Tag Archive: trail running

1. Djerassi, The Miles

   June 29, 2016 1:00 PM Leave a Comment

   It’s hillier here than I thought it would be. The driveway from my studio door to the gate is 1.3 miles and it gains 697 feet, with a 32.3% grade at its steepest point. That’s not as steep as the trail to Pyramid near our house in Phoenix, but it’s steep enough that there were days I didn’t want to do it.

   Most days I did it.

   In 27 days I ran 90 miles with a total elevation gain of 20,631 feet.

   The trail running was pretty spectacular too, but it was harder to get in many miles without backtracking. So I did most of my running up the driveway to Bear Gulch Road and out to 35. Stunning views.

   

   Steepness.

   

   Gorgeous trail running.

   

   Views for days.

   

   Redwood roads.

   [sgpx gpx=”/wp-content/uploads/gpx/Yowza_.gpx”]

   

   

2. You Asked What Happened

   February 12, 2015 11:30 AM Leave a Comment

   After I posted this gnarly first photo to Facebook, several people asked me what happened.

   Oh how I wish I could tell you I was doing something fabulous like running away from a mountain lion or scurrying down a steep descent like Kilian Jornet.

   Truth is, I was high.

   High?!

   Yes. I was experiencing that euphoria I get when I’m out running on a beautiful Arizona day with blue sky all around me. When I feel embraced by the solitude of the desert. When I am thankful for my healthy body. When I am keeping my eyes on my A race goals. When I feel like I could run forever and ever.

   It was a smooth, flat, gravel-covered part of my favorite South Mountain trail. Not a rock in sight.

   I was so excited to be meeting John at a designated point up ahead. We had plans to explore some new parts of the park.

   I was wearing my favorite running skirt and top.

   And then I totally bit it. No provocation.

   The mountain biker behind me did not even blink, and he blew past me as I assessed the damage.

   The knee felt sore and I felt scared, so I of course I finished out the run with 6 more miles.

   Here’s what it looks like today. It’s still super sore but I hope to be out there again, soon, feeling like I could run forever and ever.

   
   

    

3. Training Adventure

   April 23, 2011 9:46 AM 2 Comments

   I’ve been having some busy few weeks. Going to Physical Therapy 3x a week for my rotator cuff impingement, attending work events that last up to 3 hours past my bedtime, finishing up the semester’s 3 classes, completing Issue 7 of my magazine, planning my summer of travel to Portugal & Vermont & Minnesota. And, oh, there is that little nagging thing called training for two races: a 15.5-mile trail run and a half marathon. Our trail run is on the island of Madeira, and it starts at 3000 feet and drops to sea level. My training needs to include some elevation change–as much as I can manage in the desert.

   So this morning, after a frenzied week of work and etc., all I wanted to do was stay home in bed with a book. What do you think I did?

   Right. I ran from my house to the top of  South Mountain, through Hidden Valley to the Buena Vista Trailhead, down Summit Drive to San Juan Road to Central Avenue. Because, well, that’s relaxing #sarcasm.

   Now that I’m home with a burrito in my belly, I can tell you that it WAS relaxing #notsarcasm. What a beautiful way to spend a Saturday morning. I can’t wait to do it again. Want to come? Here are the details.