Trying to improve my running

Tried working on hills today I will post the grades later. Beautiful morning for running in the Tucson mountains though just rained overnight and felt excellent. I was able to go a little later since I didn't have work, thank heavens for the federal government not wanting to work.

Today I did 4 miles it had a little hill. It was a little slower than I thought it would be. Maybe that is b/c of the barefoot shoes or maybe just that last week was more than I had done for awhile. Anyway splits were: 9:00, 9:06, 8:55, 8:45 and 9:24. The steepest hill was just after the 2 mile mark was 0.22 miles and had a 3.4% grade did it at 8:54 pace. The longer hill, which included the steep part, was 0.62 miles 2% grade and I did it at a 9:08 pace.

Wanted to go further but didn't have the time. It is probably best that I didn't I don't feel hurt but I have been putting in more miles lately than usual.

Tried to work on some small hills by home today. Had 76 feet of elevation gain. The main hill was 0.64 miles had a 2% grade. The steep hill was 0.25 and was 3.2% grade. averaged just under 9/mile.

Ran the hills up to sweetwater trailhead on Camino del Cerro. I had 647 ft of elevation gain. My average pace was 9:14/mile. 1 mile was on trails the rest was on roads the first 3.5 were uphill. My splits were 8:57, 9:31, 10:01, 10:40, 8:34, 8:40, and 8:13. 

Here are the Hills:

1/21/2012 Distance Gain Grade Pace

1st hill 0.78 97 2.4% 9:15

2nd hill 0.84 157 3.5% 9:40

3rd hill 0.8 179 4.2% 10:12

Steep hill 0.24 83 6.5% 10:50

4th hill 0.41 135 6.2%  10:45

The 4th hill was on trails.