"LOON"EY RESULTS

July 6, 2014

Lincoln, NH - Ah, Gabriel was prepared. He and his family embarked on the journey to Lincoln, NH, from the outskirts of Baltimore, embracing the first family road trip in quite some time.

Gabriel was not sure what to expect, but on the day before the USA Mountain Championships, he stumbled upon a running trail so gorgeous, that he ran a solid 1hr+ the day before the race... he was feeling good. That is, until upon returning to his hotel room, in the midst of soap-massaging his tight calf, he slipped and exploded out of the tub, back against the toilet, ribs cracking.

That could have been the end of him, of the weekend, of his aspirations. However, the family went out to breakfast and Dunkin' Donuts and then to a nice dinner, with Gabriel's back/ribs improving each hour. He would not know what to expect the next day.

Race morning awoke, and Gabriel was ready to give it a go. He felt well on the warm-up, with some crisp, sharp strides, and settled into the starting line while his women elevated into the clouds towards the finish. Gabriel expected a straight-uphill unrelenting course. By 400m, he was in about 50th place. By the mile, he had moved into the top twenty-five. He was climbing well, although he was a bit tentative on the early running. He didn't want to push too hard due to the daunting nature of the ski slope and the Upper Walking Boss which loomed at the finish. And so, Gabriel battled with an old friend, Josh Ferenc, passing back and forth, using him as a guide that he was running well. Ryan Woods was not far ahead. He continued to run strongly.

And then the course hit with full force, and he battled valiantly. He made it to the massive descent, slipping to about twenty-fifth again and then unleashed an out of control descent to get in position for the final push. His only goal was that no one, NO ONE, would pass him on the Upper Walking Boss. And no one did, but he could not pass anyone either. 20th place. 57:31. He had finished strongly, full of health, and felt validated.

The most important goal of the season had been accomplished, the rest would be an adventure... including a low-key Sweet Air Trail Race outside of Baltimore the following weekend in which he once again dominated the trails, but exposing his weak post-tib injury... however, it was a solid run and another great victory and a day after eclipsing his FKT at Old Rag... onto the next courses...