Trying to improve my running

January 02, 2026

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Location:

Tucson,AZ,United States

Member Since:

Nov 05, 2011

Gender:

Male

Goal Type:

Boston Qualifier

Running Accomplishments:

-5K 21:05 TWS 5K 11/16/2013

-10K 45:57 5/2013

-Half: (split from 2nd half of SGM 2013) 1:39:40

-Marathon (2013 SGM) 3:26:07 Official chip time 3:29:30 (had to take a 0.75 mile detour to get my watch).

-Survived Speedgoat 50K 2013 (Time 9:59:51)

Short-Term Running Goals:

Attempting to complete half ironman triathlon.  I've done a decent amount of running but not much else for a while.

Long-Term Running Goals:

Stay healthy and happy.

Run everyday forever.

Personal:

married with kids trying to inspire the family to be healthy and active daily.

Favorite Blogs:

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Miles:This week: 0.00 Month: 0.00 Year: 0.00
New Balance 1210 #3 Lifetime Miles: 117.56
Saucony Kinvara 4 Lifetime Miles: 259.66
Vertical Feet 2015 Lifetime Miles: 909.00
Off Road 2015 Lifetime Miles: 7.50
Slow milesFast milesTotal Distance
11.360.0011.36

I have wanted to do this run for about 6 months. This was the first time I have been able to get enough time to do the run. Mt Wrightson is the highest peak you can see from Tucson. The trail I took starts at 5400 ft. The summit is at 9453. 

Here is a view of the peak (the highest peak to the left of the picture.) Jospehine Saddle is in the middle of the picture.

With how well the run up Wasson peak had been going this week. I thought this wouldn't be too bad. It was double the vertical feet and at almost double the elevation. I guess that had a big effect this was a ton harder than the wasson peak trail. I was able to run most of the way (only walking the more technical parts) up to Josephine saddle which was ~1700 vert over 2.4 miles (average 13% grade). I rested at the saddle took some pics and chatted with some other hikers. After this the trail seemed to get really steep. Looking at the numbers it was a little steeper 1620 vert over 1.7 miles to get to Baldy saddle (average 18% grade). I had multiple moments on that trek that I could really feel the altitude and was only able to run about 30% of that leg. The last leg was from the saddle to the summit. It didn't seem as steep, however the altitude, technical nature of the trail and the wear from the rest of the trail I was only able to run about about 50% of this there was a decent amount of snow up there. the views from the top were fantastic and made the run worth it.

This is the view from the top looking back towards Tucson. 

 

I felt pretty good at the top after a short rest and thought I was ready to really crank out the downhill. The first part was pretty technical and icy so I couldn't go very fast. After Baldy saddle I tried to go faster and by the time I got to Josephine saddle my legs were really feeling it. I thought I would take a little longer trail down from there and before I got to the bottom i was wishing I wouldn't have my legs were so tired. I think it is going to be key to get used to going up and downhills after having already done pretty steep hills if Iam going to be able to survive the speedgoat. I think if I could do this run 2 times in a row I will be as close to ready as I can get for speedgoat.

Vertical Feet 2013 Miles: 4604.00Off Road Miles 2013 Miles: 11.36Mizuno Wave Inspire 7 Miles: 11.36
Weight: 0.00
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