1st: Dead Horse 30k

This was my 3rd race in 4 weeks. I felt confident and ready, as I drove over, after last weeks win at the US Sky Running Franklin Mountains. Then, as I drove through Glenwood Canyon, traffic slowed and stopped. There had been an accident somewhere up ahead and there was nothing to do but wait. The traffic was about 2 miles backed up from the accident and the cars backed up further behind me for miles like early pioneers in their covered wagons waiting for everyone else to start. I sat for over an hour waiting like everyone else. Finally, after what seemed like forever, we slowly inched forward, merged into 1 lane and 15 minutes later got around the accident which by this time was mostly cleaned up.

I arrived at the start near midnight, a substantial bit later than I had hoped or anticipated; but here at last I settled down into bed and was soon fast asleep. The morning dawned clothed in crisp, cold, and clear daylight. The took my time relaxed, yet focused, readying for the race. Leisurely, I made it to the start and then we were off.

The course follows a 4 x 4 road out 4.5 mile before connecting with mostly circular single track and slick rock track for 7+ miles before returning to the 4 x 4 road to retrace your steps the 4.5 miles back to the finish.

The gun was up and we were off. The pace was reasonable yet respectable but not relaxed we were going to be racing today. I sat in about 3rd or 4th pace after the first 6 minute mile. Then we ran smack into mile 2 with a nice 400 foot hill. I took the lead and set a respectable pace up the incline running the slowest mile of the race in 7:24. This did give me a slight lead and I bounded down the hill and kept the tempo going. At mile 5, on a sharp bend up a steep hill, I could see lead was about 30-40 seconds. Not much. Christian Kerr was on my tail, hammering, staring with eyes fixed on me racing and hungry to pass. I could not let up. We hit the slick rock. I rolled along enjoying the curves and the aesthetics of the trail. I was thankful for the Hoka Challengers that provided ample traction and support for the trail. I tried pushing the pace some more, but one can only do so much on the technical trail. I kept my eyes fixated ensuring that I did not take a wrong turn.

I rolled as fast as I could slowly watching the miles tick off under my feet. The miles were honest: low 6 minute mile after low 6 minute mile. My lead grew slowly to just over 70 seconds. I finished off the slick rock and started on the last 5 miles back to the start. I ran by the last aid station and yelped out so they would know I passed through. They were not expecting anyone just yet. I ran yet in complete control running the maintainable pace. Over the next 3 mile I managed to increase my lead but only by a mere 2 seconds.

With 2 miles to go I knew I had to maintain the speed. I had a 70 second lead and knew I had to run fast. I maintained the lead down the hill, now only 1 mile to the finish. Christian was surging. I raced towards the finish running my fastest mile in 5:28, Christian ran a blistering 5:16. I finished in first in 1:48:02 setting the course record, about 1 minute in front of Christian. A great day and solid run! Felt fantastic running so fast.
Photo courtesy of Denise Rick of Mad Moose Racing. Thank Mad Moose Racing!

1st at United States Sky Running Championships: Franklin Mountains 27K

Mountain Running in Texas? YES. I was ready and itchin' to race. I drove down on Friday and was able to leisurely hang out and wait for the start of the race. I camped out in my 4Runner and was in bed early at 7:30 pm. It was cold and windy out. The temperature had dropped down to the 30's and the wind had increased and was now howling constantly. Was tomorrow going to be cold and windy? Time would tell. My truck rocked back and forth. No, it shook violently with the wind. Well, I had to wait and see. I woke up at midnight with the the wind still howling and angrily shaking the truck. I warmed up the truck and went back to sleep. Finally at 5:30 I woke up and greeted the day dawning. The wind... it had stopped and when I stepped outside, although chilly, the air felt decidedly less cold and damp. Today was going to be perfect weather for racing. The front had blown through. Indeed it was in the low 50s with a slight overcast sky for most of the race and felt perfect. I ate a muffin for breakfast and called that good. It was enough.

After our pre-race course description by race director Rob Goyen we were promptly off. I decided to race in a short sleeve shirt. This decision had actually given me some consternation all morning but I made the decision and it was the right one. Texas phenom Justin Lange led the group as we ran up a 500 foot hill right out of the gate in the first mile. The terrain was serpentine single track slithering through sage and cactus and bounding over half buried boulders. Half a mile in I took the lead and started rolling with the terrain. My goal was simple: Run honest and up-tempo. Following the first mile we had a 4 mile undulating loop with some of the best footing of the day. I ran controlled in here mostly making sure I did not miss a turn. My lead had grown to about 90 seconds... I tried to ignore my place and focused just on my pace and ensure I stayed on course.

