From home I ran the Wahsatch Steeplechase course (or roughly the course), 17.5ish miles (my Garmin lost signal). Last spring I ran the race in 2:39. Today from home, which added a mile or two, I ran it in 4:17! I took my time, even taking a few pictures with my phone. The ascent was just fine, only a bit of wind and a few drips of rain. The ridge line was just fine, though I had forgotten how gnarley parts of it are. The descent, which is a north slope, was an adventure. Drifts of deep snow covered the trail making it impossible to find and follow. I eventually just headed straight down the very steep mountain side. Much of the descent was too steep and slick to run. In places it was too steep and slick to walk. I was a bit nervous that I might descend onto a cliffy ledge, but dumb luck was my friend and I eventually came across the trail again. I clocked what I think was my slowest mile ever on a "run" - 39:43 :) I fell many times but it was so steep that I didn't have far to fall (provided I fell back). All in all, good fun. Good think I ran this on Friday morning because by Saturday morning most of the route was covered with fresh snow and it is still snowing up their on Monday!
|