Turn your rut into a groove.

am--6.25 Anasazi to the homestead w/ Tom. I don't remember all that we talked about, but it was great, nonetheless.

pm--5 Anasazi to the Chipmunk sign. It was a scorcher in the desert on what Dylan fans call Isis Day. 

pm--6 Grass miles w/ 10x striders. Watched the baseball game for a minute before heading home.

pm--5 Chuckwalla w/ Beattie. We did the loop via Beck Hill and Paradise Canyon. It was toasty, but the breeze was good.

pm--7.5 Anasazi w/ the full Chipmunk and Cholla. The creosote have bloomed, so the desert has a nice yellow tinge.

Also, although not a traditional country artist, Bonnie Prince Billy writes some of the best country songs I've heard.

pm--Anasazi w/ some screwing around on Chipmunk and Fishhook. Decent weather today. 
 

I also finished The Old Man and the Sea for the 5th or 6th time. I love his writing, and, surprisingly, quite a few of the kids liked the book.

pm--5 Grass miles w/ 4x barefoot striders w/ my neighbor.

pm--4 Loop around the new Santa Clara River bridge w/ my neighbor. Decent pace for my current fitness level.

pm--6.75 Sidewinder w/out the lollipop from the bottom. 'Twas a bit of a scorcher today. Also, the quads go jelly, climbing nearly 900 feet in just over 3 miles.

pm--5 Some looping through the PV neighborhoods w/ Beattie. Hot afternoon and bit rough, but it was good.

am--4.75 Some Vegas miles. We came to some friends' anniversary party.

pm--6 Anasazi to the homestead and back. It was a bit overcast and cooler. Nice afternoon run. 
 

I finished The Pale King by David Foster Wallace. It has its interesting moments but is harder to appreciate overall because of how it was posthumously pieced together. Wallace has great insights when it comes to boredom. 

pm--6 Grass loops w/ 8x striders. Beautiful evening. 
 

I read Matt Baxter's book, Hurt Me If You Can: The Tales of a High School Runner, over the last 2 days. It's chronological but scattered. Nonetheless, it has some fun insights. 

pm--6.5 Anasazi w/ reverse Chipmunk loop. It was warm but decently breezy. 

pm--5 Another grass run w/ 8x striders. Although my legs felt tired, I was able to get a bit peppy.

pm--Anasazi w/ Chipmunk and Cholla. Not sure if it was the pressure or wind, but my elevation gain was inflated. 'Twas windy as.

pm--4.5 SC River Bridge loop by my lonesome. Got close to a light 10-minute tempo at the end. 

pm--6 Airport trails w/ Beattie. Nice run. It's also a trio of bdays: my sister's, Bob Dylan's, and Michael Chabon's, all great people. If you want a Dylan song for the day, listen to Visions of Johanna or Isis. 
 

I also finished a poetry collection by another great songwriter--Actual Air by David Berman. Check out Random Rules by The Silver Jews or The band Purple Mountains.

pm--4 Grass run w/ 8x striders. 

pm--6 Anasazi w/ Chipmunk w/ Andy. It's been a while since I've run w/ him, but it was good.

am--6 T-Bone Trail. Last run w/ Beattie before she heads bock to Illinois. Good run and chat.

pm--6 Grass miles w/ 8x striders. Decent run after my sedentary day wore off.

am--5.25 Anasazi w/ Tom. My foot is a bit achy except when I run.

pm--6.25 Anasazi to the homestead. Scorching run in the desert.