As I sit in the airport waiting to begin another day at the office, I find myself reflecting again on trying to turn a negative in to positives. Certainly not a strong point on my part. However, everyday, one must continue to strive to improve on our weaknesses.
The negative is I'm headed to Mexico for the night. Mexico is a flamboyant country full of colour and great people. However, constantly worrying about food, water and getting caught in the cross fire is not my idea of a good time. Now to turn that in to a positive. Aguascalientes finds itself at a high and dusty altitude of 6,100ft and it just happens to be the day that Netherlands will play Mexico in the knock out rounds of The World Cup. What an atmosphere this will be! Anything has to be an improvement on the couldn't-hit-a-barn-door-from-five-paces performance England has put on this year. You can never argue that Mexican support lacks passion, even if it is a little blind and narrow sighted at times.
In between World Cup games, there might just be some training. Normally, Mexican hotels in the middle of the country aren't well known for an expansive gym. However, all you needs is a descent treadmill and a stationary bike. These pieces of equipment are typically manufactured circa 1980 and have a tint of rust that an old Ford Cortina would be proud of. With a little magic, the belt will begin to turn and a relatively productive training session might be accomplished.
The real benefit for Boulder will be the sleeping at altitude. The body won't have that much time to adapt and begin producing the high altitude goods. However, it will get a taste of it. Just a sneak preview to the grand premiere later in August. Hopefully, just enough to awaken the red blood cells and remind them of a time when high altitude living was common in my life.
Training outside really isn't such a good idea when in the middle of Mexico. Unless you have a friend that lives in the area, who is willing to take you out on a run or bike, heading out the door as you might in US is just an ill advised endeavour. Although, even the Cartel members might well be caught up in World Cup frenzy during the Mexico game, I am not willing to miss the match and therefore will not be training outside tomorrow.
With a little over 4 weeks left until the big race fatigue is beginning to show up with the added miles on the road. The long ride this week was only 65 miles with the question of how on earth do we produce 112 out of this body the last two years! Yet, no doubt, by the time my final 6 hour ride comes along the training path, 65 miles will seem like a drop in the metaphorical pond.
The runs are getting much hotter. Humidity is very much smacking you in the face as you head out the door. A trait of Mother Nature that I have never seen eye to eye with. Not that it matters an awful lot, as Boulder is not one for swooning with much of any form of humidity. Dry as a bone would be a good way to describe it. As much as it has been hot, that is what I am looking for. Running in the afternoon in order to be sure my body is well aware of the time of day that T2 will be showing it's face come race day.
The ankle remains discomforted. Not prohibitive, but mostly uncomfortable. However, the ground work is in place to put me in good stead on race day. There's no doubt this will leave a mark on the ankle post race, but not a permanent one. Will it let me run the entire race and not reduce it to a walk is the big question. So far, so good! There will be many a night between now and the big day spent with all manner of massage tools pounding away at the shin and calf area giving as much as possible to the bits and pieces to all work together and join up for the next 4 weeks.
For now all we can do is say....
Good luck to us all!
Lots of flooding out on the Mississippi River routes
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