I’ve known for some time that this day would come. In fact, I’ve had two years to prepare for this day, and yet all that preparation has done nothing to make it any easier. On August 18, 2016 I was dealt the crushing blow that Pearl iZUMi was leaving the run industry.  For seven years I have run exclusively in Pearl iZUMi running shoes. At first it was the Trail N2, and when they came out with the Trail N3 I knew we were meant to be together forever. Then, without even telling me there was a problem, Pearl iZUMi said they were leaving. I was completely blindsided, and just like that it was over.  I cried and I begged them not to go, and I did what all rational PI lovers did…I bought every pair of PI Trail N3s I could find in my size. If you have been following my blog, you might remember the last post I wrote about my shoe problem. I stocked up directly from Pearl iZUMi, and when that source ran out, I scoured the internet, and even resorted to buying lightly used Trail N3s off eBay.

This year I have tried hard to find a replacement. I have spent many miles in Hoka Stinson ATR 4s, and I’ve also grown to like the Salomon Ultra Sense Pro Max. But nothing has filled the void that will be created by my PI Trail N3s. No relationship is perfect. I’ve worn out the same spot in the heel in every single pair, and the traction has never been the best in steep technical terrain, but I still loved them. They were my shoe. Over the last two years the stash of boxes in my closet have dwindled, and it all came down to this past Saturday. On September 8th, 2018, I took the last box off the shelf. Life is a series of changes. We must learn to accept what we cannot change. We must grieve for what we have lost, and hope that with time we will somehow find a way to move on. My feet may never be the same. Let us have a moment of silence for the last box.

As I try to find a way to move on from this grief, I find myself in the final days before toeing the line at my third 100 miler. Apparently I haven’t gotten any smarter, and I might need an intervention. I’m saying it right here and now that next year I will not be doing a 100 miler…unless I get into Hardrock, and then I’ll be freaking out and obsessively training for that 100 miles starting in December. However, because having my name drawn in the Hardrock lottery is highly unlikely, I stand by my original statement. Next year will be more time getting on the bike, backpacking, and let’s face it, probably a lot of running anyway. I know I’ve said that the last two years, but I mean it this time.

The Run Rabbit Run 100 miler starts at 8:00am on Friday, September 14th. I am looking forward to heading to Steamboat Springs, where the aspen should be in their full golden splendor and the trails will be beautiful. There are 7 runners from URT in the 100 miler, so between having them on course, and all of our crew & pacers, it will be a big URT party on the mountain. I don’t have the giant crew that I had in 2016, but it is probably just as well. This year the course has been significantly changed, and now there is only one opportunity for anyone to see me before dark. So unless all my friends want to stay up all night, they are better off tracking me at home, and I know they will be with me in spirit. For those watching from home, there will be a couple of ways to keep track of me. The race will have official tracking, although it will simply tell you what aid stations I have passed through. I will also be carrying a SPOT GPS tracker, courtesy of Eric, my pacer at IMTUF 100 last year. Hopefully, between these two options, you’ll be able to get an idea of where I am on the course, and you won’t feel the need to obsessively text Josh to see how things are going. My mother thanks you Eric.

Here is the link to the Run Rabbit Run tracking page. Make sure you have selected “100 Mile Tortoises” and “Female” at the top, as there are several races happening that weekend. I don’t know if you will be able to search by my bib number, but I will be bib # 480.

Here is the link to the live GPS tracking on the SPOT device.

Neither of these will show anything until the race has started, so don’t worry if you click now and nothing shows up. I’m still sitting at home.

Lastly, here is the link to the course information page, with the map and profile.

This week has been spent getting organized for the race. I have food packed up, pace charts ready to go, and lots and lots of cold weather gear. We learn from every experience, and over the last three years of running I have learned from a lot of mistakes. Struggling with the cold for the last two 100 milers, I have acquired a new warmer jacket (Patagonia’s Micro Puff hoody) and baselayers that I hope will be enough. That, and I plan to have copious amounts of hand warmers to stuff in every pocket, glove, sleeve, and yes, even down my bra. I’ve learned that treating blisters when they are small is ALWAYS a better idea than hoping they will magically get better on their own, because surprise, they don’t.  I’ve also learned that if you are peeing constantly and trying to pass out every time you stand back up, you might want to think about when you last took any electrolytes.  Of course I’m sure something new will pop up this year, and I will be “fortunate” enough to have yet another learning opportunity.

It will be interesting to see how things go as compared to 2016. Overall, I think I am much stronger, but 100 miles is 100 miles, and anything can and will happen. If everything goes right, I hope to have a much faster finish than before, however getting to the finish line any time before 36 hours, or 8pm on Saturday, will be a win.

I will cherish these miles in my Pearl iZUMi Trail N3s, and stretch out my existing pairs for as long as possible, but all good things come to an end, and the end is near. What will I do now you ask? I’ll continue to run in the Salomon Ultra Sense Pro Max, and will probably try out the Hoka Torrent, La Sportiva Lycan GTX and the La Sportiva Akasha. Perhaps someday I will find a new love. As all runners know, if there is anything we can count on in life, it is that as soon as you find that perfect shoe, it will be changed or discontinued. So I’m sure it won’t be long before I need to have another stash of shoe boxes in my closet.

Stay tuned for my race report, and think warm thoughts for me overnight!

Kristin