Ravings and Blather

Spent the day hiking.  Full on backpack style in Buckskin Gulch.  Not a run but want to log the experience here.  Went with group of six including my 19 year old son.  This gulch is likely the longest/ deepest hike-able slot canyon in the USA.  It begins between Kanab and Page, AZ.  The first day was 14 miles from Wire Pass trailhead to the confluence of the Paria river and Buckskin.  This slot canyon is stunning to say the least.  You have several hundred feet sandstone walls going up as you serpentine along the bottom in a narrow slot with numerous pools, flowing water, sand, mud,etc areas along the way.

Slept the night on a sandbar underneath a stunning sliver of night/stars that was visible out of the narrow slot.  River running at our feet.  7.5 miles out the Paria canyon (much still just walking in running water) to the cars the next morning then home.  This is a spectacular canyon without any significant technical sections but otherworldly views and only a slight chance of dying.  (if unexpected storm hits).  You do need a permit.  Will post pictures if someone can let me know how to really do this.  Instructions need to be someone with limited neural capacity.  HaHa  

Seems like I havent run for a long time, which I havent due to one thing or another...which isnt wise considering Im signed up for the Ogden Marathon and the Squaw Peak 50 over the next month...

 Ran up in the avenues area in the rain with a couple miles in Memory Grove.  That was actually the first time I have been in there and it was really coolio.  

avg 9 and wistful 

Post call tired run to the Old Mill.  Enjoyed the beautiful day though.  Definitely ready for warmer temperatures.  The river is full and fun.  avg 9

Grandeur Peak bagging this morning... except this peak bagged me I think.  I am wasted.  Left parking lot around 8:30 and started up in a ferocious headwind for the first mile.  Just tried to keep steady pace with out stopping, but I always seem to have to stop to get a few blows with about a half mile to go.  Was still snow up on the ridge line and I was dawdling a bit when I notice a runner girl cruising up behind me fast so I made a push to keep it going to the summit where she caught up the rest of the gap and finished only about 2 seconds behind me to the peak...I was there in about 1:12 and she had done it in 58...crap she was cruising, but gave me a high five and then we went down the backside...this area is still heavily snow packed and at the steep part was just a fun 100 yard bum slide down to slightly less steep area.  Was super fun actually but the trudge out the next half mile froze my feet.  Lumbered the rest of the way down churchfork to rattlesnake then millcreek road back to the lot...totally gassed but happy.

Only conclusion is road marathon's are just brutal and punishing for me...this was number three for me in last 12 months and I think I have my fill of them.  That said I am glad that I did it overall.  Had smashed big toe in unnamed domestic incident/accident 6 days ago that left it bruised and swollen but not broken.  This ended up not really being an issue as I borrowed my brother's shoes which were a half size bigger and worked out great.

 First half in 1:51  with times between 8:11 and 8:40.  Wanted to have smooth pacing with gas in tank for second half.  Smooth but no gas.  Second half had lots of 9's  and one 11:30(potty stop at mile 15 that just plain took awhile).  

Body just kind of shuts down mile 21 or 22 and the rest is on willpower, which is cool for sure and somewhat addicting but....I think I am ready to switch more full time to the trail/adventure running.  Overall think that if it is on the road the half may be it...

Oreo had a great race.  Smoked the first 15 then his stomach blew up and he ended up helping a damsel in distress run her last 6 or so after her blow up...cool cat.

 Good times 

Just a slow slow slow post marathon neighborhood run in between morning thunderstorms...  Legs much better this evening after a massage

Visiting a long lost lover by running on Pipeline Trail.  Havent been up there for awhile.  I went up to Burch Hollow and ran up to Elbow Fork... kept a slow steady run going up which I was happy I was able to do...The canyon is ripe with spring run off water and the trail has crossing water at a few points but is in excellent dry shape otherwise.  Only passed two bikers coming the other way.  Took it slow...averaged 10 minute miles for the 6.  Dont know how much vert this section is as garmin software not working on my imac.

 So far Oreo and I are thinking of still soldiering on and doing the Squaw Peak 50 next weekend but I at this point have only one goal and that is to finish.  My body feels a bit hammered from the O town marathon last week and my feet/toe hurt worse today than during the race funny enough...can I wear your old trail shoes brother? haha 

Just a slow jaunt through the neighborhood...not sure what I am doing by attempting the Squaw Peak 50 this weekend with the steady feeling of dread that is coming over me and my general wussy training the last 6 weeks but sometimes you just gotta wing it I guess.  I keep remembering all the things I was going to work on such as electrolyte replacement etc that I just really dont have a great handle on yet but I am going to see Kung Fu Panda 2 with the fam today so things are looking up...