11/14/2015
Gettysburg, PA
Over-coming a pretty serious injury, Gabriel was unsure if he was going to line up to feed his family this year. But some great dry-needling work by his PT, Lacey Erwin, Gabriel had put in a good solid week of training and felt good enough to give turkey hunting a chance.
His eldest drove out with him, as she would compete in the 1M jaunt. He did not have a sufficient warm-up in the 40-degree wind-chill, but he felt good. His entire plan centered around going out relaxed and attacking the second part of the course. He felt he went out controlled, but by the major descent of the opening loop, his left side had tightened. He was barely able to operate at full strength. This was troubling. He wasn't running like himself. He was concerned. But he kept working. Stopping to stretch and running, he kept forcing the pace, forcing the effort and he knew his body would respond - or at least he hoped it would.
Finally, after stumbling down a big downhill, something clicked and Gabriel found himself flowing effortlessly along the trail. He set to attack. He knew the CR was out of reach, but he kept running hard to give himself some reward for making it out to race. He hammered up the last climb and bombed down the last hill to finish as strongly as possible.
Although the CR was not reset, he was very pleased with the final 3-4 miles and they were faster than the 2014 race. At least he took some solace in that: a minor victory.
Sunday, November 15, 2015
LONELY ON THE PEAK
September 4, 2015
Big Sky, Montana
This was a lesson in stupidity. Gabriel felt he needed to secure points in the US Skyrunning Series and he had an open weekend, albeit a tight window to travel. So, he thought it would be a good idea to red-eye a flight to Big Sky, Montana for the Lone Peak VK, as part of the RUT weekend, an iconic and quickly growing bucket list event.
He arrived late, drove 2hrs to a hotel, wasn't checked in until 3AM, then attempted to wake up and race on an empty stomach with no sleep. It was a recipe for disaster. On the warm-up, he felt his heart rate was through the roof. He wasn't recovering at 8-9:00/mile pace. Hmm, this would not be good.
The gun sounded among a plethora of professionals, including the rising firestorm that is Remi Bonnet. Gabriel ran up alongside him at the half mile mark and figured, "I can run with him..." That was short lived, as Gabriel's battery completely drained and he was forced to walk from the first mile to the third mile in absolute misery, even stopping to sit on a rock and contemplate life. Thankfully, he finished up, about 20-min slower than usual. He had learned his lesson. Never again.
Big Sky, Montana
This was a lesson in stupidity. Gabriel felt he needed to secure points in the US Skyrunning Series and he had an open weekend, albeit a tight window to travel. So, he thought it would be a good idea to red-eye a flight to Big Sky, Montana for the Lone Peak VK, as part of the RUT weekend, an iconic and quickly growing bucket list event.
He arrived late, drove 2hrs to a hotel, wasn't checked in until 3AM, then attempted to wake up and race on an empty stomach with no sleep. It was a recipe for disaster. On the warm-up, he felt his heart rate was through the roof. He wasn't recovering at 8-9:00/mile pace. Hmm, this would not be good.
The gun sounded among a plethora of professionals, including the rising firestorm that is Remi Bonnet. Gabriel ran up alongside him at the half mile mark and figured, "I can run with him..." That was short lived, as Gabriel's battery completely drained and he was forced to walk from the first mile to the third mile in absolute misery, even stopping to sit on a rock and contemplate life. Thankfully, he finished up, about 20-min slower than usual. He had learned his lesson. Never again.
HOT SUMMER TRAIL RACING
August 1, 2015
York, PA
And the return of the Rocks... in 2014, Gabriel competed in the On the Rocks Trail Run 30km in nearby Rocky Ridge Park. It was a battle of the elements, but he finished with a great negative split. This year, Gabriel opted for the 15K in an attempt to secure the course record. The day was warm, and Gabriel set off in pursuit of a strong run, but he got himself into some trouble early on and battled through fatigue. Entering the last mile, Gabriel looked at his clock, it was a race against time and he felt there was no way he was going to get the CR. Busting the final turn, Gabriel sprinted to the line, sneaking right under the record and feeling quite good about his effort. Every step had counted.
