2:01:30 (1:04:28/57:02) 9:12/8:08 AP. So, I accidently overslept today, I did not get started until nearly 8AM. As you can guess I was not happy with myself (although technically I do understand since I worked as many hours a I ran miles this week, probably around 68 hours, and I was tired). Anyway, not only was it hot today, but it was in the dangerous zone, 90F (51%) and hot hot sun. So, I took it really really easy going out, and held back after the turn-around too, because my primary goal was run strong, not die (figuratively) and not get heat exhaustion. Yea, I was successful in all three ;-). I felt strong at the end, and even though my shorts looked like I had just stepped out of a pool after about 4 miles, I actually did not over-heat much. I wish I could have reapplied my sunscreen after an hour, but I put a whole bunch on before I left the house so I did not burn - I can't tell you how hot the sun gets here, it is really remarkable how different it feels from anywhere I have ever lived. Anyway -- it was awesome and I was glad I wasn't doing speedwork (like on Thursday when I felt like I might throw-up because I was so hot). In about 3 weeks it will still be over 100 in the day, but mornings will drop down in the 70s again, and that will make ALL the difference.

It was so awesome to read about the GREAT races from yesterday!! Some of the bloggers just ran such inspiring races. WHOOT WHOOT!

I hope you all have a wonderful day with your family today, and I hope it is a good start of a great week for you all!!

HOLY COW, no AR for Lagat, but a new world record in the 800 !!!!!!!!1:41:09!!!!!!!!  WOW!

AM: (9 miles, 1:17:09). 32:43wu+strides/27:12cd.  6 x 200m w/400 recovery.  Hit every single one of these at :46 (recovery was between 2:09-2:17).  This sort of took me by surprise.  Not only was it as hot as ever, but my leg really hurt this morning (I literally limped the first 1/4 mile of my warm-up).  Plus the womens soccer team was practicing on the infield (usually  it is the men), that was fine, but they left their backpacks all in lanes 1 and part of 2 near the start line!!   Pretty self-centered if you ask me ... there were some of these (ones with the tail wind) that I am pretty sure I would have gotten :45 if I didn't have to run out in lane 2.  Anyway, it sort of made me mad, but hey, I have enough to worry about than to let it stew all day ;-).  

PM: (4 miles easy).

There was a road runner sitting outside on the ledge outside of our living room window this morning!!  He left before I could get the camera, pretty brazen if you ask me, all three of our domestic animals would love to chase him around.  Did you know that road runners eat rattlesnakes?  it is true.  They are studs (and they are supposedly smarter than coyotes ;-)).

have a great day bloggers! 

NEWS: jshad just reported that fellow blogger Kory Wheatley was hit by a car while running this morning,  he has suffered serious injuries and is in the hospital.   More information will be given on the FastRunningBlog Discussion Board.  

1:04:15.  YIPPPEEE, it was only 79F this morning -- I LOVE MONSOONS!  we had a huge monsoon storm yesterday afternoon/evening.  It was so nice this morning and will only get up to 100F today!! YIPPEEE!

I did not actually have to run earlier than usual, but I had to make sure I got out on time because I had a meeting this morning with a senior staffer for Congressman Grijalva.  As part of the American Statistical Association (ASA), I was tasked to introduce the Congressman to a statistical literacy bill that will be introduced to the House this fall; as well as represent the ASA on its new grassroots foray into public policy.  Pretty interesting.  I was accompanied by a government relations person from the University (I think to make sure I was not lobbying on behalf of the University - since if I was they would have to formally put the activity into their Legislative record).  I  have learned a lot about politics this week because of this meeting.  It was sort of anticlimatic after all the work I put into getting the meeting and getting my thoughts organized ... it is a no-brainer bill from the Congressman's perspective (one that he would have a hard time not supporting).  Anyway, it was fun to wear a different hat from the one I normally wear (anti-social geek professor).

I hope you are all having a good day today ... happy trails!

AM: (11 miles, 1:29:27.  27:44wu/25:43cd.  5 x 5` @10K pace w/3` recovery.  Much better than last week, I decided to do these on the road instead of the track, rolling hills, nothing too steep.  I actually messed up the first 3 since I had set the "interval" setting on my watch to beep at 5` and then at 3` ... well, I meant to set it at 3`, I actually set it at 2`.  I thought it seemed that the first couple recoveries felt "short" -- so after the third one I actually checked, yup, it was set at 2`!!  I am sure I was running the right effort, first, based on my odometer in my car I sort-of know where .25, .5, .8 and 1.0 mile is on this loop (it is a 1.2 mile loop partially dirt and partially asphalt).  But mainly I knew it was the right effort because on the 4th one I felt like I might throw-up the last 1` (it was uphill).  It was cooler today, only 83F and partly cloudy ... very nice.  

PM: (4 miles).  

I hope you are all having a wonderful day, and a happy rest of the week!! 

1:02:23.  Things are back to normal, high 80s, low 90s and sunny.  Felt ok today but my leg is still killing me.  I hope John can fix it tomorrow.

Have to run, department retreat today (it is definitely not as fun as it sounds).

Happy Friday everyone!

AM: (8 miles, 1:10:23).  Sunny, warm, but still cooler than the height of summer, so I found myself a little faster at all my landmarks.  I fed my horse friends and then scooted home to go up to Phoenix to see John.  He is buying a new building and expanding his practice - so he has a new partner.  They BOTH worked on me today -- I spent about an hour in pain, they basically tag-teamed me.  But, they worked on my calf/ankle (the one that has been giving me so much trouble the past two weeks), my hips (that are always bad) and my back (which is probably the root of most of my problems).  My lower leg was very bad, John hardly ever says this to me but he said, "that is really bad".  I think it will take a few more visits to "heal" - but tonight was the first time I was not limping on my run in a long long time.  

PM: 4 miles.

 First off, CONGRATULATIONS to all you studette (and studly) runners, especially Scott, Paul, Michelle and Kelly!!  AMAZING runs!

Second, Fasil Bizuneh won the USATF 10 mile championship today, a national champion 6 weeks from Chicago!  Yea Team USA Arizona (and the McMillan group!).  I won a t-shirt from USATF (autographed by Joan Benoit) for correctly predicting him for the win!