The Cranmore Hill Climb is a two-loop race: up to the peak, down, and repeat for a total of about 11 kilometers and about
 2400 feet of ascent and 2400 feet of descent. 

Given that this was the US mountain running championships, I wanted to stay out of the way of the top runners.  
And this being my first time on the course, I wanted to start out conservatively. The starting line was wide, but not quite as 
wide as the start at Northfield. But, like Northfield, starting a few rows back put me well towards the back of the pack as 
the trail narrowed very quickly.  The course narrows to single-track through the woods within the first quarter mile, so we 
were slowed to a walk even on the fairly level ground, as we waited for the runners in front of us to funnel into the woods.  
I finally got a bit of moving room going up a muddy slope, where I was able to pass a few people. 

There are several long, steep sections where I had to walk - and just about everyone around me had to walk.  It does level 
off for a few short stretches, but mainly it's up, up and up.  There are a couple of sections of the course going across 
the mountain, where we ran across smooth rock surfaces.  With the rain in the days leading up to the race, these surfaces 
were very slippery, and I felt like I might fall (off the mountain). But I didn't.  

I got to the peak the first time and took a cup of water.  It was level for a bit.  Then the course plunges down over decent 
trail with enough loose rocks to make things interesting.  At one of the steeper sections near the top, I was very close to 
being out of control, but I managed to keep my balance.  This was kind of a scary moment.  I could not have stopped if I 
wanted to.  
Much of the remaining downhill portion was less steep, and I was able to cruise down. There's a point on the course 
where the uphill portion intersects with the downhill portion.  It was here that I passed the leader of the race - I was 
around mile 3 on the downhill, and he was already around mile 4.2 on the uphill of the second loop! 
I reached the bottom of the first loop, took some water, and listened to the race announcer as he said something about how 
mentally difficult it must be to go all the way up and down the mountain only have to do it again... Well, yeah.  


The second loop is tougher, but I kept moving.  I kept my eyes on whoever was ahead of me, and I was able to pass a few 
people on the second loop, although I probably walked more on the steep sections.  There were a couple of occasions 
where I was leap-frogging with other runners - each would go ahead for a bit - only to be passed by the other a minute 
later. 

I was better prepared for the smooth rock sections this time, and I took a more controlled pace down the steep plunge.  
Lower down on the mountain, I was following a guy about 20 yards ahead.  He splashed into a muddy flat and lost a 
shoe!  I passed him as he stopped to put his shoe back on.  A bit later, a runner who I had passed right at the peak of 
the second loop flew by and had a good downhill gait.  He stayed ahead of me by 20 - 40 yards.  And as the final 
downhill slope leveled off, I went into an all out sprint to try and catch him - which I never did.  One guy - not sure if it 
was the same guy who lost his shoe - nearly passed me at the finish line, but I think I just barely held him off.

Approximate splits & distance measured by GPS watch:

M1 - 10:58 

M2 - 12:46

M3 - 5:59

M4 - 9:09

M5 - 13:36

M6 - 8:22

M7 - 5:57

(M7.12) - 0:41 (5:42 pace)