Travel Day

Less than 24hrs to go.

My body is going into pre-race anxiety mode. Not nearly as bad as pre-Zion 100, but enough to cause sleeping issues two nights out. 

Many variables are contributing, but my concerns over the temperature variations is highest on the list.  I am not a hot weather runner, nor a warm weather one. Much to the disgust of my training partner, I run with pride when the coldest winter days are upon us.  I can handle 0 degrees. I have never, along with most earth bound creatures, experienced a potential 70 degree temperature change within an 8 to 12 hour stretch.  With the run starting at 4AM (low 30s) and peak temperatures hitting around 2PM (possibly 100 degrees), the math is simple for 10 hrs: 7 degrees every hour. However, this silliness doesn't lend itself to simple math.  For one, temperatures do not rise linearly.  Additionally, the elevation profile will lend us some relief in that the climb at the north rim (8,000 ft), around 10AM, will reduce the temperatures as we ascend.  Alas, here is where the shit will get real. After already completing 24 miles, which includes the most formidable climb ever tackled in my life, I turn around to start the trip home and the 'bake off'. The descent from North Rim to Phantom Ranch potentially presents a 30 degree temperature change over a 3 hour period. 10 degrees per hour. My oven doesn't warm up that fast it seems.

The two saving graces. 

1) It is a dry heat. To a New Englander, with little experience outside of this swimming pool of an ecosystem, I am little comforted. I will learn by trial.

2) North Kabaib trail (more than 1/2 of the run) follows a stream.  I forgot my floatties, so swimming in the grand Colorado is out (precautionary note- CR can be quite dangerous due to 42 degree temperature and viscious current). I  suspect we will visit this stream's cooling capabilities rather frequently.