It was raining and I didn't feel like getting out of bed. Justified it by knowing that I ran enough this week. Can't ramp up too fast. Plus tomorrow's run will be long. Yes, I still felt like a slacker.
Met Joe at the USU Water Lab. He ran from home due to car issues, I drove. We took the back way up to Deer Fence at Dry Canyon. A nice stiff climb to wake the body up. Leg was a bit achy on the climb but didn't bug me at all after that. We headed south on Deer Fence all the way to Blacksmith Fork Canyon (nearly). Lots of mud. I made a game of counting people vs. animals. I counted 11 people and well over 30 deer and even 5 turkeys and a pheasant. Not bad odds. We didn't even count cows and birds.
The way back was a bit harder. Solid climbs, headwind, Joe was even complaining he was tired and then made up some excuse that his leg hurt or something. Totally faking it. Made me go get my truck and pick him up and take him home. Hope he gets better from his pretend injury.
T-2:30 (8:35) 2000' vert
Kids went with Grandma and Grandpa to the children's museum so Beth and I went and hiked windcaves. It was awesome. Legs are really tired now. - 2 hours 2000' vert
PM: 10 Miles on Rivertrail with new recruit Mike the janitor guy (name withheld for privacy) He has signed up for Logan Peak. Hasn't run a marathon but who cares. He will do fine.
House to Bridger Overlook rock slide (Spring Hollow) -
It was a nice long run - longest in a long while. (That is my record for usage of "long" without even trying). I met Joe at mile 5 (first dam) and together we hit the fun part of the run before he called it a day and went home. I suffered through the final 5 miles enjoying a nice bonk. Good to get the body used to longer runs.
T-2:32:30 (7:37) 1300' vert
Had to run the roads today to get home early so my oldest could get Baptized. So proud of my boy. It was an awesome experience. Way better than a silly run.
PM: 10 with Joe. Green Canyon and BST from First Dam. Quite cool out and the trail was a tad muddy. Perfect conditions for having the place to ourselves. Sweet run
Long Run with my old high school buddy Nick McCombs. He was nice to not run me into the ground. It was great to catch up after all these years. He is now living in Smithfield so we should be able to hook up for a run a few times a month. It was raining most of the time with some of it hard but most of it was pretty light. It is really hard to dress for 40 degrees and spotty rain. Tough to regulate properly. Glad it doesn't rain here often.
For the route we headed to Green from first dam and did 3 miles before the rain turned the trail to soup. We headed back to first dam (10 miles) then headed up Logan Canyon to third dam before Nick was out of time (had to go to work) so we headed back down to the car (18 miles). Nick took off and I wanted to do a few more so I headed back up to Green once again. That 300' climb the second time was tough. I made it to the bathroom at the parking lot in green before turning back. Fully into my bonk now I shuffled my way back to the truck and enjoyed a nice omelette (once I got home, not in my truck). Another successful training day on the dirt.
The trail is finally clear of snow and in great condition. It was completely frozen but still nice. I felt surprisingly decent today. Great to get out!
PM: 12 miles with Joe. First Dam to Green Canyon (half mile from the Yurt). Great run. Legs were tired and the shoes were a bit much for the legs. IT band is sore now. Should be ok. 55 and sunny. Awesome.
Still felt like a truck hit me. A nasty bug has hit our house and I think I was losing the battle. Today was much better than yesterday and am coming around. Should be good for a long run tomorrow.
Everyone (joe/nick/mike) bailed on my today so I decided to check out one of my favorite trails. Birch Creek Canyon. Drove to Mack park (canyon road) and ran the mile or so on the road until the dirt started. Headed up the canyon until just past the Wilderness boundary (mile 5.5 elevation 6500') when the snow became too deep to continue (easily). Turned around and headed back down until the start of the singletrack and instead of continuing straight down the canyon, made a hard right up to the ridge between Birch and Smithfield. Paul told me about a trail up there years ago and I wanted to check it out. 800' in .6 of a mile later I hit the ridge. Great views. I saw the trail heading west (down the ridge) but didn't see anything heading further east so I opted to go west. The ridge was fun to run on and before long I was back at the bottom of the trail. 11 miles done, time for lap #2. This time I crossed to the opposite hill and followed the buried canal 'trail' back up the canyon. I proceeded to go all the way up the trail to the boundary sign before heading back to the car. 2 laps of Birch with some ridge running. I also got my share of vert. Gotta get used to climbing again. Great day.
