A Breakthrough Run?

First and foremost, sorry to all the Chasquis (although I don't think there were any) that showed up at the Red Rock scenic loop at 7:15 on Saturday morning. I got a call from a buddy in my ward on Friday night, reminding me that he was moving at 8 a.m. the next morning and asking if I'd be able to help. Had it been just about anyone else in the ward, my heart would not have been torn, but I couldn't say,"No." to Pete. So, when Dennis told me he could make himself available at 6:15 on Saturday morning, I ran with it. It was a good thing, too - by the end of our run, it was freakin toasty out there.

So, the last time Dray and I had run on the loop was about a month ago. It was way windy and we only did about a 3-3.5 mile run, if that. We start off running the loop from end exit, so a steep freaking hill about 1.8 miles into it just did us in, so we turned around. Weary of the killer hill and not wanting to do ourselves in at the very beginning of the run, we may have "overpaced" ourselves this time around. We were only running at between a ten and 11 minute pace at the start. It payed off, though, as we were able to charge up the hill this time, as opposed to being slowed to a near walk a month or so ago, and having nothing left in the tank once we reached the top.

Oh yes, this time was different. We nailed it. We nailed the entire run. By the time we reached the top of the hill (right at the Oak Creek trailhead), we were ready for the six-plus miles that still awaited us. Eight miles total! I finally ran a distance longer than my longest leg of the race...finally, I feel like I can do this! And while it was relatively slow going...I know - I KNOW- that we could have shaved some serious seconds off of our time had we been in a competitive setting.

So, needless to say, I felt pretty good about myself over the weekend - a feeling that came to a screeching halt this morning at around 8:15 am when Matt walked in and started talking about his experience at the Bay to Breakers run. I was deeply humbled once I stumbled upon his race time.

In all seriousness, huge ups to Matty for killing the Bay to Breakers and doing the Chasquis proud. We can only hope and pray now, that he will post about his experience.

One love!