Growing a Running Family

Tips on raising kids that run.

Introduction

My wife and I ran extensively together before having kids. We have been running partners for nearly 20 years. Our first marathon was run together in 2005. We started as a team of two, and gradually we are becoming a running family of four.  

This represents a huge oversimplification. There have been multiple stages in our development.

Running with children requires a lot of thought and planning, and I suspect that the birth of kids puts an end to many peoples' active lifestyles. At least there is a hiatus in many cases. There are inevitable periods where running is not an option, or where running together is difficult or impossible. In fact, it is really much easier to run separately from one another; however, this means losing my best running partner and spending even less time together.

Our children are now almost 8 and 5, and we are only starting to assemble a group of 4 people who run together (i.e. simultaneously). It is a work in progress, a constant evolution. I will try to address multiple stages of development and solutions that have helped us.

The Larval Stage

I had to constantly be reminded that new babies are fragile. There is a "fourth trimester" that occurs outside of the mother's body. An infant cannot simply be placed into a stroller to bounce around for a few hours. This is obvious in retrospect, but I remember being shocked and disappointed to learn that a child must be six months old to ride in a typical jogging stroller. They lack head control and are simply too delicate. 

For various physiologic and medical reasons, a couple usually cannot run together for the first 4-6 weeks after birth. This period is one of great adjustment and sleep deprivation, so I barely noticed that we had become relatively inert together. Naps were a pretty big thing, running not so much.

A proud and somewhat perplexed father
holds his new offspring.

Gradually we resumed activity as a nascent family.  We went through several wearable baby carriers, including the BabyBjörn (shown) and later the ErgoBaby carrier. Carriers are essential for walking together but hardly suited for any kind of serious activity (i.e. running).

Napping in a garden with the BabyBjorn.

Hiking was facilitated by the backpack carrier. This wasn't running either, but good times were to be had.

Hiking in the Alps with the Deuter backpack. Also not suitable for running.

At some point we noticed that we were not running together anymore. Mostly we were just taking turns running on our own, and both of us were confined to shorter distances. Sometimes we would get a sitter or a family member and enjoy a race together. In 2009, for example, we renewed our wedding vows in the Las Vegas Marathon. 

We learned from our first child and figured a few things out with our second child.

The Pre-stroller

A technical solution to the conventional running stroller's limitations becomes available at 4-6 weeks of age: the modified Chariot.  Originally designed as a bicycle trailer, the Thule (AKA Chariot) stroller has adapters to make it into a stroller with 3 wheels. When used with the hammock accessory (see below), it can be started as early as 4 weeks of age!

The Chariot or Thule bicycle trailer is enclosed, has a
running attachment (shown) and pushes very well.

Hammock attachment can be used with a very
small baby. It suspends them in recumbent position
and enables very early family runs.

We figured out the Chariot with our second child. Each of us pushed a stroller with one of the kids, and we were a running family fairly early after our daughter's birth.

The Baby Stroller Era

Our kids practically grew up in strollers. At about 6-8 months they were ready for the running stroller. Our choice was the Bob Revolution, first a single and later a double. There are other viable options, including the Chariot sans hammock sling, which actually works very well in colder climates because it is enclosed and warmer. The larger strollers add quite a bit of drag, especially in wind or on unpaved surfaces.

At the start of a 5K race with our 3-year-old
daughter. She would run the Kid's
race after our finish.

The kids became very used to riding in the stroller. Sometimes I would have them with me for 2 or 3 hours at a time. Things that helped were music (powered speaker), games, snacks and eventually tablet computers, books. With time, we started seeing our 2-3 year old kids want to get up and join us on foot, running alongside. This was an important milestone but never lasted more than 5 or 10 minutes at a time. Both kids were thankful to climb back in and ride along.

My son Jack leaving the stroller.  Typically he was good for 1-2 km of overly
spirited running. he inevitably drops back into the stroller.

Eventually we started using the Double Bob stroller, and this changed the dynamics of running again. The double stroller is considerably harder to push but allows one of the runners to have free hands. We were very fortunate to have a friend, who gave us her double stroller, because they are fairly expensive. Traveling with a double stroller on a plane is challenging. 

In a large race, start at the back. Confirm with the race director that strollers are
allowed. Anticipate some frustration in the initial miles until
you find a pace that accommodates you. I find that
the stroller adds about 1 min/km (1:30/mile) to my pace.

