I'm having second thoughts about doing these long runs on Monday morning. On the plus side, it was 55 degrees this morning, opposed to 78 on Saturday and Sunday mornings.
I ran from home to Farmington Canyon, then back on US89. I had brief ambitions to run up the canyon to the swimming hole where a wrecked truck is, but after a short attempt, I aborted, opting to get home in time to wish the kids well on the first day of school. Turns out I missed two of them anyway.
I started at 5:30, and the full moon I was expecting to illuminate the trail was obscured by great clouds of dust, stirred up by yesterdays frontal passage. It was erie to see the moon setting in the west, orange instead of white. The first three miles were much slower than usual, because I couldn't see much of the trail, and had to pick along quite carefully so I didn't turn my ankle or take spill. Things were bright enough by Freedom Hills (4 miles in) that I could see well enough to push the pace as fast as I wanted. Unfortunately, the legs and ankles weren't very willing. I gave it a solid effort till mile 12, then stopped to stretch and recover a bit. Both ankles, but esp. the left were sore, and affecting my form. I limped in the last two miles, which was disappointing, since I had such grand plans to push the pace at the end of the long run. Overall, I was out just over 2 hours. I enjoyed the temp and view of all the lonely people snaking along the freeway to start the work week. | 