2:14:04. I ran my "flat" route for the last time for a few months. It was overcast today, and I got out earlier than I have been (since it is hot now again) so it was more pleasant than my long runs have been for a few weeks now. But, when I saw my schedule, I told Dean where I was going to run, and he did not like it. There are a lot of bushes around the trails at this place, and he was worried about snakes. You know, it is not that he doesn't love me, but he generally never worries about me, no matter where I am running alone and even late at night ... sometimes when it is really hot and get out late in the morning he worries a little, but this time he was pretty worried. SO ... I was a a little worried too. And then, of course, 3 mins!! 3 mins!! into the run I see a snake! It was a rattlesnake, not quite as big as the one I saw last year, but he was moving right across the trail. I stopped until he was pretty far from the trail (I don't think he saw me) and then walked far out into the brush until I passed him, and then kept going. The whole rest of the run I was hyper-vigilant, every stick was suspect! The worst times were when I was climbing out of washes, they are usually pretty steep, lots of bushes and trees, and many of them have sharp switchbacks which means there are blind corners - and then, of course since it is uphill I am running pretty hard to get up - and even if I saw a snake I am not sure I could stop quickly. The good news is that we are not prey for them, so it is not like they are waiting for you to run by, you just have to avoid stepping on them, or startling them -- which is easy to do if you scan the trail in front of you. But, Dean is right, this trail is not good for running this time of year ... best to wait until October or so ... sigh. Lot's of cactus are in bloom, I took some pictures during my cool-down walk -- I will post the link tomorrow. Have a wonderful Sunday with your families! GOOD LUCK BOSTON RUNNERS! | 