Like the canyon

Another run up to Malan's Peak.  I think I am addicted, but its so easy, the trail starts a couple of minutes from my front door!  Again, even after the new snow, the trail was in great shape.  Thank you to the Ogden area hardcore folks who get out when the snow is deep and pack it out for guys like me. I was able to run every step from 27th street to the peak again. It feels so good to be able to run this trail!!  It took me 1:01 RT, it used to take 55 minutes to an hour just to go up on dry trail, and that was pretty hard effort.  Back in those days, a guy passed me running up the switchbacks (the trail is about 2.5 miles one way with around 2250 of climb, 1800 ft of that up steep switchbacks in the last 1.5 miles) and I recall thinking how impossible that seemed to be able to run on that kind of terrain. Even 6 months ago I thought, #1 I could never run this trail and #2 I could never break 40 minutes up. Now my PR is 35:15 on dry trail, and yesterday taking it easy on snow packed trail it took me 39 minutes. Now, none of this is fast in the real world of fast, but for me, it's a good gauge of my improvement. And a good start to the new year.

7 miles on the trails in the dark.  Super fun.  Suprised how many people were out on the trails in the dark tonight.  Had to dodge a few mtn bikes and saw a few other lights bouning along here and there.  Sure beats the 'mill and the road.

Good 3 hours on the trails today.  Felt great, lots of climbing. Malan's peak to BST 22nd to south end gate to Malan's again.

5 on the 'mill at 7:15 base pace.  1/4 mile interval on each mile up to 3 miles at 6:15. 1/4 mile interval at 5:50 on last 2. Wanted to run a little harder but the legs were still a little heavy from the long run on snowy trails Saturday . . .crazy how much running on snow saps the power! 

7 miles on the trails in the dark.  Snow is turning to ice and getting pretty beat up.  Need another storm to clear the air and freshen up the trails.

30 minutes on the treadmill - YUK! couldn't bring myself to run in the gunk outside.

Good run on the trails.  12 miles or so with about 3000 ft of climb, wanted to do more, but I'll get to that. Wore my Yaktracks for the 1st time today as I knew the trail would be a little icy.  Wow! like running in spikes! Flew from 27th street up to Malan's peak in 35:30, and was able to really push the downhill like I could on dry trail, great workout.  Fished off by running an out and back on the BST.  The goal being, (smart or not?) to run a hard hill then push through the rest on tired legs, which worked for a while . . .  My whole family has had a chest cold, I knew my turn was coming, and sure enough about 10 miles in I was keeled over on one of the BST trail markers wheezing, coughing, and gasping for breath, walked the last mile  up Taylor Canyon, pulled the plug early and ran back to the car.  Hope this goes away quick!

First miles in over a week.  7 slow on the 'mill.  Still not over this nasty cold.  Figured mabey I could kill the bug with a long, hot, slow run since 5 days of skiing couldn't do it.

7 miles on the 'mill again.  Nice and slow for 5 with last 2 miles at 6:30 to test the legs and lungs, felt o.k. but not great, still trying to kill this cold!

Felt better today so I thought I'd take it outside.  Power hiked up Malan's Peak in the dark. Tried to run down but it hurt on the knee I tweaked skiing Saturday and I agrivated this D*#mn cold!  The wheels haven't come off yet, but the lug nuts are getting loose! Beautiful night though with the big moon out.

Banished to the treadmill almost all week.  I tweaked my knee last Saturday and can only run pain free on flat even terrain . . .treadmill.  2 weeks till the Red Hot 50k+, hope this gets better quick.  "Nice" 12 on the 'mill today.