Training in Montana

4 AM run: Leg 21, 4.15 miles. http://connect.garmin.com/activity/108573452. I thought it was a 3.6 mile run but the maps were updated and I failed to see that it was now a 4.3 mile course. It was odd as I ran 2 miles on mostly flat & booked it, then had to jump in the van for 0.5 miles to avoid a busy highway, then get dropped off and go the rest of the way up a steady incline. I was expecting 3.6 so to see the "1 mile to go" sign at 3.1 was tough to stomach, especially in the dark, and I could see the van brake lights 1 mile up a hill. Yuck. It seemed almost as tough as the previous run. I think I only got 1 kill. AP 7:48.

1:30 PM run: Leg 33, 3.01 miles, up "The Pass". http://connect.garmin.com/activity/108573440. This was the toughest uphill of the course, up 1166 feet over 2.9 miles, which is the last 2.9 up on the infamous Teton Pass. It was brutal. I quickly killed a girl after the transition, and my next kill was in my sights. I thought I was keeping a steady pace but apparently I went out too fast. I passed the guy just after 1 mile and I thought I would put a steady gap between us, but I heard his footsteps way too close behind me and he passed me after 1/4 mile and then he gapped me. I walked a few times, as walking was almost as fast as running, but I kept going and made it to the top. We actually got to run downhill the first 1/2 mile of the pass on the Jackson side, and that was fun. I had a few seconds at a 5:35 mile trying to catch somebody. Overall, a good run, and a great relay. AP 11:37.