34 Min Run (push) --164.5--

GRIFFITH PARK -- Kicked some tush up there. Got sub six downhill and it actually blew my hair back on my new high and tightness.

35 Min Run (base) --166--

GRIFFITH PARK -- Got out in the AM and hit the quick loop into the hill. Will redraw this route to finish down Hillhurst to Franklin and back up in the future. Better.

70 Min Run (base) --168.5--

EAST LANSING, Mich. -- Great morning trot with Dan Maz. The idea was to get a run in, which turned into running on campus, which turned into starting at the Lansing River Trail just west of MSU. Pretty great plan. Paths the whole way. Extremely good weather for a run. Great to see the campus again and see where the ol' Red Cedar goes when it's not flowing through campus.

The band was practicing. The campus has a bunch of new construction -- two new baseball fields, soccer pitch, a new little home for Sparty outside the stadium...plus, the team is out in full pads so good time thinking about the season ahead. Plus, with early arrivals from grad school and international students, the place was good to be around...bunch of nerds walking around politely and calmly, like a real school. Got into the biz school to hit the can. Got to plod through Cedar Village without having a bottle thrown at us. Hope to make this run a regular thing when in Michigan. Awesome.

75 Min Run (base)

GREENVILLE, Mich. -- Got out with Steve and Chrish again for the full Flat River Trail loop. Absolutely world-class loop. Tunnel is awesome. Really the only half-assed part of the thing is that part through Greenville West. The rest is either manicured, scenic or generally interesting. Love that thing.

30 Min Run (race) DANISH 4 MILER

GREENVILLE, Mich. -- Featuring my best high school friends all for the first time...Dan, Steve and Christian all. Plus Noah Sharrow and his brother Caleb. Laura. Beck ran. What a race. Very good. It had been a tough week, despite the large amount of miles/runs. Just never felt the legs I had on that reservoir loop before we left for Michigan. No idea. Kinda doughy. Kinda didn't put the work in leading up to this.

Christian caught me around 2.5 miles and pretty well out-legged me in the final 1.5. Never felt particularly good. Wasn't particularly pleased with over 30 being my time. Weather was great, even a little warm in the sun. Just couldn't put it together. Need a faster first mile and should really put the jets on for Mile 2 next time. We'll see. I love the course. A good place to test yourself out.

All in all, not pleased with myself, but ecstatic with running, my friends and this race. Great time. it has given me a heck of a lot of pleasure in the half-dozen times I've run it.

http://www.hickmanraceservices.com/11roadresults/danish11.htm

35 Min Run (easy)

GREENVILLE, Mich. -- Practice loop of the Danish route with Chrish and Steve. Great stuff. Went out earlier this time and negated the need for lights and reduced the risk of being killed by 99%. Good strategy.

Surprised the time was this respectable considering the pace. But not really sure I'm happy with the shape I'm in. Time will tell.

60 Min Run (base)

SAGINAW, Mich. -- Another great run around Saginaw. Unlike the first time, it was perfect weather. Started from the rowing club, did a loop around the little park right there and headed out on to the island and down the river path. Got into downtown and then across the river.

Saw a bunch of awesome stuff on Niagara Ave. on the way back down the West Side...a great scrap yard and an abandoned Hooters. Abandoned Hooters. Anywho, then got past Old Town and chased down the rowers in the river. Had some good times yelling at them. And had some good times chatting with the locals. Ran some rail track ties. Just a good time all in all.

55 Min Run (trail)

OSCODA, Mich. -- Eagle Run Trail just off the Au Sable River and near Wurtsmith. Pretty awesome. Nice views of the river and Lotsa deer. Takes so getting used to the directions, but we eventually found our way. Good one with Steve.

50 Min Run (base)

SAGINAW, Mich. -- Got out in the rain. Sweet. Downtown is great for running. Ojibwe Island is pretty good, but I love the bridges and Old Town neighborhoods. Wanna hit the Japanese Tea House next time.

55 Min Run (push) --163.5--

55 Min Bike

35 Min Bike

LOS FELIZ

38 Min Run (base) --163--

GRIFFITH PARK -- Went up the hill on a somewhat magical run. Sometimes they find you. Clear morning, sun out in full force. Got out early. Smog forming nicely over downtown...a perfect pillow of brown crud visible from the top of the hill.

The key to hilly runs truly is the downhill. Gotta get that locked in order to geta full effort in. Loved this one. Just flew down the median on the grass with a great kick and blazed it home. Could feel the speedwork payoff.