Training Log Archive: bbrooke

Event: Old Tucson Trail Run
 

Woke up at 5:30 am, picked up Cristina, and then headed over Gates Pass to Old Tucson Studios. Luckily we arrived early before a huge bathroom line formed, because my stomach was very unhappy. It settled down a little, but was on the verge of revolting for most of the race. :-\

The race was fun -- one lap around the "town", then out onto the singletrack trails and another lap through town. I got caught behind slower people on the singletrack a few times, but I don't think my stomach issues would have really allowed me to go much faster.

Cristina finished several minutes before me (2nd in her AG!). We grabbed our post-race breakfast burritos, took a photo with a gunfighter / cowboy, and then headed to Catalina State Park!

#6 out of 43 in F45-49
#58 out of 335 all female

SWSW -- Day 2 -- Javelina Hustle goat course (short) at Catalina State Park.

I had big plans to do the Long course...but I didn't want to make anyone wait for me (since I was starting an hour later than everyone else), and I was also pretty tired. The Short course was plenty. :-P

I was not as clean and accurate today: I bobbled #3 & #5 (we had the choise of skipping wither #2 or #3). I went too far across the ridge near #10 and then picked my way VERY slowly down the reentrant to find it. And I miscounted ridges and stopped one too soon when looking for #13. I forgot about my second skip until I was almost finished, so I skipped #11, which didn't accomplish much distance- or time-wise. I also spent lots of time taking photos again. :-D

But, the weather was nice and it was fun.

SHORT Day 2: Javelina Hustle - Splits

Event: Southwest Spring Week
 

SWSW -- Day 1 -- Middle-Distance courses at Ironwood.

Remembering how lost I've gotten at this map in the past and how hard it is to relocate, I made a mental note to be very careful, and to pay extra-close attention to my compass bearings & pace counts.

Looking at my tracks, I'm happy with how it went -- but I was finiher #9 of 9 on Blue. (I spent time on the course taking some photos, though...)

I didn't stick around for long afterwards since it was chilly, and also because I only had about an hour to get to packet pickup at The Running Shop for tomorrow's trail race.

I had a delicious late lunch at "Prep & Pastry" next to the running store -- sweet potato hash with a fried egg, and a michelada.

Blue Day 1 - Splits

Travel day. Flew to PHX, picked up rental car, and drove for about an hour to get to Tucson.

My Airbnb place is perfect -- tiny but clean, convenient location (near UA), nice décor, and everything I need in the kitchen.

It had an unpleasant, musty, old smell when I first arrived -- but I left the door open for a while and that went away. Maybe this place hasn't been rented in a while.

Strength Training for Runners class.

"Nighthawks" snowshoe race at Eldora.

I got to the start line with about 60 seconds to spare -- whew! The first segment was singletrack (where we all got bunched up), but then it opened up on the wider XC ski trails. A few people passed me early on, but it was just me and my headlamp beam for most of the course.

As usual for Eldora, it was windy in the parking lot and in the open area adjacent to the Nordic lodge, but calm and beautiful in the treed areas. Light snow and 23°F. Because of the wind, I had swapped from my lightweight wool shirt to a midweight wool shirt, and I was a tiny bit too warm once I started running. Ditto for the hand situation -- my new liner glove + mitten + heat packet combo was a bit too warm.

The course was supposed to be about three miles, but it was only 2.6 -- kinda disappointing after paying $25 to enter. But I did win a cool buff and a hat afterwards at the raffle (I gave away the hat).

I'm disappointed I'll miss the next two races -- one while I'm at SWSW so that's an acceptable swap, but I'll miss the other due to a dumb work trip -- boo.

This event (which also included ski-mo, XC, and downhill ski races) had a high percentage of lean butts in tights -- mostly women. Note to self: next time, pick a post-race lodge seat closer to the bar where all the dudes are hanging out. ;-)

Easy neighborhood run -- sunny, blue sky, chirping prairie dogs, and a coyote sighting.

Calves still very tight / sore from Sunday's race (running on the snow for ~two miles -- like running in beach sand).

Walked to & from the rec center.

Vinyasa yoga class at the rec center.