In order to celebrate properly Joe and I took to the trails. What else would you do?
We got up early and drove to North Ogden Divide (Pass?) to run to Ben Lomond Peak. I have never been on that trail and I have to say that it rocks! No its not THAT rocky, its just a cool trail. Definitely one of my favorites. The only complaint I have is that I was too tired from last saturday to really enjoy the trail fully. I found myself slogging along in 50 mile pace for most of the run. Good times though.
1:33 to Ben Lomond Peak
1:50 to Willard Peak(ish) turnaround.
2:20 back to Ben Lomond
3:20 back at the car
T- 3:20 (10 min pace) 4400' vert
Picture of Me with Ben Lomond Peak in the Background
Today Joe and I were graced with the presence of Mr. Logan Fielding (a.k.a.Quadsimodo). Yep, we felt honored. It was nice to be able to enjoy the sweet trails around logan with some fellow running nerds.
Today's mission was to run a large section the Bear100 course (why not?). We had to do a bit of a shuttle to get the cars all set up, but we still hit the trails just after 6. We ran from Temple Fork (mile 45.1) to Logan River Aid (mile 69.5) then continued on down the Franklin basin road (2 more miles or so) to the car.
Before we ran today, I looked up Jon's 2010 race splits so that I could have a "ghost runner" so I could get an idea of how fast one must run to break 21 hours on this brutal course. (* Disclaimer) To be fair, we sort of skipped the first 45 miles and 12K feet of climbing he did before he got to Temple Fork. Plus we called it a day at mile 70 when he got to keep going. So, even though we destroyed the splits of his ghost runner, he shouldn't feel too bad.
So, the splits I got were these:
Temple to Tony Grove - Jon - 1:45 - Us - 1:15
Tony Grove to Franklin Aid - Jon - 1:50 - Us - 1:27
Franklin Aid to Logan River Aid - Jon - 1:45 - Us - 1:28
Jon - 5:20 - Us 4:10
Yep, your math is right, we ran 2:51 seconds a mile faster. Take that Ghost Jon! (*see disclaimer above).
I do love these trails and am REALLY looking forward to enjoying 100 miles of them in 83 days, but who's counting? Thanks joe and logan for a great time! Even if you threw down some sub 6 miles over the last 3 miles leaving me in your dust. Show offs!
Went with the 14 and older scouts to Moab for a few days. Today was non-stop action. I got up early (couldn't sleep due to the excessive heat) and ran from camp. We were camped up the colorado river at big bend (Hal Canyon CG). It was a sweet spot with lots of shade. I ran down the road for 2 miles then turned up a side canyon (one canyon north of Negro Bill Canyon). It turned out to be quite a boulder hopping adventure. I didn't get far before I ran out of time and headed back. (5 miles - 53 mins - 700' vert)
We spent the day in Arches. We hiked all over the usual spots (window arches and nearby). We then headed up into the Devils Garden and hiked more. We started to get some over-heated scouts and we went back to the cars. (3.25 miles - 90 mins - 700' vert)
After lunch we headed into the Fiery Furnace. That was the highlight of the day for sure. That place is awesome. We had to watch a short video to get a permit to enter but once we did, it was worth it. We were able to wander all over the place looking for arches and a way through. We spent a solid two hours hiking around getting lost and exploring. The only disappointment was the lack of fitness the boys had cutting our time there short. I will have to go back again soon. So cool! (3.75 miles - 126 mins - 1200' vert )
Full day of exploring, crewing, and more exploring. The day ended with Tim Adams finishing his jaunt through the San Juan Mountains in 41:53. Only a few hours behind the winner Hal Koerner (24:50 - amazing!). More details about the race later....
Joe and I got up at 8am after 4 hours of sleep and wandered over to the finish line in Silverton. We had missed Hal, Joe and Dakota's finishes and we waited around for almost an hour with no one finishing. We got bored and decided to go check out the course. We pulled out the course directions and off we went. We made it to mile 5.5 before time ran out and we had to head back. In that time, we saw some killer views and experienced some easy trails and some not so easy trails. This course is not for beginners...duh. We topped out at 11,300 feet and were still well below the peaks.
