Even though it snowed the first two days of May and has snowed this week, for Towers last Thursday it felt like summer. The stellar conditions helped 10 of the 28 starters set PRs and allowed for a little more linger time at the top.

Jenn Malmberg seems to run faster every single time she sets foot on the hill, meaning the women's fastest known time gets reset pretty much every two weeks. The new standard for the women is now 34:05, which according to the Towers to marathon conversion chart is a 3:02/03 marathon equivalency. Currently, the data are showing 33:40 as the sub-3 hour marathon standard (revised up with the recent addition of Boston/FoCo marathon times). After a slightly disappointing Boston, Kyle proved that he's got a sub-3 in there somewhere with his impressive new PR. Other PRs:

PRs: Jenn M, Kyle F, Dan Bla, Doug N, Dustin, Elizabeth, John F, Mike N, Rob B, Ron M.

Perfect Streakers List is down to three: Alex May, Slush, Pete.

Note: We'll be changing things up next week (5/19) with a run at The Rock. Horsetooth upper parking lot just before 6:00. See you there!

2011 Times & All-time PRs through 5/5/11:

Jan-May times here

..............PR.....5/5
Aaron....35:34..
Alex A....38:07..38:32
Alex M....36:57..44:15
Amy.......42:00..
Brent W.37:49..
Brent B..36:32..
Brian K...37:12..
Brian S...40:30..44:30
Brian W...44:52..46:36
Carson....40:18..45:34
Cat.........42:33..43:18
Celeste...44:23..
Chris C...35:53..
Chris H...42:15..42:28
Chris K...43:21..
Cherilyn..38:19..
Dakota...30:30..
Dan B.....41:21..
Dan Bla..44:56..44:56
Dan J.....35:58..
Danny....44:30..
Dave T...44:47..
Diana H..42:09..
Don.......44:06..
Doug......65:45..65:45
Dustin....40:56..40:56
Eddie......38:33..
Elizabeth:44:40..44:40
Eric........40:30..
Eric B.....29:37..
Felix.......36:09..
Fred.......47:20..
Glenn.....40:35..
Greg.....49:55..
Heather..52:00..
Jaime.....55:00..
Jeff K.....37:43..
Jenn M...34:05..34:05
Jenn S....51:12..
Jenn B....54:30..
Jenn G...46:54..
John F....40:58..40:58
John H...49:46..
John W..36:00..
Jordan....46:55..
Joselyne.52:40..
JZ..........38:45..44:35
Kyle.......33:08..33:08
Laura.....39:37..40:51
Lindsey..45:50..
Marie.....41:30..
Marji.......gold*..gold*
Marlene............gold*
Mary B...41:25..44:01
Michelle D........
Mindy Cl..54:44..
Mindy Ch.50:00..
Mike L....40:30..
Mike Le..44:00..
Mike H..??.........
Mike T....45:06..
Mike M...41:14..
Mike N...35:45..35:45
Molly......61:02..
Nick C....29:26..31:12
Nick M....34:55..
Nick Med...........
Nichole..43:00..
Pablo...42:55......
Pete......32:41..36:40
Ramon...46:11..47:05
Rob B....41:15..41:15
Ron.......44:34..44:34
Ross.......45:00..
Ryan B...30:58..
Sam M...28:32..
Sarah H..36:10..
Slush......31:00..31:57
Steph.....35:28..36:27
Steve G..58:30..
Tina.......40:27..gold*
Tom K...48:55..
Travis....40:59..
Woody....44:30..
...84..................28

Top times:
Sam Malmberg: 28:32
Nick Clark: 29:26
Eric Bergman: 29:37
Dakota Jones: 30:30
Steve Folkerts: 30:36

Women
Jenn Malmberg: 34:05
Stephanie Lynn: 35:28
Sarah Hansen: 36:10
Cherilyn Sackel: 37:07
Amy Hartley: 38:14

3/24:
So another big turnout on the hill last Thursday, and a bonanza day for PRs. By my count a full 50 percent of the 32 starters recorded PRs, in addition to the three newcomers on the hill who established times to beat. Of course, this was the first full daylight run in months, and the mild (but not cold) temps combined with the lack of wind and ice were also factors. Still a definite sign that the Fort Collins Trail Running Crew is rounding into good shape as we approach the spring racing season.

PRs: Aaron, Alex M, Brent, Celeste, Dan J, Danny, Fred, Jenn M*, Marie, Mike L, Mike M, Nick M, Ryan, Slush, Steph, Tina.

* Of course, when Jenn Malmberg hits a new PR, it generally means a new FKT for the women on the hill: 34:59. Steph and Sarah are knocking on the door though, so the fight for bragging rights could be interesting here in the next couple of months, especially as I continue to try (in vain) to stoke their competitive fires.

Almost as exciting is the 2011 streakers list. We are now down to four perfect-attendees, so congrats on that Alex May, Celeste, Slush and Pete.

Of course, some of last week's times could be way off, as I received them on a scanned copy of a dog-eared scrap of paper scrawled with a pen that barely worked. Please email or leave a comment if you see errors in my timekeeping.

4/7:
A record turnout (I think) of 35, with 22 of those setting personal records, or running for the first time. Good stuff again.

PRs: Aaron, Slush, Fred, Dan Bla, Greg, Brent W, Brent B, John F, Felix, Kyle, Ramon, Chris K, Mary B, Brian W, Mike L, Carson, Ron, Steph, Mike Mac, Heather, Cat, Dan J.

4/21:

FKTs: Sam Malmberg (28:32), Jenn Malmberg (34:16)

PRs: Chris H, Jenn M, Jenn S, Molly, Sam M

Perfect-streakers list remains at three with Pete, Slush and Alex May all in attendance tonight. Celeste, Cat and Brian are waiting in the wings with just one missed session on the year.

A quick note on equivalencies: We have a very rough Towers to marathon estimate of 33 minutes: 3 hour marathon. Senor Slusher ran 2:53:37 (over 10 min PR) in Rhode Island today (4/16) off a 31:00 Towers time last week. Based on his 31 we were predicting a 2:49 for Scott (his A goal), but he was safely under his B goal of 2:55. So congrats Scott, clearly you are quite the hill monster, and of course a speedy marathoner too.

As a point of comparison, my 2:36 from New Orleans in February is supposed to equate to a 27:xx Towers time, so obviously a few more data points are needed to smooth the outliers, but until then I guess the data are suggesting I am more suited to the roads than the hills. We'll have a few more data points from Boston on Monday and then May 1 we'll have all the FoCo marathon data to include, by which time we should have a more accurate equivalency picture.

Blah, blah, blah. Same time, same place next week. See you there.