One unexpected consequence of the double stroller was that it approximated almost exactly my 5-10K race handicap when racing my wife.  Running together, my wife places in her age group, and I get a very challenging workout pushing both kids. The big prize is running together as a family and finishing together simultaneously. 

The longest double stroller race that we have done together was a half marathon. I have done a 20 mile training run on my own with two bored kids in the Double Bob. A consolation: storage for hydration and nutrition. 

I have found that most race directors are fairly lenient about allowing strollers as long as we stay out of peoples' way. Some races even had a category for fastest stroller team.

Both of us at our limits. Sub-23 minute 5K, finishing together as a couple.

Look for the Kid's K race
afterward.

Many races now have kids' runs that vary between 1K and one mile, often tailored toward encouraging the transition to family running. The kids have varying and unpredictable enthusiasm for this, but mostly they are free races or cheap ($10), and the kids often get a shirt or a prize.

Other times we run to family-friendly events, such as the nearby Balloon Fiesta or to festivals. Frequently I will get up early, stash a car near the destination, run home and grab the family. Knowing that the car is at the destination allows us to go longer distances together as a family, and it gives me a double workout.

Running at dawn to the Balloon Fiesta in Albuquerque. The car is already stashed
at the festival. Roundtrip, this is a 30K run, but the kids are in the stroller for
only 90 minutes of it.

Transition to Running

Kids are natural runners. I would kill for my daughter's form. In fact, it is hard to keep kids from running everywhere, because running is an extension of play to them. Sadly, as we get older, we begin to think of running as a form of work or exercise. Many of us unlearn how to run or forget how to run as play. We wear stupid shoes to work that ruin our feet and our natural tendency toward forefoot striking.

I honestly do not know at what age one should encourage the kids to run on their own. They have to enjoy it. Just as for us, however, there will be periods of discomfort, hard work, even suffering. balancing this with fun is critical. I have probably erred toward waiting too long before they start actually running, especially competitively, for any distance. Probably there is great variability between individuals, and probably there are some people for whom it will never happen.

The biggest difficulty we encountered initially was distance. Neither of our kids can run more than 5K at a time, and often much shorter. At least this has been the case so far. For longer runs, my son will ride his bicycle. This works for distances up to about 10 km. It is obviously not appropriate for races, but it facilitates a decent 1 hour family run.

For initial runs, the distance is determined by my son.
We never pushed him beyond what was obviously play.

We do quite a few hybrid runs now, with some sort of combined locomotion (bicycle, stroller, running).  My daughter still fits in a single stroller, but she won't reliably finish a 5 km race. My son, however, has begun doing the 5 km distance as a race. I'll push my daughter in the single stroller and pace him simultaneously.

5K cross country course. I do a lot to encourage my son.
Sometimes we hold hands. I give him splits and tell him
distances to go. We wear matching shoes!

Pushing my daughter in the stroller while racing a 5K with my son.

Constant coaching and encouragement, and matching Altra shoes.
Cheering spectators mean the world to him. My job is to
keep him from running too fast at times.

Every finish is a victory

 I want to be careful to encourage our younger one, while still being inclusive. She's actually pretty tough, and possibly the more natural runner of the two. 

My daughter will run separately. We are careful to not make her compete against her
older brother. She does look up to him, however, and wants to
do what he does.

I am determined to preserve this natural form
while she is still young.
Thankfully my son has finally grown
into the Altra One Kid shoe that accommodates
size 1-6. We make do for our younger daughter
with shoes from GoPlae. 

It is important that each run now provide some kind of fun for the kids. A great venue is our annual run for the zoo. A bonus: there are half-marathon, 10K, 5K and Kid's Mile distances, so something for everyone.

Run for the zoo. We ran the
21K (13.1 mile), pushing the double stroller. The
kids did their individual runs afterward.
Then we went to the zoo.

This is a combined race and fishing
derby. My son won a prize for catching a fish,
not for his running.

Although planning is important, extemporaneous activity is often where the best running seems to happen.  Running can be fun when you are chasing each other with snowballs or kicking a ball around, or chasing imaginary dragons. Don't forget to have fun, and make sure to get outside every day.

  

Keep it fun.

Mt. Taylor Winter Quadrathlon 2016 Race Report

Mt. Taylor Winter Quadrathlon 2016

cycle - run - ski - snowshoe

Introduction

After moving to Albuquerque, NM in 2007, I learned of a unique race that took place on Mount Taylor in the nearby San Mateo Mountains, approximately 1 hour away. Several colleagues participated in this event annually. It consists of cycling, running, skiing and snowshoeing in the middle of winter.  It sounded frightening and ridiculous.

