Longs Peak

After a pretty lackluster run at the Rat Race 10k on Saturday, I decided to try and get a bit of mojo back for Pikes next weekend by putting in a solid run/scramble up Longs Peak, the most dominant of all peaks along Northern Colorado's Front Range. Due to its proximity to urban centers and Estes Park, this mountain is heavily trafficked, probably the most trafficked in Colorado.

Heavy traffic coming up and down the 'Homestretch'

Not surprisingly then the range of abilities on the mountain ranged from serious climbers (although not too many of those in evidence today) to casual hikers who had no idea what they were getting themselves in for when they agreed to take on Longs. I saw some genuine fear in a few people's eyes on some of the sketchier stuff near the peak. This is after all a serious mountain with no sympathy for the trivialities of human existence. Considering the log jams we encountered through a few of the crux areas on the mountain, I was surprised to learn from the rangers once we were done that there had only been five serious accidents this year and just one fatality (heart attack).

Getting back to yesterday's 10k, I was disappointed to put up a fairly pedestrian 37:22. With some pretty strong winds, my splits ranged from a 5:17 tailwind-assisted mile to a 6:15 last mile into a howling headwind! The winner, Cliff Campbell, still managed to run a 33:xx, which, considering the conditions, was pretty impressive.

Feeling pretty deflated with regards to Pikes after yesterday's race and a poor run to Barr Camp last Sunday, I was ready to get out and have some fun running up to Longs' Boulder Field and then hiking/scrambling the last mile or two to the summit. Got a ride to the TH with Ryan, where we met Nick P and got started. The trail up to the Boulder Field is very well maintained, so the run through these first five or six miles was pretty relaxed and uneventful. Got up in 1:19 and then hopped across the boulders heading towards the Keyhole - a notch in the ridge between Longs and Storm peaks. It was blowing pretty hard by the time we got there, but not too bad.

Nick posing on a boulder under the 'Keyhole'

The terrain beyond the Keyhole is definitely more serious than anything leading up to it, and it is this last stretch that I am sure gets a few people into trouble every year. We traversed on ledges around the peak following red and yellow bullseyes towards the Trough - a large gully that ascends towards the summit of Longs - where the traffic was heaviest. By this time we were well above 13,000 feet and many of the people we passed looked to be working very, very hard. Because much of the terrain on the Trough is loose, the most serious danger here is probably falling rock from those above. Near the top there was a slightly more difficult section to negotiate, and there was litterally a line of people waiting to get up or down.

After we finally got up the little notch section at the top of the Trough, it was a short jaunt across the Narrows - an exposed ledge - to the Homestretch. Ryan and I pretty much ran the cracks up this last section for a summit time of 2:01 and 5k of climbing. The weather was pretty good on top - just a bit windy - and we sourced a nice spot on the east side of the summit that was free of people, sheltered from the wind and bathed in sunlight as we waited for Nick to get up.

Looking east from the summit to Chasm Lake

A well-fed Marmot scrounging for food at the summit

We were very casual in getting down and actually took 5 minutes longer on the descent than on the climb for a round trip of 4:07. One serious-looking hiker (lots of expensive gear) called us show-offs (!) as we eased past him at the Boulder Field, while a lady with a kinder disposition labeled us her idols as we neared the end of the run. Whatever, just getting a workout in, as Ryan explained to disgruntled hiker-man.

Stopped for a photo op at the bottom of the Trough

On a sidenote - saw my buddy Eric Lee from the Fort Collins Trail Runners coming down from the Keyhole. He was well on his way to finishing the 'Radical Slam' (solo) having started six hours earlier at 3:30. What's the Radical Slam? Well it's a climb and traverse of all 7 peaks in the Longs Peak Massif region; Meeker, Longs, Pagoda, Storm, Lady Washington, Battle Mt, and Estes Cone. Phew! Funny sometimes where you bump into people.

Eric at the 'Keyhole' (in the red hat)

Eric was soon hopping the talus up Storm

Wore the Wildcats on this one, and they held up really well on the rock. The grip was great and the shoe, despite its minimalist toebump, was totally solid in protecting the foot on rough terrain: front, sides and bottom.

Week Ending Aug 9

Mon - Off. Much needed.

