You make an intriguing comment about the first half being harder, which makes me want to run that half. I have had a little internal debate going about the Fall and whether I would rather run the official 50 mile race, or start the 100 with a goal of making it to Finland and then just seeing what happens after that. You’re making me curious about those first 50 miles…

Everyone says the first half of the 100 is harder than the second, even if the Manitou gorge and eight mountains are in the second half. In the 50, you get to do the gorges when you’re fresh and in daylight; the biggest problem is the next aid station is 10 miles away.

Matt – “isn’t that bad” honestly never crossed my mind, that gorge is nuts!! It was exhilarating and fun, though. We spent a lot of time on that hike wondering what it would be like to hit that during the 100 – I’m not surprised it takes some runners hours to get through that segment. Hopefully I will find out what its like next year (in the 100, that is).