August 8, 2015
Patapsco Valley State Park, MD
Oh man. Where to begin? Gabriel wanted a long run. He wanted about 2hrs of running. Not much more. There was a 25K option at the MD Heat Trail race, but it started at 9AM, too late and too hot. There was a 50K, and that started at 7AM. So, Gabriel paid his 50K entry and lined up, with the plan to drop at 25K and the first loop. The trails were technical and he didn't feel great, but he was finishing up the loop with a good day behind him. His effort on the 25K loop would have been top five all-time and it was a moderate effort at best.
But here is where Gabriel got into trouble. As he approached the finish line, getting hot and ready to drop, the Race Director was so excited he was on course record pace. He pumped everyone up and sent Gabriel on his way onto the second loop. Gabriel was like, "no way, I am not running for another 2.5 hours out here in 80-degrees." He figured he would drop nearer his car after the turn and out of sight. But by the time he got to the turn he said, "f-it", just finish up. It was a nice battle. Trying to take as much water at each station and taking as many gels as possible. It was a fight against depletion and dehydration on the trails of Patapsco that he knew so well. So it was a bit of a curse, knowing how much further he had to go.
Finally, the last four miles was basically one foot in front of the other. A trudge to the finish line, which was accomplished with a new course record, forty minutes under the old one. This race is not for the faint of heart. The heat and humidity, combined with dry, dusty trails, leads to dehydration and suffering, but perhaps that is what drives us. To find out the unknown. To find out our limits.
York, PA
And the return of the Rocks... in 2014, Gabriel competed in the On the Rocks Trail Run 30km in nearby Rocky Ridge Park. It was a battle of the elements, but he finished with a great negative split. This year, Gabriel opted for the 15K in an attempt to secure the course record. The day was warm, and Gabriel set off in pursuit of a strong run, but he got himself into some trouble early on and battled through fatigue. Entering the last mile, Gabriel looked at his clock, it was a race against time and he felt there was no way he was going to get the CR. Busting the final turn, Gabriel sprinted to the line, sneaking right under the record and feeling quite good about his effort. Every step had counted.
August 8, 2015
Patapsco Valley State Park, MD
Oh man. Where to begin? Gabriel wanted a long run. He wanted about 2hrs of running. Not much more. There was a 25K option at the MD Heat Trail race, but it started at 9AM, too late and too hot. There was a 50K, and that started at 7AM. So, Gabriel paid his 50K entry and lined up, with the plan to drop at 25K and the first loop. The trails were technical and he didn't feel great, but he was finishing up the loop with a good day behind him. His effort on the 25K loop would have been top five all-time and it was a moderate effort at best.
But here is where Gabriel got into trouble. As he approached the finish line, getting hot and ready to drop, the Race Director was so excited he was on course record pace. He pumped everyone up and sent Gabriel on his way onto the second loop. Gabriel was like, "no way, I am not running for another 2.5 hours out here in 80-degrees." He figured he would drop nearer his car after the turn and out of sight. But by the time he got to the turn he said, "f-it", just finish up. It was a nice battle. Trying to take as much water at each station and taking as many gels as possible. It was a fight against depletion and dehydration on the trails of Patapsco that he knew so well. So it was a bit of a curse, knowing how much further he had to go.
Finally, the last four miles was basically one foot in front of the other. A trudge to the finish line, which was accomplished with a new course record, forty minutes under the old one. This race is not for the faint of heart. The heat and humidity, combined with dry, dusty trails, leads to dehydration and suffering, but perhaps that is what drives us. To find out the unknown. To find out our limits.
SUMMER SKYRUNNING SERIES
June 27, 2015
Wilmington, NY
After Gabriel's success at Quest for the Crest, he proceeded to head up to Lake Placid with his family and attempt the Whiteface VK. Upon arrival at the ski resort loomed quite a daunting mountain. Gabriel thought, "there is no way I am running up that thing." Bear in mind, the biggest hill Gabriel grew up with was the Key Biscayne Bridge and the Tropical Park Hill.
