This week I got to thinking – what if I started writing my
blog as it happened. So, rather than a
recollection of events, I could document my day to day activities right after
they happened so I’d have fresh, real-time stories.
Ok, so I am a few days behind, but I will start with
Christmas morning.
Mom was in town beginning Saturday (shortly after the
incredible 74 mile ride). She is
learning to be a lot more supportive of my athletic endeavors, even if she
thinks I am a bit insane. She commented
several time about how “incredible” I am.
THAT makes a girl feel good, for sure.
So, when I asked Mom if she’d be willing to drop me off on
Christmas morning at the trail-head for the Desert Classic, she was happy to
accommodate me. As I left her in the
parking lot and headed out and around the side of the mountain, I was faced
with fairly swift winds (nothing like Vegas, but still pretty decent
winds). I knew it would make the run
more difficult, but I welcomed the challenge.
This was the 2nd time I attempted the entire
Desert Classic and I was determined to run every morsel of it – even the tough
incline at the very end. I was also
determined not to make a mile and a half mistake, again, this time. I faced winds for the majority of the run,
but I didn’t let it get me down. I
traversed that trail with confidence and energy I doubted I had. Its really the beauty of the trail that keeps
me moving. There are steep inclines and
sharp depressions, large and small rocks and desert brush that cannot be seen
anywhere but on South Mountain. The
coolest (and scariest) part of my run happened at about the mid-point of the
trail. As I approached a fairly large
wash, I spied a group of four coyotes.
They were clearly on the hunt and, strangely, I scared the crap of out
them. I took a moment to grab a few
medium sized rocks and continued on the path.
One brave coyote found me super interesting as he hung back from the
pack for several seconds – until I tossed one of the larger rocks in his
direction. Off he went – certain he
would die if he got closer to me. THAT
was certainly an adrenalin rush. I know,
logically, they are more frightened of me than I am of them. But, I might have watched just a few too many
episodes of The Frozen Planet to really believe (if starving) they wouldn’t
figure out a way to take my 5’3”, 135 lb body down. Fortunately, I was spared – they really
wanted the bunnies, not me!
It so happens that as I get within 3 miles of the end, I
always face a number of mountain bikers, trail runners and hikers. It’s a nice reminder that the end is near,
but it also means my focus and enjoyment of being alone in nature is
broken. I do love passing other
endurance athletes, though. Not one
wished me a Merry Holiday or anything – it seemed as if this particular morning
everyone wanted the mountain to themselves.
I’ll admit, it was fine by me. I
was just pleased that most got out of my way as I came around each bend and up
each steep wash. 11 miles later, I was
standing at my front door feeling really accomplished. I told mom it shouldn’t take me more than two
hours – so stopping my watch at 1:52 only made me smile.
I had a nice, but non-momentous, 18 mile ride on Wednesday
morning with Matt. It had been 4 days
since I had been in the saddle, so it felt great to be reminded that I am still
a multi-sport athlete.
Thursday morning, after dropping mom off at the airport, I
decided to head to the front side of South Mountain for a different kind of
trail run. Several months ago I had attempted
the Javalina Trail to the RidgeLine and only made it ½ way up before needing to
hike the rest. So, I wanted to see if my
skill level had improved at all.
Unfamiliar with the nuances, turns and inclines of the
Javalina Trail, I headed out with a bit of trepidation. But, what I found about ½ a mile into the run
was that I really loved the skip and the hop of the trail. There are choices to make on the trail at
every moment: large rocks to maneuver around, steep drops to jump down and
boulders to climb. I often feel like I
am 10 years old and not 40, as I run.
The Javalina Trail reinforces that child-like spirit. BUT, the Javalina is ALL up – and then as one
reaches the top of the Javalina Trail there is a choice – the Mormon Loop or
the Ridgeline (another swift climb that looks out over much of the north and
south sides of the mountain). I opted to
attempt to run up the Ridgeline. It was
a bit of a failure, as there are simply sections that can only be hiked – I
cannot imagine anyone being able to do much more than that.
I met two women hiking at the very top of the
RidgeLine. They offered to get out of my
way as I turned around – because “they were not running”. I was grateful. And, as I made my way down the Ridgeline and
back down the Javalina Trail, I could feel my glutes and my quads. They were on FIRE! But, boy was it fun to jump from rock to rock
along the trail on the way down. My
heart-rate was barely noticeable considering the prior 2+ miles up, so I was
able to smell the rocks and the brush all the way back to the start of the
trail. 4.25 miles later I knew I had
worked hard. My Garmin told me I had
climbed over 500 feet between mile one and two. (Now, that’s explains my crappy pace! Wink)
Friday morning, I hit the pool. I had intended to go to the Masters Class on
Thursday night, but my quads were still sore from the morning trail run. Turns out it was good that I did. I got to the pool a few minutes before 5am
and set all of my equipment down next to my chosen lane. As I looked up, I saw my former Spin
Instructor (Steve) heading into the Men’s Locker Room (there’s a cut through to
the locker rooms via the pool). He saw
me and wandered over to where I was prepping to get in. His comment, “You ready for lesson #2?” he
asked me. Some of you might remember
that Steve saw me in the pool nearly a year ago and changed my life. It was he who really taught me how to swim –
or how to get my hips and butt up to make the most of my laps. I have been grateful ever since.
But, “YES!” I told him, emphatically, “I am more than
ready.” He then discussed stroke (elbow
up to the ear, arm extended, pull by the side of the body – not crossing in
front of the body). He discussed
breathing, “If you do it right, there will be a pocket of air ready for you as
you turn your head.” And, extension,
“Reach to the end of the pool and then pull back.” He was off to teach his 5:30am spin class,
but before he left he said, “You look so good, by the way. You have really become very fit and slender. Tri-training looks great on you.” I thanked him and vowed to practice what he’d
just taught me.
