Some big races this weekend, and a not-so-big 50 miler in Buena Vista.

Good luck to Scott Jaime and Phil Kochik representing CO out in California at the Miwok 100k, a.k.a last chance to qualify for Western States. The field at Miwok is loaded and looks like it will be quite the footrace. My pick in the men's race is Geoff Roes, who seems to have the right combination of speed, patience and endurance for the distance. From his blog, it sounds like he's in great shape too.

Also good luck to Ryan Burch at the Fort Collins Marathon. He's targeting a 2:45, and I'm pretty sure he's good for it.

I've been back and forth on whether to run Collegiate Peaks this weekend, after doing something to my calf last Thursday and further aggravating it by racing a 5k on Saturday. Took Sunday and Monday off, hobbling around and generally thinking it would be stupid to race. However, got out for a 4-mile tester Tuesday where I was able to run, despite hurting on the uphills. Got out again yesterday and felt considerably better. The pain was still there, but was just that, pain. Doesn't feel like a tendon or anything that could go pop! if I push it, so I'm assuming it's a minor muscular issue. The pain is more dull than throbbing now, so I'm hopeful it won't be an issue by Saturday.

I don't recognize too many names on the start list, but I am looking forward to racing Tim Long. From previous results, it looks like we should be pretty closely matched. The women's field looks like it will be dominated by Helen Cospolich, last year's Leadville 100 winner (and winner at Fruita the other weekend).

Dana and Alistair are making the trip to Buena Vista with me. We've got a little cabin booked, so it should be a fun getaway. They've got plans for the hot springs while I slog it out on Saturday. The course looks to be reasonably fast - mainly forest roads from what I can make out, with somewhere close to 5,000 feet of climbing - so I hope to keep my streak of PRing at 50s alive. Anything under my time from Fruita (7:44) would be a result then, I guess.

The course is two of these