2011 Times & All-time PRs through 4/21/11:

..............PR.....1/13..1/27....2/9....2/24..3/10..3/24....4/7....4/21
Aaron....35:34..................................38:00...........36:03..35:34..41:00
Alex A....38:07..43:00..46:00..46:11..42:50............43:15..38:33
Alex M....36:57..42:34..38:27..41:04..41:03..39:30.36:57..38:40..37:57
Amy.......42:00.....................................................42:00
Brent W.37:49............40:44.......................40:30..39:24..37:49
Brent B..36:32...............................................................36:32..38:57
Brian K...37:12.............37:12
Brian S...40:30..42:20...40:30............42:46
Brian W...44:52..51:10..49:04..51:21..45:56..47:07...........44:52..50:15
Carson.....40:18.............................................................40:18
Cat.........42:33..45:40..44:54............gold*..42:54..43:34..42:33..43:09
Celeste...44:23..47:59..46:06..52:11..46:30..46:09..44:53............44:23
Chris C...35:53......................................................35:53
Chris H..42:15.......................46:45..43:41..44:03.......................42:15
Chris K...43:21.......................50:10..46:50.......................43:21
Cherilyn..38:19..42:ish..40:34..43:20.................................39:30
Dakota...30:30.............30:30..35:00..31:00.............33:06..32:38..32:00
Dan B.....41:21.............41:21
Dan Bla..45:22.............50:20.............47:15..47:22..45:22
Dan J.....35:58.............37:30..39:40.............37:14..36:17..35:58
Danny....44:30.......................................................44:30
Dave T...44:47.............................................44:47
Diana H..42:09..46:28...................................42:09...........43:44
Don.......44:06.............49:13
Dustin....45:00.............................................45:00
Eddie......38:33............................................38:51
Elizabeth:48:15................................................................48:15
Eric........40:30..40:30
Eric B.....29:37..............30:51
Felix.......36:09..................................40:30..38:32..37:22..36:09
Fred.......47:20..............................................gold*.48:40..47:20
Glenn.....40:35..............43:00
Greg.....49:55..................................................................49:55
Heather..52:00.............................................54:00............52:00
Jaime.....55:00.......................55:00
Jeff K.....37:43..43:00....39:08.........................................37:43..37:48
Jenn M...34:16..37:47....35:09.......................37:30..34:59..........34:16
Jenn S....51:12..................................56:51..52:12.....................51:12
Jenn B....54:30.........................................................................54:30
Jenn G...46:54..........................................................................46:54
John F....41:00.................................................................41:00
John H...49:46........................49:46
John W..36:00..................................................................36:30
Jordan....46:55.............................................46:55
Joselyne.52:40...............gold*..57:22..55:24..57:24
JZ..........38:45...........................................44:00..43:06..41:45..43:13
Kyle.......33:54..............34:42.........................................33:54..46:54
Laura.....39:37.............................................42:00
Lindsey..45:50..............................................45:50
Marie.....41:30..............44:33.............42:38............41:30..41:52 Marlene...................................................................gold*..........gold*
Mary B...41:25............44:31..51:18...47:13..44:21..42:05..41:25..46:58
Michelle D.........................................................................gold*
Mindy Cl..54:44..54:44..............57:00.............55:10..59:22
Mindy Ch.50:00.........................................................................50:00
Mike L....40:30..47:50...43:50..............46:23..42:25..41:00..40:30
Mike Le..44:00....................................44:00
Mike H..??...................................................................................??
Mike T....45:06..47:31
Mike M...41:14..............43:00........................42:59..41:50..41:14
Molly......61:02.........................gold*...64:43..62:15..75:00..........61:02
Nick C....29:26..32:01....29:26......................37:02..gold*..33:28..30:25
Nick M....34:55..38:56....35:42..................................34:55
Nick Med.......................................................gold*
Nichole..43:00...........................................................................43:00
Pablo..42:55......................................................................45:21
Pete.....32:41..39:40.....35:40..36:32..36:28..34:38..38:45..34:32..35:40
Ramon..46:11.......................................................48:31..46:11..46:33
Ron.........44:46................................................................44:46
Ross.......45:00...................................48:00..45:00
Ryan B...30:58..33:45....31:32..33:10..32:33.............30:58
Sam M...28:32..32:59.................................................................28:32
Sarah H..36:10..............36:10..37:04.......................36:12
Slush......31:00..34:54..32:56..35:34..34:43..33:48..32:52..31:00..33:56
Steph.....35:28..............41:21..40:32.......................36:47..35:28
Steve G..58:30........................................................58:30 Tina.......40:27.....................................................43:05...40:27..41:00
Tom K...48:55....................................50:00..48:55
Travis....40:59...........................................................................40:59
Woody....44:30..............44:30
...80..................20........32.......20.......23.......34......32.....35......27

Top times:
Sam Malmberg: 28:32
Nick Clark: 29:26
Eric Bergman: 29:37
Dakota Jones: 30:30
Steve Folkerts: 30:36

Women
Jenn Malmberg: 34:16
Stephanie Lynn: 35:28
Sarah Hansen: 36:10
Cherilyn Sackel: 37:07
Amy Hartley: 38:14

I'm just 2 for 4 on Towers sessions this year, but life on the Big Hill has - apparently - been going on without me. Updated times and statistics below. Omissions, mistakes, etc? Let me know.

Thursday will be your last chance until next winter (this one is over as far as I am concerned) to take on the night version of the hill. Currently, the conditions underfoot are most excellent; however, there appears to be a winter storm in the forecast for tonight so the conditions could quite conceivably be terrible by Thursday. Either way, we run.