Every stroke was work for the first several hundred
meters. It was so much to remember:
elbow up, breath in the pocket, arm out, pull back to the side of the body –
repeat. Oh, and keep your butt up! By 500 meters, I felt like I was working more
efficiently – I wasn’t tiring the way I had in the past. And, I finished a mile 1:16 (min/sec) faster
than I had ever done before. I went on
to complete another ¼ mile before getting out of the pool.
Of course, I found a piece of paper and wrote a Thank You
note to Steve – asking him to call me to let me know what days/times he gets in
the pool. Maybe I don’t need a Masters
Class – maybe I just need Steve-Lessons.
(Would save me some $$, for sure.)
I walked into his spin class where Soundgarden was blaring on the stereo
and handed him the note. He gave me a thumbs up and continued teaching his
class. What a GREAT swim. I have more confidence than ever!
I had arranged to meet Aaron, Josh and Matt for a 9am long
ride on Saturday morning. And,
fortunately, everyone was incredibly prompt.
You have probably all already recognized this about me – but I am loathe
to wait for anyone untimely. The first
time I rode with Aaron (who also happens to be the fabulous-Jacqui’s husband)
was one of his first times out on a bike.
He nearly died climbing the big hill of the Usery Mountain Pass. We have since done a couple of tri’s together
and its amazing to see the difference in his cycling. I met Josh at our tri in Flagstaff over the
summer. He’s Jacqui’s older brother –
and while I schooled him in the Tri, it appears his strength and conditioning
are at a completely different spot, today.
As we headed out the sticks of the Reservation (south of
South Mountain), we were all really moving quickly. Our pacing was in the low 20’s and we were
trading off pulls every mile. It makes
the work relatively easy when there are 4 people to share the load, instead of
2. Josh and Aaron, however, have not
been through Matt’s Rigid Cycling
Institute - and that was apparent within the first two miles of the
ride. Our pacing was off, our distance
between riders was occasionally deathly close and, to be quite honest, I
thought we were going a tad fast for the first 20 miles of a 50 mile ride. (I figured out later that this had nothing to
do with Josh and Aaron, but everything to do with putting three competitive men
together on bikes.)
I really enjoyed the additional company and I think all the
guys did as well. Josh got a flat about
mid-way into the ride (which was nice, because I was dying at that point – as we
were going uphill and into the wind).
Another slightly odd moment was when he pulled out a tube that had
patches on it. I mean, the guy rides a
$4000 bike – and he pulls out a patched tube.
I, immediately, offered up a new tube and assisted with the change. It felt good (for a change) that the flat
wasn’t my own. The new tires have really
changed that aspect of my rides – thank you, Matt!!!!
The last 20-25 miles were better after I took some gel and
water. It was within the last two miles
that we suffered some confusion at a major intersection as the light was
changing. I think Matt yelled “Slowing!”
and I yelled “Going?” – so Aaron raced through the light and the remaining
three of us slammed on our breaks.
Sadly, I wasn’t as in control as I thought, as I grinded to a halt, and
toppled over in an attempt to get my goddamnedleftfoot out of the clip! Sigh…in broad daylight this time. Ego-Crush!
Matt made sure to make fun of my lousy skills until we pulled into the
Park ‘n Ride 6 minutes later. It was all in good fun.
(Josh and Aaron continued on to do 55-60 miles, while Matt
and I refrained since we have the century in 2 weeks. I gathered later that Aaron got a flat coming
back down Pecos Rd – and found that his patch jobs were not quite what he’d
hoped, as he limped his bike back to the Park ‘n Ride where Josh had been
waiting for 20 minutes.)
 |
| Josh and Aaron were still riding Pecos when this was taken...see Mom, new jacket! |
I am hopeful the four of us will ride together again,
soon. It was incredibly enjoyable to
have the extra bodies out there. (Hint…Hint)
This morning, I woke a little after 5am thinking I may have
consumed a little more beer than I should have the evening prior. I had my standard cup of coffee and two advil
and attempted to get my body ready for the 13 mile run I had planned.
I told Anne, the day before, that I intended to be out the
door at 7am and to her house around 9am.
The nice thing – Anne lives almost exactly 13 miles from me. It’s a perfect way to spend 2 hours, if you
ask me.
I felt pretty fast as I started out – knowing I was pulling
numbers under 9 minute miles. I felt
good and confident. However, somewhere
around mile 5 I began thinking about how tired my legs and body were. I think I began dreaming of a Gu that would
fix the world. So, as standard, I took a
Gu and some water around mile 7.5 in hopes that it would rectify my waning
enthusiasm for the run. And, as my
watched buzzed 9 miles, I started to feel the energy come back to my body – and
I knew the next 4 miles would be fine.
And…they were. As I
came to the corner of Anne’s neighborhood, I glanced at my watch for the first
time: 12.88 miles, 1:58 – so I put my legs in high gear. I did not want a 2:01 – I needed a 2 hour 13
mile run or better. My watched buzzed 13
miles: 2:00:28 and I was fine with it. I
knew that once I transmitted the data from my Garmin to the site, it would have
an even better time – removing my stopped moments at stoplights and
stopsigns. For the record, 13 miles – 1:59:54. I have a little to shave off to hit my sub-2
half marathon, but I know I won’t consume copious amounts of beer and eat
cheese-dip and brats the night before. I
think it’s do-able. Just have to stay
the course.
After the run, I was treated to breakfast with my favorite
girl. Makes it all worthwhile, folks!
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