Ravings and Blather

Crabfest and apple pie

Out and about in the new year.  Felt fast, but alas was not so... still a good time had by all.  avg 8:36

After work miles around the county road loop.  Felt goooooood.  

Pipeline Trail to get out of the condensed pollution in our fine valley.  Started at Burch Hollow and went up the hills to Elbow Fork and put a little add on to get to 4 miles out and back.  Legs burning on this one.  Havent done much hill work for awhile.  Beautiful views of the mountains today with a lot of snowshoers and crosscountry people on the trail.  I held myself in check today and only pushed three of them off the trail. I love watching them roll down the steep mountain kicking up a dusting of fine snow. 

Had goal of going up Mt Wire...Found the right parking lot and got on the Bonneville Shoreline Trail and went up some random trail in the snow that I am quite sure was too far East, but it was foggy and couldnt really see what was up.  Saw a bunch of deer looking at me...the poor lost soul..  Turned around and hoofed it back down alsmost taking a major turf on a steep rocky section...could have been bad, but my feline reflexes saved LifeFlight for another day.  Will get more info and try again another day.

Elliptical machine 25 minutes...a revelation

Afterwork, after dinner, after dark jaunt through the snow.

Pipeline extravaganza...had thoughts of doing the whle line out and back but ran out of juice.  did the usual burch hollow to overlook and back...beautiful views but the trail was getting soft.  Spikes were nice.

Beautiful sunny short wearing day.  Went on an old road route to Cottonwood Offices and back.  Felt good overall, wish it were spring now.  avg 8:38

Rocked it up to 39th, then went round mill creek road and back s curve to home.  Sweet run with a nice new hair buzz,  avg 8:38

Second futile attempt at going up Mt Wire.  Started out this afternoon and could see the top, by the time I found trailhead and got to top of ridgeline I was hit by a sudden gale force wind and snowstorm whiteout up there.  Sliding all over and I could no longer see the trail.  Decided I didnt want to be the next frozen wandering lost soul in the wasatch range so I turned back and went up east to some overlook that looks back across the valley, overall fun deer filled day. avg SLOW.  Third times the charm.

Pipeline run in the snow from Burch to Elbow Fork.  The first mile and a half are a fairly beastly push uphill...takes all I have to keep some jog going.  Got into some beautiful sunshine by the top.  Spikes helped today, but the snow was just a tad bit sticky and I would occasionally be running on platform shoes.

Staying downtown SLC this am, so went out on a run from the downtown area out to Liberty Park and a loop around that and then back downtown with a side detour through the Library grounds...shared the morning with some interesting folks on this journey...was fun

Finally got to the top of Mt Wire today...foggy inversion in the valley, but half way up the heavens opened and it was a bit of heaven the rest of the way up...sections of this trail are pretty straight up and relentless but manageable in a sucking wind sort of way...think it took me about 53 or so minutes to get to the red towers and when I was about at the top I come to this lady who I have seen on this trail before, tiny, tiny and steady strong hiker...but looks about 70 or so...man is she tough.  Fun day... not sure yet how much vert this is.

Spin around the neighborhood after a dusting of fresh snow.   Quads are tight after the Mt Wire expedition.  Sometimes I think the real runners high is experienced when a unexpected restroom appears on the horizon right when you need one most.

Beautiful Bluebird sunny day on the Pipeline.  Trail is perfect because these cold temps have frozen the snow to a hard pack.  Also Frozen nostrils and left eyelid by the end...but that is all part of the fun.

Great Huntville run with Oreo and another Huntville-ite Shane.  We went on Wheelers up East around some loop to Icebox and down.  Some soft spots where you would sink unexpectedly but mostly hardpack.  That may not last long if it stays warm though.  Could have been in shorts for the up hill part.  Sweet day with a burger at the Double diamond to boot.  Cant beat it.

10 pm run in the slow peaceful snowfall.  Just backstreets around the neighbor hood...was good times to just get out after a day in the cages at work.  

