Arizona Camp 2008 Day 3 MVP

Day 3 MVP- aka RUBS

Tuesday, Mar.18 (written Wed. a.m. while the boys are out running 7 Falls and I’m thinking of going for another massage….)

I need to clarify something first – my bike fall on day 1 had nothing to do with the 3 layers of clothing I was wearing  (Gus had 6 layers and a ski cap, Eric had a tank top). Rounding a corner, I pulled up on the crank and lifted my foot right out of the clip. It took 2 seconds to go down. If one ever needs convincing about the importance of wearing a helmet,  just  experience your head bouncing off the tarmac once. Enough said. As silly as I felt going down within  ¼ mile of our start on my first outdoor ride of the year, we had a great ride. And I sure as heck made sure I was clipped in after each stoplite on the way out of and back into town!

The weather has continued to improve. We went over to Saguaro National Park for a 1 hour run. It is a rolling, lush (desert lush with the recent rain) cactus forest in the foothills of the Rincon Mountains.  I never knew how many varieties of cacti exist. And they are in full bloom here. Stunningly beautiful. While traversing the desert, we take comfort in the fact the the rattle snakes are still in their “slow” stage so we have had no problems…yet. The mountain lion warnings are everywhere and they do get our attention. It encourages a faster pace regardless of how you are feeling – to keep up with Eric’s “leisurely” 7 minute pace on this terrain…FYI,  I do not bother wearing the heart rate monitor with these guys. I have no need to be reminded of  how often I am REDLINING.

My hip was bothering me while running. So while these coffee clatchers went over to Tri Sports (an adult version of Toys R Us) for a 2nd time, I went for a massage at RUBS. One hour turned into two hours. I was thinking of going for 3 hours and blowing off the afternoon ride and swim but this masseuse was booked for the rest of the day so I was politely dismissed – relaxation time over. Bummer.

With my hip/leg feeling better, I saddled up and headed to Colossal Caves Mtn Park southeast of Tucson. Heading out Old Spanish Trail with the wind to my back, life was wonderful. This is approx. a 50+ mile out and back on a good road surface with a wide bike lane and not a lot of traffic. With a few climbing exceptions, you get aero and stay there for the majority of the ride. The rollers were great.  My hip was loose and I was cranking. Eric, Gus, Jeff and Brian were heading back in from the Caves (for the swim I was blowing off) as we passed. It was sunny and in the high 60s – the best weather so far. Eric had downloaded some of his music on my shuffle (everything from Barry Manilow to Kanye West – a rather eclectic collection) so I had one ear of motivation along the way.  The ride back into the wind was not bad. But it definitely encouraged staying aero. I was in a good rhythm and passed a few friendly bikers along the way. Nice ride.

We took a break from three straight nights of Mexican and went for an Italian meal. After that experience, we are on for Mexicano again tonight. The  stories, lies and laughs are abundant.

The Kitt Peak ride is on for Wed. afternoon. The temps are expected to hit the high 70s (on their way to the 80’s for the rest of the week). 8000 ft of elevation (it will be in the 30s at the top). A solid even 8 percent grade. No breaks. No tears. 12 miles. Sound like fun? It will on the way down!!