Today I ran the Jupiter Peak Steeplechase in Park City. I finished in 2:33:21, 39th overall, and 14 in my age group. I am happy with the results. This was the second time I have run this race, I ran it in 2006. This race has gotten much more competitive since the last time I ran it. In 2006 I finished in 2:30, 15th overall, 7 in my age group, and I didn't get chicked. This year 5 women beat me to the finish line. I saw Jon Allen before the race and wished him luck. I don't think there were any other bloggers at this race. I did a 1.5 mile warmup before the race started. After a few announcements we were off at a little after 8 a.m. The course starts out heading up a dirt road straight up the ski hill. After a half mile up the road we turn off onto a beautiful single track trail. My first mile was 12:46, that may sound slow, but I was wondering if I had started out too fast. Just after mile three, something bit my leg. I quickly bushed it off, but I didn't see what it was. I had a stinging pain in my leg for about a half mile, but after that it was fine. The course continues up and up. I was able to run most of the uphill until we got to the insane section. The final ascent up to Jupiter Peak is a scramble up a very steep hill. I had to walk this part. I looked at my GPS as we were going up and it wasn't sure if I was moving or not. At the top of the peak I touch the flagpole and started to run again. If you look on the Park City Ski Trail Map, the final ascent to Jupiter is a black diamond run. The downhill felt great, but it was short lived. There was a second peak for us to ascend, Tri-counties Peak. I walked a bit going up that hill but it wasn't as bad as Jupiter. Then the real fun started. The downhill singletrack was a lot of fun. There was a small log on the trail with dirt over it that looked like a jump to me. So I leaped off of it was pulled a big back scratcher and stuck the landing. To bad there wasn't a camera man near by. The girl just behind said "Whoa, nice form!" I was feeling really good on the downhill and started to pour it on. I passed several people on the way down, too many to count. Towards the end of the race there were a few rolling hills which are really tough after all that downhill. I am happy to report that I stayed strong on the uphills despite the pain. In the last quarter mile I passed two more guys. One of them had a good kick at the end and I couldn't hold him off. I finished strong and I think this has been one of my best races this year. Here are my splits:
Mile 1 - 12:46
Mile 2 - 12:01
Mile 3 - 11:33
Mile 4 - 9:21 my fastest uphill mile
Mile 5 - 13:27
Mile 6 - 12:47
Mile 7 - 17:53
Mile 8 - 10:36
Mile 9 - 7:45
Mile 10 - 6:37
Mile 11 - 7:03
Mile 12 - 6:27 flying!!
Mile 13 - 6:49
Mile 14 - 7:26
Mile 15 - 7:24
Mile 16 - 7:35
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