Mt Wire today.  This is my second summit of this lovely hill.  Today was gorgeous with sunny skies.  The top 25% of this one was a fair amount of "post hole" tracking through the fresh snow of this week.  Nonetheless, was a great workout and was sweating like a beast for the middle third.  After the summit I went down the first mile then up to the East along the gas pipe trail to go to the Oxen tie up hill.  This is my new name for it as there is a wire loop at the top that for some reason reminds me of oxen.  Saw a perfect Bluebird but no one else on the day except one trail chick coming down as I was going up.  This route took 1:30 and wore me out.  51 minutes to the summit.  Broke a link in the microspikes on a rock, will have to do some surgery on it.

Spin around the neighborhood. avg 8:16   More mentally taxing running on the road, but beautiful out today.

Been a while since the last run as I have been waylayed with a serious stomach flu.  Sickest I have been in about 20 years.  Still recovering days later actually, but wanted to get out on this beautiful day.  Took it out slow and stayed slow as had no energy to do anything else.  Fun to be out though.  stayed between 9:00 and 9:30 the whole way.  Felt good otherwise.

This was the longest run in many months and my body could tell...some of the old hot spots flaring up again.  Need to start incorporating these in again.  Beautiful day after a snowy night.  Miss the trails though.  avg 9 or so.  Went on the Old Mill loop with some extensions around that neighborhood area.  The actual motivation for this run is because I have eaten 75% of a beautiful homemade cherry pie (lovely crust, tart cherries, hint of almond extract in the sweetness) so must run that bugger off before I start on the next eating adventure.

Spin up to the mouth of Neff's Canyon.  First 3.5 miles is just a slog uphill. Tried to keep the legs moving on this one.  Gets steep before the parking lot and my lungs were near bursting.  coasted downhill and home from there to finish off some fantastic chocolate chip raisin oatmeal cookies that really hit the spot.

Snowing like a buggar today.  Was going to trail it but no dice so went on loop around Skyline high down Millcreek road then back home.  Pushed some of the flatter miles to be around 8 and really flared the right inner adductor that gets tight the last few months.  Oh well..great to be out.

Stupendous Pig trail miles with Oreo... only thing would have made it better is if a banjo had started playing by the trailer park.  Beautiful river actually and nice times after a fun morning skiing by my lonesome up at basin.  Seemed unusually crowded but enjoyed a nice swiss burger at Needles Lodge.

Squishy run on Pipeline. Totally soft snow trail which worked me over. Ran from church fork to overlook then down rattlesnake because i was sick of the snow and run up the canyon road to the car in my soaked shoes. Felt wasted but again a beautiful sunny late afternoon.

Ate two Banbury Cross donuts today...no miles.

Big day for the old man out on Antelope island.  Went with Brother Oreo, Shane the Mountain Goat and T-Bone.  Ran the 16 mile loop with add on out to Elephant Head or Turtle Rock or whatever it was.  Beautiful moonscape scene out there.  Overall felt good until last 3-4 miles.  Felt about 300 pounds about then.  Saw Jun and Kelli cruising by on the trail...they appear to be studly runners just like you would guess.

Big Titty Loop with an extra 1.5 through the Business District.  Havent done this loop in a while but wanted to get some views of the city with all the snow on this beautiful day of sun.  Stunning views along Wasatch Blvd by Mt Olympus.  

 Right hip still feels really tight in back, but trying to work it out.  Avg 9:06 for the run with a near death experience thrown in as the garbage truck whisked a bit close.  

I am calling this a run even though there wasnt much sustained running given all the mud, snow, back tracking etc.  I wanted to explore the BST behind Research park area with hopes of running to the Avenues area but given construction blockage etc, just stayed around the area and some in This is the Place State Park.  Trails are muddy and wet...need to dry out a bit and it looks like a fun area to run.  Then cleaned out the house gutters... that should be some bonus miles right there.

Long night of call fixed with a great outing today.  Wanted to get in some trail, but the ones I've been on lately are super wet.  So ventured south to run by Dimple Dell.  Started at the Orgil/Granite Trailhead and ran up the switches to Bell Canyon Reservoir, ran around the Lake as best as I could in the slushy snow.  Then went down the Bell Canyon trailhead to Wasatch Blvd then basically went exploring into the Dimple Dell Regional Park area and ran mostly along some equestrian trail until I hit about one hour into the adventure and went back.  Beautiful area 10 minutes from my home that I really didnt know existed.  Pace was slow partially because I had no idea where I was headed and butt still hurts a lot but was great to be out.

