5 miles
2,400 vertical
33:50up/56:30 RT
Had an awesome run this morning up Green via Amphitheater/Saddle Rock/Greenman, sticking to the main trail and no shortcutting whatsoever. My goal was to go quick enough to beat my time of 37:56 from yesterday and to maintain quick turnover and avoid any big step ups (just focus on efficiency). I was not at all serious this morning.
As I went along, I noticed that my time checks were not too shabby, but was not paying too close attention. The upcoming trail was passing in review quickly and I knew I was moving really well despite not giving it 100%. About 2/3rds of the way up, I realized that my time was 4-5 minutes faster than the previous day! I could not believe my eyes and started to bump up the pace a bit knowing that I could PR. I THINK my previous best is 35:35 on that route sticking to the trail, but I would have to research that number. Also the trail has changed a bit since, but I don’t think it is a 1:45 difference, maybe 30 seconds max? I think it helped to start at a reasonable pace and maintain/increase as I went, vs. burning myself too soon which I have been guilty of in the past.
(As an aside, I was wearing clunky road shoes, hiking shorts and had not yet sat in the bathroom.)
