Altitude Training Part 4

Yesterday's run was really nice. I was looking forward to it all week and it didn't disappoint. The weather was perfect! It was chilly enough when I started that I needed a long sleeved shirt over my tank top. By the time I finished, I believe it was in the low 80's (warm enough to be glad I was wearing a tank top). I know a lot of runners are dealing with icky heat and humidity right now and I feel fortunate to have spent a week in a wonderful mountain paradise.

Distance: 10.05 miles
Time: 1 hour 42 minutes
Pace: 10:10/mile
Elevation: 7174 to 6749 back to 7174 (I love the Garmin!)

I ran from Bear Mountain Ski Resort down to the lake. I ran along the lake for a while and it was really peaceful. There were several people fishing along the shore of the lake. When I ran over to the North Shore Pedal Path, I saw a lot of walkers enjoying the beautiful morning. There weren't a lot of runners, surprisingly. I only passed one other pair of runners during my ten mile run.

If anyone reading this is ever planning on running the Big Bear Marathon, my hat goes off to you!!! I had thought it might be fun, but not only is it on my son's birthday, it is also going to be REALLY HARD. I ran part of the marathon route during my run. Specifically, mile 7.5 to 9.5 or so is the same road as mile 18-20 on the marathon. After eight miles, that hill was hell. I can't even imagine running up that at mile eighteen!

So my altitude training is done. I am back home in San Diego. It is definitely hotter here. I am happy that I was able to wake up and get four runs in while on vacation. I must really be dedicated (or crazy). I remember when vacation meant sleeping in!

7400 ft elevation and ROCKED it!

Ok... so maybe I didn't "rock" it, but it was a great run. It was my second run with our new Garmin (yes...it is officially ours *wink*). I still don't quite understand how to use it. I am not sure exactly how accurate it is because the house across the street has a sign out front that says 7100 feet elevation but Garmin says we are over 7400 feet. Either way, it's high up here! According to the Garmin, I ran as high as 7689 feet! *EDITED: I looked again at the house across the street and it does say 7400 feet, so the Garmin is accurate.

Distance: 4.69 miles
Time: 53:29
Pace: 11:24/mile

It was not my fastest run, but it was 1) at high elevation 2) on a trail and 3) very hilly. It was a beautiful morning, not to hot and not too cold. When I started out, I was a little concerned that I would be in trouble from the elevation. As the hill leveled out, I was able to find a nice groove. I ran to the end of the street and onto the trail/fire road in the San Bernadino National Forest. The only time I felt the altitude was climbing uphill (which was about half the time).

I think I might be a trail convert. As we went hiking on Monday, all I could think about was how excited I was to run the same trail the next morning. Today I grabbed a bunch of trail maps when we were out and about. I am going to try to get out again tomorrow.

Did you know that Ryan Hall (winner of the Oympic Trials for the marathon) is from Big Bear? Man, this town LOVES this guy. His picture is up in every business. There is a movement here called Move a Million Miles for Ryan Hall. It is part of the Lighthouse Project, a local charity here in Big Bear. I signed up and logged my miles! Why not?

p.s. as I sit writing, I am sitting on the deck looking at the lake (pictures to come) drinking a beer. Ah... vacation. Oh, and one benefit of high altitude is that all I need is one beer to feel buzzed. :-?