Howell Mountain Blues

[Carl Sanders]

Came up to this race expecting a wake up call to refresh the feeling of suffering intensity. After Downieville, I'd spent the last month putting in miles and elevation gain in training for the longer ultra races later in the season such as Kirkwood 9-5, Sierra Tahoe 100 and Knickerbocker. I had included short intense interval sessions a couple of times a week, but was not entirely prepared for the three fast laps of Howell that require knife edge concentration and sustained hyper focus to stay upright through the many tight tree-lined single track sections.

The classic uphill sprint start to a bottle neck single track seemed to sort out the racers in my group and roughly determine our finish order. Scrambling up the only hike-a-bike steep section, I was either in 9th or 10th place within my start group. Despite my best efforts and fighting back pressing leg cramps I seemed only cable of holding my position and not moving up with each lap. On the second lap, a slow motion wash-out on a tight left switch-back, left only minor scratches, but caused my hip and quad to tighten even more.

Attempting to stay focused and upright on the third lap, the course seemed to empty out. No one in sight to chase. Nobody behind to push me forward. Overtaking the many Cat 2 and 3 riders on the final climb out may have cost some time. Past the airport and back onto the campus for the final lap, I gave what I had left, finishing only a minute faster than than my 5th place showing last year, leaving me in 7th place this round. I can only conclude that I am holding steady while everyone else is getting faster! Somewhat disappointed, but not totally surprised at my results, given the less than full attention I gave to this tough race.

[Paul Montgomery]

Thanks for the write-up...hate I missed it.

[Jim Hewett]

At least it was good practice for the real thing. Good job!