AM. I ran the Tri-City loop with Larry and Lyle. I averaged 9:03/mi overall, but at about the midpoint of the six mile run I threw in a 3/4 mile fartlek at 6:38/mi then ran back to rejoin the others. I thought about throwing in another fartlek about 3/4 mile from the end, but then I remembered that last Monday as we rounded the corner about 1/4 mile from the finish Lyle unexpectedly said, "What ya got?" and took off sprinting to the end. I was surprised at his energy and quickness, my reaction time was slow, and my legs were tired, and he got off to such a big lead so quickly that I never recovered and never caught him. So this morning I decided against the fartlek and for the next 1/2 mile or so plotted my revenge. Just as we started to approach the corner I said, "I've been waiting for this. What ya got?", and took off. I caught Larry off guard, but I think Lyle must have already been planning to do the same thing, because he was instantly right on my tail. Instinctively I shifted a gear or two in an attempt to break him...because I knew I couldn't hold that pace to the end. I felt him fall back and then I backed off the pace a little the rest of the way. The last time I tried an all out sprint at the end of a training run was a few years ago when I tried to out sprint a high schooler and pulled a muscle. Luckily that fate didn't befall me this morning despite my pride and stupidity. I resolve to not press my luck. The next time Lyle takes off he will beat me, but he'll know that I could beat him if I wanted to. ;) PM. I ran the Lake View route with Bill (5.1 miles, avg 8:32/mi). He ran the Pike's Peak Ascent on Saturday and it was fun hearing about it. For those of you who know Bill, I'll share a little of what he told me, since he doesn't blog. He said the first 10 miles climbing 6000' to 12000' were hard but not too bad, even though it was raining and had been for days. But once they got above the tree line things got nasty. I think he said the last 3 miles took 1.5 hours as he climbed another 2000' to 14000' soaking wet in below freezing temperatures, 1-2" of snow, with freezing rain and high winds. Amazing! He said there was thunder some time after he passed the 3-miles-to-go checkpoint, and with no trees above 12000' lightning is really dangerous. They started turning back runners (not letting them climb the last 3 miles) and his wife had the unfortunate honor of being the first runner turned back. I believe every race is an adventure, but its obvious some adventures are a little bigger than others. (Bill finished in 3:53:09) | 