I don’t talk about cross training much because I don’t do a whole lot of it but this is a little different. On April 30th, I will be riding an ElliptiGO in the 10th Annual Tour de Summerlin in Las Vegas.

The Tour de Summerlin is a non-competitive bike ride in Las Vegas, Nevada that tours the Summerlin master-planned community and the Red Rock Canyon Conservation area. There are 40-mile and 80-mile routes with aid stations cruising through some of Las Vegas’ most scenic landscapes. McGhie’s Ski, Bike and Board along with many sponsors handle the event with great professionalism and every year it’s a great event. How do I know if I’ve never ridden in it? My company, TeamAMC, helps put on the event every year. While I’ve assisted many years, I’ve never participated in it…until now.

For those of you unfamiliar with the ElliptiGO, it’s an elliptical bicycle created to reduce the stress on your joints from the rigors of running. It’s an awesome piece of machinery and is a great workout. Who wants to sit on an elliptical machine staring at TV’s when you can be out enjoy the roads like we runners always do?

If you happen to be available and in the area, come out and join me for a 40 (or 80) mile blitzkrieg around the western Las Vegas valley.

RMFR

I set myself up for this. An extra half hour of shuteye was my downfall and I mother nature had her revenge!!!

I missed my easy 3-miler on Tuesday and decided to stack in on top of my 5-mile tempo run on Wednesday. I was actually looking forward to some longer miles during the middle of the week to offset the stress a little bit. The one thing I wasn’t looking forward too was the forecast. A cold front was coming thru Las Vegas and the winds preceding it had already started howling early in the evening.

By the time I awoke at 5:30 a.m., the winds had whipped up to a constant 25 m.p.h. gusting to 35-40 m.p.h. Not wanting to skip another day of training, I strapped on my gear and head out into the waiting sunrise. At the beginning, it wasn’t that bad. Sheltered from nature’s full wrath by the surrounding homes, the first .8 miles were “breezy”. That was until I hit that stretch of Charleston/Rt. 159 heading west – straight into the beast.

A little foresight spared me from having to worry about a hat a flapping jacket but a face shield and leg armor would have been a good idea now…looking back. You know those stories your grandparents used to tell about walking to school – uphill – both ways? Yeah, this is another one. Not only did I have to fight the wind this blustery morning but I would do so – uphill.

On the way towards Red Rock, there’s a section that narrows towards the top as it cuts thru a hill. On an average day it’s a cool site – Wednesday morning, it was a NASA wind tunnel test. Struggling against an immovable object, a cyclist on the other side of the road circled back towards me and wished me luck, they weren’t having any part of this. With tears streaming from the corners of my eyes and the occasional gust expanding my cheeks, I carried on. Using the 45º angle running form, I made it to the other side with only 1 1/2 miles to go until I got my reprieve…or so I thought.

You might think it would be a “breeze” running downhill with a 30 m.p.h. hand on your back pushing you, but it’s not. It’s like being in a large fast moving crowd – move with the flow or be run over!!! If you’re not going fast enough, the wind made sure I almost toppled over. If there was any thought of skipping my tempo miles this morning, those thoughts were quickly quashed by this locomotive at my back.

The proof is in the numbers (I’m a numbers guy).
4 miles (headwind): 10:45 pace/mile
4 miles (downwind): 7:49 pace/mile

It was a crazy morning but one I’ll remember for a long time. It could have been deadly still and the run would have been just another 8 miles. Instead, I was treated to another running memory I won’t soon forget. Don’t always pack it in when the going looks rough, you never know what awaits you on the side!!!

RMFR

This weekend is the Red Rock Marathon and 1/2 Marathon. The route follows the road that loops through the Red Rock Canyon Conversation Area. The 1/2 marathoners run it one way while the marathoners go out and back. This is a great race for one simple reason, the views are absolutely breathtaking and with some snow on the upper peaks, it’s even better. For my race review from last year, click here.

I ran this for the first time last year. The start is five miles from my front door (yes, exactly five miles) and I hit this route regularly during my longer training runs. For those of you fortunate enough to have run these hills before, you know what I’m talking about. I’ve met some really great people on this stretch of pavement. The crew from Team 180 Energy. Erin, Melina, Tanya and Mei Lan taking a time out from their girls weekend. Cruising up and down the hills with fellow “Lober” Troy.

Point is, this weekend will add another great memory to these torturing inclines. With my achilles still not 100%, I’m going to just enjoy the whole experience again. When it comes down to it, isn’t that what running is all about? I’ve always said that if I didn’t enjoy running, I wouldn’t do it. This Saturday, you can bet I’ll be enjoying every painful second!!!

RMFR

To be brutally honest with you I’ve been scared to run for the last week. The tragic and needless death of Jeremy Kunz in this years Las Vegas Ragnar Relay effected me greatly. Over the past couple of months we here at One Runner’s Brain have tried to advocate runner safety. Whether it’s rules of the road or wearing the correct clothing, there’s a lot we need to do to make sure we can be seen by motorists. I’ve tried to lead by example but I decided the amount of reflective clothing I wore was not enough.

Most of my long runs are on Charleston Blvd./Nevada State Route 159 which treks thru the beautiful Spring Mountains and The Red Rock Canyon Conservation Area (if you’re ever in Las Vegas you have to run out here). This is a popular route (especially for cyclists and more and more runners) because you can take this road to Blue Diamond Road (about 15 miles) and back and not have to worry about one single stop light. What you do have to worry about (especially in the dark, early morning hours) are vehicles seeing you on the shoulder of the road.

This weekend I went out and purchased a Nathan Night Fall Vest and I’m sleeping and running with a much clearer mind. Knowing that I’m going to light up like a Christmas tree to oncoming drivers is much more comforting than wondering if they’re going to see you. I still carry a flashlight and prepare to launch myself into a gully at the first sign of lights heading my way, but I know they can see me.

If you’re not wearing reflective gear, please go out get some. There are many inexpensive items from reflective tape, wrist bands and vests. Don’t leave it up to chance. We can’t stop drunk or reckless drivers but there are steps we can take to make running a whole lot safer!!!