Neighborhood run.  Asphalt lusciousness. You got to get what you can I guess.  Liked the Kinvaras today.  Felt light.  Funny thing, I really tried to push the last 3 and managed a wind aided 7:39 mile but dont know how to go any faster than that for the moment... really need to get some speed workout in my wheelhouse I guess.  Also need to somehow fix the busted adductor.

Wanted to get back on some trails, so had my son drop me off at the Burch Hollow trailhead of Pipeline and ran to the overlook, or actually, I was between Rattlesnake and ChurchFork when I needed potty break...so I ran back to Church Fork restroom only to find it Locked... SO back to nature...snow for TP isnt so bad, just a brisk wake up call.  Uneventful back to the overlook except for the dead deer right by the trail near Rattlesnake...freaked me out because I almost stepped on it while lost in some tunes.  To overlook and back down Rattlesnake and last 4 miles on the road to home.  Felt tight by the end, but fun day out.  

Just wanted to get a midnight spin in the rain for the heck of it... 

Slow downhill neighborhood slogfest.

Almost just a walk

Will add official time and place when I get them.  Today was a fun day and about what I was hoping for.  Namely, Enjoy it, run hard enough to really enjoy a scheduled 90 minute post race massage, feel better than last year at the finish, have no serious leg issues (which have been plaguing me lately), enjoy the stew, and beat the snot out of my brother.  Accomplished all of the above except brother Oreo ended up kicking my trash with a fine run.  I only saw him at the start and with about 3 miles to go, but couldnt catch up, in fact he just kept getting farther into the distance. I guess nature is back in its natural order of things.  Also, was able to see older brother in for his first antelope experience. 

 Was hoping to beat last years time, but was 3 minutes slower.  The mud this year was part of this, but after reviewing my splits from last and this year I was only faster this year in 3 of the 16 miles and slightly slower in the rest.  This I think was due to not always aggressively passing or trying to pass the trains of runners that I was sometimes behind, which is actually great that more people are out doing this, and being generally more conservative with the downhills to avoid the leg issue.   Just have to focus and nut up I guess. Also, currently I have a mindset of no injury and slow build to be able to finish Squaw 50 this summer. 

 I love this course and the general environment though...good times, good times.  Nice job to all the more powerful and adventurous bloggers on their fine races...  feeling a bit wimpy here only doing the 25, but what do you expect from a coffin boy as another brother might say.  

Cold, dark, easy nighttime miles

Bells canyon trail around the lake and up the upper trail in the snow until I was hungry.  Legs fatigued from buffalo... Squaw is now starting to weigh down on me.  Listened to old school acoustic Jackson Browne...mellow day.

Wanted to bag Grandeur Peak today... did it but learned a few things.  Started out in the West ascent parking lot and went out at a brisk walk...I really cant run any of this ascent route as it is so straight up steep.  3000 vertical up in the first 2.2 miles or so.  If I do run part of it I pay dearly higher up the mountain.  Went up the ridge and felt good just sucking down the fluids and taking a few gu chomps... snow pretty deep and wet the last half to 3/4 mile.  

Things I learned... 3 embarrassing ways to die out on a trail run.

 1.  Aspirating a pretzel at 8500 feet.  I was trying to eat one near the snowy, post holing summit push, sucked it into my lung farther than I wanted it to go and luckily got it out before perishing or falling off the mountains backside (was windy as all get out at this point).

 2.  Getting trapped waist high in snow and not being able to get out until wolves devour you.  After the peak I was going down the Church Fork side and near the top it was deep, sun exposed snow.  Was trying to leapfrog/jump down the steep snowy slope and all of a sudden one leg was buried up to my crotch and the momentum nearly dislocated me.  I still hadn't hit ground by the way.  Managed to escape and only repeated this two more times.