My first time doing the event in 2008, I barely survived it.  I battled with dehydration, overheating and equipment malfunction. This year I participated for my 8th time, and with each year I learn something new.  I have made this event into a personal fitness test and an annual challenge since I moved to New Mexico.

Quadrathlon?

2016 represents the 33rd official running of the Quadrathlon. I have been told that the event may be older than this. Apparently it started unofficially as a local race with a few participants. It has grown to have over 150 soloists and nearly as many 2, 3 or 4 person team individuals. It has been said that the nearly 500 volunteers exceeds the number of participants each year.  This is a big deal for the city of Grants, NM, population 9,200.

The term Quadrathlon is a bit of a misnomer too.  There are four distinct forms of locomotion, but the race has 8 separate legs with 6 distinct transitions. The race is an out-and-back.

During this multisport event, the mountain is climbed and descended in the following order: cycle-run-ski-snowshoe-ski-run-cycle, starting and finishing in downtown Grants. This is more than a technical nuance, since each direction of each leg has its own special challenges and places unique demands on its participants and their gear. Temperatures swing wildly from morning to afternoon, and alpine conditions change with temperature and human traffic.

History and Geography

Mt. Taylor is an 11,305' (3,446 m) dormant volcano approximately 78 miles (126 km) west of Albuquerque NM.  The mountain has a long history of importance to the people of New Mexico. Although named in 1849 after president Zachary Taylor, it has been known as Cebolleta (tender onion) by Spanish settlers, and as Tsoodził, or turquoise mountain, by the Navajo.  It represents the southern of four sacred mountains marking the cardinal directions and the boundaries of the Dinetah, the traditional Navajo homeland. 

Mount Taylor and the surrounding area is home to large elk herds, mule deer, black bear, and mountain lion. The region is also very rich in a uranium-vanadium bearing mineral, and has been mined extensively for it, providing over thirteen million tons of uranium ore to the United States since 1945. In April 2009, Mount Taylor was added to the National Trust for Historic Preservation's list of America's Most Endangered Places. Consideration is currently being given to making this area protected Wilderness.

Winter Quadrathlon Description

As listed above, there are four basic forms of locomotion, comprising a total of 72 km (43 miles). The midpoint of the race is at the main peak of Mt. Taylor 11,305' (3,446 m).

The race is always run on the Saturday of President's Day weekend. Weather is variable but typically wintry. The race has been held in snow, rain and in the absence of any snow on the mountain (the entire length was run).  Most years, there's a transition from dry pavement in town, to dirt, to mud, to ice and snow.

Although the race has undergone changes, including promoters and sponsors, its rules and course have remained the same:

  

There has been relative leniency, for example, toward the use of splitboard/snowboards and toward evolution in snowshoes, skis and bicycles.

The course is basically as follows (taken directly from the promoter's site):

• Racers start with a 13 mile bike ride on a paved road seeing the change from desert cactus to ponderosa pine. The course winds through the streets of Grants and begins the 1800 foot climb.
• At the end of the paved road, bikes are parked and racers must run the next five miles on gravel roads. The road generally starts out dry but usually runs to snow packed. This part of the course will climb 1200 feet in elevation.
• Runners then turn to cross-country skis to challenge the next 1200 foot climb of the mountaineering ski course that covers two miles. During the final yards of this course you must face the notorious "HEARTBREAK HILL" that lays waiting for weary racers.
• The remaining one mile climb on snowshoes gains 600 feet to reach the 11,301 foot summit of MT. TAYLOR where a person can see for over a hundred miles on a clear day.

A soloist checks his gear the night before. Two bags are transported onto the mountain: a bag for the cycle/run transition and a bag for the run/ski transition. Snowshoes are carried by the participant in a backpack to the ski/snowshoe transition.

There is the option to participate as a team. I have not done this, and I have generally dissuaded friends from doing so. I think the experience is best enjoyed as a soloist. The people who do participate in teams seem to have a great time, but they spend a considerable amount of time waiting up on the mountain for their teammates to arrive, and transportation is complicated.

Trying to create organization out of chaos. This was 2013, and I was still overpacking.

Strategies and Packing

Initally, I tried to find the best equipment for each segment.  Skiing, for example, evolved from traditional XC skis, to AT gear, to telemark equipment, to a hybrid setup of telemark boots and waxless-based, wide, back country XC skis. I used to change eyewear from segment to segment and have different shoes for the ascent and descent run. I also wanted to make sure I had enough warm clothing for each segment. This meant hat changes. Ridiculous.

