I set out this morning knowing that this was my last shot to climb the mountain pass to the house we’ve vacationed at for the last two years.
Last year I could only make it a quarter of a mile up the pass that, excluding to flat sections, averages 18% for somewhere between 1.1 and 1.2 miles. To put it mildly, it’s a bear to climb but I love a good challenge.
This year I managed about 1.1 miles of the 1.5 mile climb on one occasion and eight tenths the other two. Today was my last day in Georgia and my last shot. I skipped my morning sixteen miles so I’d have the best chance at making it to the top.
Mrs. Bgddy drove behind to offer support and snap a few photos to document the event:
I started out brilliantly, keeping my pace steady to keep my breathing steady and I was still in good shape at the one mile mark. It went downhill from there. I gave it everything I had and then a little bit more and I still came up a few hundred meters short. Fear got me. I was 150 meters into the last segment and I was starting to hyperventilate. The trick is, there’s no break in that last 400-500 meters. From where I was in that last photo, there’s nothing but up, 20-25%. My legs were already starting to shake and feel a bit gooey, my breathing was spiked and I was hurting bad… So I called it good. I had nothing left:
Pulling into the driveway I would be a liar to write that I was completely satisfied with my result, but I was and still am satisfied with my effort. I’ve never worked so hard to attain a fitness goal. I’ve never pushed myself that far… But it was still just a little short. Oh well, it’s all good. I sure had a blast trying this year and I still did about five times better than last year.
Fit Recovery 
I am so proud of your effort, Big Daddy! And your SAG was AWESOME to support you the whole way! What a sweet woman!
Great job. Way to push it to the limit!!!
Sandra, she’s pure awesome.
Sounds like it! Congrats on finding and growing into awesomeness with such a wonderful partner!
Dude that is AWE-SOME! These pics are Terrifying and Beautiful, what an incredible climb! Next year pack some bubbly. We will all enjoy the site of you showering the mountain in victory! (From 1/4 mile to 1.2 miles in one years training? Next year you will ascend it TWICE! That truly is amazing! Well Done!)
Thanks Adam… I wish I would have looked at it like that before I wrote that post! You’re right too, thanks man.
That looks stupidly steep. 25% is killer. Hope you had a 28 on the back
30/35 – I do have a triple. 😉
It was stupidly steep but awesomely fun. First time I ever had to stick with using the outside of the switchback rather than the steeper inside – it was sweet (and man am I glad I remembered that tip).
Great job!!! Looks like quite the climb! Next year you will conquer it for certain, and then you will have to find something taller and steeper to ascend!
Never mind bro, next year you will eat it for breakfast! Great effort nonetheless, kudos for giving it everything!!
Thanks Simone.
Pure awesomeness! 🙂