The weather looked so nice today that on a whim, I decided to run up Mount Timpanogos after work. I usually go up about 15 times each year, but I've trained other ways this year, so this was the first time I made it all the way up there (I tried in June when there was still too much snow.)
This is a great way to benchmark my fitness because I've run up so many times. (This was my 63rd summit). Afternoons are great to run up there because the trail is pretty empty as most people are already back down or almost down. I had the trail mostly to myself. I was delighted to see my ultrarunning buddy, Brent Rutledge from Lehi coming up as I was heading down. I haven't seen him in a few months. He's training for The Bear 100.
This went very well. I didn't push it too hard, but still did the second fastest round trip I've ever done, and the fastest I have ever done solo. (My PR was running with others). My roundtrip time was 3:22.
Splits:
Scout falls: 20:14, rock slide 42:41, Basin trail junction: 1:17, Saddle 1:44, Summit: 2:05, Saddle 2:17, trail junction: 2:31, Scout Falls 3:09, Trailhead 3:22.
In never fails, when I push the time toward 3:30, I face plant at least once. The trail is just too technical. As I was approaching a problem section, I was thinking that I better be careful and not face plant, right after that thought, down I went. Boom. Scraped a knee and sprained a finger a bit. But I was fine. But I also have four near-face plants. Very close to going down, just caught myself in the nick of time. My left foot is the problem that usually trips.
So, I'm very pleased by my fitness. I never felt any altitude problems at all. I didn't slow down near the top. All my altitude work this month has really helped. I think I'm ready for Wasatch 100.
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