Del Sol Leg 3- Morgan

Geesh, this work thing is getting in the way of serious business. Ok, finally the leg 3 re-cap.
********WARNING*************For mature audiences only.

Leg 3- 8 miles

This is a story of a breakdown. Not just any breakdown, but a breakdown of epic proportions.
As I recounted earlier in leg 2, I was feeling really good during my first 2 legs. I really thought leg 3 would follow suit. 8 miles, 8 min miles was pretty ambitious, but I thought very attainable so that was the goal. The leg before befor me Lexi, and she missed a turn. No fault of hers, the course was poorly marked and lots of traffic. Lexi, Good on ya for realizing the mistake. I start out feeling pretty good, taking into account I've slept a shade over 2 hours. The body was tired, but the legs felt pretty good. I glanced at my Garmin and I started out at 7:45 pace. Sweet!! It was warm, not gonna lie. I train in the mornings at 5 in Vegas. At that time, during the winter, the high might get to 40-45 degrees. The temp on Sat was creeping up to 80 and then over 80. I run really well in the heat.....that is when I can train in the heat. I was not prepared for 85 degrees. That's what I got. My first 3 miles were good. So good in fact I noticed a fellow runner up ahead of my that was having trouble. I had noticed he had stopped several times to walk. I caught him (whilst still feeling loosy goosy) and tapped him on the shoulder and invited him to run with me. I slowed down just a tad, I had a cushion, and we ran together. I think Bree or Lexi were playing Frogger with the traffic to pass along the water (couldn't have done it without you guys, you know that). We share water, drinking and dousing. We go another 1/2 or maybe 3/4 of a mile further, still together. Then....the wheels start to come off bus. My intention was to help this new friend of mine get a little farther down the road, it is turning into a symbiotic relationship. We both needed each other. At this point, we haven't exchanged 3 words. In the heat of the desert, our silence was understood. I knew he was hurting and he knew I was hurting. At this point we have slowed to 9 minute miles, I can't keep enough water on my head. If it weren't for my companion, I would have stopped to walk. We kept trudging along the asphalt. We settled into a about a 9:30 9:45 pace the remaining 3 miles. His team helped us out with drinks, then our team passed us the water. The 1 mile to go sign appeared. I was going to finish this thing without waking, and better yet, my pal (don't know his name) was going to make too. It was simply the hardest run I have ever done. My friend thanked me at the finish. I would have done it anyways.
http://trail.motionbased.com/trail/activity/7727721
Here is the Garmin info. for leg 3. If you go, there is a dashboard on the left of the screen that will give you different information. Wouldn't trade my Del Sol experience for anything. I got to meet new friends along the way. Sandy, I hope you have finally gotten better. During Sandy's night run, we were concerned to the point of having a plan in place to pull Sandy from the course so she didn't cause herself to be REALLY sick. Didn't need to put that plan in place, she fought on in true Chasqui spirit. Hence we awarded her with the race baton. Lexi, you proved to be tougher than nails. Wouldn't expect anything else from a "Hutch". Have you got that gas problem under control? Bree, next time we'll have better nite vests. I know you hate those things. Do you have your gas problem under control? :) Liesel, hope these posts have given you a little insight into my runs. Would do battle again with you, anytime. Warnie is my co-pilot. "Talk to me Goose" Warnie got us were we needed to be. I want to read that product review for the Honey Stinger chews. I guess I can do it now. No, I'll let you do it.

Chasquis, one and all, everyone did great. My life is better having shared it with you. Thanks!!

Let's hear some more reports.