Sunnier Trails

 Sometimes, the motivation is there to get up early and go for a run, but the physical energy is a little lacking, perhaps due to poor sleep—something I struggle with, particularly in the summer when, even with the AC cranked and a fan going, it's still too hot to sleep with anything more than a single sheet covering me. So I didn't make it out until well past 7AM, and went to the best, closest heat refuge: a neighborhood called Civano with some of the most well-shaded streets (and best desert landscaping) in Tucson to slog out about 5 sweaty miles. It's (rebuilding running fitness, that is) all about keeping consistency and working on good form despite the conditions. It actually isn't that hot (relatively), but you can feel the moisture starting to build.

Didn't have a definite plan, and so ended up sleeping somewhat late and getting out the door around 7:30, getting in 4 miles while the temps were climbing into the 90's. 

 Up at 5, out the door and on the bike at 6:05. Rode The Loop to Sabino (15 miles) and up the tram road. Another cyclist was stopped to gawk at a deer—this time of year they travel wide in search of water. The creek was bone dry, but it was cool in the shade of the canyon. Raced some dude who passed me when I took a corner cautiously. Got on his wheel and timed an effort for a small hill where I could create a gap. It worked, but then he passed me back briefly... then pulled over and stopped, saying something like "Good job, thanks for that, like he beat me to the line or something. I'm thinking—dude, I'm a runner, I can keep this effort level up for another hour! It was starting to get toasty by the time I returned home (8:30), and hit 100 by 10AM.

 Set the alarm for 5AM. Unfortunately I failed to set a 2nd alarm. So I ended up sleeping until around 6AM. Forcing myself to get up early has always been tough. For as long as I can recall, I feel best around dusk and staying up late feels natural. Getting up at 5 and in particular, not getting a 7th or 8th hour of sleep (which I have found really critical to waking up feeling refreshed), is an ongoing struggle—but of course one that is necessary to run at the coolest time of the day. With the forecast calling for at least ten days of highs around or above 110 degrees (F, ~42C), there could be no slacking. I decided to try a mental trick when I woke up and not think about the present—about how much I needed that sleep—but instead to think ahead about how it would feel to accomplish a decent workout. It kind of worked; I went back to sleep after the first alarm but woke up an hour later. With some high clouds, it looked like it would still be cool enough to run at around 7AM. I act...