It ain't Chinese algebra!

Same run as last Monday but this week went better.  Last week wasn't bad but I did seem to run out of fuel the last couple of miles.  Today that wasn't the case.  The golf course loop makes for a great course with the steep hill on Murphy and rolling hills along North Phoenix, but I don't want to do this too much for fear of getting burnt out with the route.  3 loops in 1 run might be a bit much for me.

Not sure how much many more miles I can get out of these shoes.  They feel worn out 200 miles sooner than my Cumulus always do.

Boston (301)

I decided it was time to dust off the cobwebs and see if my legs had any speed in them.  I'm still signed up for the half marathon this weekend, but as of right now I'll just be running for fun.  Anyway, I ran a large loop around town.  Barnett to the dog park, up to Red Robin, around Providence, McAndrews and Lone Pine and home via North Phoenix.  The first 6 miles were right at 7:00/mile, then I did a 5:54 (nothing special time-wise but it was uphill the whole way on Lone Pine).  Mile 8 was easy and then a 3 mile tempo to make it home; 5:48, 5:28, 5:11.

Sinister (349)

Decent run this morning.  Basically the bike path route to Phoenix.  I'm in need of a visit to the chiro.  My lower abs have been bothering me like last December and my right achilles is feeling off the past two days.  I'm sure it's related.  I need to start doing core work like I had done prior to Eugene.  Since the marathon I've slacked off in that regards.

Cumulus (134)

Phoenix bike path loop this morning.  Had to take two pit-stops which was annoying.  Perhaps it was from the pad thai last night

Sinister (359)

6 miles this morning in Vancouver, WA.  Quick trip this time....

Cumulus (140) 

I nearly overslept and missed the race this morning.  After a quick trip to Portland on Thursday and back home Friday I was exhausted this morning.  My alarm went off and I went right back to sleep until my wife woke me up and said I was going to miss the run if I didn't leave soon.  I seriously debated going.  Sleep sounded much more fun....

Jumped in the car and drove to Ashland, ran a couple miles for a warm up and lined up at the starting line.  When the gun went off it was nearly 75 degrees which is a good 25-30 degrees warmer than my normal morning temps.  Erik Skaggs wasn't running and within the first couple minutes I realized it was going to be a lonely race.  The lead bike rider was a nice guy and we talked through most of the race which was nice.

The course was the toughest half marathon I've ever ran.  Tons of hills.  Not rolling hills.  Real hills.  And zero shade as the temperature crept above 80 degrees.  At every aid station I dumped water over my head to cool down which helped.  Anyway, splits don't mean a thing on this course so I won't bother putting them.

When I crossed the line, Hal (Running store owner, race director) said he guessed the top time would be around 1:17.  Again, not a PR by any stretch but it was an honest, brutal course given the numerous hills, hot sun and zero shade.

I'm glad I ran though because of the Brooks t-shirt given pre-race and socks awarded post race.  Oh yeah, and 75 bucks for winning.  The Rogue Valley Runners really know how to host a race.  2 more miles to cool down afterwards, 1 of which was barefoot on the soccer field.

Boston (305)

Type A (186)