Morning Run

Its 7 am and I just finished a run. That doesn't happen very often. I'm not a morning runner. However, I slept A LOT last night. I passed out early, so when I woke up this morning I felt fantastic.

The same group as last night went out for a run, but Pam joined us this morning. Its already warm out. I went through 20 oz of water during a 30 minute run. I can't even imagine what its going to be like tomorrow.

I'm watching the end of the tour. Then breakfast. Then a 4 hour drive down to Death Valley.

Stuffed

Vegas buffets are the epitome of fat Americans. I can't believe how much food I was able to shove down my throat. If you find yourself in Vegas, I highly recommend the chocolate mousse at the buffet in the Luxor...i had two.

After the run earlier, we sat at the pool for awhile discussing race strategy and such. I've already gotten some great tips regarding the Ironman and ultras. Pam and some other crew members are veterans of countless races, and they are full of experience.

Right now I'm watching the replay of the Tour de France and debating if I want to go work out in the gym. Its about 7:30 here, but my body is on New York time. It feels much, much later.

Looks like there's going to be a 6:30 am run tomorrow before breakfast. After that, its a 4 hour drive to Death Valley. Hopefully I can get some pictures uploaded over the next few days, but my phone isn't cooperating with posting photos. I'm not sure when I'll have wireless again after I leave Vegas.

I have to give a shout out to my boys Kevin and Paul who are driving across our fine country right now. GBA guys, G.B.A.!

...until tomorrow...

Quick run to test the waters

I met Stephany at the airport and the we were picked up and driven to the hotel. We quickly divided up supplies between the two vans.

Four of us just got back from a quick 30 minute run. Its really hot, but we kept an easy pace to get a feel for what it'll be like during the race. Although it will be 20+ degrees hotter at badwater. Coming from the mild NYC temps, this is a shock.
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Arrival

After an absolutley ridiculous night/morning, I'm finally here. Its hot!
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Headed below sea level, on very dry land

Tomorrow I ship off for Badwater. I'll be updating when I can on the race and my experiences there. It should be interesting!

The Cervelo has arrived!

its a go-fast bike. Tomorrow, I ride!

Night Owls

This explains me.

Around 8 or 9 pm every night I "wake up" and I'm wired. I love running/riding in the evening and especially at night. I've always felt as though I get a better work out at night. It also may explain why I've done well when I've had to travel a distance to a race in the morning rather than competing shortly after waking up. Even though I get less sleep, maybe the travel time allows my body to "wake up" and I get a better performance.

Or maybe its all in my head...

Fast Five

I ran with run club tonight. I'd initially meant to take it easy, but found myself up front with Worku and the lead group. I cut out and only did 5 miles so I could get back and sign people up for marathon training, but I still ended up averaging about a 6:35 pace for the run. That's fairly quick for me.

After the run I hit the gym for a quick full body workout.

Brick

I planned on a long bike ride and a short run, but my bike had other plans. I got about 16 miles into my ride and flatted. No big deal, right? Wrong. As countless cyclists passed and asked if I needed help, i told them no and continued changing my tube. I started to air up my tire and then my pump broke. I waited, but no one passed. I tried to fix the pump, but to no avail. Still no one passed. I started walking. No one passed. Eventually after I walked roughly a mile another cyclist stopped and I borrowed a pump. With an inflated tire, I rode the 16 miles back home, not wanting to risk going farther without a pump.

When I got home, I changed and headed out on an 80 minute run. Its not what I'd planned for the day, but not a terrible workout.

Tough Track Work

The shorter stuff has always been tough for me. The longer the workout/race, the better I feel doing it. Short stuff hurts. The track workout tonight was shorter work, but I felt like I got a REALLY good workout.

2 X 800 @ 5:40 pace
2 X 600 @ 5:30 pace
2 X 400 @ 5:20 pace

all with 200 recovery. We also got in 1.75 mile warm-up and a 1.75 mile cool down.