2011 Times & All-time PRs through 2/24/11:

..............PR.....1/13..1/27....2/9....2/24..3/10..3/24
Aaron....36:03..................................38:00............36:03
Alex A....38:07..43:00..46:00..46:11..42:50............43:15
Alex M....36:57..42:34..38:27..41:04..41:03..39:30..36:57
Amy.......42:00.....................................................42:00
Brent......39:24............40:44.......................40:30..39:24
Brian K...37:12.............37:12
Brian S...40:30..42:20...40:30............42:46
Brian W...44:55..51:10..49:04..51:21..45:56..47:07
Cat.........42:54..45:40..44:54.............gold*..42:54..43:34
Celeste...44:53..47:59..46:06..52:11..46:30..46:09..44:53
Chris C...35:53......................................................35:53
Chris H...43:41.......................46:45..43:41..44:03
Chris K...46:50.......................50:10..46:50
Cherilyn..38:19..42:ish..40:34..43:20
Dakota...30:30.............30:30..35:00..31:00.............33:06
Dan B.....41:21.............41:21
Dan Bla..47:15.............50:20.............47:15..47:22
Dan J.....36:17.............37:30..39:40.............37:14..36:17
Danny....44:30.......................................................44:30
Dave T...44:47.............................................44:47
Diana H..42:09..46:28...................................42:09
Don.......44:06.............49:13
Dustin....45:00.............................................45:00
Eddie......38:33............................................38:51
Eric........40:30..40:30
Eric B.....29:37..............30:51
Felix.......36:28..................................40:30..38:32..37:22
Fred.......48:40..............................................gold*.48:40
Glenn.....40:35..............43:00
Heather..54:00.............................................54:00
Jaime.....55:00.......................55:00
Jeff K.....39:08..43:00....39:08
Jenn M...34:59..37:47....35:09.......................37:30..34:59
Jenn S....52:12..................................56:51..52:12
John H...49:46........................49:46
Jordan....46:55.............................................46:55
Joselyne.52:40...............gold*..57:22..55:24..57:24
JZ..........38:45.............................................44:00..43:06 Kyle.......34:42..............34:42
Laura.....39:37.............................................42:00
Lindsey..45:50..............................................45:50
Marie.....41:30..............44:33.............42:38.............41:30 Marlene...................................................................gold*
Mary B...42:03..............44:31..51:18...47:13..44:21..42:05
Mindy.....54:44..54:44..............57:00.............55:10..59:22
Mike L....41:00..47:50...43:50..............46:23..42:25..41:00
Mike Le..44:00....................................44:00
Mike T....45:06..47:31
Mike M...41:50..............43:00........................42:59..41:50
Molly......62:15.........................gold*...64:43..62:15..75:00
Nick C....29:26..32:01....29:26........................37:02..gold*
Nick M....34:55..38:56....35:42..................................34:55
Nick Med.......................................................gold*
Pete......32:41..39:40.....35:40..36:32..36:28..34:38..38:45
Ramon..47:32.........................................................48:31
Ross.......45:00...................................48:00..45:00
Ryan B...30:58..33:45....31:32..33:10..32:33.............30:58
Sam M...28:50..32:59
Sarah H..36:10..............36:10..37:04.......................36:12
Slush......32:52..34:54....32:56..35:34..34:43..33:48..32:52
Steph.....36:47..............41:21..40:32.......................36:47
Steve G..58:30........................................................58:30 Tina.......40:27.............................................43:05...40:27
Tom K...48:55....................................50:00..48:55
Woody....44:30..............44:30
...65..................20........32.......20.......23.......34......32

Top times:
Sam Malmberg: 28:50
Nick Clark: 29:26
Eric Bergman: 29:37
Dakota Jones: 30:30
Steve Folkerts: 30:36

Women
Jenn Malmberg: 34:59
Sarah Hansen: 36:10
Steph: 36:47
Cherilyn Sackel: 37:07
Amy Hartley: 38:14

With the exception of some nasty ice past Westridge, we had close to perfect conditions on the hill on Thursday tonight with temps in the 40s and not a breath of wind. Not surprisingly then, there were some impressive performances from among the 32 assembled runners. People were blowing out PRs left, right and center. This is January folks - good stuff!

So a new FKT in the women's division, with Jenn Malmberg shaving a few more seconds off her PR (35:09), while Sarah Hansen posted the second fastest time ever for the women on her first time up the hill with a 36:10. I think we'll send them out together next time for some fun racing action now that Sarah's had a chance to see the hill.

No FKTs on the men's side, but huge PRs for regulars on the hill Scott Slusher and Kyle Fanning. A one second PR (29:26) for me, even after taking a spill on the ice near the top, but still much work to be done to get near Sam's 28:50.

2011 Times & All-time PRs through 1/27/11:

..............PR.....1/13..1/27....2/9....2/24

Aaron....36:35..................................38:00
Alex A....38:07..43:00..46:00..46:11..42:50
Alex M....37:49..42:34..38:27..41:04..41:03
Brent......40:44............40:44
Brian K...37:12.............37:12
Brian S...40:30..42:20...40:30............42:46
Brian W...44:55..51:10..49:04..51:21..45:56
Cat.........44:13..45:40..44:54.............gold*
Celeste...45:37..47:59..46:06..52:11..46:30
Chris H...43:41.......................46:45..43:41
Chris K...46:50.......................50:10..46:50
Cherilyn..38:19..42:ish..40:34..43:20
Dakota...30:30.............30:30..35:00....??
Dan B.....41:21.............41:21
Dan Bla..47:15.............50:20.............47:15
Dan J.....37:18.............37:30..39:40
Diana H..46:28..46:28
Don.......44:06.............49:13
Eric........40:30..40:30
Eric B.....29:37..............30:51
Felix.......36:28..................................40:30
Glenn.....40:35..............43:00
Jaime.....55:00.......................55:00
Jeff K.....39:08..43:00....39:08
Jenn M...35:09..37:47....35:09
Jenn S....52:26..................................56:51
John H...49:46........................49:46
Joselyne.52:40...............gold*..57:22..55:24
Kyle.......34:42..............34:42
Marie.....42:38..............44:33.............42:38
Mary B...42:03..............44:31..51:18...47:13
Mindy.....54:44..54:44..............57:00
Mike L....43:50..47:50...43:50..............46:23
Mike Le..44:00....................................44:00
Mike T....45:06..47:31
Mike M...42:34..............43:00
Molly.......................................gold*...64:43
Nick C....29:26..32:01....29:26
Nick M...35:42..38:56.....35:42
Pete......32:41..39:40.....35:40..36:32..36:28
Ross.......48:00..................................48:00
Ryan B...31:32..33:45....31:32..33:10....??
Sam M...28:50..32:59
Sarah H..36:10..............36:10..37:04
Slush.....32:56..34:54....32:56..35:34..34:43
Steph.....40:32..............41:21..40:32
Tom K...55:00....................................55:00
Woody....44:30..............44:30
...37.................20........32.......20.......23

Top times:

Sam Malmberg: 28:50
Nick Clark: 29:26
Eric Bergman: 29:37
Dakota Jones: 30:30
Steve Folkerts: 30:36

Women

Jenn Malmberg: 35:09
Sarah Hansen: 36:10
Cherilyn Sackel: 37:07
Amy Hartley: 38:14
Karina HS XC: 38:20

Well not really, although we have hit the reset button on Towers-related statistical accumulations for 2011...but it's still the same old grunt. In 2010, we had a total of 104 different runners attend at least one of the 20 sessions on the big hill, which ain't bad considering the gruntworthiness of the course. Our biggest turnout of 32 runners was on July 15, and the smallest turnout of 8 runners was the inaugural April 8 session.

I handed out a few Pearl Izumi goodies last week at the Thursday night social gathering for those who showed the greatest dedication to the hill.

On the men's side, Pete Stevenson managed to make more appearances than your humble run-director in 2010 with a total of 18 Thursday summits, followed by me (17), Brian Walter (15), Alex May and Scott Slusher (14). For the women, Mary Boyts (absent last night) was a model of consistency with 16 appearance, followed by Celeste (Slusher?) (15) and Cat Speights (14).

