We had a great turnout for the Green Mountain TT last night, Dave Mackey, Ricky Gates, George Zack, Tim Long, Justin Snow, Stefan Greibel, Christian Griffith, Anthony ? and Heather Swallow. We went up the Amphitheater, Saddle Rock, Greenman route to the summit. I was hoping to go under 35 minutes which would be a best for me this year (though I have not been targeting this route or any other for that matter). My PR was 33:19 and I was sure that I was nowhere near that fitness, but I was going to give it my all up the mountain. I led for a short while up Amphitheater, but I knew that with guys like Dave and Ricky breathing down my neck, my number would soon be up. Sure enough, Ricky comes by hardly showing any effort. He is the smoothest, most efficient, most gifted uphill runners I have ever seen, certainly in a whole other league. Dave came by soon after and I tried my best to keep him in sight, but about halfway up the mountain, he too was gone. Dave has been training hard to win the upcoming Western States 100 and the hard work is really paying off, he will be tough to beat there.
I was hurting like crazy almost the entire time, going about as hard as I have ever been. I felt like crap, but in a crappy way that one should feel chasing guys of that caliber.I made the summit in 32:35, a full 43 seconds ahead of PR and would normally have been walking on air and elated, but having getting dusted so severely, put my efforts in true perspective and I was truly humbled. Dave finished in 31:28 I think and Ricky was something like 28:38? Amazing! I’m still not sure I am in PR type of shape, I think I just PR’ed due to the excitement of running with (chasing) World Class athletes like Dave and Ricky. Next week is Bear Peak, I can’t wait!
Check out GZ's post with pics.
