More Training Adventures

Hi Friends,

I just finished a 23.5 mile training run yesterday (Sunday February 3rd) and wanted to get it written down and shared before it vanishes into my memories.

This was my second time around Reno on the McCarran Blvd loop road with the group from Reno Running and Fitness. They are great group of runners that like to enjoy the miles in training as a group and allow non members to tag along on some of their runs. The entire loop around Reno is 23.5 miles or there about as my Garmin said it was 24.08 but who is counting?

The group gathered at Shelly Park in Sparks and ran off clockwise around McCarran Blvd at 6:00 am on Sunday. It was good sized group with 3 people running it for the first time. The pace was confortable made even more relaxing by the conversations between runners as we headed towards the University. I ran the loop by myself the first time afraid to leave with the others because I was intimidated by what I thought would be the speed of the run. I should have waited then and learned that this month. Chalk up another lesson to experience. If you are joining the group in March or any other time this year don't worry about your pace. You will be fine and fit right in. I also learned where all the restrooms were on the route! It may not seem that important when you look at the big picture, but when you get a bit older and especially if you are a Man it matters plenty.

With all the chatting and energy it was not long before the Sun was rising over Reno and we were at North Virginia Street and McCarran. It was a beautiful sunrise! Next we arrived at the North McCarran Blvd Wal-Mart for some refreshment (vending machines) and unse of the facilities (again). We stopped for our group picture next by the McCarran Blvd wall  just before the freeway underpass. Still in good spirits it was on to the hills in the Caughlin Ranch part of town. We walked, we ran and we made it up and over the dreaded hills. It is all down hill to the finish from here.

It really does not seem like we are into this thing 3 hours now and we are nearing Meadowood Mall and the last big stretch before the finish. I felt good not feeling any pains or aches but a bit tired as we entered mile 18 to 20. Wow, we are almost done now and everyone is going to finish. The last mile or half mile seems a bit long maybe because you can see right where it ends but there are a couple street lights and plenty of traffic between you and the park. I tried a couple of times to put on some hero kind of kick at the end to really finish strong but had little luck. Having not been able to finish in a sprint, I was happy to finish with the pack and enjoy some post run chatter with the others.

So another long training run is completed and I am already excited about the March "Loop" run. I think I will probably rest a day before getting back to the street for some more training. Special thanks go out to Reno Running and Fitness for allowing me to tag along with them and partake in the fun.

Things are going great for the Eugene Marathon the last of April. I will have 2 more of these great long runs in by then as well as my other training and am confident I will finish strong in Eugene.

Last ... I am still working on my goal of raising $1500.00 for The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society to help find cures for and treat blood cancer. You can help them do their important work by donating any amount via this page. I am running hard (23.5 miles yesterday) and thought about making a difference during the run. You can make a difference too, donate today!

Thanks again for making a difference,

Don