onepinkfuzzy: My first post-surgery run; Tucson is flooding!

I ran!!!

We woke up this morning to another day of rain. It was gorgeous. Johnny's been following the water gauges along the washes here in Tucson, and realized Sabino Canyon was at 8000 cfu (or whatever that term is) - which is absolutely RAGING! So we went out for Starbucks, then headed over to see the Rillito River (where the water from Sabino empties, and also where we do much of our running along the River Path). It was bank-to-bank, 9 feet deep, holy shit. I've lived in Tucson on and off for about 15 years, and the only other time I saw the Rillito like this was back in the early nineties, when El Nino gave us three 100-year storms in a row.

So of course, we found ourselves headed to Sabino. We were in our flip-flops, and decided we wanted to really enjoy it. We headed home, changed into running clothes and shoes, grabbed the stroller and headed back to Sabino.

Waterfalls were pouring off the cliffs, the water was raging so loudly, and mist shrouded the canyon walls. It was fanstastic.

Ash fell asleep, and I tried to run on the way in, but kept having to stop to enjoy the flooding. I also got side stitches (I don't think the pain was from my incisions...), so breaks were welcome. It kept raining on us the whole time, thank goodness our stroller has a rain hood! A news crew was filming the waterfalls and floods, and we ran into friends from school/playground. We had to turn around at the first bridge crossing, because the water was so high, there was no way across!

We headed back, and I ran most of it (at least it felt like it). Johnny got some pics, Ash woke up, and we enjoyed the rest of the way back. Running felt great. I had to hold my tummy to keep things from jiggling, and I went pretty slowly, but it felt so good to be back out there again. I need to stretch and start making sure I hydrate correctly. I think I'm ready to start (slowly) training again. Yay!

The rest of the photo album is here.

Comments

good job!!!!
I would like well that it rains at home that made 4 weeks that I did not see only one drop water to fall from the sky
angie,you would not please send some to me a little!!!

Posted by: jullian | July 29, 2006 12:42 PM

How fun and exciting! It reminds me of Robb's post the other day about challenges and adventures - you, Johnny, and Ash definitely were in for adventure! I'm excited for you that you got to run!

Posted by: Ginger Breadman | July 29, 2006 01:04 PM

Yay for your first run!

Posted by: ShoreTurtle | July 29, 2006 01:24 PM

Wow that's some crazy water levels! It's just so unusual for Arizonans to see so much water! Thanks for the pictures, I like to awe at the power of Mother Nature.

And yay for running again!!

Posted by: carmen | July 29, 2006 02:21 PM

What a nice welcome back run!

Posted by: Josh | July 29, 2006 03:03 PM

I can smell the rain!

Congrats on your first run.

Posted by: steph | July 29, 2006 03:22 PM

running in the rain is wonderful! i didn't get the stroller part, though. you take it on dirt trails???

Posted by: Nattie | July 29, 2006 04:44 PM

Yay for your first no-gallbladder run!!! I love running in the rain...

Posted by: Jessica | July 29, 2006 08:16 PM

Angie,
I am a regular reader of your blog, I think it's great. I think you might enjoy this blog http://runtrails.net/journal/topics.htm
Good luck with your come back to running.

Posted by: Jenny | July 29, 2006 08:31 PM

Hurray for the first run!!
Those are some awesome water pics. How long does that stick around, a day or two?

Posted by: Kim | July 30, 2006 06:00 AM

Yay!!!! Welcome back!!

That's crazy that you guys have had so much rain. Cool pics!!

Posted by: Rae | July 30, 2006 06:22 AM

yay for running again! glad you got to get out and enjoy nature when she's being playful!

Posted by: jeff | July 30, 2006 07:58 AM

I echo everybody elses comments. I am sure you must feel elated about being able to exercise again. What a great feeling that is after you are done. Be patient. Recovery is important. In no time you will be flying down the trails.

Great job. You just have the best blog ever!
tom

Posted by: tom riley | July 30, 2006 11:16 AM

Welcome back!! I can't believe all that water.

Posted by: jkrunning | July 30, 2006 11:30 AM

Sounds like a wonderful first run! May it be the first of many.

Posted by: Sarah Elaine | July 30, 2006 06:56 PM

Angie,
Yay! I'm glad you are back on your feet! That rain looks wild - nice break from the heat, huh?

Posted by: backofpack | July 30, 2006 07:07 PM

The water fall is amazing, beautiful and dangerous at the same time. Hurray for being back out on the run.

Posted by: darrell | July 30, 2006 09:17 PM

Yes, that bridge is definitely dangerous, no doubt about it.

Congratulations on your run. Welcome back!