I ended this week’s workout with a failed 13 mile run. I am owning it at the beginning of this week’s
installment so I can simply get it out of the way. I knew early into the run that my legs were
super tired, laden with lactic acid. I
had hoped they might open up around mile 2 or 3, but when it didn’t happen, I
spent nearly an hour convincing myself to continue on the run. By mile 7, I was miserable, and shortly after
my watch beeped its 8th mile, I decided to text Anne and see if she
would come get me. Of course, she was
more than happy to pick me up, get me a cup of Dunkies and drive me home. She also knew how to help my spirits recover –
little Miss Lyla was in the backseat of the car incredibly happy to see
me.
I did have some really great experiences, this last week,
though.
On Tuesday, I did my usual 6 mile run through Ahwatukee
(hills and all) and pulled out an AVP of 8:54.
Hitting sub 9’s for distances really pleases me.
On Wednesday, Matt and I did some fairly easy miles on the
bike, not wanting to wreck ourselves before our upcoming long ride.
Thursday we headed out for a 4.5 mile run together, as well –
but it was a slowish run. I could tell
Matt wanted to do more (speed-wise), but I had worked super late on Wednesday
night (Open House at the college) and was on my feet all night – so he let me
off the hook with just over 9 min miles.
But Friday morning, we met to do a 50 mile ride, plus the
added 3 mile run at the end (for me). It
was an absolutely insane morning. We
agreed to meet (as usual) at 5am in the Park ‘n Ride. I pulled my bike out of my car and
immediately realized a critical error – my headlight was still at home. It was
dark – a full moon, but dark! When Matt
pulled up on his bike, I explained my error and waited for my scolding. We both knew this was our LAST big morning
before our big events, so I was going to have to suck it up and hope to be able
to see with Matt’s headlight alone.
As we headed out, it was fine (save the PD who crossed my
path as we headed out – I was sure I’d get dinged until Matt explained that it
was a “reservation PD”, so unlikely the headlight requirement was a concern of
his). The first few miles were lit with
street lights through the res, but shortly thereafter, it was uber dark. I was NOT excited about it at all. Matt and I agreed that he would lead us along
the horrible Maricopa Rd that connects Phoenix to the Maricopa Hwy. Its narrow, lacking a shoulder and at that
time – it was also pre-rush-hour. I
think, for the first time in 30 years, I prayed. I hung on his back tire like it was do or die
– and, somehow, a mile later, we were on the Maricopa Hwy heading
southwest.
The headlights of the cars heading in the same direction
were somewhat helpful, but it didn’t keep us from rolling over some pretty
scary crap for a solid 14 miles. By the
time we reached Maricopa, the sun had risen enough to see everything and not
worry that motorists would not see us, anymore.
We stopped for 30 seconds to take some supplements, check our tires and
then head back to Phoenix. I couldn’t see my data the entire ride out,
but I knew we could make up time on the way back, simply because we could see
where we were going and easily avoid any road crap.
Matt reversed our route this time, and as soon as we got
back to Phoenix, we took a left on Pecos Road and continued to push through 16
miles of hills. I won’t say it was an
easy thing to do after 36 miles, but I was proud of my work. Matt spent the majority of that outing in
front of me. He needed the hill work a
lot more than I, and he’s still “that” much better of a rider than I – so I
simply relished in the knowledge that I know how far I have come with his
coaching. I know we BOTH intend to
improve, so it only stands to reason that he remains just a little better than
I. I may never catch him – but I will
absolutely die trying!
After the 50 mile ride, I put on my running shoes and headed
out for a loop of just under 3 miles. I
felt awful for the first ½ mile, but really picked it up after that. I finished with an 8:55 pace – not too shabby
(as Matt would say)!
Saturday morning, I had an open water swim planned. Kris agreed to join me; in case I didn’t come
back someone would know to call out the troops.
I got the details of where to swim from a blog I frequent by WaterGirl. Unfortunately, the blog didn’t
explain the $6 day pass required to enter the Saguaro Lake area, so I was way
behind schedule attempting to locate a gas station within 10 miles that sold
the damn passes. After 30-40 minutes, we
were back at the Marina and ready to make the swim happen.
I had checked the water temps before I left the house: 59
degrees. OUCH! However, I have swam in colder temps than
that – so I knew I could handle it.
Now, if you look at her blog, you’ll see she mentions a 1000
yard route within the no-wake zone of the lake.
She says to be careful, as well, since boats can be around – but I HAD
NO IDEA WHAT SHE MEANT UNTIL IN IT.
With trepidation, I got into the cold lake and headed out –
leaving Kris on the shore with all of our stuff. After about 200 feet, I was faced with my
first boat. He didn’t give a crap about
me, nor was he even interested in waiting for me to swim past, so the panic
began to set in. “Were all the boaters
going to NOT pay attention to a little bobbing yellow-cap in the water? Was I going to get run over?” After about 1/3 of a mile, I was free of
boaters, but it really rattled my nerves.
Water Girl didn’t quite present the reality of the no-wake-zone. It was a little on the dangerous side.
I turned around just over a ½ mile into the swim, and headed
back to Kris. Panic set in as I realized
that NOW I would not be facing the lake because I tend to breathe most
comfortably on my right side. So all of
my line of sight would be at the shoreline, not the lake, where the boats would
be coming in. More panic, but I trudged
through. After a ¼ mile, I hit the
section with the most boat activity, again.
I swam slow and steady making sure everyone saw me. At one point a couple of guys in one of the
boats saw me and without signaling me on, just sat there as their boat got
closer and closer to me – then they were visibly mad at how long I took, but I
had NO idea they were waiting for me. I
just thought they didn’t see me. It was
a mess and then I felt awful about it.
But there were several more boats before I got close to shore.
My last issue was a couple of idiots fishing close to shore
on their boat. I had to ASK them to reel
in so I could pass. Kris could see me at that point
and stood up so I would know where I was heading to finish.
I was NEVER so happy to have reached the shore. My watch detailed that my pace was FAR better
in the Open Water with the wetsuit than in the pool swimming laps – FAR FAR
better, so that gives me a lot of hope for my upcoming tri. This was even with all of the panicky-slower
moments. It would have been really nice
to see how my pace would have been sans all the boats. Maybe one day. Saguaro Lake should have a Silent Sunday,
like South Mtn. Right?!
 |
| Done! ...well, almost! |
 |
| Complaining about how scary the whole thing was -- not the most flattering shot (look at that horrendous tane line!) |
Anyway – I am going to leave you all with a couple of my
best moments of the week. On Wednesday
morning, after our easy ride, I was in Matt’s office talking about the upcoming
triathlon – lamenting the fact that the bike course was still not posted and the
race was 2.5 weeks away. Matt stopped,
looked at me and said, “Mer, you do realize, than barring any injury or serious
mechanical on the bike, you will do well in the Leadman?! Right?!” I thought about it and recognized that what
he was telling me was that I was ready – I had prepared properly and he knew I
could do it.
This conversation was only reinforced later that evening,
when I got home from my long day and mom called. Shortly after our greetings, she piped in, “Ya
know, Mer, I think you’re ready for the triathlon.” Stunned, I said, “Yeah?” Mom’s response, “Yeah, I read your blog. You’re ready!”
Upon reflection, and even after an unfinished 13 miler this
morning, I think they’re both right. I
am ready. I just need to maintain and
(then) taper for the next 13 days.
Thanks, Matt and Mom (and Anne and Kris…and everyone else)
for reminding me. I – AM – READY!
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