I was in a bit of a hurry today, as I promised to get in my run quickly and get home to get ready for Christmas Eve festivities. I sent Homie an invite and our timing was perfect, as he was on his way there in the morning as well. I told him to get a head start and I would either catch him along the way, or meet him on the summit depending on which came first.
My need to get this run in quickly, coupled with my motivation to chase Homie had me going light, with shorts, long sleeve shirt and fast feeling shoes. I almost started off too fast, but geared back a bit to warm up some. Hit the 1st jct. in 6:24, decent, but not super fast and still no sign of Homie. I kept a steady tempo and eventually spotted him above as I neared the first spring, figuring I would pass him near the 1st Flatiron jct.. About this time, my throat started gurgling up phlegm and I was hacking up a lung, which gave away my stealth approach. Homie heard/saw me coming and put up a good fight, not allowing me to pass until Saddle Rock.
I made the Greenman jct. in 18:40, still solid, but not near PR. I debated going for broke, but my motivation was not really there and I just wanted to cruise it in and finish 33-34 minutes as I had intended. I tagged the summit at 33:30 which I was pleased with considering the time of year, hung out for a minute or so and then backtracked about 2 switchbacks down to finish back up with Homie (who was pushing pretty good and had a killer sprint on the final stretch).
After a short break on the summit, we headed back down, just chatting at a coasting pace. Great to get out on an awesome Christmas Eve day.
Hope everyone has a Happy Holiday!!
Splits:
Top of Amphi: 6:24
Saddle/Greenman jct.: 18:40
Summit: 33:30
Descent: 23 high or low 24??
