The Gauntlet That Lies Ahead

The Phoenix Rises
(hopefully)

After disappointing performances at the last Warrior Dash and the LA Marathon, and then inspired by Lance's Armstrong Tour de France attempt and his strong Time Trial I started signing up for some interesting races.

Then Lance started crashing and I twisted my ankle like a pretzel. But the first race was a couple of months away. I should be fine.

Ouch!!!
Ankle a couple days after 4th of July incident. That's exactly a month away.

The Race Schedule

September 24--


At 1,108 feet, the tallest building in Los Angeles is the tallest building west of the Mississippi. Climbers will race or walk the 1,500 steps (75 stories) and take an elevator down.* Most participants will climb to the top in 20 to 45 minutes. Elite climbers will race to the top in 13 minutes or less. The course record is 9:28.

I've ran stairs once so far, but 4 weeks should be enough time. The ankle is still a little unstable but I can run on it.

It's the building on the left. I've done this event twice in the past, so at least I know what to expect. It's an event for charity so go to the home page of the website(you can click on the logo/link above), friends and family can locate a Climb Participant by clicking on the "Sponsor Climb Participant" button. By typing in the name of the Climb Participant, they will be directed to the Climb Participant's personalized pledge page. I'll fly out to see Cindy and then compete in the Highest Tower run in the US and third in the world(Third highest Tower run event, not building) That'll be 2109 stairs and 110 stories

Next up, the one I'm concerned(scarred) about.
NORCAL Saturday October 9 & Sunday October 10

Tough Mudder is not a race. It is supposed to be a personal challenge – the goal is simply to complete the course.

Right? It's all down hill after that one. Well not really.

November 14--Another Stair Climb--Sky Rise Chicago

I'll fly out to see Cindy and then compete in the Highest Tower run in the US and third in the world(Third highest Tower run event, not building) That will be 2109 stairs and 110 stories.

Spartan Challenge--Los Angeles Dec. 12, 2010

I'll round out the year with a fun little 5k. A 5k with a twist. "The Spartan Race is for athletes and people who are tired of the tedium of the usual races and workouts and yearn to recapture the spirit of an adventurous age. Participants will confront obstacles ranging from extreme to absurd that gain their inspiration from sources as varied as Spartan training, Navy SEAL training and American Gladiators.

5K run featuring:

• War Charge!
• Heroes Spear throw
• The Mud Pit (Mud crossing)
• Scrambling Spartans (Scramble Net)
• Mt. Impossible (Wall climb)
• Dark Tunnel (Small, wet and dark tunnel passages)
• The Fallen (Cross the tough balance beam obstacle course)
• Enemies Trap (Cargo net climb)
• Slippery Victory (Inclined wet wall)
• Barbed Crawl (Barbwire crawl)
• Leap of Faith (Fire jump)
• And featuring two out of this world and never before seen mystery elements!

March 20, 2011-The Los Angeles Marathon

An old familiar friend rounds out the races I've committed to at this point.

Just got back from my first real run since twisting the ankle. It felt good. I would love some company on any of the above races. So just click on the link and it will take to where to register.