Discussion: could be worse

I feel like I've missed the nicest combined spring/summer weather in years....

True dat. It has been pretty nice. Though, thankfully, we did have a few weeks of really hot weather. Leadville would have been even worse without that.

I was hoping you'd devote your 'day off' to writing up that Race Report. So I checked your blog, and found a wonderful Report.

Loved the way you began with the quote from Gary Cantrell...a real sadist IMO, after watching that documentary on the Barkley. And then a long, detailed account of your race, with beautiful pictures. Worth publishing. A very revealing and personal story. Thank you!

Glad you enjoyed it.

I second the race report kudos.

I enjoyed it too. Eric, could you use a treadmill to simulate unrelenting up and downhill grades? To do downhill, I guess it would have to be yours or a friend of yours to block the one end so it runs downhill (my source for this idea is JD, no idea if it works). I disliked treadmills, but with my recent collarbone break, it was actually a godsend and antidote to boredom.

You've obviously never seen Hope Pass if you think a treadmill can produce a remotely similar experience.

True, though I hope to, but the only resemblance that's of any importance is that of quads pounding downhill for an extended length of time.

Why, you could say 'I'll never runs on roads because my race is a trail race' or 'I'll never do a track workout because my race is on roads' but of course that would be silly.

I could say that, but I certainly wouldn't. What I did say was that treadmill running is of little use in preparing for mountain passes. You may disagree, which is your prerogative, but you'll be hard pressed to find a good mountain runner that does.

BTW, I have absolutely no interest in debating training with you. Such discussions have not been profitable for either of us in the past.