Darth Vader Conquers Leadville 100

So, when Rock/Creek‘s events guy decides to try this twitter and instagram thing, drive across country to run his tenth Leadville 100 mile race, and bring his son along, the result is epic. I’m willing to bet this is the first live-blogging of a 100 miler through the eyes of a child dressed in a Darth Vader costume.

Day one, heading out from home base in Chattanooga, Tennessee in the Rock/Creek Road/Warrior (courtesy of our awesome friends at Toyota of Cleveland).

Day 1: En route to altitudes of Pb in the Republic of CO, R/C Road Warrior One was infiltrated by Darth Vader #LT100 pic.twitter.com/gjX8xoLXFW

— Brian Costilow (@costilow100) August 11, 2014

Day two, Darth Vader discovers something interesting on the plains…

Day 2: Darth Vader discovers rebel alliance secret weapon?#wheresdarthvader? #LT100 @RockCreek pic.twitter.com/UbpLwLitLB

— Brian Costilow (@costilow100) August 11, 2014

Day three, destination achieved! They arrive in Colorado.

Day four, anyone up for light saber fishing?

On to day five, where our little guy tries to eliminate Hope Pass from the race.

LT100: Episode X, Day 5: Darth Vader attempts, unsuccessfully, to eliminate Hope Pass for #LT100 runners @RockCreek pic.twitter.com/Cnme14WW4g

— Brian Costilow (@costilow100) August 14, 2014

Day six, a Tauntaun in the high country…

#LT100 : Ep. X, Day 6 pt.1: Darth finds a Tauntaun in Pb High country. Look out Hope Pass Llamas @rockcreek pic.twitter.com/xt3f4Rh3O0

— Brian Costilow (@costilow100) August 15, 2014

Day six, part two, where he tries a Jedi mind trick, still looking for easier ways over Hope Pass.

#LT100 : Ep. X, Day 6 pt.2 : Darth attempts Jedi mind trick at reg "a Tauntaun CAN be ridden over Hope" @rockcreek pic.twitter.com/eQRhMGrxVq

— Brian Costilow (@costilow100) August 15, 2014

Day seven, at the start line, the question is asked: does a light saber count as a headlamp?

#LT100 : Ep. X, Day 7: Darth wonders if a light saber counts as a headlamp? @RockCreek #mypacer pic.twitter.com/FXUCkabAyW

— Brian Costilow (@costilow100) August 16, 2014

In the final hours before the race begins at 3 am (I have a feeling Darth Vader missed this moment). Brian is off to the races.

And, he is on his way! @RockCreek #LT100 #1000miles pic.twitter.com/bHwsw2ibDu

— Brian Costilow (@costilow100) August 16, 2014

Brian heads for Hope Pass, round one, already calling it a #sufferfest:

Next up, Hope Pass round 1. His thoughts: #sufferfest. #LT100 #1000miles @rockcreek pic.twitter.com/khtvHxJd1v

— Brian Costilow (@costilow100) August 16, 2014

50 miles down. Halfway there…

Halfway to #10! 50 more miles to go. #LT100 #1000miles @RockCreek pic.twitter.com/7ZPzhIek6i

— Brian Costilow (@costilow100) August 17, 2014

Now just under half of that half left, and Brian’s looking a little dazed.

24 miles to go!! (For those not fast asleep) pic.twitter.com/EX3Xaprd73

— Brian Costilow (@costilow100) August 17, 2014

The sun begins to shine in the wee hours as Brian catches sight of the 1,000 mile buckle.

The sun is rising and that 1000 mile belt buckle is insight! Last stretch back to PB! @RockCreek #LT100 #1000miles pic.twitter.com/Qhsr5bIOTo

— Brian Costilow (@costilow100) August 17, 2014

Now we’ve lost track of time, but back to Darth Vader, showing off the Jedi bling!

#LT100 : Ep. X, Day 9ish: Darth Vader displays his Jedi bling after successfully conquering Pb @RockCreek #1000miles pic.twitter.com/bSXr8b2Wiz

— Brian Costilow (@costilow100) August 18, 2014

and the saga ends… with tons and tons of race bling and a giant 1,000 miler buckle. Congrats Brian!

Now, like all good vacations, it’s time to head back to work:

Heading back to Chattanooga today! Thanks Pb, @RockCreek , especially @DawsonWheeler @MarkMcKnight #LT100 #1000miles pic.twitter.com/Jf3jV2biuv

— Brian Costilow (@costilow100) August 18, 2014

Special thanks to Kay Erickson for keeping us in the loop during Brian’s run.

Great job Brian!