Not really a race, but it was a 50k run where I was racing against my PR and course record. This is an amazing run all the way around Lake Mountain, the mountain west of Utah Lake. The loop is almost exactly 50k (31 miles). I wanted to get my mileage up to 50 miles this week, so thought it would be appropriate to do this 50K loop near my home. It was the seventh time I have run this loop.
The rules for this loop is simple. You just need to cross on the north at a ridge above Reformation Canyon, and to the south at Soldiers Pass. You start the loop at the northwest corner and go clockwise. I've done counter-clockwise before, but it seems tougher. You want to pass through the east side at least by 8 a.m. to avoid shooters who may be camping nearby and after breakfast it seems like they start shooting at everything that moves.
The elevation gain is about 3,000 feet along the loop. There are some fairly technical sections on the east side as it rolls up and down along some rocky 4WD roads. The west side is easier, just a long flat dirt road in Cedar Valley.
I got up very, very early and was out of the house around 1:30 a.m. I first drove down to mile 16.4 of the loop to drop off some Ensure, Gatoraid,and candy. I was amused to discover that the water jug and garbage I left there back on July 2, was still there, undisturbed. I'll need to go retrieve everything later.
I next drove to the starting point, on the northwest corner of the loop, made final preparations and was on my way about 2:45 a.m. The temperature at the start was 23 degrees, colder than expected, but I also realized that the start location traps cold air and is probably the coldest point of the course. Sure enough within five minutes of running, I stripped off my jacket and changed my heavy gloves to lighter ones. That was much better. My starting pace was quick. My goal was to finish in under 5:29. I knew this would be very challenging doing a solo run, because I wouldn't have anyone to race against. I usually get lazy running solo. But so far, so good. My legs felt great and I think the treadmill run yesterday helped wake them up.
It was pretty dark, no moon, just a glow over the hills from the populated valley. the first 2.7 miles is a steady climb. I arrived at the ridge over Reformation Canyon (mile 2.7) at 0:27. Not bad. I now had a stunning view of northern Utah country. The lights are incredible. I now had a nice fast run down the small canyon and then ran on an access road next to the Church welfare farm until I reached the power lines. From there I turned south, started climbing again, and ran past the explosives plant. Running by that place always gives me the willies. I crossed Lott Canyon Rd (mile 5.1) at 0:51. Still a great pace.
From there the powerline road rolls up and down. But the views off the the left are amazing. The lights of Provo/Orem are an amazing show to see across the lake. I love running in the foothills of Lake Mountain before sunrise. I crossed Israel Canyon road (mile 6.5) at 1:05.
From that point, I lost a little focus, lost my racing speed and ran a little lazy. But I sure was enjoying the early morning. The road weaves around drainages and eventually makes a long climb. There are many side roads that can make the route confusing, but you just stay close to the powerlines, usually to the east of them. I reached the high point of the course, Enoch Pass (mile 11.3) at 2:05. I believe that was about the same split time as my PR. I was losing steam.
Next up is my favorite long section of the course, a nice five mile downhill to the low-point of the course. As I started the downhill, I saw some specks reflecting in my green light. Snow! The cold front was arriving. Thankfully the wind wasn't a problem. The snow started as flurries, but would later come down a little harder. It was fun to shine my lights up to the powerlines and see all the snowflakes reflecting in my light.
I arrived at Redwood Road (mile 16.4) at 2:59. I knew that I was a little behind schedule. I had not run that downhill hard enough. At this point, I stopped the watch and took about ten minutes at my aid station, eating and refilling. I would turn out my light as a couple cars drove by. I didn't want them to freak out seeing a dude sitting my the side of the road out in the middle of no where.
On my way again, I ran on the Redwood Road pavement for about a mile until I reached the dirt road to take me to Soldiers Pass. This would be the last tough climb. I knew my PR goal could be won or lost on this climb. I was determined to run the entire way up at a fast pace. I mostly suceeded. I was able to turn out my light after a mile because the glow of dawn had arrived. I reached Soldiers Pass (mile 20.5) at 3:48. Darn, I knew I was about ten minutes late.
I ran down the other side of the pass and had fun widing my way through a little valley the includes a fun single-track motorcycle trail. I reached Lake Mt. Road (mile 23.1) at 4:15. I had wanted to arrive there at 4:00, so was disappointed. I now had eight miles to go in under 1:29. This still could be done, but I knew I had to run about 11-minute miles the rest of the way along a mentally tough flat, straight dirt road.
I had a good pace going. I finally noticed the road was white, not brown. Snow. The clouds were low as the snow fell and I couldn't even see the mountain I was running around. As I continued the snow gradually got deeper, a quarter inch. That was nice. It made the road even softer. But once it reached about a half inch, the footting became more challenging as my feet would slip on rocks hidden my the snow. Up ahead I noticed a small deer in the road watching me. It eventually pranced away and headed up into the foothills.
I started to lose motivation. With about four miles to go, I could see that my pace was falling off, probably 13-minute miles. With three miles to go, I gave up the goal. Running solo, it was just too mentally tough to push myself on this grinding section. So, I backed off, found a comfortable finishing pace and just enjoyed the morning run in the snow.
I finished my 50k in 5:41, 12 minutes off my goal. The finishing temperature was 32 degrees. Still, that was the fasted I had run this loop solo. I average 11-minute miles over the entire tough course. It had been a wounderful morning run. I arrived home by 9:30 a.m.
| Start |
|
|
| Reformation Ridge |
2.7 |
0:27 |
| Lott Canyon Rd |
5.1 |
0:51 |
| Israel Canyon Rd |
6.5 |
1:05 |
| Enoch Pass |
11.3 |
2:05 |
| Redwood Road |
16.4 |
2:59 |
| Soldiers Pass |
20.5 |
3:48 |
| Lake Mt Rd |
23.1 |
4:15 |
| Finish |
31.0 |
5:41 |
| 