[RACE REPORT] September 18, 2006.

This was my second year at a classic that’s existed for more than 45 years–the Mt Tam Hill Climb! (I plan to hit this race as long as my climbing legs will churn.)

This year I was out to better last year’s time of 52:28. A far thought was breaking 50 minutes. Lofty–but doable.

I started with the Cat 5 group from Stinson Beach and headed north on Route 1 for about 4 miles. Basically it was a pack ride. Everyone stuck together to efficiently get to the meat of the race–the climb! During this stretch, though, I thought the pack traveled relatively slowly. Looking back, I would’ve made the break with a few guys that broke from the pack early. But would that move have come back to hurt me later on? Who knows. I plan to give it a try next year, if it feels right.

We then get to Bolinas-Fairfax road and the pain–I mean climb–starts. That tight pack was now shattered by Madam Tam. It’s at this point I put my head down and…HAMMER!!

My heartrate boils (my AVG HR for the race was 180)! Luckly the air temp was manageable, so I wasn’t boiling. For the next 40 minutes I delicately managed my pain, HR, and the course itself.

Most of the climb was a steady–sometimes steep–climb, until you hit the ridge. Then it’s rollers known as the Seven Sisters–some refer to them as the Seven Bitches. Either way, they will tease and hurt you like the best of ‘em!

Finally I roll over the Sister #6 and hammer up Sister #7–a short climb to the finish.

I finish in 50:17–bettering last year’s time by more than 2 minutes!!

Good times.

Madam Tam, see you next year!

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