For my crazy long run today, I was out at 3:15 a.m. My objective was to run up and over Lake Mountain, down into Cedar Valley, and then run around Lake Mountain, through Eagle Mountain, the Ranches, and then back to home.
It was below freezing with a little breeze but I was dressed warm. There was a half moon out that illuminated against the snow. I didn't need to turn on my headlamp while I ran on the roads. I ran past the police station, hoping they wouldn't see me and wonder what this crazy guy dressed in dark clothes was doing out on the streets so early.
I ran a couple miles to the dirt road that heads up to the top of Lake Mountain. Within a mile, the snow arrived. Thankfully some trucks had been up the road after the snow fell yesterday so I could run in their tracks. It was so quiet and peaceful climbing the steep road in the snow. My climb would be over 3,000 feet and it got colder and colder. It must have dropped below 20 degrees because my water bottle froze near the top.
The truck tracks headed up to the towers but thankfully there were some snow mobile tracks on the road that continued down the other side. This is a nice long gradual descent for about seven miles. I was amazed how much snow there was. I ran along the snow mobile tracks and wound through the valley with just a red headlamp to light my way. The moon was still out and I had plenty of light. But the snow wasn't going away. The snow mobile tracks ended, they turned back up. But it was OK, I just bounded throught the snow. It continued to be deep until I got down to 5,500 feet and then as I spilled out into the valley, the snow totally disappeared.
I was very surprised to see that yesterday's storm that dropped six inches of snow at my house didn't drop any snow in Cedar Valley. I had counted on using the snow for my water bottle. Oh well, I would run on the one bottle clear until mile 28. It was very cool, so I didn't get too dehydrated.
Dawn arrived, but much of Cedar Valley was covered in a low fog. As I ran into the fog the temperature dropped again and I had to put my hand in my pockets even though they had warm gloves on. My pace was pretty easy, I was just enjoying the early morning. As the sun peeked over the mountain, the fog quickly dispersed where I was and I was facinated watching the fog lift toward the mountain. Frost covered all the brush around me and sparkled in the sunlight. I also spied a herd of 12 antelope who were watching me very closely. It was so quiet and peaceful, one of those great running moments.
My run continued through Eagle Mountain city center now on the pavement. I then turned on the parkway and started to see other runners out for an early morning run. I realized that I probably looked strange with my gaitors and extra warm cloths. But it was still near freezing. At a park out in a field, I stopped for a long bathroom break and then headed up and over Unity Pass. Snow appeared again. Interesting. No snow on the west of the mountain, but starting at the pass a bunch fell.
I continued to run on pavement for the rest of my run. All the trails on this side of the mountain were very wet and muddy, even the road shoulders. I stopped at the convenient store in the Ranches, drank plenty, and ate a donut. On my way again, I finished my run enjoying listening to music and singing like crazy, feeling great. The cows didn't seem to mind.
My route can be seen here.
That is the fifth Saturday in a row with at least 35 miles.
p.m. 5 miles with the dog while listening to the BYU game. | 