard, me - still doing everything in my power to be attached at the heels right now. And then, somewhere around mile 9, it began - the Big Climb, and Annie's difficulties. I took charge. I locked on her back and hiked hard, my best trait. She hiked 2 feet in front of me, hard. We both were breathing heavily, and pushing. We ran every tiny part we could. We passed Boss lake. Then climbed to Hunt lake - and I pointed to the right: "Here's the spot I spent my first night on the final Collegiate loop FKT!". Annie never saw this part - during her FKT, it was dark in the night, and during her training, she was chased off exactly this section by a lightening. So, I perked up and began describing: "We're going to get on the rocks, pop above the tree line, leave a glacier lake on our left, and do a final big climb onto that ridge - that one, on your left". Between the glacier lake and the start of the final ridge climb, we suddenly come up on Luke, 3rd guy, and his pacer. Luke's puking. We pass, giving a word of encouragement, and haul our asses up. Finally, the ridge! It wasn't that bad, I thought!

Shortly after we gained the ridge, the trail rolled, more or less gently, and we both ran it. The sun set on the horizon, the darkness fell, and I pulled out my headlamp. Annie was ahead, still without a light, so I yelled to stop her and make sure she's got it out. From here on, we kept pressing the pace, I was finally in the groove of running it all, and almost enjoying it. Got another text - Rebecca still same 18 minutes back at the last AS. Annie - another bout of little panic. Me - another paragraph of "She's just excited and her pacer is pushing her, nobody can close the race like you do, she'll fall off in 5 miles, I promise". Boy, if only I knew how correct I would be...Ha, I did know! That's what experience is for! All the while I kept pushing us both. 

We got into Purgatory AS, at the top of Monarch ski area, and I yelled to volunteers: "She needs broth!". And tiny Annie, trying to soften my commanding voice with the accent: "Please, thank you very much". I know, I appreciate all the volunteers. I have also volunteered at a few dozens of races,  all kinds of distances, was an RD for a couple of those, so I am fully into the fact that when front runners are coming through, the orders are short, the time spent - even shorter. When running or pacing, I expect the same understanding. We got in and out under a minute, and I really took off on that dirt smooth road! My baby girl was barely hanging on, then there was a big (if not too long) climb, and more downhill. Larry's text comes through: "Luke +18, Rebecca +25, Scott - 2nd guy - dropped at Monarch." Halleluiah! I mean, I am really sorry, but told ya, I know! We gained a gap! Annie, finally letting the breath out, whispered: "Thank you so much for pacing me this section, Olga. I've been thinking a lot about you", I almost chocked up. We still had a full mile on a windy rolling technical trail to get to Monarch pass.

Which we finally did! Spotted Larry (or, rather, he spotted us, and directed to the car), and repeated the process: broth, coffee hot, coffee latte cold, bottles, gels, wipe. Lindsey was ready, and I yelled - "Bring her home!".

It was time for me to nearly collapse at the AS, finish someone's plate of pasta (I was running so fast, I only ate 2 gels in 19 miles), and Larry took me back to the house. Where, after the shower, we both crawled to bed - I calculated we had 3 hrs until our next (and last) crew point.

Larry fell asleep almost immediately, but no, not me. Lindsey texting: "Where is the girl behind?" I get online, "+35, put the pedal to the metal!". 20 minutes later: "Where is the caffeinated bar you gave her?" - "Front pocket". And since I was up, anyway, I kept texting updates and kudos and all kinds of affirmations (including reminder on time to take Advil). Later they told me they were sort of sorry they might have woken me up with the first text, but then both decided: "Olga will respond". Yes, indeed, Olga always would:)

I jolted 2 minutes before the time I set the alarm for, got Larry up, and we jumped into the car. Raspberry, last stop. We got there at 4 am, and I said to the volunteers: "4:15, watch me" - and there they were, screaming into the AS, exactly on time! Do I know my shit, or what? We gave Annie just one flask, and I asked Lindsey to take her all the way - and Peanut was all in. I gave her my headlamp (hers was doing weird stuff), and they ran like being chased by bears! Sub-24, I yelled, get it!!!

We jumped back into the car, texted Mom that I expect Annie to finish at 5:30, give or take, and we all met there. The excitement was palpable. It was later calculated, than Annie ran last 2 sections each 5 minutes faster than the first guy Ryan Smith, who set a new record there! I told you, this girl knows how to close. The sun wasn't up, yet, as we saw the headlamps, and two very tiny figures rounding the field. I tried not to cry. Mom cried. Doug and Larry held it together. It was over, just like that. 23:40, new CR, by 1 hr 20 min, only 1:40 behind the men's record. Good weather helped, but boy, this young woman can pour her heart into a race!

