Second leg of the Triple Crown Series, and also my second race in 48 hours. I won't lie, walking to the start line, I did NOT want to race this. I actually questioned if I wanted to just scrap it and go for an easy trail run. But then reality set in, I realized it was less than 8 miles of running and it was mandatory if I wanted to hold on to second place in the Series.

A few fast guys at the start - Andy Wacker, three Kenyans, Neil McDonaugh...so I knew they were going to throw down some fast times on the revised course. I started out with no goals in mind other than to place around the top 10 and hope that I could hang on.

The modified course was tough in parts, but not nearly as hard as years' past, which was great. I did resort to 'hiking' for about 5 seconds up the stairs around miles two...I wasn't expecting them and didn't know when they would end, so I just power hiked to the top and started off running again. I actually love the new course layout, which is a result of flooding on the road that closed it off. Those who have ran this race before know the road and how demoralizing it is to try and run up (which I've never successfully ran that whole part of the course).

The two-loop course was great, because you could prepare yourself for where the hills were and when you could open up your stride. Played yo-yo for the first few miles with a few guys until I eventually shot past them when the uphills really came into play. The second loop got a little crowded when we caught up with the runners still on the first loop, but they were all able to move to the right and there was adequate passing room to not cause any issues.

After about mile three, I was sort of on my own in regards to the 'lead' runners; I was too far behind to catch anyone, but I sure as hell wasn't slowing down to allow anyone to gain ground on me. I actually beat the guy who is currently 1st overall in the TCR, but not by a wide-enough margin to erase his lead. Still about a minute behind him heading in to the Ascent next month...but really, a minute on that course is nothing. ANYTHING can happen on that mountain, good or bad.

Ended up finishing 8th overall (my highest placement ever at this race) and took home a 2d place age-group award. I believe I'm still riding a high from Friday's win, and this really just added on to it!

Have a wonderful day, DM!!