Rio Grande River Trail

PM: 51 mins. (7 miles)
4 laps on the track = 800m
Total: 7.5 miles



This morning we departed our home in Santa Fe and traveled down the mountain to Albuquerque. Our residence for the next few days will be the Holiday Inn Express--not quite as exotic as the Hotel St. Francis, but not as creepy either (and it has a bigger fridge and microwave). Though still incredibly windy, the temperatures in ABQ are noticeably warmer than in Santa Fe, and blue skies welcomed us into town.


Yup, it's this flat the entire way. Heaven.

Jenna and Tanya promised me a flat run this afternoon, and they did not disappoint. Just a few minutes' drive from our hotel is the Rio Grande River, and alongside it runs a pancake flat bike path and dirt/gravel trail. I was in heaven. Don't get me wrong; this would be boring if it became a daily run, but after all our mountainside shenanigans on this trip it was a much needed respite. Take a look at our run time too--we actually averaged 7:15s today as opposed to 7:45+ on other days with the same amount of effort. Obviously the drop in altitude factors into that, as does the change in terrain. Whatever the case, it makes me pretty happy.


Not quite dressed to compete just yet

After the run we took a quick trip to the convention center to do a few laps on the track. Stepping inside and seeing the venue was the first time I felt a wave of nervousness wash over me, but it quickly subsided once Tanya and I strapped on our spikes and stepped on the track. Simmons wanted us to do a few laps at race pace just to get a feel for the rhythm. It felt relaxed and easy, just as we'd hoped. Now there's not much to do between now and Saturday except to rest up, relax and cheer on our teammates.


QU at the pre-meet banquet. Not a bad looking group.


TZ + MN