Newport's Out

I hate to say it, but I won't be running Newport due to it's location.  There are no flights from AZ to Newport!  The closest town to Newport is Eugene, OR, and flights to Eugene is $400 roundtrip.  If both J and I were to go, that's $800!  I'll just have to settle for San Diego, even though it's a huge race and a slower course.  All I need is a race in the middle of the year to keep me honest for the first part of the year.  If I qualify, then fantastic.  Interestingly, I looked up the BQ rate of Tucson marathon over the years.  In the last 8 years, the BQ rate had consistently been in the high 20s to low 30s.  This was the first year when it dipped below 20% (it was 18%)!  I could only attribute to the course change and the head winds.  How did I get so lucky?


I took 4 days off running to recover, and decided that I was good to go for a short, easy run this afternoon.  Plus I had a kink in my right shoulder and neck, which I attribute to the lack of exercise, I needed to work out.  I took each dog out for 1.5 miles (it's hard to run with both at the same time).  Mocha is definitely getting old as she started dragging after less than a mile; and I was pleasantly surprised at how well Truffalo was running along side me, as opposed to bolting ahead.  I may consider running with him in the future during my 4-mile runs.  And that kink in my neck and shoulder?  Gone!