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.