14 Hill of Life loops, awesome run. Met Tom at 6:15 AM at the top of the HOL and proceeded to have one of the best runs we have done in this year's Pikes Peak Marathon training. Last week's 24 miles with 10 HOL repeats was really good, but today's 14 HOL repeats were just really good.
We did a negative split even though the day got hotter the longer we ran, go figure. Our descent times were running 40 to 45 seconds faster the 2nd 7 repeats than the 1st 7 repeats. And our ascent times were running 15 seconds faster the second 7 repeats, go figure.
Heart rates on the ascent for me were typically 155 on the first 1/4 mile where we run and then typically 145 to 149 on the next 3/4 miles where we power walk. Tom's HR was running 168 to 170 the first 1/4 mile and then 160 the last 3/4 mile on the ascents.
We saw the two guys who are going to run Mt. Whitney, and the guy who is going to run the Teatons in Wyoming, and the scout troop that is going to Montana next week, and Dave who just moved to Austin from Phoenix. We didn't typically stop for more than a few seconds in our transitions at the bottom or top of the HOL, but we took longer breaks when these guys would want to talk to us about Pikes Peak.
While we ran, Lynn hiked around and picked up rocks for her collection. Then after the run we went down to Barton Springs where Tom and I went for a swim dip and got refreshed and cleaned up. Again today there were adults and children and dogs swimming in Barton Springs. Then we drove over to Maudie's and met Karen H and had breakfast, just a great start to the day. We basically committed with Karen to run a triathalon on Labor Day weekend here in Austin, should be fun.
We walked away today feeling really good about our Pikes Peak training. Hopefully we will continue to get stronger over the next two weeks when we do our longest run (3 weeks prior to the marathon). | 