Haulin Aspen

I’ve signed up for my first marathon of the year. Haulin Aspen in Bend, Oregon. A friend and I are going to make it a motorcycle trip as well. We will ride our bikes there and then I will pray that my legs aren’t too much like hamburger to be able to ride back home. He and I are fellow motorcycle instructors that often teach together, but rarely get the chance to ride together. So the ride itself should be a blast.

The course sounds tough. 99% of it is on dirt, which I really like. There is only one real hill to worry about. Unfortunately this hill lasts for the first 12 miles. 2500 feet of elevation gain. Compare that to Portland Marathon that only has an elevation gain of 150 feet. Oh my God what have I gotten myself into! The scenery should be awesome as the course goes through the Willemette National Forest with views of Mt Bachelor. Highest point of the course will be at about 6000 feet. Insane Asylum here I come!