I know that because 500 feet into a 14 mile run I can taste it in the back of my throat. The beans in particular are leaving a somewhat nasty, lactic note in my mouth. I want to vomit, but can't quite seem to get there. This is especially frustrating because every 3-4 minutes as the re-taste reoccurs, I give myself permission to get it over with. I want, no need, to get it out of my system. Just as I get hopeful, everything subsides and I go through the whole process again 3-4 minutes later. This is going to be a long run.
So enough about my GI issues for now (which go beyond the upset stomach, but never mind). The real reason I am out here is to spend some time on the Showdown at Sundown Course. My experience with short course events in the Las Vegas area is that they all follow pretty much the same two courses, depending on whether the swim is in Lake Las Vegas or if the swim starts in Lake Mead.
Showdown had some difficulty early on and there were questions as to whether the race would even be held (Coach Cyndee mentioned that I might want to do Rage in the Sage instead). I wanted to do this event because it starts in the afternoon. With daylight savings, I don't think I am going to get to run in the dark, but I'm going to try and get in a couple runs to get used to it. The event is now definitely on, but the course has been changed to something new for the area.
The swim is in Lake Mead from Boulder Beach (normal). From T1, the bike leg will move down Lakeshore Drive to Northshore Drive out toward Calville Bay and back (normal). Then, instead of going back to Boulder Beach, athletes will ride out of the Lake Mead Basin to Bootleg Canyon which is a pretty good, extended climb (new). T2 will be here with the run from Bootleg Canyon down the hill and toward Henderson for 6.55 miles before turning around and coming back along the same course (new). For those who have not done any hill training, this is going to hurt.
I have ridden the River Loop Trail several times, but have taken the opportunity this week to refresh my memory about some of the nuances of the trail. Earlier this week, I did a brick here with Shawn and today I decided I would come back and do the run course.
Which is why I'm chugging along wishing I could just either throw up or die. Either one would be fine.
The weather today is actually pretty good. A little windy with a little overcast. Every once in awhile, both the wind stops and the sun peeks through. When that happens I start to roast a little and wish for the wind and the clouds. People, where did I put my rattle and pacifier?
On the weekends, this trail is busy. Today, midweek, things are quiet. I get passed by a handful of cyclists and I pass an older couple that is out hiking, but that's about it. Ordinarily I would really enjoy this solitude. Today I am listening to wine questions and answers that my friend recorded and in 90 minutes, I haven't heard a word he has said.
I make it to the bathroom and dirt parking area at the Equestrian access point. Just over 7 miles, this is going to be my turnaround today. I stop in the bathroom to just get it over with, maybe eau de la toilet will help me, but nothing. I sigh and start to crank myself up again. Everything is uphill to one degree or another on the way back with a couple of rollers along the way to break up the landscape.
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| Bat Habitat done as an Eagle Scout Project at the Equestrian Access Point |
The trail follows the outside of the mountain, giving you the ability to see what is coming for a long way. I have to say that the desert has a special beauty at this time of year. Grasses poke their heads up bringing a delicate green hue to the hills. Desert flowers of yellow and purple become little splashes of color that make a bold statement in this landscape. The constant desert breezes move everything adding changes in light and texture. It always amazes me how a landscape that advertises itself as a barren wasteland can harbor so much vibrant life if you are just willing to look.
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| The Road Back... |
The hill up the back side toward the Railroad Pass Casino is long, but goes by with surprising ease. Dare I hope that my stomach is settling. I am getting excited for the run back. I chug up the hill, trying to look smooth and easy for the guy riding his dirt bike through the desert. Hey, we all have our pride...
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| Railroad Pass Casino from the Boulder City Side |
Cresting the hill I see an old man rock prospecting. I wave and wonder what he is looking for. I know there is a Gypsum mine out next to Blue Diamond (it's why they built the town), but I don't know what's here. I'd like to ask, but I gotta keep going.
From Railroad Pass to Boulder City the trail is gently up hill with rollers just to mix it up. The trail runs between the Cascata Golf Course and the Boulder City Railroad. If you live in the area and have kids, you should go check out the railroad on the weekends when they run the trains. The kids riding the train love to wave at the cyclists on the trail.
Still mindful of my stomach and the upcoming hill, I keep my pace easy and try to keep my heart rate down. Stomach is still good and I feel like I have turned the corner.
There is an initial turn into the hill that is a false hill. You go up for a little bit before the trail turns back on itself and moves toward the veterans center, before turning again and working around the base of the hill before the real push up the hill to Bootleg Canyon. I am ready for the false hill and watch my effort here, trying to avoid blowing up on the final push.
At the base of the final hill, I turn it on. Which means I look like someone trying to run in quicksand, but hey everything is relative and zone 5 heart rate is zone 5. Teeth clenched and arms and legs pumping I grind my way up the hill. How far left to go? I'm afraid to look at my Garmin. It would beg the question of whether my glass is half full or half empty and I am not feeling particularly philosophical at the moment.
There is a kid crawling up the hill on his BMX bike. He's probably somewhere between 7-10 years old, out of the saddle and pumping. As I catch him, I want to ask him how his watts look, but I don't think he would enjoy my humor and the hubs on his bike don't look right anyway. He looks over at me and starts to race me. You have got to be kidding me! I am a middle aged, overweight triathlete and this kid is going to make me suffer further? Alright my man, it is game on! He's got me by 30 years and I'm probably 4 of him in weight, but I have the benefit of life experience that he lacks. We battle each other in some macabre crawl up the hill, both of us grasping. My stomach kicks in again. The kid is not going to be happy when I hurl on his shoe. I squeeze my eyes closed and focus on my breathing.
We finally reach the top of the hill on the trail and as he prepares to dust me on the downhill, I turn left and continue up the hill the last 1,000 feet to the parking lot.
He calls after me, "no way Dude!"
I mentally give myself a tie. Ah yes, life experience still counts for something. I wave over my shoulder and pant and gasp my way to where it all started a few hours ago. I'm glad I didn't stop today before I started. The whole day is a little brighter for the effort.
2:47:30 / 14.25 miles
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