Tues - 7 miles at the track. 3 mile progression warm up, then 1,600 (5:28), 8x400 on 80 rest (75, 74, 73, 73, 73, 73, 73, 70), 1 mile cool down. Felt great after Monday rest. A good warm up is key for me in getting a good track workout done, otherwise it takes three to four reps to get the legs firing. Felt good from the get go and was able to hold pace fairly comfortably through all 8 reps. Three weeks ago I was doing these in 74-80, so the leg turnover is definitely getting there.

Weds - 6 miles easy. Milner (600'). No watch. (Vas)

Thurs - 9 miles. HTH course (2,000'). 1:22. (Vas)

Fri - 6 miles easy from Soderburg to Arthurs and back. (CLs).

Sat - 9 miles. Rat Race 10k with 3-mile warm up.

Sun - 15 miles (5,100'). Longs Peak. (WCs)

Total: 52 miles (7,700' vert)

Decent week on balance despite a poor race on Saturday. Felt good climbing on Longs. A restful week ahead and then a stab at getting up Pikes in 2:30 on Saturday.

Wildcats: 123 miles
Crosslites: 94 miles
Vasque: 71 miles

Week Ending Aug 2

Mon - 13 miles (7,800'). Pikes ascent (2:44). CLs.

Tues - 6.5 miles. Track workout. 3 mile warm up, then 1,200 (4:04), 12 x 300 on minute rest (55, 57, 57, 56, 57, 55, 54, 53, 55, 53, 53, 55, 53). Half mile cool down. Definitely felt heavy and tired on this workout after yesterday's effort. Probably shouldn't have pushed or maybe even gone, but did anyway because it's a fun group and a chance to see friends. Felt warmed up after the first 5 or 6 repetitions so was able to push second set a little harder. Crapped out on the last one through the last 100 meters. WCs

Weds - Off

Thurs - 8 miles (1,650'). 1:15. Horsetooth/Audra with Ryan. Workout felt harder than it should have. Hopefully just fatigued from Mon/Tues effort. (WCs)

Fri - 6 miles easy (600'). Milner. No watch. (Vas)

Sat - 14 miles (5,000'). Flattop (62) and Hallett (77). 5 mile tempo. (CLs)

Sun - 15 miles (4,000'). Barr Trail to Barr Camp and back (from Ascent start outside City Hall). Got a late start on this one, and paid the price on a baking hot day. Felt like a hard effort, yet came up with the same split to Barr Camp (1:19) as on Monday, which felt like a much more controlled effort. Been a big week of climbing, so I'll put it down to that and maybe the heat. I'll need a 1:16 split to Barr Camp if I want to break 2:30 on race day. Not as confident of the 2:30 after today's run as I was after Monday's run. (WCs)

Total: 63 miles (19,400 feet of vertical).

Big, big climb week on fairly moderate mileage. This week would have looked a lot different if Pikes hadn't come onto the race schedule, but it has, and there's a red-hot field, so if I want to compete for a top-ten finish, then I'll have to cycle back the Dublin Marathon training plan until late August and keep pushing the hills. Not too worried about it, as I think I respond best to hills anyway, and I'll still have a good five weeks to get some solid LT and marathon-paced long intervals in on the road after Pikes and before the taper for Dublin. Coming from a very solid base, I'm hoping it will be enough. Another four big workouts planned for next week, with track on Tuesday, Horsetooth hill repeats on Thursday, 10k race on Saturday and Longs on Sunday; then a really easy week leading up to Pikes on Saturday.

Wildcats: 108 miles
Crosslites: 88 miles
Vasque: 56 miles

Flattop, Hallet & Beaten by the Weather

A cold and windy Hallett (Image: Joel C Higgs)

Had a sweet Rocky Mountain traverse planned for this morning that entailed a 3,000' climb up Flattop Mountain (12,200') followed by a scramble up to Hallett peak (12,700') and then a traverse across to Otis (12,500) and Taylor (13,150') before sourcing a descent to the lower trails that would take us back to the Bear Lake parking lot. The run, as planned, would have given us a few hours above 12,000' and some pretty spectacular views.

Carpooled up to the Park with Ryan B and met Nick P just outside at the main visitors center. Things started out well with a 6:30 arrival at the trailhead and gorgeous blue skies up high.

