More tips.
With the Imogene Pass running race only about three weeks away, it is getting to the point that no amount of extra training is going to improve your time significantly. There are a few more things that I have learned over the years that I have done the race that can make the whole thing a little easier.

• Check the weather, compression tights or shorts are key if the weather turns bad up high.
• I like to wear a light long sleeve polypro shirt for the entire race. It may be a little hot on the way up, but the summit cold can sap your energy if you get overly chilled.
• Carry water or whatever you hydrate with (HEED, etc.) and re-fill your bottle at each aid station, it won’t slow you down that much.
• Go to the pre-race briefing the night before to get the latest conditions. It is held during the race course orientation @ the Ouray Community Center (320 6th Ave.) 7:00 PM on Friday September 10, immediately after the pre-race dinner.
• Usually your race bib gets you a $5 entry into the Ouray Hot Springs. I haven’t checked what the discount is this year, but there is one. Don’t toss your race number!

Snowmass Half and Half
This race looks like fun! A half path, half alpine single track 10K race above and around the Snowmass base area. This is the race’s inaugural year and is USATF Sanctioned. It should prove to be both brutal and beautiful.

http://www.snowmassmtnchallenge.com/

A small, lesser known race in its third year offers a beautiful and brutal course that winds around the Town of Ouray, passing through the center of town half way through the race. The course offers a lot of smooth single track, a total of 3,600 feet of elevation gain, loose downhill sections and steep sustained climbs. Oh ya, and the views are amazing. The race is scheduled to coincide with Ouray Oktoberfest, so make a weekend out of it! I have done the race both times it was held and love it. The only advice I have is to bring your favorite method of hydration because the time between aid stations is a little long. The aid stations are well stocked with Hammer Gel, HEED and water if memory serves me correctly.

http://ouraytrailrun.com/index.htm

Your first Imogene Pass run? First off… congrats! You are now doomed to repeat this pilgrimage year after year. This race grows on you. You will swear never to do it again as you race and will be plotting your training strategy for the following year as you lie in the grass 10 minutes after you finish.
I have done this race 6 times, heading to my 7th this year and am pretty psyched. I have learned a few things and will pass them along.

• If you stay in Ouray, you get hot springs and beer at Ourayle House after the race to soothe the pain.
• Try to do negative splits. If you go out hard, you will go a lot slower than you would if you rally an hour in. Get slowly faster (effort-wise) and you will finish with a lot of power.
• There is a false summit. Don’t be crestfallen when you look up and see the race going on well above where you thought you though you were about to top out.
• Take the race requirements seriously. You may really need the hat, gloves and jacket.
• Be careful on the switchbacks off the summit. It is wicked sketchy. A lot of blood gets spilled here.
• Summit Gummi Worms. Mmmmmmmm.
• When you can see Telluride, you still have a long way to go.
• You will be in the pain cave for a long time on the way down. Prepare yourself mentally for the extended torture. It is downhill and will crush you mentally unless you can continue to push through the pain.
• Take a lot of fluids, more than usual. I have often wished that I wasn’t cramping on the last 5 miles and all because I failed to drink enough. Endurolytes are wonderful!
• Take time to look around. Not only are you in a beautiful place, but you are surrounded by a huge crowd of like minded athletes and amazing volunteers that are all loving everything that you are experiencing. Coloradans really know how to party. Altitude is also a state of mind.
• The soup at the end is the BEST soup you have ever had. Ever.

Enjoy and see all y’all at the finish line!