Race Across New Mexico, Stage 11

Stage 11 was definitely a day to remember! With the temperatures hovering around freezing when we began, a light rain/snow started falling upon us. I am never worried about snow, because you can just bundle up, but when it is rain and makes you wet, then the precipitation becomes a problem. Over the next miles, the temperature continued to drop, and the wind seemed to pick up even more. At mile 19, I asked one of the volunteers what the temperature was like, and he said that the windchill was somewhere in the mid-teens. Fun!

The first 6 miles were really good, and I was just chilling out listening to some Handel and Scarlatti piano music. Then, between the first and second aid station, the rain seemed to pick up, and my clothes quickly became wet. We climbed this long hill that seemed to take 5 miles to ascend, and then Max (my crew member) was waiting right before 13 miles...I changed all my shirts and jacket, and put another pair of pants on...my Gore Tex jacket had developed a thin layer of ice all over it, which I guess could have been good in a way to further block the wind, but I left it to dry out.

I asked Max to just go 3 miles up the road (as he did until the end), and this seemed to keep my spirits high. All I had to do was run about 30 minutes, and then I could change out my clothes if I wanted to. My hands got really cold between miles 6 and 13 due to the freezing rain, so I had to put on these dang work gloves that were in the back of the car. They didn't offer too much insulation, but at least they were dry. When I tucked them into my jacket, it provided just enough of a barrier to keep my hands warm for the remainder of the run.

Have you ever looked outside and wondered if it is too cold to run? That was basically what today was like, except we had to run. When there is a threat of frostbite, that's when you know the real fun starts! :)

Despite these fun conditions (which some may call miserable), I maintained a low heart rate average of 136 and a max of 165. I just took it easy and didn't stress the system too much.

 The weather at the start reminded me of the weather prior to the Boston Marathon in 2007...cold, windy, and gross. Perfect for a real good 26 miles!

 The last half reminded me of Highway 50 between Pueblo West and Florence. Perfect!

 "Ice Man" style. A thin layer of ice covered my legs and my jacket. 

 And...a thin layer of ice covered my sunglasses, making them un-wearable.

 Barefoot Alex, displaying his "ice beard"

Finishing the day's run in high spirits! It's always a great day to run! :)

Stage 11
Distance - 26.49
Time - 4:51:59
Pace - 11:01
Calories - 2026
Elevation Gain - 850
Elevation Loss - 1864
Elevation Change - 2714
HR Avg - 136
HR Max - 165
Minimum Elevation - 3934
Maximum Elevation - 5138

Totals (9 stages)
Distance - 239.61
Time - 45:35:52
Pace - 11:25
Calories - 18118
Elevation Gain - 9592
Elevation Loss - 11201
Elevation Change - 20793
HR Avg - 138
HR Max - 182
Minimum Elevation - 5816
Maximum Elevation - 6873