Have a little faith

Nice day, too warm. Ran without shirt from the beginning. Was even perspiring standing in line to start. Feet felt fine. Some technical mistakes, like not taking my advil until 15 miles. Psorias and hip flexor would have been better had I taken it at mile 5, as was my plan. Thought I might get under 3:10, but modified goal as the great ball of fire rose in the east. Passed Greg Randall and Matt Dalton at about mile 5. Greg fnished 2 minutes behind me. Passed Craig Romrell at mile 8. Thought he was tanked, but he said after his 3:21 finish that at mile 18, I was only 50 yards ahead. This marathon is not as easy as it looks on paper. There's a 300 foot climb from mile 7 to 11, then it levels out to mile 14. After that it's mostly down, but the elevation chart doesn't show the up at mile 16 to Ledges, or some others. It's just too warm for me.   Ran hard at the last 2 miles to keep it under 3:11, which I barely did. Last year I hit 3:10:01. So I'm 50 seconds slower this year.  This 5 hour energy drink doesn't work. I don't like it really. 

Took me 31 minutes to run 3 miles.

Thursday group with John, Burke, and Kim. Went Tanner Park. Could barely keep up my legs were still stiff, but felt better toward the end.

Up to the snow gate at Upper Box Elder. Not bad time (1:33) for a week after St. George. Saw Oster on his bike.

Did the nice loop around the Country Club golf course, up and across Parleys Crossing. Surprised to hit 1:19:52. Then we packed it up and my sons and I drove to Jackson Hole where we spent two nights, riding mountain bikes.

Nice morning run up to Elbow Fork, then down the pipeline. Wasn't in any hurry. Had my tunes and carried some drink. 1:06 to Elbow; 1:33 total trip. Colors were awsome: pink, red, and gold.

Monday afternoon in Idaho Falls. Before leaving for home, went up a road east of Ammon into the foothills where there are not trees, and 200 wind turbines. Parked the truck and ran on a dirt road called Eagle Pass. It circled back to the main road which then lead back to my truck. Total time was 51 minutes, which was a killer run. Made my 4 hour drive home delightful, feeling affects of endorphins, and listening to the world series.

A good afternoon run up monster (25:30), then to Neffs and Millcreek canyon. Before turning home I ran 1/2 mile up to the fee station. Colors were awsome, which was my motivation, along with not having made it to the black sheep speed work this morning. This week is busy with work, so I need to run when time permits. Otherwise I might go crazy.

Trip aroud Tanner's park with Burke and co.

Up into Eastwood running under an overcast sky.

Millcreek canyon to the top. The storm hit before I finished, and during the last 3 miles I was soaking wet. I saw Dave Bettinson, Steve Ostler, Kent Landvatter, Tarra Mckee - Paula Hein - Gloria Hunter. Then at the top was Kathleen Rich who parked her car there yesterday and ran down. John was there jump starting the battery. I made it to the top in 1:36 though I stopped my watch to talk with Ostler and Landvatter, and again getting a drink. Elbow was reached in 1:03:5  On the way down there was the U. of U ski team practicing on their skates, and running trails. Evan and Emily Romrell ran the pipeline and came out at Burch Hollow, just behind me. I ran a mile down with Emiliy as it started to rain. Rosalie got worried I'd been gone so long and drove up. She found me just below mile 3, but I waved her off and finished my run in 2:49. However, this was the running time. I probably had 30 minutes of rest and conversation.

Man it snowed very early this morning. But even so, this afternoon was nice, and I ran to the top lookout at Grandeur. Slipping and sliding for much of the run up rattlesnake, it was beautiful to see bows with leaves and snow folding over the trail. It was like running underneath arches at times. 

A run up monster, down to neffs, and home. Hit Lang's at 26:00, a little slower but stronger. Nice and cool today. It snowed two inches this morning. I met Charlene Lang driving up to her mailbox. We talked for a few minutes. Surprising how young she is, and beautiful. Alan, her husband, has got a new company, Lang Equipment.

Thursday's group is hanging together, with Burke, Lee, Kim, and I as a core. Jasper came along again, and he's enjoying the cool weather.

Had to get in a run before donating blood tonight, since I might not feel like it tomorrow. Went the 10.2 mile loop around highland high, but ran the outskirts of sugarhouse park, adding 1.9 miles. Then did an extra  .75 up above the Wasatch Drive, and down Thunderbird.

At 3:00, Rosalie said a storm was supposed to hit at 4:00. So I jumped into my gear and ran out the door, heading to the look-out. Halfway up rattlesnake gulch, it started to rain. Not much but then there was thunder and some lightning. I pursued. When I reached the top of the gulch and got on the trail, it started to rain. I thought, I'll run for only a minute or two then turn around. But the rain got stronger, heavier, and the wind picked up, and with the storm, I fought on, determined to reach the end. I did and I was jumping across puddles. Coming back was cold. I was soaked to the bone, and it was on the verge of snow. When I reached the canyon road, my shoe laces were so heavy with water they both came untied. People in their cars must have thought I was crazy. I halfway hoped someone would offer me a ride, but I would have declined because I was soaking wet.  The rain slowed down a little and I made it back.  Ahhh - a hot shower, just in time for the Utes football game against Air Force.