3.  Knock self out while watching trail instead of what was going to impale my head (overhanging large tree branch...narrowly avoided, but was very close.)

Ran down to Pipeline then to Rattlesnake then down road to Wasatch then back to parking lot at trailhead.

This is a fun loop with 3000 up and 3000 down.  Took 1:15 to summit and 2:45 for the loop.  Was pretty wasted by the end I must say and think I seriously need to increase miles before Squaw if I want to finish...but what the heck. 

Good afternoon for a trail run before the return to winter and rain the rest of the week.  Did the Pipeline from Burch Hollow to the overlook and back.  The trail is a slushy mess in some spots, but overall had a great time on a mostly empty jaunt.  Felt more fatigued than I expected at the end of this one.  Dead deer is still at the top of Rattlesnake, just a bit more eaten.  Freaks me out for some reason.  avg 9:33

Bad Mamma Jamma Run today.  Knew a storm was coming in so went up early to O-town and joined Oreo on a trail extravaganza on South BST (see Oreo log for actual route) and up to the peak of Malans.  Wasnt feeling my best today with good moments and junior suckfest moments, but was a fulfilling fun run.  We could see the impending stormfront slowly coming the whole time.  We started push up Malans at about the 9 mile mark and trail was slick ice mixed with snow.  I failed to bring the spikes, but luckily my brother had a pair and let me have one.  That made the ice spots possible.  

One interesting thing I have noted is that the traction on the Cascadia 6 is not as good at the 5 version.  Likely in their push to make a lighter version the tread is less bulky and deep.

 Bag of fritos helped me survive and revive to get to the summit.  By the time we hit summit I was getting nervous because the valley was becoming a white out and the wall of storm moving in.  We hustled back down and I had a total calf spasm, big knot, muscle fasiculations...the whole works...never had one before but hurt like a B for a couple minutes.  Luckily it passed and we made it back in a driving hail storm.

Fun times and some good vert.  Calf pretty tight now...any suggestions for those who get these?  Mt Ogden Burger for all. 

Elliptical for 45 minutes.  For more detailed report and pictures, forward to my elliptical adventures blog.

Big T Loop with some beautiful sun on this noon jaunt.    The calf cramp has vanished.  Nice.  Had an 8 and 7:50 mile on the flat which was surprising.  Felt good overall but which I knew how to get rid of the inner groin tightness on the right side.   Has been a trouble spot since injury in that area as a teenager.

Millcreek road from churchfork then up Rattlesnake to pipeline trail to overlook, back to churchfork and down.  Felt slow going up Rattlesnake, could not keep going up as far as I usually do before the walk set in... Old Man syndrome I guess or it could be the Great Harvest Peanut Butter and Honey sandwich I slammed just prior to the run.

Race today somewhat on spur of the moment, as one of my business partners was going to be out of town and said I could use his bib.  I was on call at the hospital until 7am so, wasnt totally sure if I was going to be called in or not until I left the car at about 6:55 in Ft Douglas and sauntered to the start line.  

Felt great overall today.  Sore adductors really didnt surface much until after the race.  Perfect temperature.  

1- 8:39 Just wanted to warm up a bit.  Goal for this day was to get some miles in gearing up for Squaw Peak and second to go faster if I could because this course is mostly downhill.

2-7   8:13, 7:43, 7:27, 7:49, 7:55, 7:39 Saw my sister in law somewhere in here cheering from the sideline and that gave me a bump.  Took a chocolate thunder gu at mile 7, Nasty but also lovely boost.

8,9  7:58, 7:35  Ran with a neighbor of mine for these two, then lost him when he stopped for some water.

10-13  7:59, 7:55, 8:18 (this State street hill is longer and steeper than I have ever thought before while driving it.) 7:18 last mile...really felt good here and pushed it hard to beat some dude that I just didnt want beating me, you know what I am talking about.

 Very happy with the time especially since my buddy didnt want a slow time with his name on it as he is faster than me in general. PR for me!

Ran/jogged/walked the 4 miles back up south temple to the car with a pit stop at the union bldg bathrooms at U of U. 