Getting ready for the off

The climb up to Flattop was uneventful with glimpses of Hallett showing continued clear and calm skies. At treeline, things were still calm, but by the time we got near the 12,200' summit of Flattop the wind had started to pick up and the clouds were rolling in. The temperature plummeted.

Nick cruising up past the hitching post, not far from Flattop summit

We all donned the one extra layer we each had and followed the half-mile climbers' trail across Flattop's high tundra to the super rocky climb up to Hallett peak.

It was pretty chilly and windy by the time we topped out on Flattop

We topped out on Hallett and dived behind the summit windbreak with the wind now roaring and the summit thick in fog. We hung out behind the windbreak for probably 20 minutes, waiting desperately for the sun to break through and the views to open up. They never really did. We got a couple of glimpses of Otis and Longs, but by the time we were all shivering uncontrollably we decided to abort the mission and head back down.

Cold

Of course, by the time we were halfway back down Flattop, the sun finally won its battle with the mountain fog to reveal the stunning high-mountain vistas we had planned to traverse. The decision had already been made, however, so we continued our descent to the parking lot, ditched our excess gear, and headed out for a 4.5 mile, 750' tempo run up to Lake Haiyaha (10,220') in Upper Chaos Canyon and back, dodging the heavy, heavy foot traffic along the way, for some pretty sweet views of Hallett and Otis and the route we had originally planned on running.

An hour later and Hallett was completely clear

Not a total bust, with 14 miles and 5,000' of climbing on the day, but hopefully next time the weather will cooperate and we'll get this classic done and checked off the list.

Wore the Crosslites on this one. I was clumsy all morning. I think more me than the shoes, which are just a solid lightweight ride. Not convinced on the grip yet though.

July Spending/Miles

Quiet month on the running front, and not coincidentally a low dollar month too. Mileage appears to be directly correlated to spending and vice versa. Spending per mile average on the year dips below $1 again ... just. Lowest monthly mileage of the year, but second biggest climb month. Can you say Pikes Peak. Bring It.

July Spending:

July 3 - FireKracker entry: $15
July 9 - 350 miles to Leadville & back: $35
July 9 - Dinner at Quincy's: $18
July 9 - Breakfast: $7
July 10 - Shower $3
July 11 - Coffee $2
July 13 - 25 miles to track & back - $2
July 18 - 30 miles to Loveland Classic - $3
July 20 - 25 miles to track - $3
July 26 - 20 miles to Backbone - $2
July 27 - Pikes - $16 (lunch, gas, toll road)

Totals:

Spending .................. $106
Mileage ...................... 228
Spending per mile ... $0.46

YTD Totals

Dollars:

Jan ......... $456
Feb ......... $284
March ...... $30
April ........ $318
May ......... $498
June ........ $366
July ......... $106
To date .... $2,050

Miles:

Jan ................ 265 (33,000 feet)
Feb ................ 259.5 (40,350 feet)
March ........... 302 (32,050 feet)
April ............. 247.5 (31,300 feet)
May ............... 513 (67,000 feet)
June .............. 268 (46,150 feet)
July ............... 228 (50,650 feet)
To Date ......... 2,078 (300,300 feet)
Monthly ave .. 297 (42,900 feet)

Spending per Mile: $0.99

Pikes Peak Scouting Run

Dan Turk put a message up on the Fort Collins Trail Runners listserv late last week about a planned run up Pikes Peak. The email came soon after I found out that I was in for the Pikes Ascent, so I quickly responded to Dan - a nine time Pikes vet - that I was up for the trip down to Manitou Springs, and we made plans for a 5am meet, with Alex May, another local Pikes runner making up our party of three. Alex and I were taking on the full climb and Dan was driving to the top for some quality time at altitude with a 3-2-1 workout (3 miles down to treeline, 3 back up, 2 miles back down, etc).

Having never run the Barr Trail, I was pretty intimated by the imposing sight of Pikes Peak as we made our way down I-25, but figured it would be just like any other big climb: stick your head down and settle in. Aside from knowing next to nothing about the trail, I had also never run a straight 8,000 feet of vertical in one shot (aside from Rainier, is that actually possible anywhere else in the US?), and certainly not up to and above 14,000 feet.

