1:02:56. Up the trail. So, in general I am most hyper-vigilant about snakes when I am in the most remote part of the trail (and where there is a lot of brush that makes it hard to see the trail - or on cliffs - where I can't escape). Today, I was just finishing up and getting back to the trailhead when I had to jump over a snake that was spread out across the trail - it kind of snuck up on me ... as I was airborne over it I realized, "wow, it is a rattlesnake too." Sure enough, it was a Western Diamondback Rattlesnake and I could tell because it had 4 concentric circles of black and white rings near its rattle ... beautiful actually (and looked just like the web-picture I linked you to). It did not look like it perceived me as a threat because it did not coil or rattle (even as I leaped over it). So, that brings my total number of rattlesnake sightings to 3 (one Mohave and I think two Western Diamondbacks). I did run last night, but it almost didn't happen. I actually got a little sick from my morning run -- I think that despite trying hard not to run too hard in the sun I did ... I had a bad headache for most of the afternoon (which usually happens when I get a touch of heat exhaustion). I took many doses of Emergen-C ElectroMIX, which finally got things under control. All that horrid wind brought good things too, it was the coolest run I have had all week (95F) -- pretty sure that 90F and full sun was a little much for a 4 mile tempo run. Next week I will be in DC (study section - I am reviewing NIH grants) - it will be much easier to run there, despite the humidity -- although my schedule will be bizarre (on Tuesday we will be in review from 5-10PM?? how weird is that? and then we start super early the next morning). I hope you all have a wonderful day - and a great weekend. Track and Field: NCAA is this weekend (actually started on Wednesday, so far I have only picked 3 winners in my pool -- but they have been big ones and I have a few points). On TV we will have the Adidas Grand Prix (will be aired on ESPN on Sunday). Starting on the 23rd we will have the USATF track and field championships (will be aired on NBC and ESPN). Also: FUTBOL!!!!! GO MEXICO (today - playing against South Africa) and GO USA (playing tomorrow against England).
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