Paul and I ran the Inagural Logan Peak Trail run this morning. This was a course that Paul created the maps for and is working to grow in size every year. There were only 27 runners. I wasn't there to race it, but it was still very difficult and ended up being an incredible workout. Course Map Course Profile
The course starts in Providence (4847feet) and climbed up to the Logan Portion of the Bonneville shoreline trail (aka Deer Fence trail). We ran a short section on that trail and started up Dry Canyon. The pace was confortable and conversational. It quickly got steep and we ended up walking the steepest sections to save our legs for later. We were hitting mile splits of around 15 minutes, including stops for water and photo ops. Some of the guys around up were serious trail runners who were wondering who the yahoos were stopping and taking pictures every half mile. We would run faster than them, but take more frequent breaks. The race had 3 total aid stations where we hit two of them going both directions (up and down). I was impressed with the quality of food at the stations and I took full advantage eating all kinds of fruit, trail mix, shot blocks, water, and more. Paul and I spent close to 5-10 minutes at each aid station usually 2-3 times longer than everyone else, but I didn't care.
By the 5 mile marker, we took the right fork up dry canyon and ran on the south syncline trail (8000+ feet). There were some nice stretches of trail where we hit sub 7:00 pace. I swear there was only 10 feet of flat trail the entire time. We were climbing or descending the whole time. At about mile 10, we started the last climb to Logan peak. It was about 3 miles of un-relenting uphill where we walked a good portion (as it was faster then running). I couldn't believe how difficult it was to breathe at that high altitude. My legs were completely wasted by now from all the climbing. One foot in-front of the other.
Finally made it up to Logan peak (about 13 miles into the run and at 9710' ) and enjoyed some food and the views. I didn't really care about my place so I didn't mind that a couple of guys came and went while we enjoyed the top. Hardest part is over now....I thought.
Coming down, the footing was challenging and some sections were too steep to go fast, but we did pretty good playing the part of the hare catching the tortises who never stopped. Dropping off the top, we got to see all the people behind us. I think we were 5th and 6th at the top with 2 (I think) people leaving before us making us 7th and 8th. Once off the top, we took the northern syncline trail around the mountian. There were still way too many passes to go over that I didn't have the legs for, but I did my best. Paul was patient and didn't make me go faster then I needed to. I do think that without him I would've ran 30 min to an hour slower. We passed the people who left before us only to have them pass us at the aid station later. Whatever.
By the time we circled around the mountain, I swear, we could've climbed another mountain based on the hills we ascended and descended. I had to mentally kill myself to keep going and I swear, if there was an alternative way home, I might've given in and quit. Once we made it back to dry canyon and familiar trails, we tried to pick up the pace and finish strong. Flying (term used loosely) down the canyon, Paul took a swan dive into some rocks and ate it hard. Ouch. We weaseled our way past a few runners and finished strong. Actually, we ran all but the last 200 meters together and I asked Paul if this was the 1 time in my life that I was going to beat him, and he gave in knowing it meant more to me than to him, so I sprinted the best I could and was so happy to be done. I finished 4th and Paul 5th. I don't think I could've run the race any faster, but if I had been racing we wouldn't have taken so much time at the aid stations. I did have to get my moneys worth of food though. Race Results
Incredible experience and is easily the hardest workout I have ever done and probably the hardest race ever. Way more demanding than a normal marathon with over 7200 feet of elevation change. Paul came in pretty close on his estimate of the distance, but it is hard to do from topo maps. It was hard though to have run 25 miles and know that you have ~2 left to go.
Ave HR: 156 (160's climbing and 150's descending)
Ave Pace around 12:20 counting the stops
Total Calories used: 6230
Water consumed: about 210 oz. and still got dehydrated.
After the finish, James and Jon were at there to keep me from passing out. Thank you. They took us down to the Logan river to ice our legs. Felt very nice! Some painful cramping occurred, but well worth it. I ate some food back at the finish (provided) and came home and crashed. I am still tired, but am doing ok now.
Here are some pics:
Starting Line
Heading up Dry Canyon
View from Dry Canyon (about mile 5)
Kind of a steep canyon
Logan is way down there..
We made it to the top
View of the peak from the North face | 