Wed 3/9 - PM 80 minutes

Lincoln woods. Record warmth made for a great day to run on the trails. Headed over straight from work, got started in short order due to the earlier sunset this time of year. In fact the discordance between the temperature and angle of the sun was jarring, felt like a summer day. Wore the trail shoes for the first time in months, some worry about how the legs would hold up to a run of this length in them. right calf felt stiff yesterday and right ankle a bit stiff today from the start, not helped by slipping on roots and rocks hidden from view. Still, this didn't prevent me from hitting a decent clip from the start and getting progressively faster from there. By the time I reached the pond around the 50 minute mark I was close to the redline and took a pit stop as much to keep from overdoing as to take care of business. Took a moment to stand on the newly-exposed sandbar for the first time ever before heading in with a final half hour or so of gradually ratcheting up the pace. On the way in I heard the unmistakable peenting and twittering of woodcocks in the field next to the train tracks, the earliest I can remember it.

Tue 3/8 - PM 55 minutes easy

Area 51. Originally I had planned for today to be my return to doing circuits on a weekly basis, part of an ambitious plan to impose some kind of structure and direction to what has been mostly aimless jogging of late. Instead I found myself crushed by fatigue again with yesterday's late start (jet lag perhaps playing a role there) continuing to have its ill effects. Ditched the workout plans and instead went for a run in the woods, which due to yet another too long nap also got started too late but not as crazily late as yesterday. The transition back to east coast time shouldn't be this overwrought. Pace not as crisp today as the past two days, no doubt a cumulative effect of the past few days.

Mon 3/7 - PM 35 minutes

Winter Street to Tiger Drive. Back to work, and with it a return of late afternoon exhaustion. Epic bout of lolligagging after a nap that went far too long. This resulted in my barely getting out the door before 8 PM which is a joke. With the length of the run massively curtailed, I picked up the pace a bit and also did some pickups on the way in. While these felt reasonably good, the overall experience was unsatisfying and of course led to a far too late bedtime as well.

Sun 3/6 - PM 80 minutes

Area 51. Back to the reality of chilly temps and breezes of early March. Got in very late overnight and slept in which made for a late start to everything. Finally got out the door and took off at a relatively slow clip. From there the pace gradually picked up, which felt better than I could have hoped after spending so much time yesterday sitting on planes. Took a couple of breaks in the second half of the run to try and keep the pace from getting out of hand but overall the run was something of a progression.

Sat 3/5 - AM 45 minutes incl. 5k race

Athletic tourism in the desert. Didn't sleep particularly well after getting in far too late last night, which led to a distinct lack of vigor when it came time to warm up. Which was delayed by a futile search for an available bathroom, alas. Thankfully I got to see most of the course which was a good thing as it was the most windy convoluted layout I've seen in a long while, perhaps ever. Not very hilly but so many sharp turns and corners, plus some loose sand which made for what I knew would be a slow running layout. Covered most of the course even if it did take me uncomfortably close to the scheduled start time. Established my position in the field within 400m of the start and other than a guy who passed me just before the mile and faded soon after, there were no changes to that. Feeling plenty tired by the end, although certainly not feeling like I was in a position to race particularly well to begin with. Being top old fart was the only motivation in the end, successful in that regard at least. Unable to reel in anyone ahead of me which was mildly frustrating. A long leisurely cooldown would have been nice but it wasn't to be as I had to make it back to the hostel to clean up and pack before making the trip back home. There are worse ways to spend the last morning in Tucson.

Fri 3/4 - AM 60 minutes very easy

Saguaro NP, from the Broadway trailhead. Stayed on the bajada trails, which had the advantage of being flatter and more mellow and the disadvantage of sandy sections with loose footing. Took it easy from the get go thinking I might do some pickups at the end but there wasn't time for it in the end.

Thu 3/3 - double, 80 minutes total

AM - 30 minutes out and back along FR 42, heading up the road to start in the opposite direction we drove down yesterday afternoon. Feeling quite shambolic at the outset and barely awake after a less than restful night, worrying over the details of the various activities planned for the next two days. So many social engagements, so little time. Headed up the road for a bit over 17 minutes, brief pit stop, and then retraced my steps coming back down in a bit over 12 minutes. Quads finally starting to feel better after Monday's insult.

