7,742 Feet

The number in the title of my post represents my total elevation gain from 3 consecutive "runs" in the last week. A new record for me by a landslide.

Run #1 was a Tam summit with Travis (~2,493ft of elevation gain). In advance of our redeye flight to New Hampshire, we decided to get up early (5:30am) and go for it. A few months back, we established a "couple goal" of achieving 10 Tam summits together before our wedding. This was #5, so we're halfway there! 

I have a love-hate relationship with Tam Summits. We go up the most direct route - from downtown Mill Valley, up one of the many charming hidden staircases, onto Tamalpais Ave, then onto Summit Ave, and finally, straight up the Temelpa Trail. Everything through Summit Ave is run-able, but Temelpa Trail (for me) is only run-able in the very beginning and once you get to the switchbacks near the top. The rest is too steep and rocky.

Running up Mt. Tam is a lesson in patience as I get frustrated by having to walk and falling behind Travis. It's a lesson in pushing through intense leg pain and crazy hard breathing. I have to remind myself that it's OK to hurt. I'm a "comfort-zone runner" and am really trying to work on that in order to improve my race times. And finally, it's incredibly awesome and worth the horrible wake-up to be standing on Top of Mt. Tam with Travis, watching the sunrise and enjoying some peace before a busy day.

Sunrise over Temelpa Trail on Mt. Tam

Run #2 was a short little run in Jackson, NH (~961ft of elevation gain). There for a wedding, we were straight off a redeye and a 4 hour drive, but instead of hopping straight into bed at the cute BnB, (which we realllllllly wanted to do), we decided to first stretch our legs.

I used the Strava app to explore some local routes and thought I had this great loop figured out, but turns out, I missed the very first turn and got us "lost." Instead we did a 5.2 mile out and back run along a forested country road. I didn't think much of the initial ascent, but the road just kept going up for about half a mile. Travis waited for me at the top of the road and we proceeded together down, down, down..a little over a mile of steep downhill. WTF! I thought I was in for an easy/flat/chill run, but when I realized we were lost, we had to turn back around and go right back up that mile-long hill. 

It was hot and humid and we were drenched in sweat the entire time. Once I got over the mental block I have about unexpected hilly runs, I was able to appreciate the fact that we were getting an awesome workout over 5 miles. (Aforementioned mental block = the second I see an unexpected hill, I immediately slow my pace waaaaay down to a pathetic jog in anticipation of having to work harder to get my butt up the hill instead of maintaining or charging). Anyway, mental hill blocks aside, who doesn't love New England in the summer???

Covered bridge in Jackson, NH (taken from car, not run)

Run #3 was an experience. Up and down Mt. Washington (~4,288ft of elevation gain), which is part of the Presidential mountain range. I hesitate to call this a "run," but I'm leaving it as is because we busted our butts up this thing. We parked at the Pinkham Notch Visitors Center and took the Tuckerman Ravine trail.

Embarking on this adventure was a bold move for all parties involved: me, Travis, Adam, and Jake. We were hungover from the rehearsal dinner and afterparty. And we had a very finite amount of time that we could devote to this activity before we had to be ready for the wedding. And that amount of time was significantly less than the shorter end of the range of time they say you should give yourself to climb up (4-5 hours) and down (3-4 hours).

There is not a ton of elevation gain over the first 1.5-2 miles of the trail, so we were able to jog this part. My first impression of the trail was how crowded it was...a total zoo of families, teenage camp groups, etc. Every few steps we were yelling "excuse me," or "on your left." Once beyond the hut/water stop around mile 2, the crowds thinned out a bit and the real climb began, i.e., the part where you can no longer run. 

Lil' pond along Tuckerman

On the second half of the climb, my GPS watch said I was going 40 minutes/mile. That's how steep and rocky the climb was. There were still a lot of people on the single track trail and we kept getting stuck behind them. But that just gave me more time to take pictures and check out the insane views; I seriously forgot how beautiful the New Hampshire wilderness is. At this point, I was by myself. Travis and Adam were going for the Strava 'King of the Mountain' record and Jake was a ways in front of me too. 

The last part of the climb is basically a free-for-all up this crazy rock field. But finally, I arrived at the (crowded) summit (which you can drive to as well) and searched for my group. Travis/Adam made it to the top in something ridiculous like LESS than 1:30. It took me about 1:45. Because we made it up so fast, we took our time admiring the views and even waited in line for the obligatory picture with the summit sign.

Obligatory group photo at the summit / Adam making weird faces

Capturing the scenery

We made it back down to our car in less than 1:30. Total time up and down was a little over 3 hours for me, and less than 3 hours for the guys. We were all pretty psyched and proud of ourselves. After a quick stop for celebratory sandwiches, chips, and ginormous beers, it was time to get ready for the wedding.

We clean up nicely :)

And that ended our spree of crazy elevation gains. As I write this, my legs are STILL sore from all of the climbing. But each run was incredible and so worth the mental/physical struggle. The best part for me was sharing all of these experiences with my future husband! (And achieving the women's course record up Mt. Washington on Strava...nevermind the fact that I am the sole woman on that segment).