Anyway, Alex and I started out from the race start at the square in Manitou and jogged the mile and half to the trail proper. Once on the trail, I was gratified to find it in perfect running shape, with next to no technical issues to deal with. The opening climb through the 'W's is probably the steepest of the whole run, but because of the quality of the trail I was able to get into an easy but steady rhythm, passing No Name Creek at 45 minutes or so. I picked up the tempo a bit from here and pushed quite hard through the next section, which included some brief moments of down, and much easier grades in general. Went past Barr Camp in 1:18, and just kept plugging at the pace I had settled into, waiting for the fun at treeline to begin.

Hit the three-mile-to-go marker at 1:56, still feeling good with little noticeable impact from the rapidly decreasing supply of oxygen. Although the summit still looked impossibly far away, the sign said three miles, and I kept that in mind rather than spending too much time looking at the peak. By mile two to go, I was definitely beginning to feel the reduced oxygen, so slowed to maintain an equal effort. Went through in 2:12, for an almost 16-minute mile. Went through the penultimate mile in 14 minutes, and the final beast of a mile in 18:30 for a total run time of 2:44:03. I let out a yell - as I'm apt to do - as I rounded the final switchback onto the cog tracks, which was cause for a degree of amusement among some of the assembled tourists.

I ran every step of this climb with the exception of about 100 meters through the cruel section known as the 16 Golden Steps, which comes maybe a half mile from the top. The whole effort felt controlled, and served as a pretty big confidence boost with regards to running a sub 2:30 on race day - a number that will be borderline with respect to cracking the top 10.

Wore the Crosslites for this run and was for the most part happy with how they ran. There's no doubt they were responsive to the pea-sized gravel on the lower Barr Trail, but I'm still not 100% on them on the rocks. Either way, I'll probably run these at the race, although I need to test the Vasque Celerators a little more as they are a similar weight with a little more grip on the rock, I find. Maybe not as responsive as the Crosslites, however.

With a run at Flattop (12,300'), Hallet (12,700') and Taylor (13,150') planned for next weekend and then Longs the following weekend, I'm hoping that come race day I'll be able to push through some of the burn I felt at 13,000'+ today.

Week Ending July 26

Mon - 8 miles easy (1,650'). 1:16. Horsetooth/Audra. (WCs)

Tue - 4 miles track. 1/2 mile warm up, 1 mile LT (5:32), 4 x 800 w/ 1:20 rest (2:38, 2:37, 2:37, 2:37), half mile cool down. Beginning to feel more comfortable at the track and moving faster than my usual 9 minute training pace. Encouraging workout. (Vas)

Wed - Off. Never found the time or motivation to sneak in a run.

Thurs am - 11 miles (2,000'). 1:36. Horsetooth course + some extra stuff tacked on. Legs really beginning to feel like their old selves. Some hamstring soreness from Tuesday's track session, but otherwise felt great. (CLs)

pm - 6 miles easy on Milner (500'). 45:50 (Vas)

Fri - 5 mile hike to top of Horsetooth Rock (1,600).

pm - 6 miles Milner (500'). 43:48. (Vas)

Sat - 12 miles up Signal Mountain (3,500'). Chad and I were back for some unfinished business on Signal. Got going at 6am for what turned out to be a beautifully rewarding run. The first two miles of trail from the Dunraven TH were horribly torn up by horse traffic, but once past the Doner Pass junction, it was steady up on creek-bed style trail through some silly inclines in places to a small alpine meadow and then to treeline. Once out of the trees, this trail opens up to reveal unbelievable views of the Continental Divide and lower FoCo-area peaks. This has to be one of, if not the, best climbs within striking distance of Fort Collins. The views really are outstanding, and while 3,500 feet of climbing may not be everybody's cup of tea, if you're into running uphill then this is a must do - like, must, must do - run. The peak tops out at 11,200 feet and offers easy access to other nearby peaks. Unfortunately we were under strict orders from our better halves to get home early, so couldn't explore, but this one day will be a killer launching point for an all-dayer in the Mummies. (CLs)

Sun - 0 miles. In Denver during the day watching Rockies game, among other things. Got back quite late and decided to not run because of some lower back pain from Saturday. Bit nervous about running Pikes tomorrow with this back thing (put me out for months and months last year), but I guess I'll take it easy and see how it feels.

Total: 52 miles (9,750').

