Stage 3: Soaked

Posted by Patrick

It's been pouring rain for about 24 hours, since right after we finished yesterday. Harlow and joked during the first stage that we'd take a driving rain over that heat anyday. (The) God(s) must have been listening, because it was downright nasty all day today. After showing up at the starting line two hours early, not realizing that the start had been postponed, we finally got off at 9 am and ran the 'alternate route' for the third stage. Rather than ascend to elevation and stay there for the day, we left Schruns and headed up the valley, ascending gradually for the first 30k. Then descending to Galtur over the last 10k. Going into it I was thinking it would be easier, ignoring my statement from the other day that there are no easy stages. Smart. There were a number of challenges today that didn't show up on course profile - a two mile long wet, slippery boulder field being one of them.

After yesterday we both felt fairly strong, not only knowing that we had the 50k behind us, but that we ran it conservatively and survived fairly unscathed. So we started the day a little ahead of the crowd we ran with yesterday. You could tell too. Only a little further back in the field people don't hesitate to stop for pictures or slow down to enjoy a conversation. Moving up in the pack we noticed that most teams are really there to race. Pretty much maintained that position throughout the day. Overall, the day went well, aside from being cold and wet the whole time. We covered the course in something like 4:40 which felt pretty good if not a little quick.

Looking back at the first three days, I'm definitely thrilled to have made it this far. Getting those stages behind us has not been easy, and watching teams finish a stage is all the evidence one needs to confirm how much of a challenge this event is. I'm also cautiously looking forward to the next several days. While I'm starting to really feel the effects of the miles, and the downhills, I've also been surprised at how we seemed to have found a pace that both Harlow and I can maintain comfortably. Every once in while we surge and it's immediately obvious how bad of an idea that is.

Harlow never ceases to amaze. He's always got a spring in his step. It's hard not to think I'm slowing him down, but his ability to settle into a pace and avoid needling at me to go faster is one of his qualities that made me want to partner with him.

Galtur is beautiful and the forecast for the next several days calls for good running weather. Cooler temps, some clouds.

Pics are from Pete as we approached Galtur. The other two guys are some dudes we met from Salzburg. As Harlow wrote, we are both very appreciative to our fellow competitors for making the effort to speak English with us. These guys were great to chat with a good part of the last 20k today.

Distance: 43.10km/26.78miles
Ascent: 2672m/8766ft
Descent: 1773m/5816ft

Course Profile - this isn't the course we ran. Check the TAR website- they may post the "alternative route" that we covered today