Reviewing my splits showed me how much time I was wasting in transition, and now I focus on simplicity. I accept that at times I will be cold, wet, or muddy. I do not spend time changing socks. In general, I consume nutrition on the run rather than during transitions.  Over time, I have eliminated gear wherever feasible and safe.

Whatever makes me colder makes me faster. Getting ice on my bare legs makes me run harder to stay warm and only hurts a little.

Gear Check on the eve of the Quadrathlon. Everything is labeled by number and placed into either

cycle/run or run/ski transition bags. The gear is shuttled up to the mountain on trucks before racers arrive.

I rely on local reports or a trip up the access road the day before to select shoes,

but I only put one pair in my drop bag.

Gear remains cumbersome. Changing into ski boots is awkward at best, especially when breathless at 10,500' in the snow.

Keeping things dry is worthwhile and is simpler with less stuff.

Ascending during an unusually warm 2014 Quadrathlon. Still, notice the heavily dressed cyclists in the background.

Cycling Ascent - 21 km (13 miles) with 550 m climb (1800 feet)

This is the most self-explanatory portion of the event, and most contestants will use a road bike.  I have used a time trial bike before, but the ergonomics and weight are unfavorable on the climb up, and the handling is suboptimal on the descent. Every year someone rides a mountain bike or recumbent, and this year at least one couple rode a tandem (probably not allowed).

This is a mass-start event with 150 riders of various abilities.  Some of us are bike racers, but most are not, and things get a bit nervous in the first few km. Thankfully, I cannot remember a crash during the start. I try to stay in the front of the group, just like in a criterium.

If there is fresh snow on the morning of the ascent, the promoter will delay start until the road has been cleared. Standard road tires are adequate. Very few icy patches persist in the shadier spots on colder years.

It is tempting to overdress for the start. Temperatures are inevitably below freezing and roads can be icy.  Overdressing, however, can lead to overheating, dehydration and discomfort. Also, cumbersome gear changes at the bike/run transition can result in considerable time loss. I have learned to accept considerable discomfort at the start to have a better overall race. Gloves, cycling shoes and a helmet are a minimum, and I do wear tights that can be easily removed, except in the warmest years.

I have found tri-shorts to be superior to bib-shorts because their chamois is less bulky during the non-cycling portion of the race. I have literally gotten diaper rash from my chamois in the past. Changing into running shorts is feasible, probably frowned upon (public nudity), and awkward. I did it once.

The bicycle is a wonderful vehicle for carrying fluids, and it is easy to hydrate while on the bike.  

Drafting is permitted on the ascent, and there is a largish peleton of riders that forms behind a few leaders. Staying with the peleton can help one conserve energy but is less meaningful toward the steeper part of the climb. I tend to use my power meter to restrict myself to 200 watts average for the climb and start soloing (i.e. let myself get dropped) about 2/3 of the way up.  I have had very fast cycling ascents thwart my run. Nothing is worse than lying prostrate in the mud with cramps and nausea during the run.

One is required to be able to fill or change a flat tire without assistance.  I run tubular tires with Stan's the Solution liquid puncture repair.

Altra Olympus 2.0 trail shoe with Vibram outsole. The grip on these shoes is

phenomenal. The cusion is maximal. The footshaped toebox and lack of a heel drop

are Altra trademarks that don't require me to compromise comfort or

anatomic running form.

Run Up - 8.2 km (5 miles) with 374 meters of climbing (1225 feet)

The run up is deceptive. Altitude gain is insidious. One exits the bike after the steepest part of the climb, short of breath and with tired legs.  The transition is very well organized and there are numerous volunteers helping with gear. Nevertheless, it is easy to get bogged down during the wardrobe change.  Whenever possible I keep it simple. I strip of my tights, remove my helmet, zip off my cycling jersey and change my shoes.  My number is pinned to a technical T-shirt beneath my jersey. This year I grabbed my Ultimate Direction running vest, which was filled with gels, and I started running. 

The run is on a graded dirt road that is frequently muddy and icy. This year I had to choose between maximally comfortable trail shoes, Altra Olympus 2.0 with great traction, and warmer, waterproof Altra Lone Peak 2.0 NeoShells. Because of the warmer weather in 2016, I made the last minute decision to use the Olympus after training all winter in the NeoShell.  Because of its maximum cushioning, I was rewarded with a much more tolerable transition from cycling to running. Traction was outstanding and warmth was tolerable in the Olympus.

