Wow, this one was fun. I met Tom H down in Austin, TX at the Barton Springs Pool parking lot at 6:30 AM. We ran the Barton Springs greenbelt up to the Hill of Life and back including a couple of stray runs on side trails.
We saw Reni and Charlene from my old Pikes Peak training group on our way up and on our way back. At the top of the HOL we saw Jeff and 4 or 5 guys who will be running a 100 miler late this summer. Tom had never run the HOL so it was really fun pacing him up this one today. HOL is 1/2 mile long, steep, rugged. A great run.
A few near pitfalls on this run as I tripped 9 times on rocks and roots but did not go down, whew! However, with about 1 mile to go I was wearing my running hat with the brim low on my forehead as I focused on the trail so I didn't trip again. All of a sudden SMACK to my forehead as I smashed into a tree limb that was hanging across the trail. My head snapped back and I could hear the sound of cartledge being forced unexpectedly in the reverse direction as I stumbled trying not to go down. For just a moment I wondered if I had broken my neck, duh. Good news all was okay with only my pride suffering.
Heart rates during the run were mostly in the 70% zone (126-143) or 80% zone (144-161). Pushing it up the HOL the HR was pumping in the 90% zone at 165 BPM and it really felt good pushing hard up the HOL. I reminded Tom that the 3 miles at Pikes Peak up the "W's" is relentless much like the effort up the HOL today, but for 3 miles instead of 1/2 mile. Then after getting to the top of the W's the Pkes Peak trail gives some relief as it continues up the mountain, but you are measurably drained by the time you finish the W's. He is looking forward to it.
Back to Barton Springs Pool, hot and sweaty, we went to the far end of the springs pool and walked out in the spring with all our running clothes on including trail running shoes and we cooled down in the springs in water deep enough that we went swimming. Cold water felt awesome. | 