Smithfield Canyon to Mt. Naomi (9979') including some off-trail stuff, down to Tony Grove, then up the traditional trail back to smithfield canyon (coldwater spring area). It was probably a bit much 1 week after Speedgoat and 1 week before El Vaquero Loco. Oh well, it was fun even if it was tiring. Gonna do that one again someday!
El Vaquero Loco 50K (30 Miles) 05:47:00, Place overall: 5
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El Vaquero Loco 50K -
4th time running this amazingly beautiful course. It was especially pretty today due to heavy rains overnight and threatening weather. The weather held out for me to finish, eat a burger and drink a huckleberry soda. I feel sorry for those that came in later. Rough stuff! The race itself went fine for the first half (even though I was in 7th at turn around at 2:37). The second half held some carnage including myself. I must have gone out too hard again. I struggled but survived. 'Loss of will' hit me hard when things got really hard climbing back up to the lakes and over the final 4 miles. Had fun though. Ashley Erba and one other guy (I forgot his name already) entertained me the first half before we parted ways. Ashley went on to crush the 2nd half finishing 2nd overall in 5:22. Impressive!
Cherry Peak via Cherry Creek with Mike and Erik. We all were pretty tired so we called it quits at Cherry and didn't continue on to Naomi as originally planned. Hot day!
Logan Peak run via Providence Peak. Great run today. Focused on pacing for a 100. Think I managed ok. Dialing in my heart rate. It is a tricky balance from what feels too slow and too fast. 6 weeks to the Bear....
Franklin Basin to Steam Mill Lake then Shorty's cutoff (north) to White Pine Trail then over to Franklin. Awesome 'loop' with the new section for us being the Shorty's cutoff to white pine. It was pretty slick. Very runnable. Gonna go back and hit that one again sometime.
He kept the pace moving on the climbs and I kept him going on the downhills. Just no power for me today. Great week of actual training again. Too much Taper/Race/Recover going on. Time to get ready for the Bear!
Jardine Juniper Tree then dropped off the backside onto the old trail that has been worked on recently into Cottonwood Cyn. Steep but fun. Back up to the tree and down the normal route. Nice little addition to JJ.
PM: 18 miles in the heat. Went up Blind Hollow to the connector to Cottonwood. Down Cottonwood and over to Mt. Elmer (but not to the peak) and across 5 of the 7 sisters and back to Tony Grove. Did a lap around the lake then met the family for family pictures. I was all ready to have my pic taken in my running clothes but Beth made me change.
