Tuesday, October 23, 2018

1st Place CR SpeedGoat 30K

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.


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.