WCs: 79 miles
CLs: 61 miles
Vas: 50 miles

Not a great week, but some good workouts in there. Going to run by feel from here until Pikes and not worry too much about mileage. I'll have what I have, and I'd rather compromise fitness than push through pain and fatigue, and risk injury. Feels like it's already been a long season.

A Pikes Surprise

Much to my surprise, I got an email from Matt Carpenter this afternoon stating that my bid for a competitive entry into this year's Pikes Peak Ascent has been accepted. I put in for it just a few days before the deadline last week, thinking that I'd had a decent first half of the season and may sneak in if there weren't too many others looking to get a spot via the competitive entry process.

Anyway, the upshot of the recent news is that I'm going to have to get serious - quickly - about getting into high-altitude, mountain-running shape. I have exactly 23 days to get ready. I've already arranged with friends from the Fort Collins Trail Runners to head down early Monday morning for a jaunt up the mountain. This will be my first time running the trail up Pikes.

Lucky for me, I have a two-mile, 1,600' climb essentially out my front door in Horsetooth Mountain Park. I'll be doing repeats up Horsetooth at least a couple times a week for the next two weeks. In addition, I'll be running Longs with Ryan B, per a phone call this morning, and looking to do Evans or Greys if I can find the time. Failing that, I'll try to sneak some time up in Rocky Mountain National Park to get up on Flattop. Not much else I can do really with just over three weeks to go. Fortunately, I have a good base to pull from and I think my legs are close to fully recovered from Bighorn.

Goal? Top ten.

Looking for an Awesome Deal on a Pair of Sportiva Wildcats?

I started this blog primarily as a means of keeping track of my training and racing activities. I decided to put it in the public domain to add an extra element of peer accountability to my running. I've since found that writing full race reports and weekly training summaries has helped me tremendously in reflecting on what I am and am not doing right or wrong in racing and training. Whether or not people read what I write has largely been a secondary concern.

As it happens, however, a few trail-running souls (and supportive family members) have taken to reading my posts from time to time, and I'd like to repay your time with what I think is an unbeatable offer, in the form of an opportunity to pick up a pair of LaSportiva Wildcats cheaper than you'll find anywhere else ... online, in person, or otherwise (if you can actually find a pair at your local running store/outdoor retailer. I couldn't).

Look great, ride even better

I'd been eying these shoes long before I was fortunate enough to develop a relationship with the fine folks at Wilderness Running Company (WRC), who asked me to review a pair. The reason I never bit the bullet and bought the Wildcats was because I draw the line on shoe purchases at the three figure mark - no matter how sexy they might look - and these things retail at $100 across the board, with little to no exceptions.

From casual observation at recent trail running events, I can tell you that these shoes are already proving massively popular in their first year of availability. And for good reason. The shoe is remarkably comfortable and agile, while also managing to offer great cushioning and stability, all in a package that weighs in at a light (for trail runners) 12oz. And did I mention that they're an awfully good looking pair of shoes? I know, completely irrelevant to performance, but like good food, visual presentation is half the battle in getting a product sold (or eaten).

I wore these bad boys at the Leadville Marathon the other weekend (a tougher testing ground would be hard to find) and they performed to the max, with just a minor amount of slippage in the heel on really loose and steep descents (pretty much my only beef, and one that is easily remedied with an extra pair of socks or a tighter lace-up on the top two eyelets).

Minor slippage in the heel

Other than that, the shoes barely felt like they were there. They were surprisingly cushy, and the bite on the soles was highly aggressive. Given the rockiness of the course at Leadville, I was concerned that the all-mesh upper would take a beating and rip as other mesh shoes of mine have in the past. However, they came through 100% unscathed, despite numerous high-speed (all things being relative) jagged-edged rakes from the rock-strewn jeep tracks around Leadville. So, yes, I'm digging these shoes. Still not enough mileage on them to warrant a full-on review and and a confident thumbs up, but I'm getting close.

