20 Miles in 10 Minutes

Lake Marguerite, a great way to start our run.

In order to properly train for a marathon at some point one should do at least a few 20 mile runs.  Running that far is certainly a test of your endurance, but it will also give you a chance to see how your body reacts and how you feel at certain parameters, thus it's necessary to help you learn about more than just running and finishing, but how one can properly prepare for all aspects of a marathon.  So join me on a 20 mile course that goes around my neighborhood in Scottsdale and you too can say you ran 20 miles.



First things first, about 2 hours before starting lets eat a banana, 2 spoonfuls of peanut butter and drink some coffee.  You need some energy for the later stages of the run and if you run first thing in the morning, you haven't consumed anything in many hours, so you need to eat something easily digestible.



Make sure our water bottle is filled and ready to go.

With our iPod fully charged and attached, follow me.

The first part of our run will take us along Lake Marguerite, here's a picture of the northside of the lake.

Watch out for fallen oranges and lemons on the sidewalk, they are everywhere.

The Saguaro Cactus as we near, appropriately named, Cactus Rd.

A string of pine trees along the golf course, just like in Northern Michigan.

A view down Cactus Rd. heading West.

After leaving my home, we went around Lake Marguerite on the trail, onto Hayden Rd. and North to Cactus Rd.  Congratulations, you've just run 3.5 miles!  That didn't feel so bad, did it?  When you are running a long distance its important to give yourself checkpoints to help inspire yourself and give you something to look forward to.  Now as a reward for going 3.5 miles, let's turn on our iPod.


Smashing Pumpkins, "Cherub Rock", a great song that will surely keep us energized.

 One of the coolest things about living in Scottsdale is that there is so many different types of terrain and scenery.  Most of Scottsdale was ranches and farms before it was developed in the late 50's and 60's so there are still lots of areas where you can have horses, right in the city limits.  About a mile down Cactus Rd. when we cross Scottsdale Rd., we get to run on the horse trail, right alongside the road.

A horse trail, right in town!

This horse, ironically name "Kitty", always comes to the fence when she sees me running by.

After a mile or so on the horse trail we head South on 64th St.  We've now run about 5 miles, only 15 more to go!


The only school we will pass on the run.  Notice they are appropriately nicknamed the Stallions as we are in ranch territory and they are promoting a run!



Being Catholic, I always give a quick sign of the cross when I pass Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church.

With the mountains looming in the back we are getting close to Paradise Valley, an adjoining suburb.  And I should say its appropriately named, as the mountains form a valley around it and it is always a few degrees colder and when you are running it is noticeable.

With the mountains in sight, we head south, almost 10 miles in.

Only one way to go and one way to get there, keep running.

Foliage in Paradise Valley, it's not all desert out here.

As we get close to half way, what's on the iPod now?

One of my favorite bands, Foo Fighters and "Rope".

Before we leave Paradise Valley we have to go up our only hill on this course, don't worry it's only about 1/2 mile long.

A quick turn onto Indian Bend Road and we run past one of the most iconic and heavily climbed mountains in Phoenix, Camelback Mountain.  When I climbed it we went from left to right and then back, it took about 3 hours.  On the way down I passed Kirk Gibson.



With the Camel's head on the right and the two humps, it looks like a Camel, doesn't it, sort of?

 When we run past Camelback Mountain we are now 10 miles in, half way.  We've been running for about an hour and 15 minutes, still feeling good?  Me too, let's finish the second half strong.  As we head down Indian Bend Road we pass one of my favorite places, Blue 32 Sports Grill.  They have so many tv's you can literally get one to yourself and watch whatever game you want.  I've watched CMU football and basketball here as well as lots of MSU games and every time someone has visited me I've taken them here.

The highly recommended Blue 32, often visited by myself and Kurt Warner.  Sometimes I feel like "Norm" when I go there.

The 5 horses along the Silverado Golf Course, one of probably 10 courses at least that we will pass.

A quick pass of Railroad Park.  They do an incredible job of lighting of the park at Christmas.

Grass, it's not that uncommon out here, at least on this side of Phoenix.

We now head down Scottsdale Road into town, Old Town.  One of the coolest places you can ever visit; with incredible and plentiful restaurants and great night life, it's always lively.

If you ever get to Phoenix you have to visit Old Town Scottsdale.

I have to give a shout out to Majerle's.  After all, we all know where Thunder Dan went to college.

Camelback High Rise, you can see it for miles, when you are running on the canal.

Past the high rise and onto the Canal with the McDowell Mountains to the north.

The canal stretches over 25 miles across the Phoenix Valley and it's great for running because you go from pavement/sidewalk to hard packed trail.  A change of terrain is helpful on a long run, anything to mix it up a bit.  Lots of people walking, running and biking so having interaction with others helps too.  Besides, while we are on the canal it's time to re-energize.

13 miles in, it's time for a power bar gel.  Take it while we are running with some water over the next 1/2 mile.  The instant calories once digested will provide much needed energy, helpful for the last 4-5 miles.

After 2-3 miles on the canal we turn onto McDonald Rd. before hooking back onto the canal for the stretch run. As we turn onto McDonald, let's see what's on the iPod now.



Rage Against the Machine, "Killing in the Name of".  A powerful song, it definitely will keep you going.



On McDonald Rd. we pass the largest set of dog parks I've ever seen.  Always fun to run by and see the dogs at play.



We turn off of McDonald onto Pima then back onto the Canal.  The end is within sight.



We jump off the Canal right by the Sole Sports running store and we start heading for home.

We turn north onto Hayden Rd., only a few miles left, almost there!

We've made it back home to McCormick Ranch, time to finish strong, don't let up.

We run past all the palm trees, and the home of Charles Barkley, on the final mile.  I know you're tired, but it's all mental at this point you can make it.

We make our last turn onto the trail along the McCormick Ranch Golf Course.  This is a shot of their island hole.

What final song on our iPod will bring us home.....

Really, was there any doubt?  This song always does it.



Around the lake and 2 hours and 40 minutes later, we're there!

You just ran 20 miles, only 6.2 more and you've run a marathon!  That wasn't so bad was it?

After a long run, it's time to replenish the system and Butters is right across the street and never disappoints. The banana-nutella crepes are a personal favorite.

20 miles is a long ways to run, heck it takes a bit of time in a car, but there comes a point when it's mind over matter or stupidity.  Which reminds me of the first time I ever ran 20 miles.  I did it, really felt good when I was done, no pain, tired but not exhausted.  I cleaned up and went out to eat, to replenish those calories and feeling proud of myself(maybe too proud), I told my waitress that I had just run twenty miles to which she replied, "Why?  That sounds like an awful thing to do.".  I was speechless and my ego was properly put back in its place. Of course she was right, you don't run 20 miles for fun, just for training for a marathon, unless of course you are into doing "awful" things.  But you just ran 20 miles in 10 minutes or however long it took you to read this and at least the scenery was good, wasn't it?

Anytime you want to join me in AZ, just let me know, we don't have to run, I do have a car....