Leadville 10k Trail Run

 

I safely arrived at Denver on Thursday (6 pm local time), after more than 30 hours of flight (including transits, connecting flights).

 

Wearing compression during the flights did wonder, I wasn't too tired at all. The biggest scare was at Chicago airport, I was held more than an hour for extra verification on my visit to stateside. I did missed my 2:30 pm flight to Denver though. At last, I was permitted to enter USA after the immigration verify my details. I wasn't complaining coz I understand these people are just doing their job, I must recommend that the officers was in professional conduct throughout my ordeal.

 

I spend the first night at Denver 5,000 feet from sea level to acclimatize before making way up to Leadville 10,200 feet.

 

So far I feel pretty good, I heed the advise to drink more fluids at this high altitude. Plus Gatorade is pretty cheap here 77 cent for 946 ml bottle.

 

I arrived at Leadville on Saturday, it's a race day for 100 mile MTB bike race. My hostel was full of bikers and there's few runners already stayed at the hostel to acclimatize for the 100 mile foot race.

 

On Sunday, I collected my 10km trail run bib. The run started at 12 noon. I decided to wear my full "Baju Melayu" since it's still Eid Fitri. It attracted a lot of attention from other runners, some asked to be photograph with me.

 

The weather was quite hot, because we're at high altitude the sun was pretty merciless. You'll get sunburn immediately when exposed in the outdoor.

 

But for me it's still bearable wearing the baju Melayu coz the humidity here is low and you wont get sweat a lot.

 

There were about 500 people running the 10k run, I met a Japanese runner right before the start. He was transiting through Denver and registered the run on the spot.

 

We started running on the road for about a km before entering a trail. The trail was easy, wide off road but the altitude killed you. This was my first experience running at this high altitude, it's like using straw to breathe. Tell ya it's not easy running here, I had difficulties breathing while running at 10,200 feet / 3100 meters.

 

Water station was located  at 5km turn around, glanced at my Garmin - I made in in less than 29 minutes. I was going to fast, I decided then to slow down on the second half by taking photos with my camera.

 

Completed the run in 1:07 . Not too shabby with camwhoring, drinking 3 cups of water at WS and 2 pieces of watermelon. Definitely a good introduction to running in high altitude, hope to get more acclimatize soon for LT100 next Saturday.