Top times were as follows:

Sam Malmberg: 28:50
Nick Clark: 29:26
Eric Bergman: 29:37
Steve Folkerts: 30:36
Dakota Jones: 31:26

Women

Jenn Malmberg: 35:09
Sarah Hansen: 36:10
Cherilyn Sackel: 37:07
Amy Hartley: 38:14
Karina HS XC: 38:20

This year got off to a good start with a solid 20-runner turnout. The conditions were predictably slow given the recent white fluffy dump from the heavens, but they could have been much worse. The half-mile connector to Towers was decently packed down, and then most of the actual road had been plowed, with the exception of the toughest part of the route - the half mile from Westridge - which was a slippery white mess. Results further down.

So we'll continue the bi-weekly schedule through the winter and on through the year, hopefully with a full 26 sessions in 2011. Once we revert forward to longer days in the spring, I am hopeful that we'll find the opportunity to switch locations a couple of times to include time trials on Horsetooth, Round Mountain, Greyrock (?) and maybe even Crosier. Other suggestions welcome.

Times:

...............PR.....1/13.....1/27

Alex A....38:07..43:00...46:00
Alex M....37:49..42:34..38:27
Brent......40:44.............40:44
Brian K...37:12.............37:12
Brian S...40:30..42:20..40:30
Brian W...44:55..51:10..49:04
Cat........44:13..45:40.....44:54
Celeste...45:37..47:59....46:06
Cherilyn..38:19...42:ish.40:34
Dakota....30:30..............30:30
Dan B......41:21..............41:21
Dan Bla..50:20..............50:20
Dan J......37:18...............37:30
Diana H..46:28..46:28
Don.........44:06.............49:13
Eric........40:30..40:30
Eric B......29:37.............29:37
Glenn......40:35.............43:00
Jeff K......39:08..43:00..39:08
Jenn M...35:09..37:47....35:09
Joselyne.52:40..............*****
Kyle........34:42.............34:42
Marie......44:33.............44:33
Mary B...42:03..............44:31
Mindy.....54:44..54:44
Mike L....43:50..47:50..43:50
Mike T....45:06..47:31
Mike M...42:34.............43:00
Nick C....29:26..32:01..29:26
Nick M...35:42..38:56..35:42
Pete......32:41..39:40....35:40
Ryan B...31:32..33:45..31:32
Sam M...28:50..32:59
Sarah H..36:10.............36:10
Slush.....32:56..34:54...32:56
Stephanie.41:21............41:21
Woody..44:30..............44:30
.20....................20........32

Undeterred by the dark and somewhat icy conditions, we had a solid turnout 11/18 for the scamper up Towers. Sam and Jenn Malmberg once again proved their short-course hill climbing prowess by registering the fastest times of the evening. However the intermittent ice and snow underfoot ensured that nobody PR'd except a couple of folk who were out losing their virginity on the hill.

Better conditions for the 12/2 run. Not a breath of wind, temps in the low 40s, and just a few scrapes of ice allowed for some PRs and an FKT. Jenn M continues to lower the standard for the women, while Mike T was first up the hill and was crowned King in an impressive PR. Joselyne also PR'd, as did Slush who continues to get better almost every time he runs the hill - and he runs it often.

Recent times as follows:

..........11/4 (12)...11/18 (19)..12/2 (21)..12/16 (20)..12/30 (12)

Alex ......38:58............42:00.........39:43...........38:40..........Beer
Aaron ....36:55 (K)
Brent...........................................42:10 (V)
Kyle.............................................36:03
Brian K.........................................39:00 (V).....37:50
Nick M..........................................36:09
Tina.............................................45:00
Dave .....44:50.............47:00
Mary .....42:03 (Q, PR)..43:24........42:19...........51:38.........Beer
Angie ....49:23 (V)
Olivia ....48:01 (V)
Ben .......35:00 (V)
Cherilyn .40:00.............................41:40
Laura .....41:00.............................40:00...........39:37
Lindsay . 51:00 (V)
Brian ......50:14.............................49:15..........48:12...........Beer
Pete .......36:03 ...........35:35 (K)....35:48..........35:02........Beer
Joselyne.......................53:00........52:40(PR).....54:10
Mike T..........................50:00 (V)...45:40(K, PR).45:06
Ramon.........................50:16........48:25...........47:32
Cat.............................45:40.........44:40...........44:52..........Drive
Celeste........................50:00.........46:50..........46:30.........Beer
Pablo...........................45:20.........44:10
Matt............................37:27
Eric.............................41:00 (V)
John W.........................36:00 (V)
Slush...........................35:05.........34:30(PR)....36:10.........Beer
Jenn.............................36:20........35:11(!)
Sam.............................29:57........32:01
Nick C...........................31:17.........31:02.........31:10............Beer
Kharah.........................55:00
Molly............................75:00
Mike M.............................................................49:30
Frank...............................................................48:05
Chris................................................................45:00
Dan.................................................................38:14
Eddie...............................................................38:33
Jennifer.............................................................53:20.........Beer
John (Sr).............................................................?
Marie.................................................................................Beer
Ean.....................................................................................Beer
Mindy................................................................................Camera

** V=1st time up; K,Q = first to the top; != FKT

For the route and a full listing of times from this year, in addition to other random Towers stuff, follow this link and then the subsequent links from that page. It's a tangled web, but it's all there ... somewhere.

Area Fastest Known Times

I have been accused in the past of making up completely arbitrary FKT routes and putting my name to them. While this may be true, there are actually some reasonably well-established routes in and around town, largely of the hill climbing variety, that have been tested and tracked in recent years. What follows is an attempt to document top times for three of those routes, starting with:

Towers

Dudes

Sam Malmberg: 28:50
Nick Clark: 29:27
Eric Bergman: 29:37
Steve Folkerts: 30:36
Dakota Jones: 31:26

Ladies

Jenn Malmberg: 35:11
Cherilyn Sackel: 37:07
Amy Hartley: 38:14
Karina HS XC: 38:20
Laura B: 39:43

Horsetooth North Summit

Dudes

Nick Clark: 23:50
Sam Malmberg: 26:04
Scott Slusher: 27:25
Pete Stevenson: 28:54
Nick M: 28:58

Ladies

Jenn Malmberg: 29:40
Mary Boyts: 33:44
Maire-Helene: 35:03
Kate: 35:06
Kharah: 36:02

Round Mountain

Dudes

Lucho: 47:58
Nick Clark: 50:24
Eric Bergman: 51:low
Bob Sweeney: 53:30
George Zack: 55:47

Ladies

Cherilyn S 60-61

Yeah, a little incomplete for Round, which means, I believe, that we'll have to organize a TT out there some time soon.

We (Fort Collins Trail Runners) have been time-trialing Towers Road all year, so for a change of pace tonight we took on the landmark that commands the local Front Range skyline, Horsetooth Rock (7,255').

