Like the canyon

Very, very, enjoyable 7 miles on the bench tonight.  Kept it easy, watched the sunset, ran until I ran out of light.  Trying desperately to squeeze every ounce out of the last week of evening runs on the trails. Fall back.... to the dreadmill and headlights next week.

27th to Indian Trail, up, over and down the canyon, up from Rainbow and back to 27th.  No watch, calling it 10 miles, 2000 vert.  Dark from Rainbow to 27th.  Lots of lights out on the trails just after dark, comfortimg to know I'm not the only knuckle head out there in the dark.

Couldn't get a rythmn tonight, felt like I was plodding along, but got it done.

No miles, but wondering if a 13 hour work day counts for anything?

7 miles, bench trails, working on keeping it fresh, you know run a usual loop in reverse, do a different short out and back on a spur trail, take a different cutoff than the one a few yards further up the trail.  Kinda get'en yawn up there, miss the high trails already. 

7 miles, easy pace with a couple of pick ups, 800 vert or so, mostly in the d.a.r.k. ready or not here it comes. Legs kinda heavy for some reason, knee a little tweaky, I'll give it a 7.5 out of 10.

Catching up a bit on this one.  I had the pleasureof meeting Jun, Scott W, and Dorsimus bright and early this morning at my favorite trailhead.  We set out for a Malan's Peak run/hike in the still full black of early morning.  Jun led out with me running behind the group giving directions as best I could.  I didn' t wear a watch so Ihad no idea of the pace, but it felt fast.  I felt all out of sorts, probably the early start as I typically run in the afternoon/evening.  I was great cruising along chatting as we made our way up the mellower grade in Taylor Canyon.  On the steeper section Jun and I stayed pretty close together with Scott and Dors not too far back.  I hit the peak a bit ahead of Jun and turned out my light sat down and enjoyed the view.  Jun came up and stopped his watch, and his time was just under 40 minutes, which is a great time, espescially for a first ascent.  Dors was next follwed by Scott, I think everyone was under 45 minutes, which all is a fast ascent.  Hilarious to watch Jun try to get a decent "peak jumping" pic of Scott.  I always assumed it was one take deal, but 4-5 pics later they seemed to get one they were satisfied with.  We a great time hanging out waiting for it to get light enough to run down without lights.  A unique experience for me as I think this was the first time I have ever been on the peak with another person.  The banter between Scott and Jun had me rolling. 

Jun led the descent and I followed, trying and not succeeding in keeping pace.  That guy can fly downhill, smooth and fast. I think Dorsimus was right behind me, and he seemed much more comfortabel than me at the pace. Great time, hope we can get out again, SLC trails soon....well maye in the spring.

A totally different Ben Lomond run this afternoon.  Last time I was up there, the trail was dusty, the trees were green and the sun was hot.  I was also at the end of a deep training cycle leading up to the Bear 100.  I was tired, burned out and ready for a break.  Needless to say those last few trips up the peak were a bit of a grind.  I needed to hit the refresh  and remember why I loved running this trail so much.  I wore a watch, but refused to look at it at any regular splits, I ran with the only goal to be keep my heart rate even and my legs working smoothly. 

Not long into the run I could tell things were going to be different.  The trail was muddy and snow covered in spots, the trees were yellow and brown, the breeze cool and the sun hidden behind high clouds.  Everything felt fresh, my legs spun easily, my heart rate and breath was smooth and even. I felt totally engaged in my thoughts and the trail, just one of those runs when everything seems to be clicking.  Just past the saddle as I headed into the last mile-and-a-half steeper section. The trail became almost entirely snow covered and the higher I climbed the deeper it got.  The thing that struck me was the lack of any previous tracks.  No one had been up to the peak in a while, there were a few tracks, but they were a week or so old.   Eventually the deep snow forced me to traverse up and left to what I call the “goat trail” as there are always goat tracks out the steep ridge.  I scrambled straight up to the peak, glanced at my watch and was happy to see 1:35, a good time without snow, and it felt totally easy and enjoyable. 

The peak was completely deserted.  The last entry in the register was 10/23. The only people I had seen since leaving the trailhead 8 miles ago were a group of three mtn bikers I had passed on the way up in the first mile or so.  I was not in a hurry to leave.  I am leaving on a family vacation for two weeks in a few days and knew, given the pending weather, this was most likely my last trip to the peak for 2010.  Looking North East at the landmarks along the Bear course, Logan Peak, Mt Naomi above Tony Grove, and beyond to the peaks surrounding the Bear Lake valley I was struck with the deepest sense of joy and gratitude for  the great summer of running I have had and the incredible experience of completing my first 100 mile race.  Easy cruise back the parking lot, stopping to talk to the three mtn bikers still on their way up. 

Total run time 2:41, 15.70 miles, 3850 vert.