Fall... and the finale of summer racing season

October 8th - my first post and the final race of the summer. Woke up to frost on Sunday morning and the Animas Mountain Mug Run, the fourth and final race of the Alpine Bank Trail Series. Started a little too fast with two pro triathletes, decided to drop back and run my own pace, and after about 2.5 miles and 1,000 feet of climbing, I caught one of the two ahead of me and quickly dropped him. Went over the top alone in second place with no runners in sight ahead or behind me, but couldn't catch the winner even on the rocky descent. Still managed to finish second in 46:36 for the steep 6.6 mile trail race with about 2,000 vertical feet of climbing and descending. I was happy to win the Trail Series Long Course title for the second straight year and am now looking forward to running through the fall in the high country without the pressures of racing. The first snow has already dusted the high peaks of the Sam Juans and winter will soon be here. The question is, will I be running or skiing? Right now, looks like running...