Down in St George.  Family sleeping in until noon, so went up West Canyon Road in Snow Canyon.  Dirt road, out and back through some beautiful sandstone country.  This was about 2 miles longer run than body wanted.  Legs still tight from half marathon on saturday.  Funny, in the parking lot was a couple of extended vans with "The Biggest Loser" logos on the side.  1/2 mile up the trail were 2 large people walking being escorted by their trainers. 

Trail stumblings on the ridge above St George, nothing fast, just finding way on tired legs.  Went on Owen's loop.  Saw a Gila Monster...15 inches long... 

Still in St George.  Wanted to get between 10 and 14 and ended up with 17 because I got into the "not sure where I am going" and was on the "no way back to the beginning without keeping on going" loop.  Went from Entrada area up Snow Canyon road and Whiptail trail system until came to the top ranger station.  Was at 7 miles and asked the ranger what the distance was going onto the highway back to where I started vs just turning and going back.  She thought sixes and so I decided to continue onto new ground.

 Turns out it was 10.  Seven of it was on the St George Marathon course (approx miles 15 to 22)... this is a fun but rolling and seemingly endless without good fuel.  I finally got to Sunset Blvd and ended up walking about a half mile as the fuel ran out.  Not sure why as I have been living on Iceberg and Larsens Frostops shakes for the last several days.  Slow avg pace.

Weather here great...been 75 all week.  Will be sad to come back to ongoing winter of home. 

Went running today in a blizzard...

Adventure with brother Oreo down in Moab.  We wanted to get some time under the belt on a series of ups/downs/trails and also just some good times to get out of the hometown.

 Started at Pritchett canyon trailhead to Pritchett arch to Hunter Rim Trail to Kane County Road.  This loop was awesome because we were totally alone for these miles and it was cool to be in this expansive red rock country just finding our way through.  Pritchett arch is huge and in such an out of the way place it was fun to see.  The run along Hunters Rim looking down into Hunter Canyon is also pretty spectacular.

We then took the Kane road to the start of the Amasa back trail system, up Cliffhanger trail with lots of bikers and Jeeps.  We followed this all the way to the Jackson overlook.  Oreo powered past this mountain biker near the steep top and really pissed him off in a friendly way, just to have a runner blow by him when he was working so hard himself.  The overlook puts you 1000 feet or so above the valley below.  Stunning views.  Then off to Potash Arch trail with a loop down Rockstacker and Jackson trails to complete the loop.  We were both out of water and I was seriously underfueled and totally done...I'm going to somehow have to figure out how to get gels in on a regular basis if I hope to finish Squaw...I also nearly died fording the Kane river near the end that had us cross nearly chest deep ice cold water for 25 to 30 feet...I seriously could not breathe for a bit without major painful effort.  

Anyway fun, glorious stuff.  It's good to be alive and it's good to be in Moab. 

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...

Whoa nellie, this event had me experiencing a range of emotions.  I was definitely undertrained, and running the Ogden Marathon two weeks ago with my overall low mileage base probably wasnt so smart.  I am proud of my finish though as this was above and beyond my comprehension and I am really a novice at this sort of thing.

Started out with Oreo with our plan to stay together as we both wanted to have a good experience and neither one chasing some time, just wanted to finish with a great result being around 12 hours.  From the get go I had kind of a queasy stomach and couldnt take in the normal gu and chomps and stuff that I tend to snack on...bad sign for the later parts today. I had prepared mountains of this stuff in my drop bags and carrying with me in the Nathan backpack.  I ultimately only used a half a gu and about 3 chomps, and the rest was relying on aid station real food.  I ate the potatoes and salt, watermelon, and about a half a peanut butter sandwich along the way...cups of coke here and there and drank only about 50 oz on the day.  I could tell I was underfueled and underhydrated but my stomach was just that unsettled today.

 Shane told me the night before that the most important thing was just to decide that I was going to finish it.  The pull to drop on this long day was incredible and I really didnt decide I was definitely going to finish come hell or high water was about mile 30.

