Saturday Race

am) 16 miles total. I ran the Sunshine Canyon Hill Climb today- 5.8 miles and placed 6th. This was the first of such a race for me... it's a weird kind of tough. Very unlike a 10k on a flat course. The suffering was completely different- much less intense from a pain perspective... not like the hand over a candle kind of hurt but more of a cramp in the calf kind. I actually thought I may race better- but having spent a few weeks with a HR cap of 150 I guess that was foolish to expect so soon. This was quite fun and I'm already looking forward to racing again soon, next Monday at the Bolder Boulder. I can see that I am way behind in the fitness I need to race well right now and rather than get down about it I am completely amped to work even harder now. I have little speed, no ability to lift my pace when I'm already pushing. I know that the combination of the altitude adaptation and doing nothing but slow jogging is the cause of this... both of these weaknesses are going to do nothing but improve. I would equate my fitness right now to an athlete just starting back in January after a big break. I have washed my hands and my brain clean of my mistakes of the last 5 months but have learned a ton in regards to what is stupid for me to try. Many people told me that I didn't need a coach, and in hindsight they were spot on. Today has motivated me so much to be better and work even harder.
I ran much of the race with my old friend Tim Hola. Tim has been at the top of the Ironman heap for many years and is just a solid good guy. He reminds me of Jeff a lot. I did have to work hard to beat him, no way I was going to get beat by a triathlete! :) Just kidding... I'm still 51% triathlete, I just don't swim or bike any more.
Jeff and Jenni were out on the course and raised all sorts of hell when I came by- thanks a ton guys!