July 21st, 2018: This was to be my 5th race in 6 weeks. I was looking forward to i!. I'd get to run with the wild goats and through the wild flowers in the wild untamed Wasatch Front. I slept in and started in the leisure late start at 7:30. I was fit and ready! I knew the day was promising. I immediately took the lead wanting to race hard from the start. 2nd place tried to hang on as I surged and continually pulled away. Between mile 3 and 4 I managed to pull away and knew I had to stay consistent. There was basically a continual hill from miles 2 through 9. Maybe 2 huge hills with 2 diminutive downhills thrown in for good measure. Through these 7 miles I gained roughly 3,000 feet. I ran consistently, constantly moving, never slowing and surprisingly feeling better and faster the further I ran into the thinning mountain air.
Finally I topped off near 10,700 feet. Yes, I live near this elevation! At this point I was running fluid and gaining energy. There would be crucial 2 turns in the next 2 miles. My eyes stayed focus knowing that I could not miss them.
Without breaking stride I found both turns with no problems. Karl Meltzer as always puts on a great race. The turns were obvious. Then came the wonderful crushing hill from mile 11.5 to 12.5 with over 900 feet of elevation gain. I would love to list off crucial exact stats but instead I'll have to resign myself by writing approximations: the grade is consistently 7% to upwards of 27% and my pace, well not the fastest but an ok respectable 16 minute mile pace.
Upon summiting I knew my lead had grown for I could look a mile down the ridge and finally see 2nd place a mile back. The original 2nd place had eventually accidentally gone the wrong way and subsequently dropped, while 3rd place was able to move up into 2nd place.
I was mentally prepared for the 6+ mile and 3,000+ foot decent. It was time to role! I wanted this win! I ran down, in controlled abandonment, not willing to let me lead lax, wishing to extend the lead. I finished in the Course Record time of 2:56:39.
It was great honor to win and represent HOKA One One at the Speed Goat. I thought about wearing the Hoka Speedgoats which is a great shoe but instead wore the Hoka Challenger ATRs. This pair is hard to beat when it comes to grip, cushion, and stability.
Tuesday, October 23, 2018
3rd Place Leadville Silver Rush & 2nd Place Kendall Mountain
4th time for the Leadville Silver Rush 50. 50 miles is a long way and a lot can happen. I was ready for a great race. I started off with a nice walk/hike up the first 50 meter hill and then started running. Soon I found myself with Josh Eberly and in the lead. Josh had been 3rd here last year when I was 2nd. Obviously Josh was in shape! We ran together but I knew sooner or later he would drop the hammer. I tried to stay consistent and run within myself. Sure enough after running together for the first 15 miles it was time to race. Josh put in a short surge and took the lead going up a hill. By Mile 25 he only had a few minute lead. I could catch him. I kept running and stayed in control. Near mile 34 I was passed by eventual 2nd place finisher Carlos Ruibal. I was not bonking and my pace was solid but Carlos was ready for a 2 mile surge. I ignored being passed and stuck to my race. I ran all the way of the Sherman Road and turned for the final 10 miles to the finish. I finished in 7:13:41 a whole whopping 6 seconds faster than last year.
One week after the Silver Rush 50 I drove over to Silverton the evening before the race and camped out a few miles away. I felt ready to roll and hopeful for a good race. Early the next day the race was underway. I took the lead and pushed the pace with Dakota Jones immediately on my tail. He quickly surged ahead and took the lead. We were 1 mile in and already had dropped the rest of the racers. Dakota maintained a slight lead while I continually tried to close the gap. We finally summited with Dakota only about 10 second in front of me. I could close this gap. Or so I thought. Dakota turned on his downhill afterburners and was gone. I ran down hill consistently but did not try to pick up the pace. Dakota was gone and I was securely in 2nd place. I ran down and finished in a solid time. I wore the Hoka Challenger ATRs. They had the proper grip and the prefect cushion for that downhill.
One week after the Silver Rush 50 I drove over to Silverton the evening before the race and camped out a few miles away. I felt ready to roll and hopeful for a good race. Early the next day the race was underway. I took the lead and pushed the pace with Dakota Jones immediately on my tail. He quickly surged ahead and took the lead. We were 1 mile in and already had dropped the rest of the racers. Dakota maintained a slight lead while I continually tried to close the gap. We finally summited with Dakota only about 10 second in front of me. I could close this gap. Or so I thought. Dakota turned on his downhill afterburners and was gone. I ran down hill consistently but did not try to pick up the pace. Dakota was gone and I was securely in 2nd place. I ran down and finished in a solid time. I wore the Hoka Challenger ATRs. They had the proper grip and the prefect cushion for that downhill.
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