The 'paws' grip hard

Minimalist, but tough, bumper saved my toes a couple of times

So what's the deal and where can you find them? The location is Wilderness Running and their price until the end of the month is just $90. You may be able to find one or two other retailers that have begun discounting the shoe, but the $90 price tag is just the beginning. Use coupon code Nick10 at checkout and take an additional 10% off, while also enjoying free shipping and the joy of giving nothing to the government. That's right folks, $81 (out the door) gets you into a pair of these awesome Wildcats. AND THAT'S NOT ALL. Buy in July and you get a pair of the much-touted Drymax running socks thrown in for free ($12 value). AND THAT'S STILL NOT ALL. There's a ton of other stuff at WRC on sale through the end of the month, and the coupon code mentioned above is good on all of it, today, tomorrow and for the foreseeable future.


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Week Ending July 19

Mon - 8 miles (1,650 feet). Horsetooth/Audra. No watch, felt good and fresh. Pushed in places. (Vas)

Tues - 4 miles at track. 2k warm up (7:49). 8 x 400 (80, 79, 78, 79, 78, 74, 76, 74) on 85 rest. Cruised most of these, but pushed on last three, tied up on last. My legs were tired but not beaten up from Saturday's marathon.

Weds - 8 miles easy (1,650 feet). 1:17. Horsetooth/Audra. (WCs)

Thurs - 10 miles (1,800 feet). 1:35. Out with Sam M on Falls - Stout - Herrington - Towers - Westridge - H'tooth - home. (CLs)

Fri - 8 miles (1,650 feet) easy. 1:18. Horsetooth/Audra with Ryan and Jeremy. (Vas)

Sat - .5 mile warm-up. Loveland Classic 10k. Half mile warm down.

Sun - 8 miles easy (1,650 feet). (TS)

Total: 53 miles (9,400 vertical feet).

Mostly a maintenance week, with a couple of good speed workouts thrown in. I'm going to try to keep the mileage in the 50-60 zone for the next couple of weeks in a bid to shake out any remaining fatigue from the first half of '09, and then plan to focus on building some top-end speed (while the track is still fun) before beginning to ramp the mileage back up in August/September.

Loveland Classic 10k

Despite feeling completely raced out the last couple of weeks, I couldn't turn down the offer from Simon, of RunColo fame, for a last-minute comp into the Loveland Classic 10k. I ran it last year in a dismally slow time, so figured some redemption might be in order. Not having run a road 10k this year, I was mildly interested to see what my weary legs could produce, assuming my mind could muster the conviction to push through the discomfort of race pace.

A smallish crowd of maybe 200 runners showed up for the 7:00am start, with most looking like they were heading out for a morning jog. A couple of guys looked like they were there to race, so I lined up next to them as we waited for the off. I figured I would drop in behind them through the early going to see where the lead pace would be and how my body would react to the always uncomfortable first few hundred meters of a short road race.

After the gun, a pack of six or seven guys assumed the lead and set the early pace. From my vantage point a few meters back, it looked like two, maybe three of them would hold the pace. By the half-mile point my assumption was correct and I found myself in fifth with a couple of the rabbits quickly dropping back.

Went through the first mile, which was a net downhill, in 5:32 feeling very comfortable. I was pretty surprised to see the split as this pace a couple of weekends back at the Firekracker 5k had felt intolerable. Soon after the first mile, the 5k/10k split came, with just one guy peeling off for the shorter distance. Due to a lack of signage, I almost made a right onto the 5k course before hearing the girl at the intersection shout 10k runners to the left at the very last minute. I hit the breaks, made a quick 180 turn and got back on course. This, as it turned out, would be the first of many examples of what was either a hastily put together race or a race that simply lacked a dedicated race director with an attention to detail ... any detail.

After the split, there were just four guys in the race, with the lead runner about 20 meters up on me, and second and third equally gapped between myself and the lead. The mile two split came in at 5:45, which felt about right and still very comfortable. Considering the relative comfort I was running at, I decided to push the third mile as it gently gained a few feet of altitude. I had soon reeled in third and was sitting on second's shoulder as we went through the third mile in 5:42. Hmm, a possible shot at a 10k PR here, I thought to myself as I did some quick math in my head.

Mile four and five are always weak miles for me in 10k races, so I made a conscious decision as I passed mile three to up the tempo to see what kind of time I could push out. I briefly took up second, with first still a good 20 meters ahead, before running shoulder to shoulder with my competition for the day through the four-mile marker. Despite the extra effort, I assumed I was merely holding pace, so was pretty shocked to see a 5:21 split. There is no doubt in my mind that this mile was short.

