track fan

2:02:41.  Easy run around the hood (which means in the mountains, which means very hilly ;-) ).  Felt pretty good today.  I ran especially easy because I am feeling better, but I have a pretty stressful couple of days coming up.  I am leaving for Philadelphia tomorrow morning, have a very long day of grant reviews on Tuesday, then a long trip home very late Tuesday night ... culminating in a very early first day of classes on Wednesday.  The class I teach in the spring is a little easier, in terms of material, but much larger (~50 or more students) and much more variable in their comfort level with mathematics.  It is a tricky class, since there is no way to make everyone happy (e.g., if I teach it too easily the people who need to learn it feel cheated, if I make it too hard then the people who are taking it to fulfill their requirements are overwhelmed).  I am hoping that come next fall I can teach another higher level course, which would make me, and the students, much happier ;-).

Anyway -- I may or may not be blogging over the next few days, I will be continuing to run very easy -- with next Thursday being my first day "back" to retraining for my new marathon target.

Happy Sunday bloggers, have a wonderful week!!! 

61 mins or so ...

up and away to the big blue yonder. 

Happy Monday! 

54:13.   Had to get up pretty early, Tucson time (3:30), although it was late (5:30) Philly time ;-).  

Had a really nice run down to the Schulylkill River Trail, I had to run about 1.5 miles through the city (I am staying smack-dab downtown) -- but only about 1/2 mile of it was super dangerous - wrt cars.   It was pretty awesome.  For a little while I missed living in "the city" ... but then I remembered how easy it is to find dirt roads and trails from my house (and how nice it is to have a yard) and I realized it is maybe better to just travel to large cities than to live in them ;-).

Happy Day bloggers, I must get back to my reviews! 

AM: (7.5 miles, 1:06:53).  Oh man, what a beautiful day, perfect -- cloudy, 45F, my legs were rested and feel oh so good.  I SOOOO wanted to do a workout.  But, Greg said no.  He said I am still down this week ... he wants me a to get a little "out-of-shape" so I don't peak early ... so I am trying to be good.  Even so, I was about 30 seconds/mile faster than my usual "easy" pace.  That is the good thing about running by effort, I don't always know how far I run, but I know what easy effort is ;-).  

PM: easy 4.

I slept really well last night, probably to make up for 2 nights of very little sleep and over 16 hours of flying in 48 hours.  On the way home from Philadelphia I traveled with about 40 UofA students -- everyone was coming back from Christmas break (yesterday was the first day of classes).  It was pretty funny being part of a very very young "cool" crowd that comes back to school on the midnight flight ;-).  It was not that enjoyable yesterday morning though -- when I had to get up after 4 hours of sleep and teach.  Despite all that though, I am feeling oh so much better ... I am still congested, but every day seems to get better ... I can't wait to see if my workouts will improve now that I am not sick!!

I hope you are doing well bloggers!! 

1:02:20 ... another beautiful day.  I ran major hills today - I love living in the Tucson mountains (not to be confused with "mountains in Tucson" ;-) ).  There are 3 major mountain ranges in Tucson, the Tucson mountains are the lowest in elevation, but closest to downtown (a mere 15 mins -- but much less congested than the other foothills).  Saguaro forests, lots of hills, lots of dirt roads/trails, and lots of javelina, bobcats, deer and coyotes (well, and snakes, scorpions and mountain lions ;-) ).    

 Thanks to allie, I couldn't resist having celery and almond butter for breakfast ... hopefully I can make up the calories at lunch or dinner ;-).

I am so excited about the trials tomorrow -- I think Abdi is going to make the team as the "long shot"!  Don't forget to  make  your predictions -- today is the last day, and there is a fastrunningblog team.

Happy Friday bloggers. 

AM: 8 miles, easy pace -- I seem to have misplaced my watch.  I know that I went through my first landmark about 50 secs faster than usual.  Yikes.  I had to remind myself to take it very easy.  It was hard, my legs feel so fresh -- and, of course, I was inspired by watching the trials (well virtually watching, it is not on TV yet).

PM: Easy 4.

 I KNEW Abdi was going to make the team.  I just had no idea that Meb would kill it like that!  And, I am torn because I was so rooting for Ritz, but am seriously happy for Abdi.  Shalane was, as usual, amazing.  

I am also super stoked to see that the McMillan Elite had 2 guys in the top 10 ... seriously awesome for a group that has only been around for 5 years!! SOOO happy for them.  Haven't yet heard what happened to Stephanie.    

Happy Saturday bloggers!