Next up was a steep scramble near the caves followed with a glorious single track with steep drop offs. At this point I was now catching the 50k runners who had started an hour before. Many were timid and cautious, and rightly so with the unknown hazardous terrain. I carefully ran along enjoying the beauty! Soon the trail spit us out on to an overgrown and unkempt 1800's mining road? At last I could get in a solid pace. I ran a mile down the road. Then I hit the infamous Frankly Mountain rocks. Or the Flintstone Rocks as I heard one person name them. There was a trail of loose cantaloupe and orange size rocks just wanting to roll an ankle or trip someone. Now was the time for prudence. I got through Bedrock's main street intact, refueled at the aid station and was off up the 2,000+ foot climb.

The first mile was steep but mostly runable except for a few spots. I made it up with no problems and then had a short section with a smooth road downhill for 300 yards. On the smooth road I took my eyes off the trail for a half second and caught a toe and went flying into the dirt and rocks in front of me. It was my first fall in long time. I caught myself with my hands and slid on my belly for close to a yard. All I was thinking was "Stop Sliding". I did at last. My knee was a little cut up, not too bad; my left had also cut but not bad; my right hand though had a good road rash gouge in it, but would be ok. I picked myself up and spent the next 1/2 mile mentally getting back into the race.

The smooth road turned up the peak and got rockier and steeper. The incline was perfect and I could maintain a slow shuffle up the peak. I kept the pace going and summited the Texan 7,000 + foot peak  in 1:59:27. From here I ran right back down the peak. I saw I had about a 15 minute lead or 1.5 miles over Justin. He looked smooth and ready for a solid 2nd place finish. The trail went back by where I tripped and then down the road back to the Flintstones Rocks. Once Again I cautiously ran through them. From there I was directed down to where the race had started and then the course ran right back up the first mile. Perfect: the first and last mile of the course would be the same. I was starting to get a little tired. It had been a great day. I crossed the finish line 2:49:22 and beat the course record by 20+ minutes.

A special thanks to Rob for such a great race experience; to Mike for the drive back to my car in your warm jeep, and to the medical volunteer who cleaned and bandaged all my cuts and trail badges. Without you there would be no race. Thank you!

The day had gone great. I felt phenomenal all day. I drank about 50 to 60 oz of Gatoraid and ate 2 cookies during the course of the run. I wore the Hoka Bondi's for the day. The course promised to be brutal and I need a pair of shoes I could trust. This was the first race in a long time I finished and felt fantastic. I could have run anther few miles with no trouble.

The win gave me:
* 17.9 Miles  5,400 feet gained and lost in 2:49:22
* United States Sky Running Championship 2018
* United States Sky Running Serious Champion 2018
* 3rd time as United States Sky Running Champion (2015, 2017, and 2018)
* 60th Career Win
* 21st Career Course Record
* 103 Career Podium Finish

1st at Sage Burner & 2nd at Indian Creeks 15 Miler

Well the last 3 weeks brought 2 races: The Sage Burner and the Indian Creeks 15 Miler.

Sage Burner 28K

This was the 11th year of the Sage Burner and my 10th time running the race. I have three 1st place finishes in the 50+k  and now 7 finishes (Four 1st place finishes & three 2 place finishes) in the 25/28K.

The Sage Burner has gone through many iterations over the last 10 years. Some of the original trails are now long gone replace by new, hopefully sustainable, trails. Each year often brought small nuances as trail work was done and then applied in the race. Below I've detailed some of the changes. Note: This is a general overview, most every year brought small unique changes.

2008 through 2014 (7 years):
the long course was about 33 miles (Water Treatment Plant was the primary difference)
the short course about 16.1 miles called a (25k)

2015 to present (2018)
the long course was about 31 miles
the short course about 17.1 miles (called a 28k starting in 2017)

2008-2016
Race ran in May (2008 was early June)
Even years: Run counter clockwise
Odd years: Run clockwise

2017 to present
Run counter clockwise and the race is now in October.

