After taking a few days off from USA Indoor Nationals at the end of February I came down here to Tucson, Arizona with most of the rest of the Oregon Track Club Elite for a 5 week stint of spring training camp. I am living in an exteneded living apartment that is fully furnished with everything from furniture, kitchen supplies, and towels.

I'm approaching the end of the third week and so far it has been incredible. The weather is 75-85 degrees every day and I've only seen clouds on two occasions. I'm getting quite the tan as well. Luckily I've been smart with the sun so haven't gotten sunburned. What I have really enjoyed though is having time to just train without the normal distractions I find in Eugene. Most days here go like this: Wake up, eat, run/workout, eat, nap, second run or workout, eat, relax for a couple hours, and sleep. Its so nice to only think about running and training. Even though it has been tough physically, I've had a chance to refocus my mind and get back in touch with my running and competitive side. The University of Arizona has been kind enough to allow us to use their facilities pretty much whenever we want. I've been working out all over Tucson though. One day was a fartlek at the park, another was hills out in the middle of the desert, and then the tempo runs along the river wash.

I love Eugene and wouldn't want to live anywhere else to run, but being away from all the track happenings going on there has been a nice break. I would love to live here in Tucson for the winter and spring and Eugene for the summer and fall. I may seriously consider that for next year.

I've got to see alot of cool scenery here so far. There are huge cacti everywhere along with little reptiles too. I haven't gone on a run yet without seeing at least 5-6 little lizards. I keep thinking I'll run into a snake though, and I don't like snakes. Actually, I porbably spend 1/3 of my runs thinking about that I would do if I saw and got bit by a rattle snake. I would have to stop running (obviously) but would still have to get to someone for help. I would have to focus on slowing my heart rate while still moving toward a road or house. Man, I hope that doesn't happen. Now I'll probably start thinking about it twice as much on my runs.

On a lighter note, I am opening up my outdoor season this weekend at the Arizona State Invitational in Tempe. For the past 3 weeks I've basically been training like a 1500 runner so Saturday I'm going to drop down to my roots and run a 400 and a 4x400 relay leg. Normally I would be stoked to run a 400 so I can show off what little sped I have left. But this time the 400 is the speed. So I'm not sure what to expect as far as time. I don't have the slightest clue as to how my speed is right now. I am confident of one thing. However fast I'm going when I cross the finish line I bet I can keep that pace for another 100m at least.

I will, however, have the opportunity to run fast. The heat I am in is loaded for an early season meet like this. There are at least 5 names I recognize as NCAA All-Americans, several of which just competed at the NCAA Indoor Nationals. In any case it should be fun. I'm pretty sure RunnerSpace will have all the videos from the meet so check back on SchererSpeed.com for my races.