track fan

2:01:40. Very cool run today (not temperature-wise!). We went to the Saguaro National Park - West today. Ran a slightly longer than 8 mile very hilly loop on a dirt road and then added on more on an out-and-back to get to 2 hours. No water, but as long as it is not too hot (above 85F) I have found I can run about 90-1:45 without water - so we just left water at the car and included the car in the loop - it worked out just fine.

It was very beautiful ... lots and lots of Sahuaros (mountains covered in them) -- it is truly something to see, looks postcard perfect. Probably more beautiful in the early morning/late evening with the sun setting/rising.

AM: (8.5+, 1:13:11). Last 10` at ~ half-marathon effort (7:30 pace). Ran at about 75% effort easing into about 5 miles at 8:20 pace before the last 10 mins. I am sure it was more than 8.5 miles based on the mile markers, but it wasn't quite 9 miles. Felt pretty good, easy and relaxed on the faster part and I don't feel tired at all this morning. Trying to keep it a little easier at the begining of the week as I have a pretty hard workout scheduled on Thursday - possibly the hardest workout I have ever done, but really good for judging my fitness going into the cross-country race next week.

PM: (4.5 miles, 40:31). Ran (jogged) at Reid Park, got there a little earlier than usual - it was still dark, but I could see where I was going for the first 20 mins!

Nice run -- very easy.  Trying to rest for a hard run tomorrow.

Happy Wednesday bloggers!

AM:(12.5 miles, 1:41:14). 2 mile wu + 400m strides (20:51) then 5 x 1 mile w/800m recovery (7:11, 7:08, 7:10, 7:12, 7:12) + 3 x 200m w/200 recovery (:49, :48, :48) then (finally) 2 mile cd.

I am not sure how I feel about this workout. It was not easy, and it was a little slower than I was hoping. But, it also was the fastest workout I have done in over a year and the hardest I have done in a couple years ... and after a week of the highest mileage I have ever done. I think the race next week is not actually going to be even a cross-country PR, but it will be a good workout and a lot of fun.

PM:(3.5+ miles, 34:01). Whoops, another run in the dark! I ran on the bike path, there were dozens of rabbits (and very loud birds) out. A bird scared me half to death - I thought it was a person, right by my head! Couldn't see my watch easily so I ran a little further than I meant to. I felt ok, but I am very tired now. I am too old for this.

On a side note, I just got back and was listening to NPR on the way home, I ended up sitting in the garage until the story was over with tears running down my face. It was an interview with a miner in Congo - they have thousands of "independents" that simply dig holes in the side of mountains looking for coal. Their lives are horribly difficult. The guy they interviewed (and there are thousands just like him) stays in the mine for weeks on end, when he does get home, hopefully with a little money - his wife is laying sick with malaria. No money for a doctor, barely enough to buy her some food, the next morning, he leaves again. I know these things, I realize how lucky I am every day -- but still, every once in a while it just takes my breath away.

1:13:45.  8 mile recovery jog.  Felt much better than I thought I was going to after yesterday.  Body is tired, but legs felt pretty good.

Happy Friday bloggers.
 

AM:(7.5 miles, 1:05:27). Easy run down the soccer fields with Dean and then I ran along the river trail for a while and back home.

PM:(4.0 + miles, 37:03). A little scenic run around the golf course (I think it is called the Arthur Pack Desert Golf Course) -- pretty nice, the "rough" of the course is actually dirt/sand/brown grass - a very pleasant running surface (despite the fact we probably weren't supposed to be there). We found a new track too!