The 2018 Sage Burner 28K race: Sandy. Hilly. Rolling Terrain: That is the Sage Burner. I decided to were the Hoka Bondi for its extra cushion. The road shoe's grip would suffice while the cushion and closed upper would make for the perfect strolling in the park. Hoka would not disappoint! The shoe was perfect.  I wanted a Saturday Stroll but races don't always give you exactly what you expect. Eric LiPuma was ready to push the pace. We left the starting coral and broke the crisp air while my lungs tried to warm up. It was downright chilly... in the low 40s. I soon took the lead but only by a few yards as LiPuma stayed within a stride of me. We neared the top of the serpentine Jacks Trail and although I had the lead there was a large contingency of runners jockeying for position just 1 or 2 short turns back. Now was not the time to relax, or let doubt seep in. I was fit and going to show it. Today might not be a stroll in the park, instead it was to be a rolling with the wind, flowing with each corner, bump, and turn; using, challenging, and concurring each contour, rock, and hill. Mentally I had to get there. I ran the next mile slowly increasing the speed. Sooner or later I would warm up.

Finally near mile 3 at the bottom of Top O The World it was time. I kept the pace going with LiPuma still on my tail, and a large handful of other runners still trying to hang on. 3/4 of the way of Top O The World LiPuma backed off it was now time to flow with the trail. From here I kept rolling, pushing the pace yet not overdoing it. I still wanted that stroll even if it had eluded me, and now there was no sense in backing off, I had warmed up and felt good.

By Mile 10 going up Buddy Bear I knew I had a comfortable lead; I figured it was about 2 minutes. People might wonder how I know what my lead is... especially if I can't see someone. Sure one can estimate but how do you know? Racing involves pacing. Good racers can tell their pace and their competitor's pace and apply it with potential accuracy, but still it is just an estimate. I did find out later that my estimated 2 minute lead was actually about 2 1/2 minutes. I thing I've learned: you almost never have the lead you think you have.

At Mile 12 on top of Joshos I could see LiPuma in the distance and accurately estimate my lead to about 3 minutes. At last I had caught up to my desired stroll and just rolled comfortably with the run.

I finished and won the race in 2:00:20: my 7th time winning at Sage Burner.

2018 Indian Creeks 15 miler: 2nd place 1/8th of a second behind 1st
This was a United States Sky Running event. It was also my first race back after healing up my soar foot from racing 8 weeks in a row. I chatted with the Western Trail Running team all from my Alma Mater. Soon race director Sherpa John got us underway. He gave us our final instructions, recited prose, and then off we went. No "Ready, Set, Go", no gunshot, just prose. Sherpa John as a race director was unique and different yet honest and put on a good race. Thank you Sherpa John! You gave a great new perspective to the trail running seen and gave me some good philosophy to mull over for a long while!

After the whimsical start the Western Contingency consisting of Joshurun Small and Skylar Drakos and I took a soft lead and chatted at a comfortable pace. Our friendly non-competitive start evaporated near mile 2.5. It was time to race! Mile 2.5 to mile 7 was downhill and lost 1500 feet. Joshurun took the lead and set a blistering pace. His plan was to drop me on the downhill. We ran along on twisting single track trails through pine and aspen at 5:30 mile pace. Joshurun was unrelenting and in the process he dropped everyone else. We made it to mile 7 and I decided it was time to take the lead on the ensuing uphill.

I threw in a few short quick surges and took the lead on the steep terrain eking out a 12 second lead which I held onto until mile 11. Then Joshurun caught back up. He threw in a few surges which i reciprocated. Neither of us was going anywhere. We battled back and forth consistently switching leads only to gain 1 or 2 seconds before the other replied in kind. This continued for 2 miles until mile 13 when Joshurun's triple surge resulted in a 10 second lead and led to him missing a poorly marked turn. I stopped and called him back and made sure I was right about the proper turn. I figured I was and took off but Joshurun was not to be undone; he surged and caught right back up.

We had a mile left and went right back to surging as fast as we could. At this point we were on a skinny twisting single track running as fast as we both could. At last I saw an opportunity and jumped in front of him only to have the single track spit us out on a dirt road 100 yards from the finish.
We sprinted. I was ahead. Then he was. Then he was momentarily unsure where to finish, as was I. In a split second I figured out where to go and bee lined it to the finish as did he. We crossed together with Joshurun out striding me by 1/10ish to 1/4 of a second.

Official times were not being taken so I don't know. The timer decided to arbitrarily assign a 10 second difference. Go figure? Joshurun ran a great strong race. It was the closest race I've ever run. I brought both the Hoka Mafate Evo, the Challenger, and the Bondi's. Any pair would have been great. I decided on the Bondi's because of the smoother single track trail and lack of rocks and roots. They were perfect.

The results put me in striking distance of winning the United States Sky Running. Final race at Franklin Mts will be the decider.