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Tag: Pyramid Trail

Return to South Mountain

Return to South Mountain

Phoenix’s South Mountain Park/Preserve was the site two years ago of my first time ever running a marathon distance – a 29 slog that hurt more than it should have. I was undertrained and paid for it. Of course, it was simultaneously amazing. Back in AZ for the holidays I set my mind to revisiting those familiar trails and proving that I had improved as a runner. I drew out a altered route that totaled 32 miles (50k). 3 loops…

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South Mountain Western Ridges Marathon+. 29 miles of happiness and horror.

South Mountain Western Ridges Marathon+. 29 miles of happiness and horror.

I probably should have drawn an easier route for my first attempt at a marathon distance run – but it is just too easy (and fun) to draw lines on maps, tracing trails and ridge-lines, etc… In any case, I drew it, so I ran it: The South Mountain Western Ridges Marathon+. In all, it ended up tracking to 29 miles – almost a 50k. Phoenix’s South Mountain Preserve is located on the southern edge of town – a series…

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Tomorrow’s Mountain Marathon Attempt

Tomorrow’s Mountain Marathon Attempt

Tomorrow morning I will attempt my first marathon-distance run. I have chosen the western ridges of the South Mountain Park/Preserve located on the southern edge of Phoenix, AZ.  The longest I have run before was about 20 miles. So, this will be a jump in distance for me. I know that the strava tool I used to draw the route over estimated the elevation gain (it is more in the 6,000 than 8,700 ft, range). Conversely, I suspect that the…

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Another Desert Mtn. Run

Another Desert Mtn. Run

Ok, I have been seriously limping around AZ all week.  That last run was a mistake.  I should have taken it easy.  But, I just could resist.  Well…today was our last full day down here in the valley of the sun…so I thought I would throw caution to the wind and run again – suffer the consequences later. I had my wife drop me off at the Pyramid Trail TH with the plan to meet up with her, my kids,…

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Phoenix South Mountain Thawing Out

Phoenix South Mountain Thawing Out

One positive to having family in Arizona is visiting there for the holidays.  My word – 60s-70s feel glorious. I have a problem though – my right foot is still quite painful. So – do I take advantage of the warm weather and trails, or be a good boy?  I opted for the trails.  Today I started at my sister’s house (on the south side of Phoenix’s South Mountain in Ahwatukee) and accessed the trail system there.  I took a…

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