Best day running of 2011 so far. Well, Red Hot was fun, but today just had a great vibe. Big training run on Antelope Island that I think half the FRB'ers in the area and many other trail runners showed up to. At least 100 people out on the trails, runners everywhere it was awesome.
I started with the 8:00 AM group and settled in with Ogden runners Aric, Jon and BJ, we cruised easy the first couple of miles cracking on each other and goofing off. My goal for the day was to ru na moderate paced, even effort for the day. After the first couple of miles I settled into that rythmn and cruised along. Unfortunately it left me running a different pace than most everyone else so I spent most of the day solo.
Finished the first campground loop just behind Crockett and a guy named Mike. I hung out for a bit to re-group with the O-town runners. As we were leaving for the 25K loop the FRB crew pulled in. Perfect timing except that we left a little in front of them and never saw them until the end. Though I thought for sure Jun, Dorsimus and Brian would come flying by at any moment.
My legs felt tired and heavy, maybe from the skiing, but my pace was right where I wanted all day. Felt good around 7:30 on the flats and ranged in the mid-8's on the more technical sections and moderate hills, wtih some 10-11 min paced stuff on someof the longer hills. Effort was moderate and steady. I kept a run going through everything and didn't stop or walk once on the 25K loop, plus Elephant head loop, which I ran at the end. Last year it was optional in the 50 mile to do Elephant Head at the begining or end of the 25K loop, I think I will run it first again, felt hard after the long switchback climb.
Good to hang out for an hour or so after with some great guys. Ultrajim, Crocket, Aric, Jon and BJ are laugh a minute, freaking hilarious, through Jun in the mix and it's wet your pants funny. Now I understand some of Scott W's incontinence issues (kidding Scott) HA!
25.1 miles, 8:46 pace, 2300 vert.
Week: about 64 miles, vert 8000ish | 