Pete Tanguay

Some of my favorite runs are the runs with faster runners who are taking it easy! Had a good run today at a comfortable pace with 4 other runners. 8:20 pace for me is a good run, not too hard and not too easy. It was definitely a recovery run for the others. Did the Monday route backwards and held a comfortable pace, picking it up a bit towards the end. Weather was humid but not too hot. Great way to start a Friday – golf at 2:00, got to get to work!

Went to the fitness center not sure if I would do a spin class or run and there was a good group of runners so I ran the Wednesday 5 mile run with them. Ran a steady pace and felt comfortable. Picked it up a little at the end as I usually do and glad to see my pace dropping down to 8:30 again. It’s nice not training for anything, just enjoying the runs and the benefits of running – good health and good friends.

Had a good run today, legs are feeling strong again – recovery and not running every day is making a difference. There weren’t any of the faster runners there so I ran the first half mile with a slower group and then went ahead on my own. Felt real good to have a couple of sub-8 miles again and I can tell that I am going to be back to this point soon. Ran up Country Club hill but didn’t run hard and then down to Prince and back to the Fitness Center. Goal for this week is to do hills tomorrow and work hard, spin on Wednesday, run 15 miles with a slower group on Thursday, either bike or bike/run on Friday and we’ll see what is left for the weekend.

Planned to do a tempo run but settled into a steady run that was real enjoyable, especially in the cool (relative term for Arkansas in July) summer morning. This is the perfect time of year for running as it is slightly dark as you start but is light by the time you finish. Started out to run with a larger group but it was too slow and two of us went on and did the Monday route with Country Club Hill at the end. Still one of my favorite routes. With rest days each week I am feeling much better.

Had a hard spin class this morning with half hills and half sprints and very little recovery. Excellent workout. Then we went for a 5 mile run. Felt good in both. I rode and ran harder in these two events than I did in the triathlon. I would like to get my runs after spin class down below 9 minute miles. It was great having Curt there as I am not sure I would have gone for the run and I may have cut it short. It was a grind in mile 3-4. Body is feeling good and starting to feel a little stronger. This is an excellent workout – will try to do more of them.

Was great to be back running with the group. Did 6 miles including 5 hill repeats on Nob Hill. Not too warm but it was real humid. Good old Arkansas summer weather! Felt good and had a good kick at the end. My butt is still a little sore from the triathlon but everything else is working fine.

What a great experience. I was able to accomplish all three of my goals – to enjoy the scenery and the event, finish the race and not come in last. There were a lot of unknowns going into the race, will I be able to swim .91 miles and how will I feel coming out of the water? How hard will the 3 mile climb over Donner Pass be – will I have to walk? I was sure I’d be able to do the run.

The weather was perfect, the lake was not as cold as I thought, the websuit kept me from sinking and with my relaxed go for a swim, take a bike ride and do a Sunday morning 6 mile run, I had fun and enjoyed it. Swimming in a straight line was hard as my goggles fogged up and I went off course and into a rope. I looked up and everyone was swimming almost the other direction! Then a guy in a kayake cut me off to get me to go around the buoy that I thought I was heading around. I settled into the swim and finished fine. I took my time in the transition, changed into my bike top and got my shoes out and headed out. The course was a 3 mile climb, a 9 mile downhill, turn around and back up and over and down. Since I was not giving it all I had on the uphills and had a very good bike, I made it up fine and the downhills were incredible. Hit speeds above 40 mph doing the downhills and my average speed coming down the front was 37 for 2 miles and 38 for one. That’s riding the brakes and going around some sharp corners. I finished up with the run where I passed some people and fought off the urge to try and post a good 10k time. Ran steady, walked at the aid stations and enjoyed the run around a beautiful Alpine lake.

Overall it was fantastic and something I’ll probably do again. However, I don’t have any time to be a passionate trathlete that is constantly working on my next PR. It’s nice to enjoy a sport where you don’t have to constantly be getting faster and faster. However, I will work harder on the next one now that I know what to expect.

Went out for a test swim today to try on the wet suit, the mountain air and see how things would go for tomorrow. The wet suit is going to help – definitely will keep me from sinking! As I got into the swim it was a little hard to take deep breaths. Felt like something was pushing on my chest, not sure if it was from the suit or the altitude. Probably both. I won’t be going fast tomorrow but I feel comfortable that I will make it out of the water and on the bike ok. Mentally I’ve divided the swim into four 1/4 mile sections and will attack them one at at time. It’s a swim that goes in a circle with 4 left turns. There are 600 swimmers so that will be interesting as well.

Then we drove up the first hill on the bike portion of the race. It is a 1200 foot climb over 2.5-3 miles. I took the video below as we drove up the hill. This will definitely be brutal. The temps will be low though so that is good. I feel if I can make it over this hill I am certain to finish, even though I have to go down the back, turn around and come up the back. The back side is not so steep. Then it is down the front to the transition area and run around the lake – 6.5 miles.

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The weather is beautiful up here.  I’m excited for the event and a little anxious for how hard I am going to have to work just to meet my goal to finish.  Not finishing last place will be a bonus!

Here is the view coming down Donner Pass at the end of the ride to the transition area at the lake where we did the swim and will run around.

Coming down Donner Pass

Got up to the Lake Tahoe area for my Triathlon this weekend.  Looking forward to the event.  It’s definitely going to be a challenge.  Took a 13 mile route up a pretty good hill (name of the road was Ski Trail Way if that is any indication) working on getting use to the bike.  Altitude is not too bad which is good.  We came over Donner Pass to get here, and coming about half way down I took this picture.  This is the starting climb for the race and it is MUCH bigger than I anticipated.  Oh well, I’ve already registered so no turning back. 

Coming down Donner Pass

Got out and ran after a couple of days off.  It’s always a victory when I get out to run when I am out of town on business.  I felt I needed to get out for a bit since I’m racing this weekend.  Didn’t push it but ran a steady 6 miles.  The battery on my watch was out – not real sure why this happens since it has been off, just not plugged in. Interesting that it is 91 degrees here right now and where the triathlon will be held this weekend it is 43 degrees out, which is the temp it will be when I get into the water for my swim.   Brrrrrrr.