Monday, July 18, 2011

Barr Trail Mountain Race BTMR

12.65 Miles 1:56:08
17th Overall 3rd Master 1st Age Group 40-44
7:00 am) sunny warm becoming hot by the finish
Had a good day. Very happy with the outcome. I had no goals or
expectations going into this race. This was probably a good
thing as I didn't have a lot of pressure on me. I ran a smart
race as I didn't go out too hard and end up crashing. I was
passing runners the whole way up to Barr Camp. I think only 1
runner passed me. I didn't run all of it but more than I have
done in training. I would power hike the steeper stuff and I
found that I would lose no distance on the runners that would
try to run these sections. I think I'm a pretty good hiker.
When I got to Barr Camp the turnaround I was in 20th position
and my time was 1:13:XX. This is when I got concerned I'm not
very confident in my downhill running as both times I have done
Pikes Peak Marathon it's been my weakness. My thought was just
try to not get passed. Well I ended up feeling great on the down
and held my own. I wasn't getting passed. Then with less than
2 miles to go I saw a runner in front of me. Well this was very
encouraging. I actually could pass a runner on the down. It
didn't take long and I caught him and passed him quickly. I
figured that would be the end of me passing anyone for the day.
Well in the last mile I could see 2 more runners ahead of me.
I decided to go for it and see if I could catch them.
Within the last half mile I caught both of them and passed them.
I finished 17th passing 3 runners on the down! I later found out
the one runner I passed was 41 years old! So good thing for me I
pushed hard all the way to the finish. I ended up winning my age
group since the 2 master runners that beat me where older than 44.
So as far as swag goes I got $50.00 for 3rd master and for winning
my age group I got a certificate good for one pair of Inov8 shoes.
Not a bad day at all. By the way this is the first time I have
ever received any money from a race.
Next up Pikes Peak Marathon August 22. Can't wait! I think this
year I will break 5 hours.
Picture below is myself and the other 2 master winners. I'm the
young one. They are both older than me and very talented runners.
Post race went to Sean's house and enjoyed a BBQ with him any
many others including GZ. Fun times!

B/TB/168





8 comments:

GZ said...

Apologies for not givin' ya a better fight. Well done out there "old man."

Brad Poppele said...

GZ, No apologies needed. You gave it all you had. Like you mentioned all the travel is catching up with you a bit. You'll be ready for PPM! Nice catching up with you this weekend. See you in a few weeks.

HappyTrails said...

Great race Brad!!! Any time you are on a podium with Bernie in a mountain race, you done good :)

Craig Hilton said...

Great effort and result Brad. Congrats on your finish and the frills that go with it.

Brad Poppele said...

Thanks for the good word Steve & Craig.

Slush said...

Congrats Brad! I am the 41 year old you passed at the very end! When I realized I lost out on fabulous prizes I was bummed! But I just couldn't keep up with what you were throwing down on that crazy downhill. Major props and respect to you, and best of luck at the Pikes Peak marathon next month. I'll be running the ascent the day before; no downhill, yea!

Brad Poppele said...

Slush, Thanks man! I appreciate the kind words. You should do very well in the ascent. You are a strong on the climb!

Sean O'Day said...

Good job man. Can't wait to see what you do with some more trails under those 'old' feet.