Through the fifth mile, I was able to hold a good effort, but it wasn't strong enough to maintain contact with second who was now building a slow but steady lead on me. First place was gone. Mile 5 came in at 5:37 (another surprise) and I was beginning to feel like the course might be short.

Despite second guessing the course markers and whoever measured the course, I continued to push hard up the hill to the finish. Through the final mile, the 10k course rejoined the 5k course and I was supplied with a long line of 5k stragglers to target and pass to keep an honest effort going. To my surprise (yet again), mile six came in at 6:15 on what felt like my biggest effort of the morning. I was now deeply suspicious of the mile markers and the course in general.

By the time the finish-line clock came into focus, it was just ticking from 34-minute territory into the 35th minute, which meant my pre-race goal of a sub-36 was well and truly in the bag. I ended up crossing the line in 35:30, good for a 50 second PR.

Neither of the guys ahead of me had GPS watches on, so I waited around at the finish to see what runners with GPS technology were getting for course length. A survey of four watches confirmed that the course was short: anywhere from 6.10 to 6.14 in total distance. It might not sound like much, but when you've got a good run going and find that the course is short, it kind of deflates the contentment bubble a bit. Then when you find out that the 5k course was a QUARTER MILE long, you just throw up your hands in exasperation.

I hate to complain about a race that cost me nothing, but I feel terrible for the people who stumped up the cash for a compromised racing experience. I knew going in that the course was nothing but frontage and commercial roads - far from inspiring - but I don't typically run road races for the scenery, I run them to get a read on my fitness, and therefore expect an accurately measured course and a competent timing set up.

Taking the average from the Garmins (6.12 miles), I'm gonna call this a 36:00 10k, which according to McMillan is good for not much more than a 2:48 marathon. Although my legs were far from fresh this morning, I've still got a lot of work to do towards my goal for October. If I want a 2:39 marathon in Dublin, I need to be hitting a 16:30 5k, and at least a 34:30 10k. Much work to be done. You'll find me at the track.

Photo: CSU Athletics

Leadville Marathon

Time eases the memory of how difficult races are sometimes. It had been two years since my first Leadville Marathon (4:16), and my mind had taken that time to downplay the 26 miles up to Mosquito Pass (13,200') and back. I seem to do okay running and breathing at altitude, but find the extra effort heaviest on my legs. I went in thinking I was in 3:45 shape, but found out otherwise.

So I got out to Leadville late Friday afternoon, and managed to squeeze in a 40-minute run before heading to Quincy's Steakhouse for dinner, after finding the local brew pub and eatery had gone out of business a few months back. I enjoyed a Fat Tire and a decent prime rib dinner before making a quick trip to get some breakfast for the morning and then heading out to a spot near Turquoise Lake to bunk down for the night in the back of the truck.

Got up pretty early and headed to the Provin' Grounds at six for their first brew of the day. Saw Tony and Duncan there and chatted a bit about Hardrock. When we checked in on Tony's laptop, Karl was through the last aid station and well on his way to victory in what was obviously going to be a smoking-hot time. He's having a huge season and re-proving himself at the 100-mile distance race after race.

450 or so starters between the half and full. Not bad for a very tough mountain race.

So I was feeling pretty good before the gun, although not hugely motivated to get out there and hurt. Soon after the off, a pack of guys including Tony K, Duncan C, Bryan Dayton, Duncan Flanaghan, plus three or four others, formed a lead pack, all but one of whom made the turn onto the marathon course at the half/full split. I sat back, running with Sam Malmberg for a bit as we headed out of town. I was working hard to find my breathing while chatting with Sam, so slowed to let him pull ahead a bit. I was feeling decent, although not particularly energized as we made our way to the first big climb of the day, a 1,500' rocky and rutted jeep track climb.

Working up the climb to the Ball Mtn aid, I passed a couple of the guys who'd gotten out ahead of me in the early going and sat in seventh with an eye on Sam in fifth and a guy between us in sixth. I caught sixth climbing up to the singletrack after the Ball Mtn aid and ran with Sam for a bit before putting a gap on him through the singletrack.

