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2nd Leg of B2K: river road segment

July 22, 2017 (Afternoon)

Exercise Type: Run

Weather: HOT, like 90, sunny

Comments:
I wasn't sure what I'd have in me, given how gassed I felt after that first segment, but after the few hours rest, I came around.

Ricky made this spreadsheet of splits, trying to predict a good finishing time, so I was motivated to "hold up my end" and hit the splits, even though they were 6:15s on what looked to be a rolling course! Shit!

Thankfully I had one of the first paved sections, as we transitioned from the coast range forest roads to coastal-river road highways. I did some very light jogging, stretching, and drills, then doused my shirt so it'd be cold and soaking just before starting.

Got out pretty good...the watch at first said I was running super-fast, which I didn't believe, but before long it said I was running 6-flats, which was cool! I felt good.

MAJOR form focus, after the weird feedback from the first segments:

- Forward!
- PELVIS LEFT (loading left hip)
- strong foot push
- quick arm swing (=cadence)

The miles fairly flew by, and the course was EASY. Very light (like 10-25'?) rollers here and there, but otherwise cruiser. The only issue was heat, and that wasn't too horrible, especially only for 6 miles.

The route rolled along a river road highway that was sparsely trafficked, which was awesome. The guys stopped at just over halfway to cheer and give me a bottle to douse, which was clutch.

IN the last mile or so...the goddamn right diaphragm-ab cramps started...AGAIN. Once again, this is either:

- I'm doing something acutely wrong
--- and-or ---
- I DID something wrong, stiffened shit up, and now I'm running into that resistance

Either way, goddamn it. I had to slow a bit, focus on breathing, and "smile through it". Thankfully it worked, and I staved it off without much slow-down. It all sucks, though: it means my stride is off.

The exchange approached, and I noticed it was at a boat launch parking along the river. From afar I spied a dock going into the river! And I was SOO HOT!

So...I tagged our guy for the next exchange...and kept running! In fact, I actually PASSED him as I hammered toward the dock. Just before jumping in I asked a kayaker there how deep it was. He told me about 8' as I tossed my visor and jumped in!

Felt SO good! But...it was estuary water, so it was both a bit warm (crazy for Oregon) and salty! Oops! Oh well! Felt great!

Fun run, and strong, too. Splits:

6:07
6:11
6:03
6:15
6:13
~6:1x (jumped in, forgot to stop it)

Rest of the day:
- hung out and watched the fellas take us into Newport. It gradually cooled off, but got breezier.
- Once in Newport, it actually fogged over and got cool!
- We took 2nd overall (but got our asses kicked by the team I battled in Leg 1)
- hung out at Rogue brewery, having a couple beers and some excellent BBQ, provided by the race!
- CA showed up in the van, then we headed to Yachats. On the way, she found out her Grandma had died that afternoon. Apparently she'd taken a turn for the worse in the morning, and was gone. SUPER-sad...
- Stayed in Yachats, and wound up hanging out with the other Eugene team (Alexis, Kristie, Adam, et al) at the brew pub before heading up to Cummins Ridge to sleep.