The ascent from the main parking lot to the summit varies from 2.4 miles to 2.6 miles, depending on the route taken, with close to 1,500' of vertical gain. The final 100 feet of vertical gain requires a good amount of scrambling, but the views from the top are well worth the effort.


We had 25 turn out for what was being dubbed 'The Assault on the Rock,' with runners choosing their own route from a range of possible options. The service drive option is a little longer, but way less technical than the singletrack route. With the service drive and trail intersecting each other in four separate places along the route, there are multiple route combinations to choose from, and the jury is still out on which combination is quickest.

From the trailhead map, I went trail up to the bench then Southridge service drive as far as it goes before hooking back into the trail for the last half mile to the north summit. The route is exactly 2.5 miles and I think probably the fastest, despite being longer than the more direct trail option. The Audra trail cut-off from Southridge might be a little quicker given that it is a little less technical near the top, but I think it's probably much of a muchness.


Anyway, the short and the long of it is that I managed to shave a half minute off my PR, despite pre-run sandbagginess about a hamstring strain from an overzealous return to the track two days prior. Jenn Malmberg set yet another area FKT with her 29:40 ascent, while most everyone else established or set PRs on what was a perfect evening for running.


North Summit TT details

Fastest Known Times

Nick Clark: 23:50 (12/29)
Jenn Malmberg: 29:40 (10/7)

Full 10/7 TT times .............................10/21

Aaron ........ 29:30 (to plateau).........N/A
Alex A ........ 35:15.............................34:20
Alex M ....... 33:16..............................??
Bard.............???................................34:00
Brian ......... Lost (!)..........................40:03
Cat ............. 38:20 (to plateau)........Ran home
Celeste ....... 43:00 (plateau)............43:00
Dan B ........ 34:10.............................33:41
Dan J ......... 34:10 (to plateau)........N/A
Don ............ 39:14..............................42:00
Don ..............N/A...............................37:00
Jennifer ..... 44:31..............................43:20
Jenn M ....... 29:40(!).......................N/A
Jocelyn...........N/A............................45:08
Kate ............ 35:06............................35:41
Kharah ....... 36:02.............................N/A
Laura .......... 36:38............................N/A
Laura ............N/A.............................42:00
Lindsay..........N/A.............................43:00
Marie .......... 37:45............................35:03
Mark...............??................................34:00
Mary ........... 34:37............................33:44
Matt...............N/A.............................30:00
Mike T.............N/A...........................39:40
Nick M ........ 28:58...........................29:30
Nick C ......... 25:26(!).......................25:38
Pablo .......... 37:32............................Ran Home
Pete ............. 28:54...........................30:23
Rob .............. 32:05...........................N/A
Ross.................N/A............................30:30
Sam ............. 26:04...........................N/A
Slush ........... 27:25............................27:31
Tracy ........... 53:00...........................N/A
Travis .......... 36:37...........................N/A

Total............... 27 .............................. 25

I think we'll have enough light for one more Assault in two weeks, before heading back to the Towers routine as winter darkness sets in.

Phew, it was a hot one out there tonight, but we still got an impressive 31 runners heading up the hill. A new FKT was set in the women's division, a new Queen of the Hill was crowned, and a good time was, I believe, kind of had by all.

Having run out of width on the previous Towers page, I am restarting here with people's previous best times, followed by this week's times. First, however, a couple of pictures from the top, current FKTs, a list of Kings and Queens, and links to previous data.

Kings and Queens thus far:

4/8: Jonathan Zeif (JZ)
4/22: Laura Backus
5/6: Brian Walter
5/20: Kerry Doyle-Gundlach
6/3: Jeanne Mick
6/17: ??
7/01: ??
7/15: Corrie Stevens
7/29: Jennifer Swanson
8/12: Mary Gilbert

Records (Fastest Known Times):

Sam Malmberg: 28:50 (9/24)
Cherilyn Sackal: 35:14 (9/24)

Bike: Dwight Hall: 26:07 (6/23)

