Big Bear Bitterroot Horseshoe

IMTUF 2024

Back before I expected

BB w/ Natalie

Broken Stove Crew Rescue

This was just a good old time. Warm day, mix of dirt road and single track. Carbon X was on point. Felt pretty decent, moved well the first 4-5. Not climbing great though and Brett caught me around mile 5 or just before on the second climb. I kept it somewhat close and was just a second behind him as we started up the final and largest climb of the day. I knew he was going to be stronger here and sure enough he motored away. I was able to run the whole way up, still keeping Brett in sight for much of the climb. Gut problems really took ahold on the final descent and then this happened.....

Course vandals are just the worst. I really don't understand what they are thinking. Some people apparently moved flags and remarked the course the night before to make runners go the wrong way, RD Kyle Carson and crew went out and fixed what had been done. But it turned out the vandals really meant business. With about 1/2 mile to go I saw a pink flag at a junction and took it, but after a while as the trail kind of petered out in a rock garden I knew I had gone wrong. At this point already a few minutes off course I took a bathroom stop and then found my way back to the course to finish out. 

I am happy enough with how it went. Certainly paid a price for some fast early miles, but it was really good to get out and run hard, not something I have been doing near as much of, but so so worth it. 

Tough as Nails is a great fast fun 10 mile trail event. I'd say if you live anywhere near this area to put in on your calendar next year for a great time next spring. 

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Ryan Ghelfi

Tough as Nails 10 Miler

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Big Bear Bitterroot Horseshoe

IMTUF 2024

Back before I expected

BB w/ Natalie

Broken Stove Crew Rescue

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