The Tribe
I have been running for almost 9 years now. Recently, with next level results, I have learned that just running does not make you a better runner. Simply running more miles and at times faster did not show improvement in my race results. Approximately nine months ago, I began making changes by adding strength training and making changes to diet. We will discuss at many various levels in many blogs & webcasts about strength training, rest, hydration, injury, and dietary changes.
Nine months ago, I joined SICFIT Scottsdale to add strength & conditioning to my running program. The coaching & classes helped me understand better the advantages of adding strength to help my running, but it also pushed myself to a new level of overall fitness. Overall strength increases overall running times, duh, if you are stronger you are faster and in better shape. Also, pushing yourself mentally beyond your comfort levels in the gym a couple of times a week, makes pushing yourself on runs much easier. I noticed with the addition of core strength that my long runs felt easier over time. Recovery time also improved.
With training going well in preparation of the Las Vegas Half in Nov, I decided to try the Vancouver Half in Oct. I was concerned about the recovery and turnaround time between the two races, something I have never done. Vancouver Half was my first sub 2 hour half marathon in just under 6 years. My recovery was excellent and I did as well in the Las Vegas Half with a 2:01:03, in the wind and rain.
Around the time of the Las Vegas Half, I decided to challenge myself farther and in a different way. I joined a beta program at SICFIT Scottsdale called the Fittest Tribe Alive. Luke Kayyem, owner & coach at SICFIT Scottsdale, came up with this idea of a 90 day challenge with thirteen people including myself, ending with a hike up Mt San Jacinto, called cactus to clouds. It's one of the hardest hikes in the US, approximately 18 miles & 10,000ft elevation change with many climate changes. This hike, this challenge, and this tribe worked perfect with schedule of races, it would also change my focus from running to try something different. For the first half of this Tribe, I was preparing for both the Rock n Roll AZ Half and this cactus to clouds hike. After doing a PR at the RnRAZ, I was able to focus now on cactus to clouds.
Physically preparing for cactus to clouds took days in the gym every week, sometimes even two a days. Working with both Luke Kayyem & Jesse Holland, they pushed me and have been pushing me since I joined SICFIT Scottsdale to improve my running. Adding a gym component is not just putting down a credit card, going in, doing some weight lifting or cardio and thinking ok I'm gonna be fit and healthy. At SICFIT Scottsdale, it's so much more, it's functional strength & conditioning and weight lifting, it's nutrition, setting goals, and support like a family. People, if you don't love your workouts, you are not reaching your goals. For me, it has been all of these things, but so much more. Yes, I'm seeing very positive results, but SICFIT Scottsdale has become my workshop and my sanctuary. Basically, if you want to see physical results, you need to find a gym that if you are not working out, you are missing out, and can't wait to back to.
Myself and my fellow Tribe members all joined this particular challenge for our own personal & varied reasons. The common theme was we all wanted to better ourselves, but we wanted to make a change. There have been many success stories of weight loss, PRs, along with physical & emotional transformations in many of the Tribe members. We will discuss my why in another posting, but I want to take my fitness and goals to an outrageous level. As a Tribe member and not having a race until April, I have really been able to concentrate on building strength & improving my technique.
The last Saturday of Feb, 13 of us began our accent up Mt San Jacinto in Palm Springs. It was a warm, cloudless day at the base. Everyone packed and we began hiking at the base. I naturally overpacked with water & food, my pack weighed between 35-40 pounds. The first part of the hike was 4 miles, approximately 2500ft elevation change to the tram. I was slightly overdressed with the compression shirt for this part of the hike. A quick stop for food and the Tribe to regroup halfway through this section. We arrived to the tram about 2-2 1/2 hours into the hike, then a 20 minute tram ride to 8,000ft.
Off the tram was a restart of the group, refuel, and add a few layers. For me, it was compression pants, compression shirt, shorts, long sleeve running shirt, and an Under Armour fleece beanie (on & off throughout). The next hike was approximately 2.5 miles to Round Valley, elevation 9,100ft. This section of the hike was amongst the trees and winding through the mountain on hard packed snow.
We hit Round Valley at a good pace and the climb began. Next stop was to be Wellington Point en route to the summit, 3 hours to the summit with about two hours left. Coming out of the valley, the climb was a steep incline and at points the snow was deep. We lost the trail due to the lack of people using the trail and the snow on the ground. Our group of five that had taken the lead, went off at a strong pace. We tried for the summit, missed it by the cutoff time due to the depth of the snow. The last mile was a slow march at points, but with many pictures. We needed to head down no later than 2:30pm to make sure we got back to the base. The entire group hustled down the mountain, back to the train.
This challenge only made me more enthusiastic about different opportunities to improve myself and my fitness. We will discuss slight and new goals for this year and how to deal with these changes. You have to set goals, challenge yourself, however, it's the experience with friends that make these challenges and accomplishments memorable. Find something to challenge your fitness and set a goal, This Week!!
Thank you to the Tribe, it was an amazing experience, but only our first.
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