This year's Del Sol will also be the first time I get to share this crazy event with someone from my family. My son Nathan is joining us this year and will be running as Runner #2. I, for the first time, will be Runner #1 meaning I get to start the race for our team. What I think is going to be so special for this race is the ability to not only share the experience with my son but to be able to hand off the slap bracelet to him as I finish each of my legs sending him off on his own adventure.
Our team is starting at 6:45 am on Friday February 19th in Wickenburg. My first leg is 8.6 miles and rated very hard. My goal is to get out there and push it as much as I can after the first mile. My second 2 legs are more manageable and not as difficult. I want to get my team off to a good start. After leaving Sunset Park and getting onto Vulture Mines Rd., I don't have to make any turns. So I should be able to lock in to a good pace and cruise to the exchange where Nathan will be waiting for me.
Nathan's first leg is 5.5 miles and rated moderate. As you can see from the hill profile, it is all downhill after leaving the exchange area. Nathan was a cross country runner in high school so I don't think the distance will be a problem for him. I told him to remember that there are two additional legs after this one and to make sure not to push too hard so that it affects his next runs. He assured me he could handle it. Oh to be 24 again!
After resting while the other 10 runners complete their legs, I will be jumping out of the van to run Leg 13. It is a 4.0 mile run on a flat course. It is rated moderate. I am planning to really push my pace on this leg as it is short and flat. I want to see if I can get my average pace to a sub-9 on the combined legs. I think it is doable. Since I am not racing again until April, I have plenty of time to recover. Plus I have been training on hills which should make the flat legs seem easy.
When I hand it off to Nathan for his second leg, he will be running his hardest leg. Leg 14 is a 6 mile run on a flat course. There are several turns which Nathan will have to watch for as he runs. Ragnar usually does a good job of marking the course. Plus with over 300 teams, he will be able to follow the other runners. Nathan has been training for this race including a few runs of 6 mile. I am certain he will be able to knock this out with relative ease.
We then have a long rest period again before I have to jump out of the van to run Leg 25. This will be my easiest leg. I plan to push the pace to the maximum as it is a basically flat route. Since I won't have to run again, the 3.8 miles will seem easy and I don't have to save anything up. I can just leave it all out there on the course. I will then be handing it off to Nathan for his final leg. I am interested in seeing how he feels prior to my run. These races are a very different challenge as they test you both physically and mentally.
Nathan's final leg is 4.7 miles and rated moderate. Leg 26 is a straight shot down Dynamite Rd. It has a fairly steep incline gaining 494 feet over the 4.7 miles. It will be challenging especially being the last leg after very little sleep. I think that Nathan will persevere as he had to run hills all over New England during his cross country meets. His only challenge will be whether or not he can get enough rest to recharge his batteries. I told him it is really not about how fast he runs each leg but that he finishes each with a smile on his face. I know that when he hands off for the final time, he will have a deep sense of accomplishment which is why I love these races.
I have 2 weeks of hard training before I back it off a little the week before the race. I am really looking forward to this one since I get to share the experience with my son. I believe that sharing my passion for running with others is the best thing about these races. Because if you run with friends, then you know that time together is a time of sharing. You will find that your teammates becomes your network of running friends. It is these friends who become your training partners that will guide you, lift you up, and support you when you need it most. And more importantly share a lot of laughs with you along the way. What more could you ask for?
Jan. 11 – 5.20 miles (47:41, 9:10 pace)
Jan. 12 – 6.20 miles (56:55, 9:11 pace)
Jan. 14 – 6.80 miles (1:09:50, 10:16 pace)
Jan. 15 – 6.20 miles (1:04:11, 10:21 pace)
Jan. 16 – 8.50 miles (1:25:13, 10:02 pace)
Jan. 17 – 10.10 miles (1:29:07, 8:49 pace)
Jan. 18 – 6.70 miles (1:07:10, 10:01 pace)
Jan. 19 – 5.70 miles (1:00:11, 10:33 pace)
Jan. 22 – 6.90 miles (1:08:52, 9:59 pace)
Jan. 23 – 9.10 miles (1:20:33, 8:51 pace)
Jan. 24 – 9.70 miles (1:35:32, 9:51 pace)
Jan. 25 – 6.10 miles (1:02:02, 10:10 pace)
Jan. 26 – 6.90 miles (1:07:02, 9:43 pace)
Jan. 28 – 5.10 miles (44:32, 8:44 pace)
Jan. 29 – 4.30 miles (38:00, 8:50 pace)
Jan. 30 – 6.40 miles (1:00:37, 9:28 pace)
Jan. 31 – 8.70 miles (1:24:54, 9:46 pace)
Total Miles: 118.6 miles
2016 Total Miles: 162.5 miles
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