Seeking a better country...

This was on Legacy trail, between the rain.  The kids came on roller blades, and didn't keep up.  I did three half mile pickups, 3:06, 3:14, 3:14.  I wish I could sustain that pace for more than a half mile.  Better train more like I wish I ran.

400 E to peach tree to Farmington, back on 400 W.  Overall pace was 7:14.  Felt like stopping lots of times, but decided to hammer them out.  I didn't look at my watch till this morning, and this pace is a pleasant surprise.

On a separate note, I took my boys to the Muse concert last night.  Holy crap, what a show.  That was the best concert ever, hands down.  We are driving down to Supai, AZ today to get some Grand Canyon backpacking, but I'm seriously considering becoming a groupie for Vegas, Phoenix and Colorado.  It was UNBELIEVABLE.  I should be able to run tonight in Kingman, Thursday in the canyon, and hopefully on Friday in Kingman after we hike out.  Of course, the hiking with a 40 lb backpack may be enough cross training.  This long drive should provide a good opportunity for some driving lessons for my oldest.  I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the rest of us survive said driving lessons.

6 miles on the treadmill in Kingman, AZ.  Getting ready to hike into Havasu Canyon on Wed.

All right.  These weren't running miles.  They were crosstraining miles; backpacking in Havasu Canyon.  My pack was around 40 lbs.  This was killer hiking, so I'm putting it down.  A nice strength, core and upper body workout, not to mention burning calves.

Again, backpacking.  Slow miles with a 10-15 lb pack for a day hike down to Beaver Falls.  The scenery was incredible.  Really, beyond incredible.

The climb out of the canyon.  The pack was lighter by 7-8 lbs, since we ate the food.  I considered leaving the tent behind.  The climb was over 2000 feet, and most of that was in the last 1.5 miles.  After I got up, I dropped my pack at the car and went down to carry my sister's pack the rest of the way up.  We did great on water, and didn't end up too thirsty, although my daughter pushed pretty hard and was getting dizzy in the last .75 miles.  A poptart sort of cured that.

When we got back to Kingman, we got our money's worth at a Golden Corral for the first time ever.  We just ate and ate and ate, and it was so great to stuff down food that wasn't just add boiling water. 

After driving home from Kingman, I took a quick run.  I ended up doing 8 miles in 60 minutes, despite stiff, sore legs from the backpacking this week.  (see previous entries)  It felt great to move fast with no backpack on, and nobody to prod and encourage along.  

Our trip was a fantastic way to spend spring break.  I'd recommend it to anyone in relatively good shape.  To wit, my 7 year old niece completed all the hikes carrying a 10 lb pack, so it's feasible for anybody, really.  Havasu Canyon is a beautiful place, a desert oasis.  Even in early April, the water in the river was warm enough for swimming.  My oldest got 7 hours of driving practice, which he desperately needed.  Despite not going on the training hikes I suggested, my daughter had no trouble with the backpacking.  After struggling a bit on both the longer hikes, my younger son found his rhythm on the most challenging part of the ascent, and got up the mountain in great time.  We had an unforgettable time.    

This was supposed to be a recovery week, and I guess strictly speaking in terms of running miles, it was.  I was slated to run 38, and I got in 24.  But adding in those hiking miles, I definitely loaded up the schedule.  I'll enjoy a guilt-free day off tomorrow, for sure.