Oreo and I had a good time until he started mimicing a scene out of the Exorcist about mile 9 or 10 and was projectile vomiting clear water mid stride like a garden hose.  He is a strong runner and a tough kid and I was impressed he hung in there for 30 miles with no fuel and feeling like Shizzola.

I missed him for sure on the long hike up Spring canyon...a beast.  Then ran again down the downhill to aid station 25...longer road than I expected.  Finished the halfway in 6 hours, which was great and on my pace but I felt cooked.  At the aid station I picked up a cold washcloth that became my friend for the next 8 hours over the second half...getting it wet at anywater oportunity.  I was overheating early and often on the hot day.  I felt my best coming back down spring canyon and then the first part of the Bon shoreline trail back to the Y..running/shuffling a lot.  Put on some tunes and an NPR fresh air interview with the South Park dudes...I felt good here...hit about the Y and fell apart again...dizzy, light headed, underfueled, walked pretty much the rest of the trail and up Rock Canyon which was a total Bataan march for me.  Two young girl angels were on the trail spritzing people...they saw my face and 104 degree body temp and just took their bucket and dumped it over my head.  Saviors.  I also got a call about mile 40 from my wife and daughter and I literally started crying I dont mind saying because of all the emotion was near the surface and I was in such a fatigued state of mind.

Lost 7or 8 pounds today to go below 140 for the first time since junior high... not good.

 Anyway got myself together and pulled up the mountain falling once on the big snowbank.  Ran and walked the downhill of Squaw...just couldnt maintain a run like I was hoping.  Ahhh...finally asphalt and then my son joined me with a mile to go and glorious finish line!!

 This literally was the hardest physical, mental one day event that I have been in...  I am proud that I finished but  also realized I am not really built for this in my early running career...just ran first marathon last year.   I am also really grateful for the aid station volunteers (saw Kelli who was a trooper staying out there all day) THanks!! Also It was fun to see the real stud runners like Shane and Bryce...you guys looked amazing.  And Oreo, a major shout out to you for getting me to do this at all and hanging in on a tough day for as long as you did...  I am even more impressed now with your strong finish last year.  Time for something more sensible now...so fire up the boat for some good water skiing!

Junk miles after a hefty lunch of great harvest wheat PB and J.  Ran to the Little Cottonwood creek by the Cotton Bottom Bar...river is powerfully full and beautiful.

Wow...havent been running much since Squaw Peak...legs and butt feel heavy.  ANyway, just got back from Zions over the weekend where brothers and nephew and I went on some great adventures:  going up Angels Landing( which is definitely doable but a little scary for one a bit leery of heights like myself), and some sweet slot canyons with rappels, icy water etc.  Grand time...now need to see if I am going to start running again. 

Ran up Bells Canyon and around the lake to some southern trail that went up a ridge until I was bushwacking so sent back down and then back to car because I was out of water and the lovefest was dying down.  Beautiful place.

3 around the neighborhood...felt to be a lot longer.

 Also hiked about 4 miles up to the big waterfall in Bells Canyon with Anne.   no running here but a beautiful hike and currently a very powerful waterfall that I have never seen before and didnt know existed in my backyard.  

That's it...  

Decided to go back to my roots to see if I can capture the running desire again, like Rocky Balboa going back to the meat locker.  Pipeline and some of Millcreek up in the Elbow Fork region...  Yo Adrian!

Pipeline again up Church Fork and then to Rattlesnake Gulch and back...speaking  of rattlesnakes, I almost stepped on a young 18 incher that was lounging across this heavily used trail...scared me no lie...I am a bit freaked out by snakes truth be told...I always wonder what exactly I would do if I got bit while alone on a trail several miles from the car... keep going I guess.  The run itself was a bit improved but I cant shake the feeling that my legs are just swollen and fatigued...not "hungry"... I think the Squaw 50 has set me back 2 years in my stamina for some reason.

