Deer Stampede

Next week is the Davis Stampede.  Today it was the Deer Stampede along the trail.  The whole weekend was full of sunshine and I missed out running with my training group yesterday to take care of some home-buying stuff.  So it was out for an 10 mile run along with trail.  I finally managed to get out of the house at 2:30.  By mile 3, there was a Deer Stampede!   Two large deer where running full speed along side the trail coming in my direction.  The trail was packed today with runners and cyclists because of the great weather but, that didn't stop the deer.  They even managed to cross the trail amongst all the traffic.  Their running and leaping so close was just such a majestic site!  It was a great way to start a run.


I had planned to do a 10 mile run for final preparations for the 1/2 marathon next weekend but ended up doing 11 miles.  I forgot to re-fill my water bottle at the last water fountain before a long break heading east.  Then, I realized it was either go 1/2 mile further to reach water before turning around or turn back and wait 1 1/2 miles before reaching water.  With the warm temps (I love running in short sleeves!), the choice was an easy one.  So an extra mile it was.  I did still run 10 miles and then walked the final mile.  I managed to do the 10 miles in 2 hours and 27 minutes which is a WHOLE lot better than my previous 10 mile time back in September of 2:43! With a 3:20 time limit this upcoming weekend, that kind of progress is important!  I hope to set a new PR in this small race.  I'm keeping my shoelaces crossed.

The Rain Stopped!

I did my first run since Phoenix today.  After pouring absolutely all week, the skies cleared for this mornings run and we even got a rare glimpse of sunshine.  We ran 6.2 miles this morning with 5 minutes of running and 1 minute of walking with my trusty training partner pushing me each and every mile.  Overall time was 1:25.07 which averages to a 13:43 min/mile pace.  If I can keep that up for longer I won't have to worry about the 3:20 course time limit in my next race in two weeks.  According to a race predictor calculator my 10K pace today would be a 3 hour and 7 minute and 42 second half marathon time.  Getting closer to my goal of a sub-3 hour half marathon time.

I'm consistent!

Finished another Rock N'Roll Half Marathon today.  From the map, can you guess where?

Yes, it was a tour de Phoenix.  Quite the contrast to Vegas where I was freezing.  Here, I was burning up.  It was 73 degrees which typically doesn't count as smoldering weather.  But with some humidity and not having run in anything remotely close to that temperature in several  months, it was definitely a challenge.  After the first 5K, I could feel the heat and chose to walk the next 4 miles and then switched to 1 min running with 3 minutes of walking.  Even with those adjustments, I finished in 3:18.12 just 6 minutes off my PR.  I even managed my last split to the finish at a 10:52 min/mile pace.  A new PR will be mine very soon!  Or, at the very least I'll be consistent with my last 4 half marathons finishing times being within 6 minutes of each other.