(Thanks to Jan for this amazing report!!! Well done and fair play!)
Just home from a 17 day holiday to Arizona to spend time with my other running family. As my friends in Dunboyne AC know, I lived in, and loved the USA for 4 years and I discovered my love for running over there.
On my last visit in October, I was firmly in the grip of the dreaded plantar fasciitis. I sat on the sidelines and cheered my friends like a trooper, while inwardly hating every pain free running step they took. This time around, after a very careful return to running post 1st January, I was a much more active and happy participant.
Early on the morning after my arrival into Phoenix, I joined my mad running crowd for the Harrah’s poker run 5k. Being very aware of the heat, my jetlag and dehydration I jogged and walked conservatively in the desert dust. This run really is all about the pool party. Tell me a 5k in Ireland with a shirt, BBQ food, pool party at a casino with live band poolside and 2 beers.. for €15. My friends range from 5k runners to iron men to 100k ultra runners. But this is a fun event for all to relax. The perfect way to start a fit, fun holiday.
Next race up was one I had wanted to do for a few years. Pat’s run is a 4.2 mile race in my beloved Tempe. It is in honour of Pat Tillman, a professional NFL player for the Arizona cardinals, who gave up his career to enlist in the US army post 9/11. He lost his life in combat in Iraq. The 4.2 mile distance is symbolic as he wore jersey 42. It ends on the 42 yard line in the football stadium at Arizona state university, his alma mater. 29000 people took part in the race. Not one for a PB given the crowds, but the most electric race atmosphere I have experienced.
On my last weekend, I doubled down! First up was my out and out favourite type of running. At 8pm on Saturday night, just after darkness fell, we ran 9km on the mountain trails of San Tan park just south of Phoenix. I love nighttime trail running. With no moon, it was just me, a headlight and all the scary desert wildlife. The race is ominously called “Sinister”. Thank god for the faster runners who scare away the local inhabitants. The trails are tricky, with some serious climbs and rocks. The reason I love this environment is that all you can concentrate on are the few steps in the reach of the headlight. Balance and concentration are key to not face planting, which turns off the brain and makes the distance go by much quicker than road running. It is exhilarating beyond belief, especially when barrelling downhill. I am a trail runner first and foremost. Of course another beer and music party after the run, while we cheered the hardy souls doing 27km or 54km as they looped the 9km course.
After 6 hours of sleep, I was stretching my sore legs on my last day and wondering why did I do this to myself!!! I had a nice recovery run at the “girls on the run” 5k. My great friend and chi running master instructor Lisa is one of the directors of this movement. It is a program that involves giving young girls the training and confidence to complete their first 5k, at whatever pace they can. It also involves coaching on self confidence and is a very inspiring event. I have to admit I did shuffle this one due to the exertions of the night before. But I wouldn’t have missed it for the world.
I joined my old running group at “Running for Brews” both Tuesday evenings also. This is a great group, meeting at a brewery to run 5k then socialise and it was at this group I met all my best running friends and boyfriend while in Arizona. The best antidote to early week work stress.
Yes yes, I know there is as much post run socialising as running here 🙂 I was on holiday, and did manage to run 30 miles while proudly sporting my Dunboyne blue and white. Glad to return to temperatures more normal for my next outing though!