Annie has an unbelievable potential, and she's also eager to learn. I hope she knows, now, that if she not only runs hard, but smart, she can achieve more than she ever thought possible. I'm a pretty hard person to please or impress, but this run of hers did all that. I am not only proud, but thoroughly pleased, impressed, and happy to be a part of. Like a Sunrise, her running career will only get brighter and higher - God willing, it'll also be staying around for a while. If that also includes personal growth,  keeping and reaching to be the best in positive qualities as a human, there'll be no limits.

Larry and I, after a wonderful breakfast with parents, drove home, and crashed. Got an hour nap, and prepared for our "best neighbors" visit for the birthday barbeque - and "best neighbors" provided all but the bbq meet and stuff itself! I mean, they are awesome.

Sunday was Russian-born St. Olga's day, my namesake, so I set out for Iron mountain jog. It was grinding at first, but got better, and allowed me to look back at the weekend we all had. As well as the fact, I had to live my own life a little, as involved as I became, emotionally and timewise, with someone else's life and dreams. Granted, I don't have huge dreams anymore, it happens, you know, age, life events, and obligations file away at the sharpness of those. But, we still live, and in a way, for us, old(er) folks, we are doing pretty darn good, too.

My body was definitely not quite ready to pull a 30-miler a week before my own, however small and insignificant, race, but here we are. Pikes Peak 30k, same as 3 years ago, 2019, having been my very first race out of OTS (athlete adrenal fatigue I struggled with for over 6 years), and very first race as a CO full time resident. It is meaningful like that, though I had to remind myself - and everyone who'd listen - that 17 miles is definitely not my distance. But, I had my bib, and I was going to run it.

I get very nervous a night before, and surely a morning of the race. I ask myself a question why I do this. It is so exciting to sign up - and so full of anxiety to get to the start line. As always, it took me a good couple of miles to settle in, though I felt like I was doing better than the same start in June for Tava race. I got stuck in a little conga line on a single track leaving Bear Creek park, but it was short, and we got popped out on High Drive wide dirt road up. Oh, home turf...so I worked the hill. Midway I saw Larry doing his own run and trying to give me a kiss, but was afraid to stop and lose the momentum. Alternated my uphill shuffle and powerwalk, and topped out in a PR time. Wow, still had room to improve, huh? Turned to Lower Cap'n Jack trail and ran the rollers. On the downhill to the first AS, mile 7.5, began to pass a few folks. Man, downhill is still my strength. Barely stopped to fill my bottle with water, and entered the Columbine trail, rolling up and down steeply. Hiked the ups and took downs hard - played back-n-forth with a couple of guys and girls, together we passed a few more runners, and a mile from the last climb out of the canyon to Cheyenne parking lot AS, I took the lead, pressed my foot to the gas pedal. Past on the AS (I had a second bottle I carried in my pack), climbed hard the mile to the top of High Drive, passed 3 more people (including a gal we played catch with), and, thank you Jesus, a 2.7 mile downhill flight on the dirt road! Opened up, clocked 7:10's, put a gap on those behind for good, passed 3 (or 4) more people. Turned to Bear creek park, forced myself to eat a gel - 2.5 miles on rollers, I had to hold back those I ran by, I couldn't afford to be re-passed. I worked hard on this section, which is not my strength, passed a girl and a guy (surprised myself with that, put 2 minutes on them in a mile and half)), kept at it, and took a final turn and a downhill to the finish. Whoa, 7 minutes PR from 3 years back! I got 11th female and 37th overall, first Master - and Grand Master, of course. This 30k being USATF race, I also got first Master 40+, first 50+, and 3rd USATF overall - so am getting a check for this finish, ha!

A good day. As much as I am not a fan of short stuff, living 10 minutes from the finish, and having coffee at home by 11 am has its benefits. Plus, I guess it's a challenge, and I am still interested in challenging my body and my mind. I love Mad Moose events and their RD's, and I love the feeling of accomplishment at the finish line. Gives a little spark in otherwise mundane life😄

I had a great visit with Annie's Mom over coffee (she was visiting the city and their grandkids from other daughters), and a couple awesome phone chats with one of my best friends and sister.

July is over. Despite not fulfilling my biggest dream, I had made it fun and rewarding. Lets see what August brings to us.