13 miler

Jed was in town to run the last of the Cougar Mountain races for the summer, the 13 miler. It has 2,700 feet of elevation gain, and the same in drop as the course is a loop. The photos here are taken at the 3 mile mark, so the runners are still pretty packed together as from .2 to mile 3 it is single track, so lots of line running, little passing, though people who go out too fast and flame out do jump off the side to let people past. Right after the picture spot there is wide track and everyone tends to spread out much more. Then the first big climb of Wilderness peak and the hairy descent really sort people out.


We both have our game faces on, it seems... really more like pain faces. There are aid stations at Mile 3 and Mile 9, so you need to carry your own water, though some do not. I sucked down gu and these little jello cubes, both with caffeine in them for the boost. After mile 5 I start walking the steep climbs, and take that time to eat and drink some water, then dash the downs and the flats. You feel the boost from the food within minutes.