The route

Previous results and misc

Bike times up Towers

Times through 9/24

...........Best...7/15....7/29..8/12...8/26..9/9...9/24

Aaron....39:45..38:00..37:38..DNS....DNS....DNS...DNS
Adam....38:13...DNS....DNS....DNS...40:00..DNS...DNS
Adam (2).............................37:25...DNS...DNS...DNS
Alex A....43:00..44:24..41:30.39:04..39:30.38:58.38:07
Alex M...38:14...37:49..DNS....DNS....DNS...DNS...DNS
Amy.......38:45...DNS....DNS...DNS....DNS....DNS..DNS
Bard.......N/A.....39:29..39:40..DNS..40:00..DNS...DNS
Ben............................40:10..37:15...DNS..DNS...DNS
Brian W.44:55...45:48..DNS...47:29..46:16.47:16.47:15
Brian R...N/A.....42:50...DNS....DNS...DNS....DNS..DNS
Cat........44:58..44:46..44:59.44:13..46:48.45:00.44:15
Celeste..49:00..48:30...DNS...49:10..47:52.48:17.45:37
Cherilyn.38:21...38:19!.37:07!.DNS...38:43..DNS..DNS
Claudia..58:13....DNS....DNS....DNS..DNS....DNS...DNS
Chris.....44:00...44:08...DNS...DNS...DNS....DNS...DNS
Corey..........................38:06..DNS...DNS....DNS...DNS
Corrie....51:14...49:45..48:30..DNS...DNS....DNS...DNS
Dakota...........................................31:26..DNS...DNS
Dan.......37:30...DNS.....DNS...DNS...39:10.36:14..DNS
Dan T....35:06....DNS.....DNS...DNS...DNS....DNS...DNS
Dan J...................................37:18..DNS....DNS...DNS
Danny....N/A......55:54...DNS...DNS...51:22..DNS...DNS
Don........N/A.....45:00...DNS...DNS...44:06..DNS...DNS
Doug.....55:22...DNS.....DNS....DNS..DNS....DNS...DNS
Ean.......56:48...DNS.....DNS....DNS...DNS...DNS...DNS
Eric.......29:37...DNS.....DNS....DNS...DNS...DNS...DNS
Felix......36:28...DNS.....DNS....DNS...DNS...DNS...DNS
Forrest....................................................32:30..32:21
Glenn....39:xx....DNS.....DNS...DNS...DNS...DNS...40:35
Greg.............................................52:00..DNS....DNS
Gus............................31:52...DNS...DNS...DNS....DNS
Heather..N/A...52:00....50:00...DNS...DNS....DNS...DNS
James.....N/A....51:52...DNS....DNS...DNS....DNS...DNS
Jeanne..47:20...DNS.....DNS....DNS...DNS....DNS...DNS
Jeff S..........................36:02..DNS...DNS....DNS...DNS
Jen M........................37:17..37:15.36:10!.36:08!.35:14!
Jennifer.52:26....DNS....54:36..57:32..Fun...DNS....DNS
Jill.........80:00...DNS.....DNS....DNS...DNS...DNS...DNS
Jocelyn..60:00...DNS.....DNS...53:00..DNS...DNS...DNS
John......39:40...DNS.....DNS....DNS...DNS...DNS...DNS
Julie.......N/A.....62:00...DNS....DNS...DNS...DNS...DNS
JZ..........38:45..DNS.....DNS....DNS..44:12.42:52.41:35
Kaleb..........................35:52...DNS...DNS...DNS...DNS
Karen.....43:30....DNS...DNS....DNS...DNS...DNS...DNS
Karina........................38:20....DNS...DNS...DNS...DNS
Kate.......43:47..DNS.....DNS....DNS...DNS..44:52.44:08
Ken Sr.....N/A....43:36...DNS....DNS...DNS...DNS....DNS
Ken Jr.....N/A....35:19....DNS....DNS...DNS...DNS....DNS
Kenny....36:46...DNS.....DNS....DNS...DNS...DNS....DNS
Kerry.....45:00...DNS.....DNS....DNS...DNS...DNS....DNS
Kharah..52:51...DNS....45:50...DNS...DNS..44:38..45:35
Kim........N/A..Mill Creek.DNS....DNS...DNS...DNS....DNS
Kyle.......36:50..DNS......DNS...37:26..DNS...DNS....DNS
Laura.....39:43..DNS......DNS....DNS...DNS...DNS....DNS
Lindsey...N/A....44:02....DNS....DNS...DNS...DNS....DNS
Mary G...66:10..72:59..70:25..66:58..DNS...68:50..DNS
Mary B...44:58..45:28..42:23..43:41..43:58.47:25..43:16
Mary F...40:57...46:25...DNS...42:00..41:41..DNS...DNS
Matt P...................................39:30..37:10..DNS...DNS
Meagan.......................48:00...DNS...DNS....DNS...DNS
Michelle.......................50:00...DNS...DNS....DNS...DNS
Mike H...33:30..33:17...32:11...DNS...DNS....DNS...DNS
Mike M..80:00...42:40....DNS...42:34..DNS....DNS...DNS
Mike M (HS).................35:26...DNS..DNS.....DNS...DNS
Molly.....62:03...65:36...DNS.....DNS...DNS..61:36...DNS
Natalie........................56:00...48:25..DNS...DNS...DNS
Nick C...29:27!.31:41..32:18...30:04..34:26..DNS..31:21
Nick M............................................37:36..36:12.35:50
Pablo.....45:00...DNS.....DNS.....DNS...DNS...DNS...42:55
Pascal....41:15...DNS.....DNS.....DNS...DNS...DNS...DNS
Pete.......32:41..DNS....41:15...33:51.45:00..DNS...37:19
Peter.....32:48....DNS.....DNS.....DNS...DNS...DNS....DNS
Ramon.....................................................47:33...DNS
Rickey.........................45:00....DNS...DNS...DNS....DNS
Sam.........................................................30:34..28:50!
Scott......36:05..35:58..35:56..35:49.34:45..DNS....DNS
Sean......47:00..DNS.....DNS.....DNS...DNS....DNS....DNS
Suzie.....H.Hill....HH+.....DNS....DNS...DNS....DNS....DNS
Suzie Jr..N/A......HH+....DNS.....DNS...DNS....DNS....DNS
Steve.....37:40..DNS......DNS....DNS...DNS....DNS....DNS
Tina......44:43...43:50..42:20....DNS..44:15..41:15..41:55
TinaJ..................................................................42:20
Tony.....46:00....DNS.....DNS.....DNS..DNS....DNS.....???
Tracey...58:00...DNS.....DNS.....DNS...DNS....DNS....DNS
Travis....42:37..44:27..42:03....DNS...DNS...45:17..42:43
Victoria.42:05...DNS......DNS....DNS...DNS...DNS.....DNS
Virginia..N/A.....52:01....DNS....DNS...DNS....DNS....DNS

.....87......53........32......29.......20......23.......18.......20

So we had a record turnout for the Towers Road Handicap this evening with a total of 29 runners and one dog, or a total of 62 legs. I got out for a quick jog before the 6:00pm start and cleared a baby rattler off the Swan Johnson trail, just 100 meters from the trailhead. Second one of the season so far.

Not much more to add on this one other than to say that it was great to see so many Fort Collins Trail Runners out enjoying the beautiful weather with a solid workout. We'll keep doing this through the summer, so if you fancy a stab at the hill, or want to keep track of your fitness through the season, then this is a great way to do it. Hope to see more of you out there for the next one.

Oh, and a note of congratulations to Jeanne Mick who joined us in spirit a full 12 hours before the event - we run in the evening, Jeanne! Email your time or leave it in a comment and I'll add you to the list.

Oh yeah, and one other thing. We are working on getting a wheel versus foot event together one of these Thursdays, but until we get the head to head figured out, we do have a few (mountain) bike times as a point of reference:

Brian ..... 32:46
Doug ..... 31:15
Dwight ... 30:15
Jeff ........ 46:25
Ralph ..... 43:05

I always figured the runner would be quicker on a grade like this, especially with the gnarl factor on the last pitch, but I guess with most of the route being pretty well groomed, it's pretty even. Really not much in it, but until a bike goes under 29:27, I'm calling it for the runners.

Kings and Queens thus far:

4/8: Jonathan Zeif (JZ)
4/22: Laura Backus
5/6: Brian Walter
5/20: Kerry Doyle-Gundlach
6/3: Jeanne Mick

Records (Fastest Known Times):

Nick Clark: 29:27 (5/6)
Cherilyn: 38:21 (7/1)

Times through June 3:

