Humbled on the Hill Run

Had a mean bout of Food Poisoning or Stomach Flu on Thursday. Thank God I had a day off. I limped through a 5 mile run and strength training work-out on Friday. Then I stressed out last night about a notoriously tough 5-mile "Hill" Race through Marco Island in the deep south of SW Florida. Would I puke? Would I finish? Would I wake up and blow it off?

6:00 AM alarm...I am up. Instant coffee and a power bar. In the car and off by 6:20 for the hour long drive. Beautiful morning! Absolutely perfect weather. 68 and clear. Sorry to all those in the Northeast. I heard it was over 10 inches of snow in Philly.

With 17 different hills, they say this run through the neighborhoods of Marco Island is the "hardest run in SW Florida." I actually enjoyed it. Ran the first mile in an easy 6:46. Hit the 4 mile mark in 28:08 and then hauled ass for my last mile and came in at 34:46. I felt strongest in miles 4 and 5 which is again a testament to the endurance work-outs and base training that I am doing on the bike and in the pool. I believe I average 6:56 mile pace which is slightly slower than the 6:55 pace on the bridge run 10K two weeks ago, but I attribute the slower pace to the fact that I haven't eaten much solid food in 48 hours.

The story of the day was a 36-year old visitor from Boulder, CO who "schooled" the 16 year old phenom Eric Montoya with a 26:12 and 5:14. Afterward, he laughed about the "hills" in Marco Island. Imagine what he goes through in Boulder with his training - over 6,000 feet and mountainous terrain.

It made me excited to go to Breckinridge with the family this February and to train in altitude for a couple of weeks as I get ready for the New Orleans 70.3!