Tucson - Day 4

All good things must come to an end – There is an end to everything, to good

things as well.

                      Geoffery Chaucer

Our last day in Tucson began like all the others. The sky was clear, blue, and

gorgeous. It seemed that Mother Nature had decided that after our auspicious

start that she owed us four days of nice and pleasant weather.

I got a it of packing done before I headed to meet Jaime and Lawrence. Earlier

in the camp I had talked to Lawrence about strength training and wanted to add a

consistent strength training routine into my overall regiment. We went over

things and came up with a set routine that would allow me to get into the gym

once or twice a week.

After my meeting we had a group rolling session. It was good to go over the

proper technique and form for rolling. This is an area where I really feel that I

need to devote more time, even to the point of literally putting it down as part of

my training routine.

We finished up rolling things out and headed over to the pool for one last workout

with Janna. I reviewed everything she had said and listened in on some of the

pointers she was giving to others. The end of the swimming session culminated

in a fun relay race where everyone swam 50 yards. I was sad to say goodbye to

Janna. I hope that I will have the chance to work with and learn from her again.

A quick change, a little bit of packing done, and it was time to pile in the car and

head out to Sabino Canyon for a long training run on one of Jaime’s favorite

trails. We rendezvoused at Wally’s – one of Jaime’s old Tucson friends. We

received our instructions and then headed out to the Sabino Canyon Recreation

Area. We passed the visitor’s center, followed the Native Trail, and then began

climbing along the Telephone Line Trail into the canyon. This trail rises over 600

feet (most within the first mile!) and continues for 4.5 miles. During the early part

of the run I got a chance to talk with Michael Barney and William Kessler, another

couple of Jaime’s elite athletes. After a that steep initial climb they said their

goodbyes and kicked into a high gear.

The run through Sabino was wonderful and scenic but it was also very uneven

and rocky. Not a lot of climbing after the initial steep ascent but I definitely had to

keep my eyes open while I was running. My goal was to stay upright and to not

injure myself. About halfway up the trail Justin, Jaime, and Bryan Batz (one of

Jaime’s coaching partners with SWTri) passed me on the trail. They were kind

enough to take a break every so often, wait for me, yell words of encouragement,

and not allow me to become cougar fodder. We continued as a ragtag group

until the end of the trail and then made a steep descent down to the Sabino

Canyon tram road.

After the rocky and uneven trail the tram road was a chance for a nice and

relaxed mental regroup. We talked and stopped a couple of different times for

brief water breaks. The run back down went smoothly and quickly and soon we

were back at Wally’s downing ice cold water.

The clock was ticking down towards check out. We had enough time to get back

to the Lodge, shower, pack, check out, and load things up. Jaime and I were

returning to Bend by airplane so we loaded up our bikes and a couple of bags full

of non-essentials, wished Wendy and Justin safe travels, and sent them on their

way. Goodbyes were said as other athletes headed out and Jaime and I threw

our carry on luggage into the rental car.

We had a couple of hours to kill so we headed to a place that Jaime and Heather

used to frequent and enjoyed a great lunch al fresco. On our way to the airport

we made one final stop. We went through the drive thru at Eegee’s, a Tucson

institution, and ordered up lemon slushies with real bits of lemon. It was the

perfect way to end a warm day as well as our time in Tucson.

We dropped off the car and headed to the departure gate. Jaime was heading to

Bend via Salt Lake City and I via Seattle. After a quick fist pump and bro hug

Jaime was off to find an outlet to charge his phone and I fell in line to board my

plane. I found my seat, settled in, texted my wife to let her know that I had made

my plane. Soon we were flying over the mountains days ago I was climbing on

my bike and just hours ago I was running through with my friends. The wheels

were up and with it the camp was complete.

I thought back on the previous days. I met new and wonderful people. I learned

more about the friends I had known. I pushed myself hard and learned a bit

about myself as well. It was an incredible experience. One I can’t wait to repeat

next year.