I run therefore, I am!

This is one of the most scenic races I've run at high altitude. It starts at Estes Park Lake at 7500' and by mile 9 you are at 8400'. But the last 3 drop which is nice. I started conservative after breaking my ribs two weeks earlier. I was in 3rd to mile 2 then fell to 4th as it started inclining. The uphill hurt me and I found it hard to breathe. I stayed about 200 yards behind 3rd going up and about 1/4 mile behind 2nd place. As soon as mile 10 came I pushed as hard as I could and caught number 3 within a quarter mile. Then just before mile 12 I caught the second guy.  I ended up about 1:30 ahead. I managed to stay under 7 minute pace going up the gauntlet. Good race and I got to see Bart Yasso and chat with him a bit!  He handed me my medal at the awards ceremony. Free parks pass for a year!

I was leg 2 in the first van. Team Almost Dead Jocks. My first leg was all downhill from Mt. Hood. Steve  Anderson started for us and we were 5th overall when he passed off to me. I passed google and another team and averaged 5:03 pace for almost 6 miles. Started at 5:43 pm

12:13 AM started my second leg out on flat with 2% uphill grade and rollers  I got yo mile 1, and had to stop at a light which had a competitive team catch me and pass me up.  It was a younger kid and I fought to stay with him  he gained 100' on me by mile 2. I kept after him and when it went flatter I pushed and passed him at mile 4 and gained a full minute on him by mile 6 with some serious humidity. I've never sweat more running. Sheeshla 37:00 flat with a 6:09 average. 

7:04 AM started my last leg on an uphill right off the bat. My leg turnover was horrid but this was the point in the race where I came into the mass of other running teams . My third leg was definitely the hardest, although not the longest at only 5.75.  I know most runners in relays boast at over 6 but I'm just glad I could get it up the hill and compete at the over 40 stage. This is where my girlfriend could really play a factor in pushing me. I just concentrated on getting into a rhythm and not stopping .  I got to the peak of the climax and blew down the last section with a gasmic array! Done! I can now lay back and sleep! Although a cigarette would've been the best choice.  My last run was 36:40 which is about 6:23 pace. 

Our team was first Masters team overall and we took 6th for all teams overall behind Google.