T-2:30 (11 miles) 2700' vert
After this warmup, we quickly made some PB&J and headed to Maggie Gulch to resume our duties. We had to park at the bottom (race rules) and hike the supposed 3.5 miles to the aid station at 12,000. Turns out they moved the aid station up the canyon more so it was actually 4.25 miles. We quickly settled into our power hike mode and got to work. Before long, we were deep into the pretty country and loving it. Everywhere you looked, it was a sight to behold. We finally arrived at the aid station worried that we had missed Tim, but luckily he had not arrived yet. That gave us time to rest and catch our breath.
T- 1:31 (4.25 miles) 2100' climb
Tim soon arrived and Jon was finished with his pacing duties after 12 hours of "being on the clock". He had traveled through some of the prettiest parts of the course and even hiked over Handies, the only 14'er on the course. He was able to catch a ride down the canyon to the car and drive to the next aid station and crew. I, on the other hand decided to become a random pedestrian on the trail and sight-see. I "ran" the section from Maggie Gulch over Buffalo Boy Ridge (13,214) and Green Mountain Pass (13,048) and down Green Mountain Valley and finally dropping into Cunningham Gulch (10,400). To put it plainly, it was gorgeous and I loved every minute of it. I took lots of pictures and even some video.
T- 1:51 (6 miles) 1800' vert climbing 3300' vert descent
Total: 21 miles (5:51) 6600' vert climb 6000' descent (all above 9400')
4 boring miles on the Planet Walk. After last weekend, all I can think about is the mountains. Amazing weekend. I wish I had more time to spend in the San Juans. Instead, I had to drag my tired butt out of bed and try and wake up. Other than when I smashed my toe in the door, I felt no soreness. Lots of fatigue though. Back to normal training tomorrow...
PM: Big Trail Workout with Joe. It was time for the annual First Dam - Wind Caves - Birdeneau Saddle - Green Canyon - BST Loop. Its a tough loop and a good one for a big workout. My goal was to run faster than my FKT set with Jon on 6-15-2010 (2:17:52).
The weather was cooperating with us as it was hot but overcast. That kept us from melting. The pace was brisk up to the campground. 6 miles in 47 mins. Then came the 3 miles and 2200' climb. This section was tough and I was not feeling good. Lots of stomach issues. We hit the summit in 90 mins flat. I let joe lead on the downhill and poof he was gone. That boy can run. I was running close to 7 min pace on the technical trail and he had to have been mid to sub 6. Crazy man. We ran down the singletrack through Kings Park and onto the BST. I was pushing as hard as I could and joe looked like he was just jogging ahead of me. What a punk. So, we set a new FKT (barely), but Joe could have easily been 5 mins faster without old man cody holding him back. What a punk.
T- 2:16:40 (8:49) 15.5 miles 3500' vert (sport tracks & garmin connect)
On my own today as Drew is at a race and Joe went "home". Today's expedition was to Spring Hollow to Millville Peak (9291'). I kept myself entertained by talking to myself and the cows out roaming the hills. Hit the peak in 2:22 and headed back. I got pretty bored talking to myself so I decided to keep things interesting by moaning and complaining. It worked. I also decided to run out to where the road ends at the lookout point (inspiration point?). That just made me hot and tired. I will now call it "hot and tired point". Creative huh? Good run, but slow, hot and man... am I boring!
Easy pace. An elderly woman on the trail reported seeing a cougar but I don't believe her. She was old. Plus there were 2 middle age women out running the trail too. Maybe she was confused. I think she saw 2 cougars.
That trail kicked my butt and even knocked me down. I forgot to wear my gaiters today and my legs were bleeding and my shoes full of plants and thorns. I also realized Hokas are not ideal for this type of loose and rocky "trail". Very slow going but the views were great. I am glad I did it, but that will be my only trip up there this year. Unless I am training for Hardrock, it is not an ideal trail to frequent regularly. Ok, enough complaining. I got a paid holiday today to go hike up a mountain. Life is good. Thanks Pioneers.
While the family slept in I went and tagged a favorite peak and found a new trail in the process. It was a great morning. Saw an elk and a fox en-route. Ran some atv trails and some brand new singletrack (still had sawdust on the trail from the tree-cutting), and even some off trail bushwhacking. Loved it.
Ran 12 miles of random atv trails around our rented cabin in Island Park. It was hard to turn around and go back...so much to explore! Ran slow 8:30 out and low 7's back. Spent the rest of the day having fun in Yellowstone before driving home.
