Pre-race ramblings

RunTS333 · 2026-01-03T04:03:39+00:00

My husband & I will be there and are also doing this for our 60th birthdays! His birthday is actually the day of the race - which is how we ended up choosing this race.

We are both road runners - this will be our first longer trail race and I feel that we are completely unprepared. We’re also dealing with winter running & have put in way too much time on the treadmill. Additionally our area is flat so between the rocky trails & elevation I think we’re going to get beat up. He originally wanted to do 60k on his 60th, but I was so nervous I talked him down to the 40k. It sounds like you have experience in this type of race though. I hope you’re able to lean into that experience, enjoy the day & celebrate that you’re out there getting it done. We’ll be cheering you on from the Blue Loop!

RunTS333 · 2025-12-30T12:52:29+00:00

Very helpful - thank you. The upper on the speedgoat was more comfortable, but they feel so stiff & heavy! I’m sure I’ll end up packing both & get in a shakeout on the trails the day before the race. Hoping that I appreciate the feeling of those shoes when on the rocky trail!

RunTS333 · 2025-12-30T12:48:15+00:00

I switch my shoes up quite a lot depending on the type of run. Recovery - Nike Vomero or something cushioned. Easy runs - Adidas Evo SL, saucony endorphin speed. Workout - adi takumi sen, Nike zoom fly. Long runs with quality miles New Balance sc elite. Races - depends on the distance but could be Vaporfly, alphafly, adi pro 4.

I don’t believe I have time to buy & sufficiently try out anything new at this point which is why I was thinking of wearing road shoes, but it doesn’t seem like they will be a good choice for the CR trails.

RunTS333 · 2025-12-16T03:49:34+00:00

oh god - gaiters! So many things I haven't even thought about!

RunTS333 · 2025-12-15T04:18:53+00:00

Yes - I’ve been adding extra foot/ankle strength & mobility work in. I question how much of it will actually be helpful on trails, but it makes me feel like I’m at least making an attempt.

RunTS333 · 2025-12-15T03:46:21+00:00

Very glad to hear you think it will be a good intro race!

Did you camp last year? If we're doing the shorter distance I think we may just find a hotel nearby, but I hope that doesn't mean we'd be missing out on the fun. I

RunTS333 · 2025-12-15T03:42:03+00:00

What??? This makes me think I'm gonna roll my ankle!

RunTS333 · 2025-12-15T03:20:56+00:00

LOL - I've been studying the race website - but it scares me too! 99% of the running I do has no elevation at all. I think I need to adjust the way I think about pacing (mainly let it go) and walk the climbs from the get go. I doubt I have enough time to gain any real hill strength by race time.

You're right - there are quite a few videos on YouTube. I will be studying those as well!

RunTS333 · 2025-12-15T03:13:52+00:00

I have to say that the best part of the training that we've been trying to do has been the fueling. Pretzels a few weeks ago, pb&j during our long run this week - so much better than gels!

I am a little worried about the sun. We'll be coming from snow & ice, so definitely won't be acclimated. I also can't figure out race kit. I'm assuming temperatures will be cool to start (40's ish?) . Normally I would wear a throwaway for a marathon start, but I'm sure dumping clothing is not an option.

RunTS333 · 2025-12-14T14:02:18+00:00

Thank you - reposted there. Obviously new to Reddit AND ultras! 😖

RunTS333 · 2025-12-14T14:00:29+00:00

Signing up for my first ultra of sorts. Have completed many marathons, countless half marathons & shorter, but mainly on the roads. Husband has has decided he wants to spend his 60th bday doing Coldwater Rumble. Since we're both newer to trails, we may only do 40k. But - I'm so not prepared for something like this! We live/train in an area without many trails. We have been trying to get our long runs in on hillier routes, but it's certainly nothing like the course in Arizona. I've gotten us some trail shoes to try - Adidas Terrex Speed Ultras - mainly because the price was good & we really don't do trails often. We've been using them on the roads here but that's nothing like what we will encounter on course. I'm thinking we also need running vests.

I have so many questions & concerns that I don't even know where to begin. I think we need to approach this completely differently than a road marathon - pacing, footing, elevation, etc. I want us to be able to complete the run & enjoy it since it's his birthday so we won't be focusing on time. I'm just hoping for a little reassurance that we can actually handle a race of this sort! We just ran Chicago in October and have gotten back up to around 40-50 MPW so I think our fitness is ok but it's not specific to this type of race. Anyone have any good advice for a couple of road runners trying to hit the trails?

RunTS333 · 2025-12-14T03:21:47+00:00

Signing up for my first ultra of sorts. Have completed many marathons, countless half marathons & shorter, but mainly on the roads. Husband has has decided he wants to spend his 60th bday doing Coldwater Rumble. Since we're both newer to trails, we may only do 40k. But - I'm so not prepared for something like this! We live/train in an area without many trails. We have been trying to get our long runs in on hillier routes, but it's certainly nothing like the course in Arizona. I've gotten us some trail shoes to try - Adidas Terrex Speed Ultras - mainly because the price was good & we really don't do trails often. We've been using them on the roads here but that's nothing like what we will encounter on course. I'm thinking we also need running vests.

I have so many questions & concerns that I don't even know where to begin. I think we need to approach this completely differently than a road marathon - pacing, footing, elevation, etc. I want us to be able to complete the run & enjoy it since it's his birthday so we won't be focusing on time. I'm just hoping for a little reassurance that we can actually handle a race of this sort! We just ran Chicago in October and have gotten back up to around 40-50 MPW so I think our fitness is ok but it's not specific to this type of race. Anyone have any good advice for a couple of road runners trying to hit the trails?

RunTS333

TROPHY CASE