Up, Up and Away! Rattler 50k Race Report
The Rattler 50k is located at Palmer Park in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The race website states, “Even though the course does not have much vertical gain, it will test runners with its technical trails.” This description I find incredibly subjective. It's like meeting up with a new run friend for the first time and they say I'm so sorry I'm so slow right now: I am only running about ** minute miles… when in reality that's your Tempo pace and you panic a little wondering if you will be able to keep up. “Not much vertical gain” …sheesh!!! The Rattler covers 3838 feet of gain in 31 miles. Yes, I have done other races similar and I have even completed Bears Ears 50k which had almost 7000 ft of gain. The problem is, I like to tell people that I am “emotionally allergic” to climbing. Often I will break out in cries about make-believe hives while going uphill. Well December Erica, who we will now refer to as BERICA, decided it would be a good idea to tackle climbing this