Saturday, September 12, 2009

Quick Wasatch Thoughts

Got some sleep and I'm still unable to really put many words to yesterday's race.

I'll write a full race report soon, but one thing I will say now is that I have never run a race in which I was so close to physical and mental collapse for so much of the time. It was stressful in every sense of the word, but in some ways I guess persevering through that will make it even more satisfying once I'm able to understand it better.

One thing I will say is that I don't ever again want to spend 85 miles being chased by Karl. He was shockingly relentless in his pursuit. I felt like I couldn't do anything to shake him, and if I had it to do again I think I would have hung back with him and the others a lot longer than I did. I guess it worked out OK though.

22 comments:

Ginny Mahar said...

Congratulations Geoff! You did it! Can't imagine how hard you must have been pushing to break last year's time by an hour and a half. Way to go!

I've heard from some people who read the Empire piece--you've got a lot of new fans in Juneau!

Unknown said...

You are the man, Geoff!
Way to make Juneau proud!
~Jamie Bursell

Unknown said...

Many congratulations. Awesome run.

Alaskan Dave Down Under said...

Congrats Geoff and an aussie "good on ya mate!" from down under.

AJW said...

Geoff,

My opinion (which admittedly, doesn't count for all that much!) is that the race your ran yesterday is every bit as transcendent at Kyle's 2008 Hardrock. In fact, it may be more so since you had the best 100 mile runner in the country chasing you for 15 hours.

Enjoy and hopefully we'll see you at WS.

AJW

Anonymous said...

Geoff - that was a really inspirational performance - congrats! Patrick

TonyP said...

Geoff - Dude...I followed all day long...amazing performance. Truly inspirational. Many congrats on yet another great performance. Can't wait to see how you outdo yourself in the next one.

TonyP said...

Let me add one more thing. First, AJW's opinion counts for way, way more than he gives himself credit for, and second, he is 100% correct.

TD said...

Amazing performance Geoff--would have loved to been at Nate's post-race like last year. To a speedy recovery after a job well done.

Hone said...

Congrats my brother. Way to represent and bring another one home to Alaska. Cant wait to hear the details.

Anonymous said...

Karl ran the Wasatch of his life and is having an amazing year. Facts that make your performance, choices, and abilities all the more impressive. You ran like Karl, fast, consistent, quick aid stops, and with the heart of a lion. You did all that and held off the original lion of the course. Super run. I'm looking forward to seeing you at the NF champs again this year.

Anonymous said...

Insane performance... you're 'Untouchable'! Looking forward to the full race report.

Jonathan Bernard said...

Absolutely unreal performance, Geoff! Way to make Montrail proud! (I work for Columbia, so follow our team).

Hey, and if AJW speaks, people listen. I have to agree with him, too.

Looking forward to the full race report when you are feeling up to it.

JB

Olga said...

Holly shit, man. For most of the day I waited for Karl catching from behind. It must have been so scary...but holly shit. That was something. AWJ spoke it as is - it's a performance of the year. You totally deserve it. Amazing run. Glad you're alive to tell the story:)

FixieDave said...

machine!

Anonymous said...

Fabulous!! Making the "impossible pace" possible!!

Anonymous said...

Congrats on Wasatch. How about taking on Meltzer again at Grindstone? You held him off once....why not try again in another 3 weeks?

Anonymous said...

You inspired the entire JDHS XC team (I heard the results right before the meet)... Leah won the largest state race and the Boys ran strong and placed second of 18 teams. Congrats on your achievement. You've lifted a lot of us. The Geezers stand in AWE. Merry

Jamie Donaldson said...

Great run Geoff!! Your time is unreal on that course.

JD

Rogue Valley Runners said...

Well, not to sound all that redundant but amazing run!

I wish I could've watched it unfold a little longer but you were gone in a cloud of dust.

Alas, your prognostication on that email you sent me after WS100 was correct, but I certainly was smart enough not to taunt you on it.

rest up, it's only going to make you stronger.

hk

Jennoit said...

Wow Geoff! Absolutely incredible. You continue to amaze and impress. Congrats!

Anonymous said...

Congratulations Geoff. Amazing!

Dan in Juneau