Cucina Loop with Sam. We call it the Cucina loop because the standard meeting spot is at the Cucina, a cafe/deli on 2nd Ave. We still call it that even though we sometimes start at my house, as we did today. We start with a zigzag up through the Avenues to 11th Ave, west to B street, and then down to the bottom of City Creek, where we climb east above the canyon on the Shoreline trail, then just follow the Shoreline trail over to Dry Creek, down that canyon, and then zig zag back home through Federal Heights. We started at about 5:50 so it was dark for much of the run on the trail. I need to upgrade my headlamp, which is lightweight but a little wimpy (Petzl Tikka w/ one LED bulb). I did fall once, but it was when it was already light so I can't really blame anyone but myself for that.
The SI held up pretty well. I am noticing a pattern; discomfort for a couple of miles at the start and then it kind of fades into the background as I become more warmed up. The trails should be a muddy mess at this time of year, but it was quite dry, no mud to speak of. Last year at about this time, there was a legitimate "creek" running down Dry Creek, this year . . . it's just dry. All things considered, this was a great run.
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