track fan

1:57:04 (1:00:39/56:25). I decided to take a break from mountain running and drove to the heavenly flat Rillito trail today.   I did not really check my splits much, except on the first few miles to make sure I wasn't running too fast.  One thing I have learned about summertime running is that once I overheat there is no recovering ... and it is sort of dangerous.  So, I kept it as easy as I could, and then just went with how I felt after I turned around.  It looks like I averaged about 9 min/mile on the way out and 8:25 on the way back.  Partly that was because there was a headwind on the way out and a tailwind after the turnaround, I pretty much felt that until the last 3 miles I was running about the same effort.  

It was a little cooler today (85F) than yesterday (mid 90s) ... so that was good.  However, I really did not feel good for most of this run.  I think I have been running most of my runs a little harder than usual of late, since my mileage is down and I am not doing any workouts I probably have a lot more energy and am not taking it as easy as I generally do on my recovery days.  I will need to work on this a little and concentrate more on slowing down and ensuring I am running easy enough.  

I hope you all have a wonderful Sunday and enjoy all the time with your family and friends!

AM: (9 hilly miles, 1:19:17). Beautiful day, a storm blew through on Sunday night and brought some unseasonably cool temperatures into town ... it was great to run in 70 degrees again. Unfortunately it should be up in the 100s again by Thursday. I tried to time a little of this run, just to see how my effort was in relation to pace. My first milestone (Crestview Road - the name kind of sums it up, it is one of many "crests") took 18:21 on the way out and 17:15 on the way back (it is predominately uphill on my way home). Not too surprising since it takes me a while to warm up. Just worthwhile to note, maybe.

PM: (4 miles easy).

I saw a mule deer today (usually I see white tail, it is not really that common to see mule deer in the Tucson mountains), and about 7 javelina crossing the road (I was glad they made it before the car came down the hill!!!).

I hope you are all having a good day and that Spring is back ... weird about the last Winter days you had last weekend!

1:04:29.  Probably closer to 7.5 + change, because: GILA MONSTER sighting #2!!!! yea!  I was finishing up the trail part of the run and there he/she was right in the middle of the trail.  I had just passed 2 young women on the trail who were walking a little puppy so I turned around and ran back up to them (~1/4 mile) so I could warn them to pick up the puppy (I am pretty sure the Gila Monster could kill a puppy either with its neurotoxin or its sharp teeth) and let them get a look at it.  Wouldn't you know, it left by the time I had gotten back! darn.  But still wow, twice in as many weeks! 

Lots of folks out and about on "my" trail today.  I saw a couple hikers (besides the young women/puppy combo), a mountain biker, and one super fit trail runner/ultra runner guy.  I am sure this guy was either a local elite ultra runner or trail runner.  He was cooking down the trail and just had the look of an ultra runner -- and he was super friendly, which in my mind is much more indicative of people who run a lot - sort of a "size you up" as "kindred spirit" kind of person.

I am so excited, my Nexus One should be in today -- and I will be installing Android 2.2 on it ASAP, I have been holding out on buying a new phone while I contemplated an Android versus iPhone -- and because I am a t-mobile customer this was a big decision (since Dean and my Mom are on my account they would have to switch carriers if I did).  When Android 2.2 came out I was SOLD ... I love Google, and I can't wait to see what their phone (and more importantly their operating system) can do!!

Have a great day bloggers!
 

AM: (10 hilly miles, 1:28:12).  A little on the side of the road, a little off road, a lot of hills.  Last 10` at a little faster than marathon to 1/2 marathon effort (probably about 7:30-7:45 pace).  

PM: (4 miles).

I might have to leave my new phone at home so I can get some work done.  It is so cool .... I can't believe I have lived this long without one of these things.  Downside is that when I am at home I can't get 3G service, so it is not as fast.  But as soon as I come "down" the mountain things are just lightening fast.  The new Froyo (Android 2.2) is not actually being distributed yet (except to the geeky developer folks who have "rooted" their phones) -- but even with the earlier version it is soooooo fast.  I can't play today though, I have way too many things to do!!

I hope you all have productive days bloggers!! 

1:03:27.  Up the trail and down again.  90F ... summer is here, I doubt I will see any run under 85F again until November, so sad.  

My leg hurts.  I need to go up to Phoenix and see the miracle worker soon I am afraid.  

I hope you all have a great Friday and beginning of the weekend!

AM: (8 hilly,  hot miles, 1:12:35).  Worked late last night so we did not sit down to eat until 9:30 (I hate when we do that) ... and did not get to bed until around midnight.  It was hot this morning (the air-conditioner kicked on at 5AM - it is set at 75) so I knew if I did not get up it was going to be uncomfortable ... but, I still did not get out the door until 9.  So, yup, it was uncomfortable.  But, it is over ... ;-).

PM:(4 miles easy).  

Have to go check race results, BB, Comrades marathon, and NCAA regionals .... lots of racing going on!

Have a good weekend bloggers!