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November 08, 2004
Monday Trails
today i ran with one of our xc runners up at bon tempe lake. we ran around lagunitas lake (a fire road) with lots of beautiful bridges, tall trees and trail options every 1/4 to 1/2 mile...if one is still looking for more variation...
we cut off the main trail and headed up to eldridge...a fire road that takes you all the way up to the top of the mountain (mt. tam). we headed down the fire road toward phoenix lake...at the water fountain...we ran up to the water tower, hit fish grade single track and made our way over to concrete pipe road...where we took another single track trail that was overgrown with new growth weeds and tree-lings...fresh and bright as can be (with the recent rains)...
as we hit this narrow little trail it was starting to get dark. it was only 4:45...
by this point..we had been out for 45 minutes...we knew the entire team...would be waiting for us...so we took the main road back to the vans. sure enough the team was WAITING... they were in the middle of trying to "hide" the van from us when we came bounding around the corner...foiling their crazy little plan...next time..maybe
the run was about 7.5 miles. we ran easy. my legs were a bit tired from yesterday's workout.
after the run i met up with my good friend (and former napa marathon coach) at the gym. he and my twin sister used to have "versa-climber" competitions. i took the bait and decided to see what this crazy gym fitness competition was all about.
well--it's out of control. it's like running up a very steep grade nonstop--5 minutes, 10 minutes...they (my twin sister and friend) go on this machine (level 144 (?)) for 60 MINUTES! Holy moly! well...it was my first go..but i didn't make it that long...my level was more like 100...and my duration was more like 30 minutes...i pushed in the final 5 minutes...(level 150)-- but man--was i beat after that. i won't attempt this again..unless i'm well rested!!! my hats off though to those that have mastered this very tough indoor machine!!!!!!!!!!!!!
more later
Posted by liz at November 8, 2004 08:58 PM
Comments
Hi liz, the versa climber is tough. You have to treat it like a workout and not run 16+ miles and a race the day before. I know you will work your way up to our record. Hope you have a great day tomorrow. More soon,
Posted by: Mary at November 8, 2004 10:37 PM
We had a Versa Climber where I went to college. If we were injured and couldn't do the workout we had to do intervals on the Versa Climber. I'd pick running up a mountain anyday over that machine. I can't even fathom doing it for 60 minutes. I think it is so painful, but I'm a wimp on all cross-training machines.
Posted by: caitlin at November 10, 2004 07:40 AM
wow i might have quit the team if i had to train on a versa climber in college..i couldn't believe how hard it was...! it's a weird/ fun challenge
but i couldn't do it regularly!! :)
Posted by: liz at November 10, 2004 10:54 PM