After a quick briefing, chatting with Joe Grey about European races and living, and spotting Matt Lipsey, the race took off. Gabriel immediately settled in with Joe Grey, knowing he was going to win the race, so his job was to stick with him as long as possible and learn about power output. Out in front was an unknown running very well. By half a mile, Gabriel moved into the lead, but only temporarily as the runner (Art Degraw) soon surged again with Joe in tow. The two would proceed to power away. Gabriel pressed on.
At 2.5 miles, Gabriel was caught by 4th place, and it was a matter of will to retain position. He closed tremendously well, but could not get back into 3rd and secured a personal best over the VK in 40:55 and secured 2nd place in the USSkyrunning VK Series.
July 10, 2015
Val d'Isere, France
A pending business trip to Asia prompted an early husband/wife vacation for Gabriel and Perla. Upon reviewing all options, it would be a great opportunity to experience the mountain racing scene in Europe at the International SkyRunning Federation's opening VK event - the Kilometre Vertical Face de Bellevarde. Highly considered the most difficult of all the VKs in the series due to it's finishing "wall" at over 50% grade and 8,000+ft altitude, Gabriel was ready to go.
This race was in an interesting 20-second stagger, with each racer running by himself, a test against will and mountain. With the late start, the heat was oppressive. Gabriel watched as his competitors chugged 5-Hour Energies, stripped down to compression, exposing veins and muscles. This was legit. Soon enough, Gabriel was off working the steep grade. His footwear was of poor choice, as he slid on the scree. He kept working, but by 1.5 miles had lost most of his energy and attempted to power on. The last 800m was absolutely brutal, at 50% grade, sun beating down on his back, his feet slipping and him struggling to power a step forward. The last 20m his legs were like a young gelding, unable to coordinate, but he finished well in 43:50. He could improve.
The trip ensued with runs of La Flegere at Chamonix, the Croix de Culet at Champery, and climaxing with a summit of the Matterhorn, which will forever be embedded in Gabriel's soul.
Wilmington, NY
After Gabriel's success at Quest for the Crest, he proceeded to head up to Lake Placid with his family and attempt the Whiteface VK. Upon arrival at the ski resort loomed quite a daunting mountain. Gabriel thought, "there is no way I am running up that thing." Bear in mind, the biggest hill Gabriel grew up with was the Key Biscayne Bridge and the Tropical Park Hill.
After a quick briefing, chatting with Joe Grey about European races and living, and spotting Matt Lipsey, the race took off. Gabriel immediately settled in with Joe Grey, knowing he was going to win the race, so his job was to stick with him as long as possible and learn about power output. Out in front was an unknown running very well. By half a mile, Gabriel moved into the lead, but only temporarily as the runner (Art Degraw) soon surged again with Joe in tow. The two would proceed to power away. Gabriel pressed on.
At 2.5 miles, Gabriel was caught by 4th place, and it was a matter of will to retain position. He closed tremendously well, but could not get back into 3rd and secured a personal best over the VK in 40:55 and secured 2nd place in the USSkyrunning VK Series.
July 10, 2015
Val d'Isere, France
A pending business trip to Asia prompted an early husband/wife vacation for Gabriel and Perla. Upon reviewing all options, it would be a great opportunity to experience the mountain racing scene in Europe at the International SkyRunning Federation's opening VK event - the Kilometre Vertical Face de Bellevarde. Highly considered the most difficult of all the VKs in the series due to it's finishing "wall" at over 50% grade and 8,000+ft altitude, Gabriel was ready to go.
This race was in an interesting 20-second stagger, with each racer running by himself, a test against will and mountain. With the late start, the heat was oppressive. Gabriel watched as his competitors chugged 5-Hour Energies, stripped down to compression, exposing veins and muscles. This was legit. Soon enough, Gabriel was off working the steep grade. His footwear was of poor choice, as he slid on the scree. He kept working, but by 1.5 miles had lost most of his energy and attempted to power on. The last 800m was absolutely brutal, at 50% grade, sun beating down on his back, his feet slipping and him struggling to power a step forward. The last 20m his legs were like a young gelding, unable to coordinate, but he finished well in 43:50. He could improve.
The trip ensued with runs of La Flegere at Chamonix, the Croix de Culet at Champery, and climaxing with a summit of the Matterhorn, which will forever be embedded in Gabriel's soul.
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