Heat fest on the pavement to Old Mill and Back, but it was good because I was able to maintain a steady slow pace without blowing up until about mile 6.  Felt like the running may slowly come back to me.  Arms sore from some water skiing at Pineview yesterday with Oreo, hairdog and Josh....Nice

Tried a new trail up Millcreek Canyon.  I started at the canyon road by the terraces campground and went up the road and then up the Terraces trail to Elbow Fork.  With some side trails I did, this was a 3.3 mile venture and then I went down pipeline to Burch Hollow then back to car.  The Terraces trail is basically a up and over which had more ups than I was led to believe but ran a bunch and walked a bunch, often walked just because there are points where the green ground cover under towering pines on a steep slope are stunning and I just wanted to soak it in.  Took 1:20 for the loop.

Pipeline 4 down and 4 back without snakes this time.  Canyon is gorgeous.  Butt hurting in the old sciatica spot...  Great to be alive.  Longest since Squaw...I could tell..8:45 to 9:45

Pipeline from Burch Hollow up to Elbow Fork and back.  Felt good on the back down for a 7:34 mile down the switchback...then yardwork all afternoon Yaay

This has been one of those rare great days that seems to have been unusually long...with lots of entertainment, but also relaxation and it seems to last forever...you know what I mean...or is this peculiar to me?  

 Early morning waterski on Pine View with Oreo and Hairdog.  Then trailrun with Oreo up Wheelers/ Icebox toward Maples...I was kind of sucking sand while on the climb up...legs still fatigued for some reason...  Oreo having to pull me up in slipstream...was faster and funner on the downhill, especially through icebox.

Then relax with the family and some pool time...then Harry Potter 7 with the kids and it is still only 730...cool day 

Pipeline, burch creek to overlook and back... passed two big dog parties...must have been 10 in each group. No attacks though I have noticed that I am seeing more unattended dog crap on the trail this year than last...sucks.  Run was nice slowish pace, just wanted to keep in a total aerobic zone and see if I blew up or not...mostly did it although I definitely still have more trouble since Squaw... I think I just need some more consistent build up miles.  In honor of Oreo... one bunny sighting as well.

Neighborhood pavement sweaty hot junk miles...need to get some distance back in my body.

Big T***y Loop.  Went out after a night of call before the weather turned too hot.  This loop goes up 45th south to wasatch.  Was able to keep a pace up that bugga but then just nice easy pace rest of way with most miles between 8:30 and 9:00...tired and done at the end...marathon seems distant again.

just a nibble

Cant believe it...I went to run up Mt Wire and I wasnt even out of the parking area yet and I about stepped on a rattlesnake...it was rattling like crazy luckily when I got close...this freaked me out so I ran the Bonneville shoreline with a "hill" instead... I am a wuss with snakes... hot mother of a sweaty day as well.  Fun stuff.

Seemed like 12...and at a slow 9:09 avg pace to boot...longing for the day when 8:30 was my standard "slow pace"....anyway, happy to be out and alive on a beautiful Friday morning with no worries of snakes either

Weak sauce

Wow that was a long break of no running.  In Newport Beach now.  Beautiful place.  Arrived on Saturday and logged nothing but about 15,000 calories.  Ran this morning up Newport Coast Drive then Vista Ridge Road.  3.3 up 3.3 down.  Absolutely gorgeous homes around here.   Can also tell that I am at sea level as there is so much oxygen compared to our neck of the woods in SLC.  Fun Stuff...off to the beach.

Started off the morning with a Seaside Donut glazed twist.  Heaven I tell you.  Then up the hill again for a leisurely 5.  Trying to find a trail around here...  Love the climate though...

Ran 6 of this at water's edge near the rolling waves along Crystal Cove state park beach, slogged out the rest on the roads around Newport.  Need a donut.

This was a hard, come to Jesus, run.  What I mean is, this was the realization that I knew was coming.  I am not in great shape anymore.  THis run was just a neighborhood route, but way harder than it should be.  Need to get back on the running train.  Nick...you may be carrying me on Sat.  Is there room in the Nathan?

Oreo and I got up and did the Wasatch Crest trail this morning which I have wanted to do for some time, but just never had a good chance too.  Was a beautiful place that lived up to all expectations.  I was weak sauce on the running, with my overall fitness less than last year at this point and my body wanting more oxygen than the 10,000 foot level was providing but Oreo was strong and willed us on.

