Transalpine Countdown!

In a little more than 24 hours Patrick and I and 300 some other teams will be heading off into the Alps and this grand (or foolish) adventure. We spent the last few days acclimating in Wallhalben, a small and quaint hamlet south of Frankfurt Germany and the home of Patrick's brother James and his wife Wendy and children.  Wendy is a doctor at the U.S. Hospital near the Ramstein military base.   Super appreciative of their warm hospitality. Great spot to adjust to the 10 hour jet lag.   A few shots from the last couple of days... As it turns out, tons of Americans connected through the military live in this little town.  We got to meet a bunch of these families at a BBQ last night.   People from places like Florida, Ohio and Montana all living as neighbors on the other side of the planet.  We owe them all our gratitude for their service.  Patrick and I are both trying to kick colds. The timing is terrible, but as with all things in life, you deal with your situation and move forward.  Lots of fluids and vitamins and other various remedies recommended along the way. We shook out our gear one last time and spun our wheels a little bit on a beautiful old track along a creek that connects the villages that seem to be about every 5k in country that Patrick says reminds him of his old stomping grounds in Vermont.  Only difference is that it is entirely possible that a Roman soldier  rode the same trail  a couple thousands years previous. We're off today with the German Conways for Obersdorf and the race start.  Will meet up with my Dad and Sarah down there. Below is a preview of the race route and an overview of the course to get you primed!

With a distance of more than 273 km and 15,436 m of climb, the Gore-Tex Transalpine-Run 2011 offers the most challenging course that was ever run on the Western route from Oberstdorf to Latsch in Vinschgau. While the tried and tested stages between Galtür in the Paznauntal and Latsch were left untouched and highlights such as the Uina gorge or the Rappenscharte remain as the "roof of the course," stages two and three will demand everything of its participants. The second stage alone, with its distance of 53 km and 2,481 m of climb, is probably the toughest stage the Transalpine-Run has ever seen. The third stage won't be one bit less demanding, being physically challenging with 43 km of distance and 2,672 m of climb but also offering one of the most beautiful trails of the central Alps, the "Wormser Höhenweg." Wolfgang Pohl (Race Director): "With a distance of more than 273 km and 15,436 m of climb, the Gore-Tex Transalpine-Run 2011 offers the most challenging course that was ever run on the Western route from Oberstdorf to Latsch in Vinschgau. While the tried and tested stages between Galtür in the Paznauntal and Latsch were left untouched and highlights such as the Uina gorge or the Rappenscharte remain as the "roof of the course," stages two and three will demand everything of its participants. The second stage alone, with its distance of 53 km and 2,481 m of climb, is probably the toughest stage the Transalpine-Run has ever seen. The third stage won't be one bit less demanding, being physically challenging with 43 km of distance and 2,672 m of climb but also offering one of the most beautiful trails of the central Alps, the "Wormser Höhenweg." I think these facts alone are making clear that the Gore-Tex Transalpine-Run 2011 is going to write trail running history..."