Although I train with Kahthoola Microspikes, I have learned that these (and the inferior Yaktrax) are never necessary. Traction with good trail shoes is adequate for this race; the spikes add complexity and at least some weight. Leave the spikes at home and out of the transition bag. 

A bit overdressed but ready for rough weather at the summit.  Although
temperatures can be brutally cold, mostly we have had warmer years in recent times.
These are the Rossignol BC125 back country XC skis
with Garmont ankle-high telemark boots. A compromise
between ease of entry, light weight and control during the descent.
The waxless bases allow me to traverse the saddle without skins. The
skis are very light, but aren't ridiculously expensive like
carbon AT skis.

Ski Up - 2.9 km (1.9 miles) with 371 meters of climbing (1225 feet)

This is where the event becomes unique.  Again, the temptation is to overdress, and the promoters give warnings to participants to be prepared. There is some room in the run/ski transition bag for emergency clothes, but the simpler the transition the better, and fewer layers result in less overheating, bulk and fluid loss. Also, despite the cool eyewear pictured above, I have reverted to using the same eyeglasses that I use for the entire event. Finally, I no longer mess with ski socks.  I can handle the discomfort and cold for the brief period of the ski section in my Injinji quarter crews.

Skins are a must for anyone who is not an Olympic skier.  The winners of the event do tend to use skate skis with small kicker skins, but nearly all of the people around me are using some kind of robust touring gear or telemark skis with full-width skins. The one year I didn't bring them was a disaster.

Snowshoes are in the backpack, and the goal is to have the bag be as light as possible.  I once had the not-so-great idea to fill a hydration bladder with fluid and have it waiting for me during the ski up.  The result was a solid 2 kg block of ice on my back that provided me with no hydration.

Snowshoe Up - 1.6 km (1 mile) with 176 m of climbing (580 feet)

It is possible to run portions of the snowshoe event. For this reason, I opt for the smallest, lightest, legally permissible snowshoes, and I don't bother with poles.  Since they go in my bag, I use the lightest running shoes available: Altra The One.  These shoes weigh less than 200 grams each. They get wet but don't really have enough material to stay soggy. The foot-shaped toebox takes the hotspot away from the straps. I feel happy during the snowshoe portion. Next year I will bolt the One3 directly to my crampons and go strapless.

Although the altitude gain isn't much, it comes all at once in after a spot known as the "Edge of the World."  This final stretch of ascent is steep and lies above 3200 m (10,500 feet) elevation.

Looking down from Heartbreak Hill

Pictures are deceptive. This is an extreme but short grade

at high altitude.

In warm years, including 2016, I have summited while wearing shorts. During the coldest years, I have pulled out a lightweight shell for the descent and worn tights.

Just before reaching Heartbreak Hill there is a fully stocked bar with music. I regretfully skip the bar most years, but the mood is silly and fun, and the volunteers really make this race what it is.  

In 2013 I did the race in tandem with my wife, Sonlee.
Still one of my favorite Quadrathlons.  We took our time
and enjoyed the views.  This is the summit of Mt. Taylor.
Sandia peak is visible in the distance.

Summit 3445 m (11305 feet)

The main summit is reached from the south and exited from the north.  Snow (or lack of it) can re-route the descent. Reaching the summit is a joy, and the view is incredible. It is also a reminder that one is only halfway done.

Marathon runners will have a similar sensation upon reaching the 20 mile mark.  The end is in sight.  This is also deceptive.

Snowshoe Down - 1.6 km (1 mile)

Nothing is more joyous than pitching over the summit into the snowbanks on the north side, running in snowshoes as fast as possible.  On the north face the snow is deep and marked by holes where people have stumbled and fallen.  Nevertheless, it's very hard to get hurt in these conditions, and the overall mood is ecstatic.  

Ski Down - 4.9 km (3 miles)

The ski down should not be underestimated.  The descent begins with removal of climbing skins and progresses in a fairly level fashion along the saddle to the La Mosca Outlook road. This is the north face and is shaded. Temperatures are colder, it is icy, and the snow is often in very bad condition, despite the best attempts of the promoters to groom it. People's best athletic efforts have been crushed by garage-sale crashes on the way down. Almost always, the descent is complicated by having to avoid one or more fallen skiers in the corners.

At the bottom, there is a 500 m section that is slightly uphill, and this can result in significant suffering after 15 minutes of snowplowing down the mountain.  Practicing alpine skiing in tough terrain seems to be the only preparation I can find for not making the ski-down painful.

