The desert! I went from the muddy and snow filled 30s and 40s of Leadville to the desert terrain of Moab. In Grand Junction I picked up Timbo Jenkins who had flown out from Kentucky to see what the desert Moab running is all about. We slept 40 yards from the start in the back of my 4Runner listening to rain pitter-patter on the roof.
After a leisure and relaxing start to the morning, coupled with an easy and slow warm up we were off. Ryan Smith quickly took the lead and gained 10 - 15 seconds on the rest of the field. He was ready for a great fast day. He led the first mile up a dirt road. At mile 2 we jumped onto a rough Jeep trail that required a little route finding. I quickly caught Ryan and we ran together uphill following the slick rock Jeep Trail. We flew by a few jeeps and quickly ran across Kane Creek which was about 4 inches deep. I gained a short separation from Ryan and pushed the hill determined to maintain the cadence to the top of Jackson's Ladder.
Jackson's Ladder is a steep trail winding and switch backing on itself down a narrow gap in the 300 foot tall cliff bands. The trail is renown in Moab and known for its steepness, ruggedness, and sheer delight it offers. It is nearly impossible to get into a steady consistent pace. I took the ladder one rung at a time not pushing the pace, it would be all too easy to fall and get injured. After descending into Jackson's Basin I once again pushed the pace as I ran around Jackson's Butte. Here I slowly increased my lead to 60 to 90 seconds. Then it was back up Jackson's Ladder. I power hiked and jogged up the Ladder ensuring I would have some energy for the last five miles.
After the ladder the race went back on rocky and sandy Jeep trail, route finding slick rock, and cairn laced single track. I maintained my pace but felt a little sluggish. I checked my lead and still had over a minute, could not let up. "Must maintain." I told myself. I ran down towards to the finish and knew the win was in my grasp. Then 100 yards before the finish the race crossed Kane Creek again... only this time it was backed because of its closeness to the Colorado River. The Creek was 10 yards wide and 7 feet deep. I jumped in and slowly doggy paddled to the other side. The water, pungent brown and full of fresh decaying plant matter was cool and wonderfully refreshing. This was followed by a muddy and slick climb out of the ravine and a light jog to the finish.
I wore my new favorite shoe the Altra Olympus. The shoe had ample cushion, grip, and support for the hard slick rock, soft mushy sand, and steep and uneven terrain.
Mad Moose hosted the race. Chris Martinez of Grassroots was an outstanding race director in years past. He is moving out of the Moab area. Wishing you the best of luck and health Chris! Justin Ricks and crew of Mad Moose has taken over. Great job guys!
4 races, 4 podiums this year for Altra. Their shoes are helping me go the distance!
March: Behind the Rocks 30k: 1st CR
March: Salida Marathon: 2nd
January: Arches 1/2 Marathon: 2nd
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