Sarah Keyes - Planning a Bucket List Adventure
The lessons that l have learned in mountain and ultra running go far beyond just the physical ones ...
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I grew up and currently reside in the Adirondacks, a 6 million acre park in the northeast corner of New York. This park is unique in that it’s a mix of private and public lands with different layers of protection and restriction. Since the early 1900’s hikers have been tackling the Adirondack High Peaks, 46 mountains over 4,000’. Eventual president, Teddy Roosevelt even received fateful news via telegraph on the side of Mt. Marcy; history runs deep here.
Up until now, no woman has completed a supported speed attempt of the 46 High Peaks, I intend to change that.
Step 1: Don’t settle for what’s comfortable.
Remember when you were a kid and nothing really seemed impossible? Try tapping into that; in order to achieve goals, you have to be willing to dream. For me, the Adirondack Mountains were at first slightly out of reach. I grew up camping, canoeing, hiking, and x-country skiing these trails but were they runnable? Ten years ago I questioned if it was possible and started small, first running trails that I knew well from childhood and as I gained more confidence trying small peaks. Step 1 is conjuring up something that seems just slightly out of reach.
Step 2: Find a mentor
If you ask most athletes they have someone that’s been very influential in their pursuits. It could be a high school coach, parent, or friend. For me, that would be Jan Wellford. Now Jan wouldn’t tell you this and he’d probably hate that I was but he is one of the best athletes I’ve known in addition to being a great family man first. He probably doesn’t remember this but he got me to the start line of my first ultra the Wakely Dam 55K and then consequently to my first 50 miler at the Vermont 50. Jan held the men's ADK 46 supported speed record for eleven years until it was broken by Ryan Atkins in 2019, while Jan crewed and paced him. Stoke is better shared.
Step 3: Rehearse
After you’ve come up with this seemingly “just within the realm of possibility” goal it’s time to practice. I’ve been working toward this goal for a decade but over the last several months I have revisited trails I haven’t done in years. Some sections, like the bushwhacks, I hadn’t done until recently. Here’s where you can try out different nutrition, new gear, train your fitness, and gain confidence. One tidbit I’ll share here is the importance of footwear and assessing the situation before it reaches a point of no return which leads to Step 4.
Step 4: Failure is fun
There’s a very real chance that I will not succeed at this goal next week. When it comes to this sort of long endurance activity there are uncontrollable circumstances. In 2018 I had my first DNF at the Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc after a bout of vertigo came on midrace. In 2017 I walked the last 20 miles of the Western States 100 after developing a severe case of macerated feet. You could argue those were controllable and in some ways they were, I’ve learned invaluable lessons via those failures. In 2019 I broke my ankle on a routine training run. While unforeseeable, the opportunity it provided will serve me next week as I go deep to the well to attempt my Big Scary Goal.
List of My Essential Items for a Bucket List Adventure:
La Sportiva Mutants- aggressive tread + sticky rubber = love
Garmin InReach Satellite Tracker- ability to send out SOS but also get weather forecasts and
communicate with loved ones
Leki Trail Running Poles- do your knees a favor and get some poles
Julbo Segment Shades- eye protection is a must when dealing with pointy trees, plus even on
overcast days your eyes will grow fatigued
Tailwind Hydration Mix- 100cal a scoop and easy on the GI tract, plus the Colorado Cola
flavor is delicious
Blister Kit- scalpel, leukotape, antiseptic/iodine, gauze, tincture of benzoin, lubricant, moisture
barrier cream; basically a doctors office in your pocket
Support crew- whether in person or back at home, having support from family and friends is
key. Remember they will love you even if you don’t succeed.
The Confidence to Dream
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Sarah Keyes is a member of the La Sportiva Mountain Running® Team.
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