Old mining shafts and mining debris litter the landscape around Leadville (pic: Sarah Ward)

After finishing the loop and coming back through the Ball Mtn aid the race heads down a mining road to the base of the trail up to Mosquito Pass. There's a long descending U turn halfway down where you have the opportunity to see runners up to six or seven minutes ahead of you. I could see everyone up front, and timed the gap from me to what turned out to be Dennis Flanghan in first at about 3:30. I felt like I was running at a good clip and at relative ease through the descent. I filled up on water at the aid before the three-mile, 2,000' push to Mosquito.

The Mosquito launching point (this and next three pics: Sarah Ward)

Steep, rocky and generally nasty

Most climbs have their rewards

Going into the race, I was fully expecting a strong climb and descent of Mosquito, but instead got off to a slow start through the mellower early grades as I fumbled around trying to get a packet of sports beans down. I should have been pushing hard here to get a good tempo going before the serious climbing began, but instead felt lackluster. Sam re-passed me halfway up the climb, and I tried my best to keep him in sight, pushing my heavy legs to keep his pace. Nearing the summit, the top four guys came through on their way back down. They were all evenly gapped, and it looked like Dennis had increased his lead over me to seven or eight minutes.

Duncan (2nd) with a gap on Tony (3rd) up Mosquito. Those placings would be switched by the time I saw them on their way down.

There were a bunch of half marathon runners hanging out at the top enjoying the enormous views of the Sawatch Range and getting nourishment when I got there. The views from the top are truly amazing and well worth the effort, however, I didn't linger and ran around a trash can - with no other obvious turnaround in sight - and headed back down.

On the climb I had noticed that the jeep track was a lot looser than I remembered, so on the drop I tried to hug the skinny dirt cambers to the mountain-side of the trail, as I thought they offered the best running, but I found the heavy angle on the camber painful after a while, so mostly I danced on the rocks. In addition to the loose footing, there were a ton of runners from both races making their way up, and runners from the half making their way down. It was pretty heavy traffic for most of the drop, which made finding efficient and safe lines that much tougher. Despite the hazards, however, I felt like I had a strong run through this section.

By the bottom aid I had caught back up with Sam, and we pushed on together on the 1,000' climb back up to Ball Mtn. About halfway through the climb Bryan came into view, and Sam pushed ahead while I eased off to save some energy for the trip around Ball and the last four miles of screaming descent, sitting a steady 20 meters behind Bryan. I passed him before the Ball aid and got out soon after Sam, who I also passed on the climb up the backside of the loop. I caught a glimpse of Duncan here, near the top of the singletrack, and figured he was maybe four minutes ahead.

This gave me some energy, so I started my final push at the top of the Ball loop in an effort to lose Bryan, who didn't look to be too far back on me, and maybe catch Duncan. I hit the drop with what felt like a pretty strong effort and ran the majority of the last two uphill grunts before the drop back down to Leadville.

At the last aid, I felt like I had at least a couple of minutes on Bryan, but still pushed hard to make sure. On tired legs this drop is probably more treacherous than the Mosquito drop, but I felt like I had good strength left and was able to run at a decent pace.

In the end, I was happy to find the energy and motivation to stay competitive for fourth place through the last seven miles, but felt a bit disappointed with my time after crossing in 3:54. I was happy to get in under four hours, but couldn't help feeling I would have had a better run in me six or seven weeks back. Dennis crushed Paul Dewitt's course record by seven minutes in a time of 3:32, and Tony wasn't far off, maybe a minute behind Paul's mark.

I caught up with Nick Pedatella and Caroline Soong after the race, and we decided to get together early the next morning for a hike up, and run down Mount Elbert (14,433').

Caroline, Nick & Nick

Mount Elbert, Colorado's highest peak from the end of Halfmoon Creek Road

Zoomed in

Mount Elbert and Mount Massive

We all had remarkably fresh legs when we met the next morning, and got to the summit at a good clip, running down without too much bother.

Nick and Caroline just above treeline

Looking back down to Twin Lakes

Great workout for those two the day after the marathon as they prepare for LT100 next month.

The requisite summit shot

Peaks everywhere

All in all, it was another great running weekend in Leadville, the home of U.S. high-altitude endurance sports. I met up with a bunch of friends from the area and also from previous races, while also making a few new ones. Got to love this sport, the people and the places we get to run.

I'll be back in Pb'ville to pace Harry 'the mouth' Harcrow in the 100 miler next month.