Revisiting Sprint To The Summit

You may recall that last month, whilst visiting Utah, I participated in the Sprint to The Summit 2010, a12km trail race. I am happy to report that my left shin has since healed (I do hope to keep the scar as a race momento) and the race results along with the race photos from the actual Summit have been posted.

Unless you are a fitness supermodel or you are being coached through a running photo shoot with Raeanne Fabulous, chances are that most of your running pictures are less than flattering. Even if you think that you have mastered the art of the finish line photo (chin up, chest out, shirt down) you can still easily blow it (exhibit A, my finish line photo from the Green Thumb ½ Marathon earlier this year…add to the list ‘close your mouth’). That’s why I am a big fan of the before (oh crap!) and after (woo-hoo) shots.

The fantastic volunteer who was at the Summit and manning the water station was also taking photos, and snapped my picture before I knew it as I passed by.

Funny, I remember being in more of a crawling than upright position!

I always enjoy doing smaller races because they are more personal, this race in particular. Instead of doing the same old boring age group categories (20-29, 30-39…), the organizers stayed true to the whole Utah back country theme, and organized us into age divisions named after wildlife indigenous to Utah:
• Young bucks
• Grey fox
• Mountain lion
• Black bear
• Master moose
• Senior speedgoat
…yes, I was a mountain lion…it’s better than being a cougar or a moose right?

I was pleasantly surprised at my placing, for most of the race I thought that I was 3rd last. So how did I do? I placed 26th out of 44 other racers and 2nd out of the 6 mountain lions!

Thanks again Summit Park for hosting such a memorable event, a true highlight of my time in Utah.