South Boulder

From South Mesa TH. Mesa, Towhee, Shadow, South Boulder; down Shadow, Towhee, Homestead, Mesa.

Started at 6:19 am. With Bill W and Neal (?). Bill was going hard to break an hour from the start. I didn't expect to feel too strong due to R2R2R.

Bill and Neal gapped me slightly (10 seconds or so?) before the first stream crossing on Towhee. Above there, the mud was horrible as it had rained hard overnight. The weight of the mud nearly pulled off my right shoe several times. Once further along on Towhee, the mud wasn't a problem. Stayed within reach of the guys up Towhee and the Shadow road. Near the top of the steep hill on the road, I had closed to right on Neal's heels. Got to the canyon and mostly walked but ran when Bill then Neal would run. Through the lower part of the canyon, I felt pretty good and thought that I could go faster but wanted to wait before going. Higher in the canyon, as Bill was running the last few switchbacks, those thoughts faded. But halfway through the final switchback to the saddle, Bill switched to walking and I went around Neal and then Bill. Got the heart rate way up there, nearly going too hard. Above the saddle was a mix of snow and trail. The snow was mostly soft, but I slipped a few times. Continued working hard to the top. Excellent time for me at the top! Neal was just behind me. Bill just under a minute back.

0:00 - South Mesa TH
15:43 - Towhee/Shadow
23:46 - Shadow/"Bridge"
51:31 - top of Shadow
58:49 - South Boulder
~1:45 - South Mesa TH (per Bill - I had inadvertently stopped my watch at the summit)

StreakBlueB