track fan

1:30:32.  95F but with cloud cover -- which makes all the difference in the world!  I am SO (so so so) happy that I can run 10 miles again!  I felt so good.  The fatigue comes and goes, but when it is gone I feel so much better, I can't believe how lucky I am to feel so good again!!!

It has been a WONDERFUL week -- last week was our visit with friends in Utah, this week was all about track and field EVERY night -- and tomorrow we head for Flagstaff!!  good-bye 110, hello 80s (and lows of 50s!!!).  

I wish happy trails, loose muscles, and warm moments with family and friends for you all bloggers!! 

AM: (8.5 miles, 1:15:43).  Great, wonderful, stupendeous, awesome trail run.   A little pipeline trail, a little lower Oldhem trail, rocky, hilly, at 7000ft.  What could be better than this?  Well, see below.

PM: easy 3.5 - up Mt. Elden (short up -- but still -- up!).

A little more fatigued than I would have liked today.  Last night Dean and I went out to meet up with Greg and Tracy (McMillan).   They had a TeamUSA Arizona board meeting and then took everyone out for happy hour.  We ended up staying out waaaay too late, but it was fun -- Abdi came out (yes, the "Mayor of Tucson", the "Black Cactus")  - he had a 12 x 1K workout the next day, but still managed to hang out until about 11PM!!  Just in case anyone is thinking of an Olympic wager, Abdi is feeling very good right now and was talking some serious trash about beating the Kenyans ;-).

"easy" 7.5 further up Mt Elden (1:08)!  So, I had to update this because I ended up running way up the Oldham trail and then I just did not want to quit climbing once I started up Mt. Elden road (all the different trails around this peak are here) - I am not sure exactly how far I had left to summit -- but with the time it took me to get back to the lower trail I would assume I made it ~ 3/4 of the way up - the elevation change goes from 7000 ft - 9500ft to the very top ... not a lot of oxygen up there ;-).   I wanted to take some of the trails that sometimes parallel the road, but I was uncertain of the footing and so decided to play it safe (as a flat-lander, this elevation is tough!). 

Happy 4th of July everyone!

Heads up ... the McMillan running calculator will be available next week (we are going over today to finish up some of the new "ultra marathon" bits)!  AND, for those of you with an iPhone -- a new app is coming out too ... it is pretty sweet ... I can't wait until the Android version comes out! 

AM: (1:11:43).  Ran to Schulz Creek area and then ran on some trails there.  I was trying to keep from doing the major climbs of the rest of the week because my legs are sore from all the climbing this week (a wonderful kind of sore).  But, there is no escape ;-) from the hills.

PM: easy 4 ... nice loop that goes up to Mt. Elden fire road and back around ... it will be my standard PM run for the next 2.5 weeks!

Had a conference call today -- so I ended working a bit ... still a relaxing day overall!

I hope you are all doing well.  

My brother was hospitalized again (he was hospitalized last month for a pulmonary embolism) -- this time with an esophogeal ulcer that was bleeding (not good when you are on blood thinners).  Not good, they can't find out what is causing all these problems - he is a healthy guy -- a little on the big side (football player and shot putter), but not fat by any means.  Ick.  I think he will be going to the Mayo for a bunch of tests as soon as he gets out of the hospital. 

1:03:43.  Up (and down) the pipeline trail and then back on the Forces of Nature trail ;-).  Still very hilly (and rocky), but not the same amount elevation gain as some of the other trails.  I am trying to be conservative this week, because I really want to try to run 12 on Sunday -- but I won't push it, the altitude and mileage buildup is still pretty good - and I am HAPPY!!

I hope you are all doing well! 

AM: (approximately 8 miles, 1:10:16).  Ran on FSR 222B to 222 (Wing Mountain Loop).  Screaming downhill after the turnaround -- nearly 4 mins faster over 4 miles for me and nearly 5 mins faster for Dean!  Beautiful (as usual)!

PM: usual easy 4 loop (first half hard, last half easy!).

If all goes well, I am shooting for 12 miles tomorrow!!  

Happy Weekend bloggers! 

While driving home from the run I saw a turkey vulture  sitting on what I thought was a log.  It actually was a dead deer.  Though sort of sad, and disgusting, I could not believe how big this turkey vulture was - actually as large a turkey!!  amazing.