With the Dipsea, Double Dipsea and Bridger Ridge Run in my 2016 rear view mirror, this is a fair question, right?    No obvious answer, which is good!.  But here are my current ramblings (aka crazed mumblings) as to what may or may not be my next running adventure:

• The Trans Atlas Marathon (Morocco):  a cousin sent me a cool article about it.  Just a few hours from the chaos of Marrakech, this is a six day hike/run covering 180 miles (averaging 30 miles per day) over the Atlas Mountains that bisect Morocco from northeast to southwest.  Last year a remarkable 33 crazies signed up for it, essentially 6 days of running a marathon each day.  Terrain and experience sound awesome, but this is over my head times six!  I’d like to explore pieces of it, though (e.g., www.rogueexpeditions.com).

• Sierre Zinal (Alps);  Some say this is the “best trail race in the world”.  Them big words.  What is it that gives SZ it’s claim to fame?  On “Run the Alps,” Doug Meyer writes about the terrain and its five peaks with elevations of 12K or more:  “The Weisshorn. The Zinalrothorn. Obel Gabelhorn. Dent Blanche. And, of course, the Matterhorn.  But that’s only part of the picture. The rest? High alp pastures, historic mountain hotels, deep forests and—of course—no shortage of cows along the course.”   I heard about Sierre Zinal from Swiss visitors at the Bozeman B&B that was my residence in the days leading up to the Bridger.  SZ is 31 km long,with close to 7,000 feet of climbs, most of that an unrelenting 6-7 mile climb (hike) at the beginning of the race.  In some ways it is eerily similar to the Bridger Ridge Run (distance, elevation gains, and long unrunnable stretches).  But in many ways it is different.  It appears to be an actual trail rather than a crazy boulder-filled ridge, and 3,500 runners vs. 250 at the Bridger.   Okay, I’m game.  Just have to figure out if this is on the calendar for ‘17 or ‘18!

• The Quad Dipsea:  28 miles, 8000 feet of climbing, and the mental challenge of two round trips to Stinson Beach.  Yes, it’s true, familiarity can breed contempt.  Given the terrain, the Double is plenty on our home course.  Not on the calendar for now;

• The SF North Face Marathon, 50K or 50 miler.   Thought I might aim for the marathon, it is on a great course that runs between Rodeo Beach and Bolinas and back, but I’m not quite there yet (as in December of 2016);

• The Imogene Pass Run or “IPR” from Ooray to Telluride, Colorado:  Annie, another Bozeman contact and a die-hard trail runner told me about this one.  Run each year in early September, the course is a 17.1 mile fire trail between Ooray and Teluride.  (Just saying “Ooray” makes me extraordinarily happy.).  Race starts at 7,800 feet, crests at over 13K, and ends at about 8,500.  Per Annie, it was brutally hard, and equally beautiful.   Has to be on my list.  Also, I like these words of advice on the website:

Each participant should keep in mind that the IPR is a mountain run in every sense of the word, and that “The Mountains Don’t Care”. The reality is that despite whatever emotions we may have for the mountains and their environment, they are in fact unfeeling objects and they follow the natural rules of physics which are not always benevolent toward living creatures, great or small. It is up to the participants themselves to be properly prepared for the challenges of this alpine foot journey, fair weather or foul. Despite the enthusiastic volunteer support at intervals along the course, each participant is ultimately responsible for his or her own safety and risk.

• December 4 North Face Half Marathon;  I have signed up for this, and it will be my third year in a row.  Plenty challenging, and after plodding through the Bridger, I yearn for speed.  Aiming to average 9:30 minute miles, which, given 2400 feet of climbing  will mean flying on the downhills.  

And, so, I’m back to the Tam track with my trainer for a thirty minute time trial, gauging heart rate and speed.  WIt’s some nudging from her, I was able to average 7:30 minute miles for 3+ miles.  We’ll see what that translates into for upcoming training and eventual time on the Half.
And in the meantime, research continues on spring or summer challenge….