Hi, I'm new to the forum.

I was going to turn it down when Rebecca Rusch told me she got Asthma too and I should do it. So I'm thinking about it. Ken Chlouber told me I should do it too.

Last year I did La Marmotte (175km, 15,000ft) in France (I'm mainly a Roadie, please don't hold it against me ;)) and on Galibier which is about 9,000 ft I had trouble. My heart rate was really low and my cadence just dropped.

I have allergies to Tree Pollen, Grass, Ragweed. I may have a bit of exercise induce asthma too. So basically the whole cycling season I got asthma.

Luckily (?) it only affects me when I exert myself at the highest level, climbing. On the high speed flats, I can usually keep up with elite racers in my group ride. except near the end of a 115km ride (or we hit a hill).

This past weekend at Wilmington it was okay for me allergy wise. I got 6:24. I think I would have gotten under 6hrs except my left egg beater pedal broke before the halfway point in Blueberry Trails and I rode the spindle to the crewing area at the bottom of Jay Mtn Rd where Hiram, the support guy for Kases Corner team was kind enough to lend me a flat pedal to finish on, otherwise my time would be a lot worse. Kudos to Hiram and Kases Corner Team!

So, have anyone with Asthma and allergies done Leadville and how was it? What's the pollen count in early August around Leadville. Do you think I should go?

Needless to say, it's expensive and a large time commitment to go to Leadville. I think I would need to spend 2 weeks out there before the race, $$ and travel cost $. I not sure about going if I can't even make the time limit.

I'll do LQS WW100 again next year and my goal is 5:45 next year. I did La Marmotte in 10 hrs, which is a Silver certificate in my age group, for a Gold certificate I believe I need to knock about 45mins off (which is doable if I breathe well on Galibier and other climbs). I'm taking my inhaler more regularly now and I'm better than last year.