Runner's High: Sim Week -- DAY ONE: Salmon Lake with Stacey!!!

Well, that was a fun first day!

What!!! Am I running the TransRockies already? HECK, NO!!!

BUT... I am doing what I/my coach calls a "simulation week" where I am running 6 days, back-to-back, in the mountains to train for the TransRockies. At first when we were planning it, Cindy (my coach) was worried I wouldn't follow through and/or maybe be as excited for it because it isn't really an "event" per se.

This week, this is just me, putting together some routes that I think would be fun (and similar) to the race routes I will run in the TransRockies, and then going for it. In the process, Cindy outlined mileage and vertical for each day, and some things to do in between (to practice/aid in recovery). I assured Cindy I would just as excited for this as for a race bc I would look forward to all the routes, AND I would (hopefully) have friends along for the runs.

In some ways, I think some might think it's "not a big deal" because it's not an actual event. I mean, where's my medal to award my actions? To me, it's a very big deal. I have been training the last 9ish months to do something like this, and I think I need it to (a) validate all the time and training I have put in and (2) have the confidence that in one month's time I can do the TransRockies!

In addition, I am hoping to make some pretty happy memories, have some great experiences and learn a few things that will make my TransRockies experience better. I'd say I'm off to a good start!

Day 1 already taught/reminded me a few things;

(1) Can't change the weather.

(2) You're gonna have to run in the weather, so you might as well train for it.

(3) I've got some rockstar friends! (and a supportive husband ;)

As you probably guessed from 1 & 2, the weather did not start out the best. I got up to Breck last night, settled in, and looked at the weather. The forecast called for rain, but really like 12-18% when we started, and getting progressively worse throughout the day. I figured we'd be ok, bc 12-18% what's that? I mean I don't think it will be raining then... and we'll be done before the REAL rain sets in.

FAST FORWARD to the morning and it was raining (HARD) as I was getting ready to meet Stacey. I called Ross and had a little pout. He helped think of alternatives (like would weather be better if we waited till later in day? (not according to forecast), could I do it on the treadmill (maybe, but I really didn't want to), etc.) I told him I was gonna go over there and start, and if it was really that miserable, then call it, and do the rest on the mill.

As I was driving over, I remembered that Stacey and I had run in much crappier conditions (snowstorms when it was just as wet and a whole lot colder, so maybe...). And I remembered that, hey! in the TransRockies, we're gonna have to do each day regardless of the weather if we want that belt buckle (we do!).

I showed up at the trailhead, the rain had only gotten worse, jumped in Stacey's truck and she is full on ready to run in the torrential rain!!! Doesn't even question it. This is where the rockstar friends come in!!! She knew this was important to me, and my goal, and she was there -- rain or shine!-- to support me!

I told her I was a little apprehensive to start in such a downpour. Could we maybe wait until it cleared just a little? This was hard bc the clouds were everywhere, which means no real chance it will be stopping anytime soon. In the process, we watched two hikers start off on the trail which gave us confidence, but not enough to want to get out of the car. About 15 minutes in, it lightened a little and we jumped out and were on our way.

As you can see, running (even in the rain) is SUPER FUN when you have friends along for the adventure!

Thankfully, I had loaded the trail onto my running watch so we didn't make any wrong turns (except for the first one, which we quickly corrected -- thank you, watch!)

The rain kept on for a few miles, but was definitely not as bad as it could be...