- I had been critical of some of the Triple Crown races recently, but I must say the race management really killed it for both of the showcase races. Probably the smoothest the weekend has gone of any of the times I've run it. And I loved the schwag, something I'll actually wear rather than donate it to goodwill within a week. Kudos to Ron and crew for nailing it!
- On paper, I was on pace for a sub three Ascent on Saturday until the Bottomless Pitt sign. But I was getting no power from the legs, I knew all day I wasn't going to run 2:59, and I really started to believe that a sub three was a goal I'd never obtain. I told myself that in future years maybe a 3:30 would be the goal, making for a much less stressful summer and race weekend. But over quite a few beers at Fossil on Saturday night, Amanda started talking some shit and a bet was made. So it looks like I'll be getting after it once again in 2016.
- Pretty happy with my descent on Sunday. I was very lackadaisical all the way down to treeline, which cost me a sub two. But I slowly picked up the pace, and with about five miles to go I realized I still had a shot at sub 5:30. Ran those last five miles way out of my comfort zone, taking a lot of risks on the technical trail. Finished in 5:26, descending in 2:01.
- There was some super fast Kenyan (think he was a 2:12 marathoner) who was supposed to come and crush Matt's record. And I saw him take off at the start and didn't think much else about it. Then I caught him at No Name. And he wasn't looking good at all, stumbling around like he had finished a bottle of whiskey. I went by him, finished the race, and walked back down to the hasher beer check. A few hours later, the dude comes walking by, still stumbling around, but on his way to finish the race. He stopped for a beer, then went on. Awesome of him to finish what he started.
- Ten years ago, at the 50th anniversary of this race, I was living in Austin and had taken vacation to try my luck at the Ascent. I thought the area was awesome and wondered what it would take to live here. Funny how life works out sometimes.
- At my finish of the Ascent, I heard them announce that it was my 10th finish of the Ascent/Marathon. The only years I haven't done it since I moved here were when I was doing Leadville.
Some pics from the weekend:
3 comments:
Cool! I get to beat your ass next year! Can't wait!
In your dreams.
Way to rock the double. Pretty cool that you live so close with a great view of the hill now.
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