Deuces Wild Misc Photos

I drove through the White River Apache and San Carlos Apache Reservations on the way home. Starting at Fort Apache Historical Park I made my way south towards Black River. The way was tough for the Subaru and the going slow. I bottomed out many times and was quite scared I would have to backtrack. Turns out things went ok, except that I ran into a Ranger and got cited for recreating in the San Carlos Reservation without a permit. I was not recreating though, merely driving through on the way south to Tucson. Nevertheless, I was ticketed and now I have to contact the judge and discover my fate.

The country was beautiful and I couldn't help but imagine Apaches hidden behind the rocks and shrubs watching my every move. It turned out that, in fact, they were...

Deuces Wild Triathlon: Deuceman Half Iron Man Distance

June 5th, 2010 was the Deuceman Triathlon up in Show Low. Kirsten was back in Chicago for a reunion with Northwestern Medill Grads while I shot up to Apache Country in the White Mountains. At 6,200 feet, the place is a bit higher than Tucson's 2,300. No problem though as much of my training was done at 3000-7000 feet in the foothills of the Santa Catalina and Tucson Mountains.

I placed second in my age group and something like 16th overall...the final results are still pending.

For winning second in the male 35-39 age group I was awarded a nice trophy laser-cut from copper, and an invitation to Nationals at Myrtle Beach in South Carolina for a chance to compete for Team USA at the World Championships in 2011 in Vegas. The last time the World's were in the US was 1996...last year it was held in Perth.

It was my lucky day at the raffle too. I won a San Marco Italian Leather Bike Saddle, a full Orca Sonar wetsuit, a bike water bottle cage, a 290 page book on whole foods for athletes, and travel wallet :)

I think I may have just found my favorite race.


A shot of the tranistion area before the race. Notice the pine trees. Lovely area.

I keep minimal gear in my transition area. Just the basics. I've done away with socks as they take too much time to put on and I don't suffer from blisters. All my stuff is on the little white and orange Wildflower towel. My bike has the helmet and shades on it.

Next up we'll post about the Wildflower Triathlon we competed in back in May as well as some shots of climbing at Joshua Tree on the same trip. Thanks for looking!

Old Pueblo Results and Photos

Below are some photos of Adrian's 50-mile Old Pueblo run. Runners gathered long before the sun rose at Kentucky Camp, a historic mining site near Sonoita, Ariz. The Old Pueblo 50 course takes runners along dirt roads and trails, including the Arizona Trail, a national scenic trail that starts at the Mexican border and ends at the north rim of the Grand Canyon.

Here's how it ended. Check out the photos below to see how the rest of the day went. Or Click here for results.

Adrian scored this number on the last quarter mile of the race.

Adrian prepares for the race.

Runners start lining up.

Adrian reacts to the flash of the camera at 5 a.m.

Runners: On your mark.

Get set.

Go!

Adrian's off.

Whetstone mountains in the distance as the sun rises.

Adrian keeps moving.

Coming into mile 25. Now off to tackle Box Canyon.

Straight up.

Box Canyon is a killer. Lots of runners walk it.

Coming into mile 29, Box Canyon done.

Last stretch from Box Canyon.

Off to mile 33.

Coming out of Gardner's Canyon and into mile 40 aid station.

Mount Wrightson

Last segment

Approaching the finish line.

Crossing the finish line - under 10 hours.

One of the rewards for finishing.

OLD PUEBLO 50 MILE ENDURANCE RUN

TOMORROW!! Game on. Stay tuned...

http://www.oldpueblo50.com/

2010 Pemberton Trail 50 KM Trail Race

Sitting back at home watching the Vancouver Winter Olympics it's hard to think we ran a 50k this morning. Last night we camped out in the McDowell Mountains Park trying out the new tent. It had a ripped bag and one of the pole had a snapped shock cord. Nice. Anyway, we got it set-up and slept well until 5 a.m. when running people started arriving.

I ran the first 15 mile loop verry fast, averaging about 8 min/miles. I actually ran a few miles in 7 minutes and some in the high 6 minute miles. The second loop (same trail) was about 6 minutes slower due to sore quads and a bit of cramping.

I placed 11th overall, about 40 minutes behind the winners. A good effort and a personal record!

Preview of Pemberton Trail 50 km Run

These are pictures of last years event. Stay tuned for this weekends pics. I'm using this event as a long training run for the Old Pueblo 50 Mile Endurance Run on March 6. It's perfectly positioned as such and along with the 29 mile Tanque Verde Run with my running group in Tucson (Tucson Trail Runners), it provides a perfect run-up for the 50 miler. Long runs such as these prepares the body's endocrine system for this type of stress. There is no other way to do this than spend a long time out in the outdoors, moving. How bad of a deal is that? No so bad in my opinion.

The Pemberton Trail 50K is a wonderful race in the McDowell Mountains just a bit east of Scottsdale. It follows semi-flat trail for two loops around the park. Aid stations are right where you need them and the people staffing them are fantastic.

I finished this race in 5:30 something last year and this will be my second running of it since its beginning 10 years ago. Thanks Brian, for a fun race.

Tucson Marathon: Boston Qualified!

Feeling good after qualifying for Boston. The run was super. Thanks to Laurie for the good photos.

After 17 weeks of specific, desciplined (as far as you know) training, the goal has been reached.

In 2008, circa 3 months after finishing the Pacific Crest Trail, I ran my second marathon, this time in Tucson instead of Appleton, WI. Still being in good shape after the 2,700 trail, I ran a 3:19:ish marathon. The issue was 4 minutes. You see, the qualifying time for a 35-39 year old male is 3:15:00. Again, 4 minutes.

This time was to be different, and it was. I trained using Hal Higdon's Advanced II Marathon Plan. 17 weeks of solid, specific marathon training. It was fun, challenging and rewarding.

The group I found myself paired with was, by virtue of our desired finishing time, filled with strong runners and triathletes, at least two of which were previous Ironmen.

The crowd that started at about 10 runners finished with three at mile 25. At mile 26 I took off and left them behind to finish the race at 3:14:12. Goal acclomplished.

The next running events I plan on attending are Pemberton 50K, Old Pueblo 50 Mile, and triathlons are on the horizon.