Wasn't feeling modivated this morning at all. Slept through my alarm and got out an hour later than I wanted. I headed to the Ben Lomond trailhead as I missed the summit earlier in the week afer getting stormed off the mountain.
Starting up the switchbacks, my legs felt tired and the motivation still wasn't coming around. It took about 10 minutes of easy running to jump start the body and then things were rolling ok.
I wore a watch, and wans't really interested in going fast, but thought I'd run comfortable to where the trail switches over to the west side, check my split there and see how I was doing. Checked the time, 46 minutes, which is ok for me. I thought I'll pick it up to the saddle and see where I am at. I ran a steady moderate pace up and over the two little climbs rolled through the flatish section to the saddle. I hit the saddle at 1:10 and realized I might be able to make a sub 1:30 to the peak, which would be a PR.
Snow still covers the trail to the peak, which means straight up climbing for most of it. Going straight up elimitates some distance by avoiding the switchbacks, but I think its overall slower. I pretty much went redline 100% up the final climb. Power hiking most of it, running a few sections where the grade mellowed out.
Coming over the last steep part and jogging the last 20 yards to the summit, I was suprised to see it full of people. I had passed a couple of groups on the way up, but had not seen anyone for a while. Wasatch veterens Jim and Mark were up there and Jim asked how long it took me. I look at my watch and was suprised to see 1:29. I heard a chuckle from a group of kids that looked like a scout troop and heard one of them say "it took us like 3 and half hours!" and one of them offerd me a bag of Apple Jacks.
I took a couple of breaths, Marc asked how fast I would make the round trip, I said hopefully under 2:30 and shuffled off the peak. It took me forever to pick my way down through the loose scree to the saddle and when I looked at the time I thought there was no way I could make my goal. I had 48 minutes to make it down and didn't think I had it in me. I kep the pace up though and figured I would just run it steady and see what happend.
About a mile later I ran into a couple of guys walking up the trail with about 12 domestic goats in tow. After tip-toeing around some kinds grumpy looking billy's, I was back running again, noticing a couple of mountain bikers I had been shadowing on the descent not too far in front. I kept up the steady pace and thought if I get to the last switch back section with 20 minutes to go I'll give it a 100% and see what happens.
I came into the first switchback with 21 minutes to make a sub 2:30. I let it fly at that point and caught up to the guys on bikes who had stopped at a corner to take in thte view. Seeing me coming, they clipped in and tried to get off in front of me. Too late, I was already on top of 'em. I ran up and around the first one and was right on the wheel of the next guy. After realizing I was running fster than he was riding I asked him to pass, which he was very nice about. As soon as I went by, my paced picked up even more to stay ahead.
I ran hard to the trailhead hit stop at the sign for a 2:28. A 4 minute PR for me on a very unremarkable day. Not nealry as fast a my buddy Jonstuart (on the blog) ran it monday, but happy that things continue to improve.
No Garmin, but 14.5-15 miles and 3700 vert. | 