Mandy Jakse wrote this update on the Labor Day weekend part of the trail. Thanks to Mandy for her update!

I have returned from my weekend on the Colorado Trail. I was with the guys from Day 2 to Day 5. They have reached the half way point and are doing awesome! They are averaging 50 mile days and running from 6-7 am to 8-9 pm daily.

Saturday we had a cold rainy day. We started off the morning in Breckenridge where it was raining & later snowed. Thank goodness we already to Copper by the time the snow came. Peter Bakwin (who ran the CT before) ran with the guys for the majority of the day and Dale Petersen (Hal's Chiropractor) meet up with them as well. It was a big help to have some fresh company on the trail. The guys ran to Lake Fork near Leadville where we stayed in town at Peter's house. On Day 4 the guys had a beautiful day. Dale ran with them again & worked out their kinks. I had an adventure of my own. Since I am training for a half marathon in late Sept, Big Hal suggested I run a 6 mile portion. I was to run from Halfmoon to the Lakeview campground. I was up for it & started out before the guys as I knew they would catch me. Big Hal cautioned me that the trail may get tricky aroung the campground area and I wasn't going to Twin Lakes. As I approached the campground area I studies all of the signs carefully. I didn't want to go the wrong way & knew the guys were right behind me. I thought the potholes in the area were too big to have this campground area so I went off to the left on a trail which I believed would go right down to the campground. As it turned out, I ventured on to the Leadville 100 trail course, which Hal ran 2 weeks earlier and ended up coming out in Twin Lakes. Hal was following my footprints & when we arrived at the campground & no Mandy was in sight worried about my venturing onto the Leadville course. He had seen a bear in that area before. I told him I needed a longer run & wanted to see the Leadville course. Needless to say, I was happy when Big Hal & Diane came to pick me up in town!

On Day 5 the guys were venturing into the Buena Vista area. They had Dale one last time before the Mt Prinston Hot Springs check point. He has become very good with the tailgate chiropractic. Hal was happy to have him along & we all tried to get him to stay the entire trip. His other patients wouldn't have liked us very much at that point. Big Hal, Diean & I left them about 6:00 pm as they reached their half way point at the Angel of Shavano trailhead. Hal is running well but definetely in a dazed state. He will actually do things you ask him too, like eat a sandwich or drink some fluids. He like to not eat at races.

They are to finish on Friday. I will be traveling back out with them on Thurs evening.

Mandy :)