Notes
Gave up 5 minutes to last year. Matt took 10 minutes off!
Very cold day, sleeting before the start. My cold calf tear got painfull on the first climb, so I switched to powerhiking. When the open ski trail turned to single track, with the pressure of people in front and behind, I began to run again managing the pain. That pain went a way on the downhill and did not creep back in. I did keep a very agressive powerhike strategy in every open trail steep climb. I was passing people at this point and did not give up a single position until the last 100 feet. This was a very good effort.
Managing the shoulder, I kept my forearms below my elbow and discovered a great new arm swing for both arms. I passively shoulder pumped on the same side as the foot fall, and raised the opposite fist to deload and carry inertia forward. I'd like to see it. I think it may be good in general, but would have to compare once my shoulder is back in action.
Excellent conversation with Tim VanOrden after the race. I shared the idea that my confident range of motion work with the shoulder is a biochemical signal to nourish and repair it which is not available if isolated or locked up. Also the idea that some pain is meant to immobilize an area, and the painfull tissues aren't necessarily injured. He agreed and shared his own experiences. I also tossed out this phrase, life is a continuous anatomy lesson. That should be a pick up line for women though, somehow I'll have to get in a situation to use it that way. Tim has obviously found a great female companion, looked great, and it is amazing to see his success.