............4/8/10.4/22.......5/6.......5/20.....6/3....6/17....7/1

Aaron...................................................................41:01..39:45
Adam....DNS.......DNS........40:44......38:13.....DNS...DNS.....DNS
Alex A...DNS.......43:47......DNS.........DNS......DNS...43:00...DNS
Alex M..39:44.....40:36.......DNS........38:16....38:18.56:48...38:14
Amy......DNS.......42:13......38:45!......DNS......DNS...DNS.....DNS
Brian.....DNS.......50:21......45:38(K).45:20.....DNS...45:59...44:55
Cat.......DNS........DNS........46:00......45:02....45:02..DNS....44:58
Celeste..DNS........DNS........49:00......DNS......49:00.49:23..DNS
Cherilyn.DNS........43:50......DNS........DNS......40:50.39:30..38:21!
Claudia...DNS......DNS.........DNS........DNS......58:13..DNS....DNS
Chris.....44:18......DNS........DNS........DNS......DNS...44:00...DNS
Corrie...................................................................52:20..51:14
Dan.......DNS........DNS........DNS.......DNS......37:30..DNS
Dan T.....DNS........DNS........DNS.......DNS.......35:06.DNS.....DNS
Doug................................................................................55:22
Ean.......DNS........64:00......DNS........DNS.......59:13.56:48..80:00
Eric.......DNS........DNS........29:37......DNS.......DNS....DNS....DNS
Felix......DNS........DNS.........DNS.......DNS.......36:28.38:14..36:48
Glenn....DNS........DNS........DNS........39:xx.....DNS....DNS....DNS
Jeanne..DNS........DNS.........DNS........DNS......47:20...DNS...DNS
Jennifer.54:00......DNS.........DNS.......52:26.....55:08...DNS...57:35
Jill....................................................................................80:00
Jocelyn...DNS.......DNS.........DNS........DNS......60:00...DNS...DNS
John......DNS.......43:00......39:40......42:00.....40:49...41:40
JZ.........41:40(K).DNS........38:45.......DNS......DNS.....DNS...52:00
Kharah....DNS........DNS........DNS........DNS......55:00..52:51.DNS
Karen....DNS........DNS........DNS........DNS.......43:30...DNS...DNS
Kate......45:00......DNS........DNS........43:47.....44:18..DNS...DNS
Kenny....DNS........DNS........36:46......DNS.......DNS....38:32.DNS
Kerry.....DNS........DNS........DNS........45:00(Q).DNS....DNS...DNS
Kyle......36:50......38:20......DNS........DNS.......DNS.....DNS...DNS
Laura....DNS........42:33(Q).39:43......DNS.......DNS.....DNS...DNS
Mary G...DNS.......DNS........67:00....66:10......70:46...67:35.68:21
Mary B...DNS........DNS........DNS........DNS.......46:02..46:28.44:58
Mary 3.....................................................................42:30.40:57
Mike........................................................................33:39.33:30
Mike M...............................................................................80:00
Molly......DNS.........DNS.......DNS........DNS.....65:00...62:03..DNS
Nick......29:52......34:25......29:27!.....30:15....31:45..30:29..DNS
Pablo................................................................................45:00
Pascal....DNS........DNS.........DNS.......DNS......43:01...41:15..DNS
Pete......33:53......38:15......38:45......33:51....33:18...32:41..52:00
Peter......DNS.......DNS.........DNS........DNS......32:48...DNS....DNS
Scott.....DNS........DNS........36:54......36:42....36:46...36:05..DNS
Sean.................................................................................47:00
Suzie.....DNS........DNS........DNS...Loggers.H'break Hill.H.Hill..DNS
Steve....DNS.........DNS........DNS.......DNS......37:40....DNS....DNS
Tina.......................................................................44:43..45:30
Tony......DNS........DNS........DNS.........DNS.....47:00...46:00..DNS
Tracey...DNS........DNS........DNS.........58:00...66:43...DNS....DNS
Travis....DNS........DNS........DNS.........DNS.....43:39...42:37..44:36
Victoria..DNS........DNS........DNS..........DNS....42:05...DNS....DNS

.....52......8...........11...........14............15.......30......25........24

Route:

The Towers Road Handicap has been underway now for six weeks. We (Fort Collins Trail Runners) run it once every two weeks, and attempt to go hard, or as hard as we feel like going that day. The handicaps are based on previous times up the hill or best guesses.

Towers is 3.5 miles & 1,750' of climb, with the first .5 being relatively flat. The footing on the service drive is typically good, although it gets mushy at the bottom when wet. Yesterday we had the best conditions yet, with just a few puddles and ruts to negotiate. First up earns the title King/Queen of the Hill for the fortnight.

The official FKT route starts from the trail map at the Soderburg trailhead. Runners head north for .45 mile on singletrack trail (Swan Johnson) to Towers Road, then head directly up the hill (west) for just under three miles, making a left near the top to a clearing that houses telecommunication towers and a couple of mobile buildings. Watches stop for the FKT route when you slap the last building through the clearing:

Kings and Queens thus far:

4/8: Jonathan Zeif (JZ)
4/22: Laura Backus
5/6: Brian Walter
5/20: Kerry Doyle-Gundlach
6/3: Travis

Records (Fastest Known Times):

Nick Clark: 29:27 (5/6)
Amy Hartley: 38:45 (5/6)

Times through May 20:

...............4/8/10....4/22/10...5/6/10......5/20......6/3

Adam.......DNS..........DNS...........40:44........38:13......DNS
Alex A......DNS..........43:47.........DNS...........DNS.......DNS
Alex M.....39:44........40:36..........DNS..........38:16.....38:18
Amy.........DNS..........42:13.........38:45!........DNS.......DNS
Brian........DNS..........50:21.........45:38(K)...45:20......DNS
Cat..........DNS...........DNS...........46:00........45:02.....45:02
Celeste.....DNS...........DNS...........49:00........DNS.......49:00
Cherilyn....DNS...........43:50.........DNS..........DNS.......40:50
Claudia......DNS.........DNS............DNS..........DNS.......58:13
Chris........44:18.........DNS...........DNS..........DNS.......DNS
Dan..........DNS...........DNS...........DNS.........DNS.......37:30
Dan T........DNS...........DNS...........DNS.........DNS........35:06
Ean..........DNS...........64:00.........DNS..........DNS........59:13
Eric..........DNS...........DNS...........29:37........DNS........DNS
Felix.........DNS...........DNS............DNS.........DNS........36:28
Glenn.......DNS...........DNS...........DNS..........39:xx......DNS
Jennifer....54:00.........DNS............DNS.........52:26......55:08
Jocelyn......DNS..........DNS............DNS..........DNS.......60:00
John.........DNS..........43:00.........39:40........42:00......40:49
JZ............41:40(K)....DNS...........38:45.........DNS.......DNS
Karah........DNS...........DNS...........DNS..........DNS.......55:00
Karen.......DNS...........DNS...........DNS..........DNS........43:30
Kate.........45:00.........DNS...........DNS..........43:47......44:18
Kenny.......DNS...........DNS...........36:46........DNS........DNS
Kerry........DNS...........DNS...........DNS..........45:00(Q).DNS
Kyle.........36:50.........38:20.........DNS..........DNS........DNS
Laura.......DNS...........42:33(Q)....39:43........DNS........DNS
Mary G......DNS..........DNS...........67:00......66:10.......70:46
Mary B......DNS...........DNS...........DNS..........DNS........46:02
Molly.........DNS............DNS..........DNS..........DNS......65:00
Nick.........29:52.........34:25.........29:27!.......30:15.....31:45
Pascal.......DNS...........DNS............DNS.........DNS.......43:01
Pete.........33:53.........38:15.........38:45........33:51.....33:18
Peter.........DNS..........DNS............DNS..........DNS.......32:48
Scott........DNS...........DNS...........36:54........36:42.....36:46
Suzie........DNS...........DNS...........DNS.....Loggers..Heartbreak Hill
Steve.......DNS............DNS...........DNS.........DNS.......37:14
Tony.........DNS...........DNS...........DNS...........DNS......47:00
Tracey......DNS...........DNS...........DNS...........58:00....66:43
Travis.......DNS...........DNS...........DNS...........DNS......43:39
Victoria.....DNS...........DNS...........DNS............DNS.....42:05

Runners......8..............11..............14..............15.........29

Realizing that I need to start working a few hills, rather than jog up them comfortably as is my typical training habit, I put out the call to the Fort Collins Trail Running Group to see if I could get any takers for a hard effort up Towers Road this evening. Eight showed up at the Soderburg trailhead ready to blow the cobwebs off a winter of lazy miles.

