I have never ever been exposed to altitude for more than a 3-day stint. I had a hard time adjusting for the first few runs. I noticed the even slight differences like between 5,000 and 5,500 ft. I almost died at Colorado Springs with my 4-miler with James Strang. The first time I realized I was adjusting was the long run in Denver. It was the first time I actually felt in control of my run.

As a runner, I am super body aware. I wish everyone could feel what it feels like to be fit. It’s almost like driving a BMW. You can change pace and accelerate and your body never gets more tired, it switches gears with ease. You never have to wonder if the engine is going to die.  I can tell when I’m getting in shape by how hard I have to run to get my heart rate up, and how fast it recovers once it is up. I am at the stage now where I don’t have to run super fast to get the heart rate and breathing rate up, but I recover really quickly with the slightest slow down. It is good progress for week 4 of base running. Every run I do, I feel a little bit stronger. Now it is important not to over do it and have a good range between recovery and tempo run pace . It’s so easy as a runner to get antsy and expedite the getting fit process. I am going to maintain patience, keep doing neuro-muscular speed work—strides, really focus on recovery—as I have been neglecting this aspect of training on this trip, and continue the slow and steady progression of fall training.
--Phe