PM - 50 minutes, A mountain. After a breathtaking hike between breakfast and lunch with the CH that took us up to 7500' or so and into the last vestiges of snow in the mountains above the valley, made the drive back to Tucson and got back late enough that there was no time to nap. Instead of dragging I was moving well from the outset. Ran up to the beginning of the loop around the peak before turning around as time was getting short and dinner beckoned. Continued to pick up the pace on the way in, easily the quickest run of the week so far.

Wed 3/2 - double, 1:40 total

AM - 70 minutes, forest road 42. Started from our campsite near the outlet of Horsefall Canyon and took the dirt road up and over the pass to Onion Saddle. Steady uphill grind almost the entire way with occasionally steeper pitches and switchbacks thrown in for good measure. All in all an epic run with some truly spectacular views back to the north/northwest. After coming over the pass I went for another 10 minutes or so down the other side before calling it a day and getting picked up by my support vehicle ably driven by the CH. Epic nap in the afternoon after reaching the research station and having lunch there.

PM - 30 minutes very easy with the CH, out and back along the road to Herb Martyr campground. We thought we might make it all the way to the end of the road and the campground but the elevation and steady insistent uphill trip out made that inadvisable. Cut our losses and headed in instead. 

Tue 3/1 - off (hike)

Chiricahua hike with the CH. With the scenic drive closed, my plans to run to the top and rendezvous there were scuppered so we trekked up the entire way instead. With a later start than we should have had it meant being in the high country under the midday sun and this took its toll. I had to tap out of visiting Massai Point and Echo Canyon as it would have taken so much time we would have gotten back to the trailhead after sunset. I harbored delusions of going for a run after the hike until mid-afternoon when it became clear it would be a stupid thing to even attempt.

Mon 2/29 - AM 65 minutes plus PM hike

A mountain loop. Somewhat pressed for time and this ended up being the only option. Up and around the entire loop plus a little exploring on the short trail that leads to the very top of the peak. Quads feel like I beat them with a hammer after yesterday's descent down the Douglas Springs trail, very tender steps coming back down off the mountain. In the afternoon after making the drive to Chiricahua, the CH and I explored the forest road heading up Horsefall Canyon to Hands Pass. Nice hike with some great views and just as rugged as I remember from last year.

Sun 2/28 - double, 1:35 total

AM - 75 minutes, Saguaro NP. Mostly out and back along the Douglas Springs trail, with side trips to both Ernie's Falls and Bridal Wreath Falls. Forgot how steep the trail got after leaving the bajada, more of an issue coming down than going up vis a vis the pounding my legs took. Moving reasonably well towards the end as I wanted to get the thing over with. Cool and crisp to start with the temp rising immediately and dramatically with the sun poking over the mountain.

PM - 20 minutes very easy. Shakeout putter to Santa Rita Park, drills and strides and then putter back. I should have done more stretching but neglected to do so. Legs sore from the morning.

Sat 2/27 - 50 minutes easy

Tucson. Back for another week in the desert, and after spending much of the day on planes a shakeout run before dinner was all that was in the offing. Made it to the saddle below the final incline heading to the A mtn. loop and decided to peel off and check out the trails in the draw next to Tumamoc hill instead. Some dodgy footing and a few steep inclines followed before the trail dumped me out in someone's driveway with a surprised coyote nearby. I would have liked to pick up the pace on the way back to the hostel but it wasn't happening. Slept very soundly for once that night, being up for a good 20 hours had a lot to do with it.

Fri 2/26 - PM 55 minutes

Area 51. Run cut a bit short so as to prepare for tomorrow's obscenely early wakeup call and trip to drier warmer climes. Being able to get on trails at this time of year a pleasant surprise.

Thu 2/25 - PM 80 minutes

Area 51. Triumphant return to the trails with temps warm enough the last 36 hours to clear out almost all the lingering ice and packed snow. Delightful change of venue from all the road drudgery of late.

Wed 2/24 - PM 75 minutes

Longfellow loop to McMansionville. Feeling a little better today than the past two.

Tue 2/23 - PM 50 minutes easy

Tiger Drive to Old Marlboro. Not moving particularly well today, another easy putter.

Mon 2/22 - PM 60 minutes easy

Levittown to Winter street. Tried to get on the trails but they're still iced in.