Disappointing Run - Kinda?

It has been a busy week thus far. Funeral yesterday, new volunteering with some youth programs, getting ready for Fall Soccer season, Kids are on track break, plus trying to find a auto body shop that doesn't have Greasy Guido the tattoo man running it, to fix the 'burban beast. On the last one welcome to Vegas is all I got to say. You know Colorado sounds nice right now?

Anyway, I was hoping to get an 11 mile run at least this AM. Last week for the 9 miler it was after 9PM and 97 degrees throughout most of the run. This run, 4AM and 82 degrees. What a difference 15 degrees makes! However, what I mapped on google was not exactly what I ran. Got to Vegas Blvd and realized after over two blocks the road was getting very unfriendly for runners. So, I had to ditch down a secondary road, which I am finding in post run mapping, took a tad over half mile off the run. So, it ended up being a hair shy of 10.5 miles. The legs held up well. A little issue with my left knee for about half mile at the mid point. Plus, felt some stress on the back of my right knee towards the end. Right shoulder is much better after I had my wife beat the hell out of huge knot in it a few days ago. Hydration was okay, but probably could've used another 4-6 ounces more. Used some Gu at about mile 7. 13 years fogged my memory since the last I used that stuff - awful. Tri Berry flavor will be the last time for me.

WIND! Had to be 18-20 mph gusts through most of the run. The bugger of my Vegas running life. I hate the wind here. Full of desert dust and sand. Who knows how old it is and how radiated from downwind nuke bomb testing. Yeah, it has been since the mid 60's I believe since the last above ground testing was down just North of Vegas. However, the life of the waste - is millions of years. You just never know what you are breathing in. After attending a funeral for someone who died of Swine Flu, because he had Leukemia and did not know it - yeah - it bugs me to run in the wind. Plus, my Sister who died of Lung Cancer, and never smoked or lived in that environment.

Speaking of my Sister. You know, no Wall during this run. If there was it was wind induced - kinda like mime. However, my Sister and her enduring hard fought battle against Cancer and all the side effects of it and treatments - is huge motivation for me.

I do think of my Blogging Ultra and Trail running friends like Coleen Voeks. Thinking of their training efforts inspires me. However, I would say the ultimate mentor to me is my Sister Cathy. She never ran that I know of. I have another Sister who does. She runs 3-4 marathons a year in fact. Along with many of her kids. However, her efforts really don't mean much to mean to be honest. I am not sure why? However, Cathy, went through pain beyond pain. She fought to the end and never gave up. Even when the Doc finally said, after her nearly 4 four year battle - no more can be done. Even then she held out longer than most thought. All I am doing is trying to finish a Half Marathon Labor Day weekend and Full Marathon in December. Plus, I know - hopefully - I will have a life afterwards of more running and living. Cathy's 4 year Marathon - well we now the outcome. She is missed.

Disappointed by the distance and overall time. Wind hurt the last one, and the distance - thanks Vegas. You think you can zone neighborhoods, roads and streets for the humans who don't live here for the Strip and Casino's. In fact, none of them even live here beyond a 2-3 day bender of craps, slots, strippers and vodka. I hate living here. I have my wife, family, running shoes/shorts, and Whole Foods which all keep life good. Just wished I had a decent book and record store as well. However, it could always be worse - it could be raining. Sorry Seattle?

Cheers! Have a great day and kick some dirt or asphalt.