Training Camp: day 9
Today is my last day. The alarm went off way too early for the second day in a row. A quick breakfast and I was off to the half-marathon. It was a 45 min drive to the north end of Tucson. I got to the race sight at the last minute, as is my style. I changed in the car and ran to the start –about a half a mile. As I was running up, the wheel chair race was sent off. They started 5 minutes before the runners. So, you can see how great my timing is. I rolled up to the back of the start chute. I was about a thousand people away from the start line. I had enough time to make one stupid comment to some random runner, as is my style also, before the race was sent off. I weaved through the crowd for a 7+ min first mile. The course was pretty packed through mile 3 or 4. The course was a series of roughly about 2 mile hills – up 2 miles, then down 2 miles. I was shooting for running right at 1:30 which is a steady effort, not an all out race pace.
For the last two days, my right calf has been a little sore/tight. This morning it was really evident on the down hills. I was having trouble moving smoothly down the hill because of fatigue and that calf. But, on the up hills I felt really good. I’ve heard coaches and athletes talk about a deep fitness. That is what I felt for the first time during a run. Going up the hills I could really tell that my body has become more efficient over the last couple of months with my focus on the run. On one of the up hill sections I put in acceleration and really took off up the hill only to recover once over the top. I hit the turn around at 44:45 – perfect. On the way back I was having more trouble on the down hills than before. So, I just ran up the hills nice and fast. I crossed the line at 1:29:30. I even split the run almost to the second with very little increase in effort on the return trip.
I’m on the plane now and have been hobbling around the airport because of some sore calves. I really enjoyed my time away training, but I can’t wait to get back to Melanie, my wife…and my dogs…and Lawrence too, I guess.
Totals:
9 days
2 races
Climbed two mountains
Lost in the desert with no water: once
Flats: 1
Ran into one cactus: dang!
Swim: 10600 Meters – 4 hours 10 minutes
Bike: 431 Miles – 22 hours 49 minutes
Run: 63 miles – 7 hours 46 minutes
Total time training: 34 hours 45 min