Towers is probably Fort Collins' number one proving ground when it comes to climbing and it's a favorite among bikers and runners alike. As far as hill climbs go, it's about as pure as it gets: very little technicality to it, no hopping over rocks, no twisting and turning, just a steady three-mile, 1,800' grind on a dirt service road to a bunch of telecommunications towers, with a .45 mile connector trail from the parking lot to the climb. All told, the FKT route is 3.4 miles and 1,800 feet of hurt.

So last time out in September, Eric Bergman reset Steve Folkerts' FKT (30:36) to a hair over 30 minutes at 30:15, with me 10 seconds back in 30:25, so obviously the goal today was to duck under the elusive 30-minute barrier.

We devised something of a handicap based on people's best guesses or previous best times up the hill, and Jennifer, Kate and J.Z. set out first, followed by Chris (+6 mins), Alex (+8 mins), Kyle (+10 mins), Pete (+13 mins) and myself (+17 mins). There were also some mountain bikers who had set out a few minutes before us, which was good as chasing down bikes going uphill is a favorite sport of mine.

Once Pete set off, I jogged around a bit and then gave myself a rolling start. I hit Towers in a comfortable 2:49 (2:40 last time), then set about getting my head down for the climb ahead. The two faster bikes had a couple of minutes start on me, and they were the first target. I hit the Stout trail in 8:43, which surprised me a bit, because I felt like I was moving pretty well, but had somehow lost 13 seconds on last year (8:30). I wasn't going to throw in the towel just yet though as I also had a halfway split at Herrington to comp from. I figured that if I was still off, I would take the foot off and take it easy from there.

Heading up towards Loggers, I passed the mountain bikers, and while I was working hard I felt like I was also moving well. Through the 'S' turn past Loggers, I continued to hammer to see if I could get a decent split for Herrington, which I hit in 16:25, a full 20 seconds faster than my PR split. Back in the game. I hammered the flats from Herrington and readied up for the steepest pitch of Towers about two miles in, passing Jennifer on the way.

Coming up on Mill Creek, I caught sight of Chris, Alex and Kyle, and also saw that Pete was passing them. By Mill Creek I was past Chris, Alex and Kyle and looking to chase down Pete who had 20 meters on me with a half mile to go. By the top of the final grunt, I passed Kate as we hit patches of snow and ice, and just before the turn into the clearing I got a step on Pete who was working hard despite his pre-run claim that he wasn't going to push. J.Z. was already done and stood at the turn cheering us in.

I told myself that I wouldn't look at my watch past Herrington, but as I made the final turn, I took a quick peek to see if I had a shot at going under 30. Seeing 29:33 on the clock, I pushed out whatever it was that I had left through the clearing, slapping the finish-line building in a new FKT of 29:52, just barely holding off a replay of my lunch. Pete came rolling in a few seconds after me in a new PR of 33:53, followed soon after by everyone else.

We'll be repeating this one in two weeks and then every fortnight thereafter, using previous times as handicaps for a little racing action near the top. Good stuff.

Six of us from the Fort Collins Trail Runners group showed up at the Horsetooth lower parking lot (Soderberg) at 6:15 this morning to take a shot at Dan Turk's fastest-known time (FKT) up Towers Road. Included were myself, Dan Turk, Pete Stevenson, Frank Antonelli, Dennis Vanderheidan and Eric Bergman.

Of all the hills in town, Towers is probably the best-known grinder and a favorite among runners and mountain bikers looking to test their fitness. I am sure others have run the 3.4-mile, 1,700-foot hill faster, but for those who keep track of such things, Dan's time of 34:42 was the mark to beat.

The route starts from the trail map at the Soderberg parking lot, and opens with a half mile of relative flat on the singletrack connector to Towers, where the climb begins in earnest. There are four real grinder sections on the road, the first of which comes about 3/4 of a mile into the run: A short sharp U-turn after the opening two to three minutes of climbing. The grade drops off a bit after the big U-turn allowing for an easier stride and a slightly faster clip. The first mile comes just after the Stout intersection, which is swiftly followed by an increase in incline to the Loggers intersection, and an even steeper grade to Herrington. After Herrington, there is a short stretch of flat to moderate downhill to be taken advantage of before the second major grinder.

Once you summit the second grunt, the incline levels off a bit allowing for a decent stride until you hit the curved push (third grunt) to the Mill Creek turn, an equally naughty grade over a slightly longer stretch. From here it is a slight downhill sprint to the final major climb. The three-mile point is just at the bottom of the final grinder, which takes you up to an intersection. The Towers route is to the left here. At the T after the left turn it is a quick right into a clearing. The Towers route ends at the farthest building, the corner of which needs to be slapped before the watch is stopped ... and breathe.



Five of the six guys out this morning came in under Dan's FKT. I took it out in the opening half mile but was soon overtaken by Eric once we hit Towers. Frank sat on my shoulder up to the Loggers intersection. We hit Stout right at 9 minutes and the second Herrington intersection at 17 minutes and change. By this time Eric had a lead on me that looked insurmountable, unless of course he blew up. I kept chugging and began to pull away from Frank as our train made its way up The Hill. By the Mill Creek grind, I was sure there was no catching Eric, who was almost up the climb just as I was gearing down for the jump in grade. I pushed hard up the hill and on the flat to the last hill, which I also ran as hard as I could. Made the turn, got to the clearing, saw Eric - hands on knees - and slapped the trailer, stopping my watch at 31:56. Frank came in a minute or so later. Dan followed and Pete came barreling in soon after like a page from the audio book of the Karma Sutra.


Eric set the new mark at 30:47 (!), Dan beat his FKT by 58 seconds and Pete dropped under Dan's now-shattered FKT by a second. Dennis was out for a training run and came in a few minutes later.


A great morning with some of Fort Collins' best hill runners. I turned at Westridge on the way down to take the ridge across to the Horsetooth trail and home for an 11-mile, 2,000 foot morning. Not sure I have a sub-30 minute climb in me, but I'll be back to take a stab on fresh legs later in the summer.

Update: Sept 16, Steve Folkerts goes 30:36, shaving 11 seconds off Eric's time.

Update: Sept 26, Eric Bergman goes 30:15, with me 10 seconds back.

Next up: Round Mountain.