Don't forget gloves or eyewear!

I've never had the guts to take a photo on the downhill. I am always relieved to have this segment behind me.

2014 Quad run down. Dehydrated, overdressed.

Run Down - 8.2 km (5 miles)

As a runner I always look forward to this section.  I am always humbled.  

Removing ski boots at the brink of exhaustion is hard and can result in cramps.  It's difficult to have a clear head, and the transition back to being a runner is complex for the oxygen-starved brain. It is tempting to rest and eat here, but this is hard time to make up.

The road down starts out muddier and swampier than on the way up.  By now it is close to noon and the ice has melted.  

The Olympus 2.0, or a similarly padded shoe, is a great choice.  I can really go all out downhill, averaging 4:15 min/km at the start and about 5:00 min/km at the finish (7-8 min/mile). In the past I have brought "fresh" shoes for the run down.  This is simply too complicated. 

The road always seems endless and has a surprising amount of uphill that hits when one is most tired and depleted.  In recent years it has been very warm. There are false summits. I swear the road defies laws of physics and gravity. The descent is at least 2-3 times as long as the same ascent.

Eventually the cycle transition comes into view, around a corner and over a hill, and this is truly a joyous time.

Nothing fancy or new, but dependable transportation.

I use tubular tires with Stan's The Solution puncture protection (there's a spare tire in

the saddle bag). Since I no longer race bicycles, I use Tufo tape to secure the tires.

 I do find a power meter helpful, mostly because it

prevents me from being stupid on the climb.

Cycle Down - 21 km (13 miles)

The ride back into town should be a simple pleasure, but often this is the time trial to get the last minutes out of the race, and it can be the hardest effort of the event.

There's always wind, and at times the race has had sustained gusts of 90 kph (50+ mph). These can be harrowing during a 70 kph descent, especially with high-profile carbon rims. For this reason, I leave my TT bike at home. Thankfully, I've never encountered ice on the descent.

There is one significant hill that results in 70 m of gain (230 feet). This would normally be negligible but takes different proportions after 5 hours of effort.  Every year, I see a dismounted rider walking.  The roads coming back into town are rough, but I take them full blast. That said, I only average about 150 watts, given the considerable altitude loss and my drained state.

I try to have a full bottle on the bike for the descent. There's no time for food.

This is a picture from 2008, my first year, riding on a vintage 1980's
steel Basso Gap. Mother nature can have fun during this event.

Party in Grants, NM

Finish is in downtown Grants. It's a pleasant place with lots of room for spectators to sit and blocked off traffic. Trade a timing chip for a medal, beer and possibly a scarf (see below).

Starting about 3-4 years ago, there has been increased sponsorship, including that of Santa Fe Brewing. This has led to a beer tent being established, vendor trucks, and music.  Registration has always included a voucher for a local restaurant; this can now be used to purchase food from vendors as well, and at least one free beer is included.  They don't really seem to follow this rule closely.

The event is unique enough that it draws people from all ages and backgrounds. The after-party is a lot of fun as participants filter in over time.  A lengthy awards ceremony gives prizes to age/gender groups and teams of various configuration. There is no hurry, because gear still needs to get shuttled back from the mountain, and some participants take up to 9 hours.

Progress, Room for Improvement

My first time doing the Quad in 2008 took over 7 hours, and the year I did it with my wife, we took nearly 8 hours.  This year I completed it in 5:27:54, about 9 minutes faster than in 2015.

In general, I have found that less is better when it comes to equipment.  Training need not be specific to any event, but it should be done in the cold, at altitude, and with lots of uphill effort. The more I physically suffer during my training, the more I am prepared for the Quad. This is a great event for ultramarathon runners or dedicated alpinists.

2011 Ski Up

A lot of time can be gained by shortening transitions.  A minute not spent fussing with gear or clothing is a minute that doesn't have to be gained in a run or ride and represents a substantial effort saved.

All of this said, I would encourage anyone to come out and do the race entirely for fun.  My most memorable years have been when I "shared" the race with someone else, taking them through the transitions and offering encouragement during the hardest parts.  The views are outstanding. The volunteers are kind and helpful.  The race is truly a unique experience, and it is easy to forget this when in a hurry.

Doubler: 50K + Quadrathlon

There is a fantastic and hard 50 km race on Mt. Taylor in early October.  Anyone who completes the 50K and the following year's Quad receives a cool football hooligan scarf! Times are combined to yield each year's winners.

The Doubler scarf.