Water Navigation

Part 1.

Early run this morning after a night-long of rain. The desert smells fantastic after it rains, there’s nothing like it!

Asphalt leads to sonoran desert.

I see you, hill!

Winding singletrack.

Don't kick these if you know what's good for ya!

Droplets.

Now that was a fun crossing!

Another hill! I love it!

That looks like determination.

By the time I got home both shoes and socks were completely soaked but I had some extra spring in my step. I could have, and wanted to, gone for much longer but there was more to do today.

Part 2.

With kayaks loaded up on the truck we met a few friends and headed out to Saguaro Lake in hopes of catching sight of some bald eagles. It was overcast and calm…a perfect day on the water.

About to embark.

...and we're off! Still with fresh arms!

Heidi taking in the view.

The canyon walls are green from the rains.

A glimpse of the desert bank.

Avoiding water hazards.

Spiny water vegetation.

Some terrestrial exploration.

Crane Kick, Daniel son!

What's that emerging from the cave?!

A final look back before exiting the lake.

In total we saw three eagles and probably five herons. No bighorn (bummer for me) but some very nice views and enjoyable weather. Not to mention a fairly good upper body workout!

Part 3

After a quick nap we re-gathered ourselves and hit the pool for some laps. I only managed 1500 but am working on flip turns. Easy to fudge, difficult to master.

Laps. Laps. Laps.

Now we’ve finished up a pizza and are watching There Will Be Blood. I think bed time may interrupt the film, though.

Rain Check

Kooky weather a-brewin'

Nice post-race-day run. A fun four miles of sloppy trail. I couldn’t be happier than when I’m running through or hopping over puddles of mud. Saw only one other runner out there today and it was some chick decked out in pro-level tri gear. I guess if I were fast enough and sponsered I’d probably sport a singlet on training runs; can’t knock it if you don’t try it I s’pose. Until then, though, you’ll see me huffin’ in my cotton Goodwill t-shirt, 5 year-old Patagonia shorts, and faded cotton headband.  Oh yeah, and a Suunto strapped to my wrist.

Crazy hair day.

Splatter pattern.

Trail Snail

Had some weird pains in my abdomen today while running.  Not sure what that was all about but I’m hoping it will be gone tomorrow.

 

Starting off in a squeeze.

 

Look! No snow!

A path much traveled.

So it’s good to be back in Phoenix.  At least that’s what I’m telling myself. We’ll be visiting Pullman, WA sometime in March to tour universities (Wazzu for Heidi and Idaho for yours truly). It’ll be interesting being a student again but it will be good for the both of us. We can hold on to our “youth” for just a bit longer and hopefully by the time we get out of grad school the job market will have recovered.

That’s the plan anyways.  There are several dominos that have to fall before we can realize any of it.

Tonight I sit drinking a PBR and listening to an odd combination of the Grateful Dead and dogs snoring. Life is good.

Nasty Habits

 

On-On!

Ahh, the running continues. I’m currently sitting at 13 runs in 15 days, which considering my lack of “running fitness” prior to starting this endeavor, I’m fairly pleased with. The calves are feeling MUCH better after taking those two days off…I’m still considering compression socks, though.  I’m trying hard to justify the cash those things require.  Shit, if they allow me to continue running my ass off without the calf pain I don’t see how I could afford not to get a pair.  Anyone know of any on-line deals??

The other day I took my dog Kloe out for a change.  Now she’s a nine year old, about 100 pound, American Bulldog.  We used to hike together quite often but over the years she’s slowed down.  Well the run probably did her some good but she kept me going at what felt like a 12 min/mi pace.  Then she slept for two days! I may have to self-sacrifice and commit to taking her out once a week; the running exhausts her but I can tell she loves it. And isn’t that the point??

 

Off-center look at the crazy runner hair.

Speedway.

Last night the girl and I ordered a pizza and watched Sweeney Todd.  Weird.  Kinda gruesome (in a fakish way) but we both really enjoyed it, though the music was somewhat laking…for a musical. I’ve re-fired-up the old Netflix account and today we’ll be getting Vantage Point.  The nice part about not having any TV service at home is that you are forced to entertain yourself in other, usually more productive, fashions.  BUT if you still just want to sit and zone out for an hour or so, there’s Netflix.

With our video tonight I’m thinking Indian food. There are a couple of potato samosas in the freezer, I’ve got a good recipe for vegan dahl saag, and  there’s a little curry pasta & edamame salad recipe I’ve got up my sleeve. YUM!

Liquid Sky

It’s been raining steadily here in the Phx area…which is rather unusual, as you can imagine, for a desert.  Most Basinonians freak out when there’s water falling from the sky; the streets become filled with utter chaos as people don’t know how to drive in the rain.  So the perfect anecdote is to hit the trails for a run, which is what I would be doing anyhow.

uphill battle

trying hard to look badass

looking towards Tempe

It’s finally starting to lighten up..which is probably a good thing.  As as true trail runner can relate, there’s nothing quite as much fun as splashing through puddles and muddying up your shoes, but it’s also nice to have a clear sky to help clear your mind.

Kickin’ it off with hard nipples and blue hands.

 

relentless forward motion

Day one of the big 100 runs in 100 days was a chilly 48 degrees and raining.  The bare minimum time of 33 minutes was accomplished but that’s just fine as this was my first run since the great flu/cold hit me last week.  As soon as I got home I hit the shower and crawled into the heated bed, scrolled to some random podcast and let the napping begin.  Not because it was a long run by any means but I think the cold weather makes me sleepy.

Today was also the first day of moving some stuff into the girls’ house…we started nice and easy with the essentials: the water cooler, lay-z-boy chairs, and bikes.  I’ve got my priorities.  Tomorrow is a little more of the same with some work mixed in.

 

over the washes and through the creosote...