double d mountain runner: 25 years ago today - World Mountain championships

25 years ago: September 1993 – The month started for me with the final race of our European mountain racing tour. The US squad headed to Gap France for the World Mountain running championships. This was the first year that the worlds were either “up only” or “up & down”. Previously both events were held on successive days with the up/down being a shorter multiple loop course. Due to funding issues the decision was made to alternate each year. I did not consider myself to be and up/down specialist, my downhill running was “fair to poor”. However, this course was in my wheelhouse. If I were to design and up/down course that’d suit me this would be the course. The uphill was very steep and very difficult. The downhill was much longer and had great footing (read: FAST). Kilometer splits ranged from well under 3 minutes to low 6 minutes. This also meant there was a lot of passing on the multiple lap course. On the final climb I looked ahead and was disappointed that I couldn’t see anyone in front of me. I thought “wow, they have buried me”. I could have sworn there were 2 or 3 guys who had slipped away. What I had not realized was that there was no one to see. I was leading the World championships! About halfway down the final downhill I was passed, I latched onto him as best I could. He just had a little more turnover than me and he crossed the finish line a couple of seconds ahead of me. He also must have been confused as we both started asking people what places we got. I was shocked to learn I’d just taken second place. I don’t think knowing my position would have helped, I gave all I had and in return I took home a silver medal.