Ok, I have been seriously limping around AZ all week.  That last run was a mistake.  I should have taken it easy.  But, I just could resist.  Well…today was our last full day down here in the valley of the sun…so I thought I would throw caution to the wind and run again – suffer the consequences later.

I had my wife drop me off at the Pyramid Trail TH with the plan to meet up with her, my kids, and some of our cousins later as they hiked up to the Lost Ranch Mine Ruins for a picnic.  I went up the Pyramid Trail to the top of that peak, and then followed the ridgeline NE to where it connects with Telegraph Pass – almost all the way to the radio towers, then lopped back SW on the opposing ridgeline to the north on the National Trail. I then dropped down the Lost Ranch Ruins Trail and arrived at the old ruined farmhouse right when the family did.  Perfect timing!  As with the last run, the conditions were amazing, and the trails were in great condition….except for the descent down the Lost Ranch Ruins Trail – that one was a mess.  Super steep and lots of loose rock.

My foot hurt the whole time and BOTH of my IT bands were hurting from about mile 4 onward.

6.3 miles @ 13:16 min/mile and 1,710 ft. elevation

After eating, we took the kids up to a little abandoned mine and then made our way back to the cars…SLOWLY.  Kids like to drag their feet.

Top of the Pyramid Trail, looking East

Kids exploring the mine

My  boy showing off his muscles