1st Place: Kendall Mountain Run

I've been looking forward to Kendall Mountain all year. The race runs up jeep roads, with some high scrambling, from the quintessential Colorado town of Silverton up to 13,000. This year would mark my 5th year in a row of racing and I was determined to better my previous finishes from the last 4 years of 2nd, 3rd, 3rd, and 2nd place respectively. This year I knew I was fit and I was gunning for both the joy and the victory.

After camping out near by and waking up in near paradise I was ready.

By mile one I had a few second lead and knew I had to keep racing. The run gains 3,700 feet in about 5.5 miles. I pushed on up the steep rocky jeep road which was more wet even a little sloppy in a few places: a direct result of the the extensive winter and all the high mountain snow. Around 1 mile into the race I even had to run through a stream that was loudly flowing across the dirt road.

The 6 miles uphill are unrelenting. They are steep, rocky, steep, with thin air, and did I mention steep! Miles 2 through 4 were painful! I simultaneously ignored the pain and welcomed it. I ignored the hurt and welcomed the challenge. My lead was a minor 15 seconds over Tate Lagasca. Finally we reached 12,000 feet. Normally this is a great place to open up and run faster and smoother as the terrain (although higher) is not as steep. However, this year there were 10 snowfield crossings going up. Aravaipa Running did a great job shoveling in steps into the snow crossings for the runners.

                                          Photo by Meghan Hicks/IRunFar 


At 12,700 feet the jeep road running ends and the run heads straight up Kenadall mountain. Runners must power hike and pull themselves up using both hands and feet, until they summit and are treated to the amazing views in the heart of the San Juan's and Weminuchi. But Alas, upon touching the summit rock I immediately turned for the decent. My lead was a scant 20 seconds. I carefully bombed down the scramble climb back to the road and then tried to maintain about a 5:30 downhill pace which of course was intermittently interrupted by the snowfields crossings.

The downhill was fast, yet controlled and allowed my lead to grow. I wore the trusty Altra Olympus for traction and support. And honestly I can't complain about excessive soreness. I crossed the finish line in 1:44:19 a little more than 2 minutes over 2nd place. The run was a little slower with the snow crossings. I figure they slowed everyone down by 2-3 minutes. Overall, the day was fantastic: the snow crossings and blue bird skies and mountain snow interlaced with tendrils of mountain meadows, and smooth mountain peaks.

Praise God I can breath and run in such a pristine ethereal venue!