Government Peak Mountain Race

The race uses the obvious skylineThis past Saturday saw another one of Alaska's mountain running races go down and I was there for all the suffering. The Government Peak hill climb outside of Palmer took place on a sunny day with 160+ runners showing up for a record turn out. The race staged at the charming Mountain Streams Bed and Breakfast which served as the perfect gathering spot before and after the event.These are my people

Mountain Streams Bed and Breakfast was the perfect staging point for the eventThe field was self-divided into three waves determined by how fast you predicted you could cover the 2.7 mile course and 3,500 vertical feet of gain. I guessed it would take me about an hour so I slotted into the first wave. The "sub 1 hour" first wave herding at the startThe start was more of a cross country affair over some of the winter nordic trails and then headed gradually into the base of the real business. At least 10 minutes were spent actually running and I lost my usual chunk of time here.Looking down the easier terrain near the start

But the climbing started in earnest as we headed up through at least 1,000 vertical feet of alder over some of the steepest trail I've ever been. It reminded me of the upper short cut on the Garnet Canyon trail in the Tetons…. only worse. People were on all fours for several sections. That never made sense to me and I'm sure you use more energy doing so. A common technique in these events. Really??I started making up ground through here although passing was tight and difficult. I lost a bit of time waiting for opportunities to get by two or three competitors.

Once through the trees we broke out onto open but relentlessly steep ridge line. The breeze helped relieve some of the over heating I was doing lower down. Once again, I was battling with mostly women. Strange fate for me. I passed one, got passed by two and then passed another back. I was then hounded by this stubborn competitor all the way to the line. 

I kept it pegged the whole way although it's interesting to see my average HR lower than last week even though my perceived exertion was the same. Who knows? Maybe I gained just a teeny bit of efficiency. Or, it was just one of those days. Either way, it was a satisfying day out.

The views from the top were spectacular.Looking down on the finish

Matt Novakovich set a new course record for the men in 46:27. Christy Marvin won the overall women in 58:35. The top placings were all the usual players. I ended up third in my age group and 26th overall. I missed just breaking an hour, going 1:00:20. Thinking back, the only time I really let up was waiting to pass a couple of times. Not sure if I could find 20 seconds in there, though. Gives me something to shoot for next year.If only I could be this skinny!

My first running award EVAR!One funny anecdote to share occurred during the awards. The running community is certainly tight and it's the same people week after week and, I assume, year after year. Seems like everyone knows each other. As each competitor in the top three of their division got called up the usual hoots and applause ensued. That is until my name was called. Then there was an awkward sort of silence for several moments. Like, who the hell is that? Funny. 

Next up is the Bird Ridge Hill Climb which will boast 250 racers. The field sold out in 3 weeks this year. I'll try to sharpen things up over the next two weeks. - Brian