Morrison to Evergreen Canyon Run
Raced from 5764 feet up 1400 feet to Evergreen along the canyon. Started out at 30 degrees. Opted for capris, singlet, long sleeve and gloves. Everyopne else severly overdressed!
Dalton decided that he wanted to go no less than 8 minutes per mile, regardless of terrain. His goal was to destroy his time from 2 years ago. Within the first mile, my boys had all taken off and I was off the back end, though in front of the rest of the runners (that I do not train). Slowly, I began to pick off my guys one by one as the ascents got worse and worse. By mile 3 I was down to my singlet and gloves as the day was beginning to be GORGEOUS! Caught up with Dalton adn decided that we would help each other out. Flee off pace a few times with some MAJOR climbs, so had to drop to 7:30's on anything flat. Downhills are still difficult as Danny explained that my loose ligaments at the front of my ankle coupled with tight calf is forcing my calcaneus bone to jut forward. That causes a strange clicking noise as the ligaments get caught on the bone-YUCK! SO, really had to make the flats count to get us back on pace.
Walked through the water stations (I wanted to, and dalton had never done water in a rce before). opted to not take in any fuel, as I was feeling pretty good. Dalton experimented with a GU before each water stop.
Near mile 8, we could see DJ up ahead struggling, so thought we would catch hima nd try to help him through. That only left Brandon as the only runer up ahead of us. Picked up DJ adn dropped Dalton as I tried to close the gap on Brandon (could not see him, though, and knew that DJ and Dalton would help each other out).
Finish came up much quicker than expected and barely got a good sprint on. Brandon FTW with me 2nd. Turned back to get Dalton and DJ through, when BAM, there they were, right off my back end. Went SLOWLY back downt he mountain to get our next few runners in, picking up a few extra miles and smiles along the way!
AMAZING, beutiful day. the guys all did amazing. Figure that if they can race 11 miles up a canyon, it's time to think about a half marathon??? ROCK CANYON here we come!
happy to average right around 8 for the majority with that much climbing and little pain.
Will continue to run every other day for next couple of weeks though until pain back to "normal". |