trial of miles; miles of trials

Flagstaff mesa loop around Buffalo Park. The altitude is just a *little* higher and the air just a *little* drier. Coming to Flagstaff and doing this run within the first day or two alway shows me where my fitness level is. This may have been the best yet (although I do cut myself some slack for the years I lived at sea level. not an easy transition). Also, I did it fairly quickly-- averaged a 10-min pace even with stops to do the weird fitness stations in the park. (: It's my intention to do this run at least twice more before I leave Flag this weekend, plus a long run (6-10mi?) this weekend if I don't go snowboarding with my dad. Either way I have a long winter of good runs and good rest ahead of me. It's nice to be on the road.

Steep uphill to the windgate overlook, then down. I had planned to do a longer run, but the trail was much steeper than I realized-- about an 800 ft gain to the overlook. Also, got my fingers velcroed together by a cactus for the first time. Overall, an excellent place for a traveling trail runner to spend some time. 

1.5 hours, but can't tell the distance, particularly now that I live a computer-free life (I make these entries with my phone). Seven miles seems like a safely conservative guess. Took bad dog Angus down the McGath Pt road. Not quite to the end, but very very close. It's weird but gratifying to run through snow with no shirt on.