Racing. Easy as 1, 2, 3...and 4?

[caption id="attachment_42" align="alignleft" width="150" caption="The beginning of the 8-mile loop at Saguaro National Monument"][/caption]

 Training runs begin July 30, 2011 and run each Saturday until race weekend.  Group leaves at 6 a.m.

The fall racing season begins in a few weeks with the running of the 42nd Annual Saguaro National Monument Road Race on September 5th.  Following the paved, 8-mile loop around the historic landscape, the course will take runners through some of the most beautiful parts of the Sonoran desert, lined with majestic saguaros and breathtaking views of the Rincon Mountains.  Oh yeah, runners will also climb and descend more than 1,700 feet of elevation during the race. 

In anticipation of the big day, we'll gather as a group to run the course every Saturday during August (the 1st training this year is July 30, 2011). Each year the formula is the same - a  few straggle out in the beginning, with larger and larger groups showing up each week as runners cram in their last few miles of hill workouts.  It’s funny the way people prepare for this race, with distinct personalities emerging when it comes to running Saguaro.  Some hit the road fast, intent to get it over, with little or no care how they finish. Others gain strength running with a crowd; as if the pain can be shared collectively across the group.  Then there are the iPod people, gaining inspiration (and distraction) in their music. Last are the loners, preferring to face the challenge alone and with their own thoughts. Regardless of your type, a group of us think we have it figured out.  Look at the course as a whole and then divide the race into fourths.  Have a strategy for each segment and set yourself up for the next. 

[caption id="attachment_40" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Runners will climb and descend nearly 1,750 feet of hills"][/caption]

 Saguaro starts off with 2 miles of rolling inclines, steep and short, and the tendency for most runners is to go out fast and get ahead of the group.  Our philosophy is to go nice and steady to start the race, let the rabbits get out fast.  We’ll have plenty of opportunity to catch them soon enough.  We’ll glide into segment two, a relatively flat portion of the race.  This is a great time to check your breathing, get into a rhythm, and mentally prepare for “The Hill”. 

“The Hill”, a 1.5 mile, seemingly vertical climb, in the middle of the race, is one the main reasons Saguaro was a featured race in Runner’s World in 2002.  This middle portion of the race is a gut wrenching, quad exploding climb that will exhaust both mental and physical reserves if you are not ready.  It is the time most likely where the mind will often overrule the body and say ‘enough’.   But because this is segment three, focus on your strength, overcoming this challenge by getting to the top. 

The fourth portion of the race features rolling hills to the finish.  Stride out on the downhill, good form on the uphill, find your center and get control of your breathing all the while getting stronger as your quads recover.  It’s time to steadily pass those that have wasted their reserves on “The Hill”. Your confidence will soar with each person and hill you conquer.  Now is the time to let the spectator’s cheers inspire you and soak in the accolades of your accomplishments. 

Thinking about this philosophy, it’s not a bad way to approach any run really.  Most tasks are easier to accomplish if you break them down into easily managed segments.  On your next run, whether it's a one-hour long run or a 30-minute jog around the neighborhood, give this theory a try and break your run into fourths.  Easily managed segments will make your run easier to finish and allow you to focus on the task at hand.  As you complete each portion, you'll gain strength and confidence for the next. 

Now if I could just convince my group to 'share' a little more of my pain…