 The Crest is gorgeous and green and full of wild flowers with some amazing views.   Loved looking down on Desolation Lake.  We took our time seeing the views overall.  Ran to Big Water then down the Millcreek canyon road for 3 miles until Pipeline starts at Elbow Fork.  Then Pipeline to Rattlesnake Gulch. I was dying and went down Church Fork to end up about a mile less than Oreo.  Had to do some walking even on the flats, just to try and get wind and heat under control, but fun, beautiful day...definitely one I would like to do again some day.

time 4 hours 

Shake out is all.  Legs and hips sore from Saturdays extravaganza...Nice to be out in the cool morning though...

Pipeline...churchfork to rattlesnake and back...noon...hot...spontaneous combustion to conflagration of flames at mile 4...trail maiden, aka golden retriver, puts out flames ... saves life 

am heat festival run 1.5., needed a portopotty and couldnt find  one so went back home and decided to hit something later when the temp was cooler.

 5.6 trail hike and run starting at Big Water parking lot and going up Little Water trail 2 miles to Dog Lake (3 labs in water when I got there so aptly named)  some little side trails then down Big Water Trail.  Beautiful downhill run with temps in upper 60's instead of 90 in the valley.  Bit nervous for Mid Mountain marathon in 2 weeks as my miles have been overall pitiful, but should be a good time anyway. 

Wanted to try a new trail today, so went up Big Cottonwood to Mill B North Trail.  Could tell pretty soon this was not a widely used trail past the first 1.5 miles.  It soon became bushwacking and getting covered with hundreds of wispy spider webs.  Fun anyway to explore a new area.  So the first 3.5 was mostly hiking  for that reason and the relatively steep grade as you climb about 2500 feet over that distance.  It eventually is supposed to hook into Desolation trail but the map said I should have hit it about 3 miles in and at 3.5 no sight of it yet.  So overgrown at times couldnt see my feet as the bushes came to waist area.

Beautiful views across the canyon though and some fun meadow areas to go through.  Didnt see a soul the whole time.  Ran as possible all the way down.  Slowest mile 23, Fastest 9 or so.  Fun quad busting day. 

Millcreeek...burch hollow to elbow fork...quads pretty sore from the other day...took it easy... 2 dogs...2 squirrels...some marmot type rodent and no snakes..hooray

Some flat road miles to just get it in.  Actually felt good today.  Went out and back to Big Cottonwood 7-11 past the Old Mill.  

Neighborhood escape from the family.  Ha ha.  I have 2 teenage daughters and a good wife and the hormones all flowing today.  

Fun times on Mid Mountain in Park City.  This is a really cool trail marathon, with about 300 entrants or so, 95% single track in some beautiful area going from Deer Valley Ski Resort Area to the Canyons Ski Lodge.  Walked out from the condo with brother Oreo and milled around the start area in the cool but not cold air.  One loop around some asphalt to thin things out then basically single track.  I had it in my mind that this was just a roller trail with a drop at the end but there seemed much more grinding up than I was expecting.  Mostly runnable but by mile 15 I started walking any length up, just gassed at times.  

Pipeline Burch Hollow to Overlook and back.  Beautiful day with cooler temps and a bunch of people out. Felt somewhat sore still from the marathon last week but surprisingly able to keep an avg of 8:55.  Surprised it was under 9.  Canyons are beautiful.

Adventure work out day.  Wanted to see something new so went up Big Cottonwood Canyon and went to Lake Blanche.  Stunning area.  Beautiful groves of quaking aspen, cool lake, impressive and looming Sundial Peak over the Lake.  Going up is a pretty steady grind and was mostly the power hike....tried to push it though.  Rises 2700 feet in 3 miles.  Cool jaunt down by the lake, took in views then back running down the trail.  Was only 100 feet from the bottom of the trail when my tired legs tripped on a rock and I took a dive.  Banged shoulder, thigh, knee, hands and had a recurrence of the calf muscle spasm O' pain...but nothing permanent or cranial.  Fun day.

slug

Slowly turning into the tin man.  This was one of those running in molasses days...but beautiful up on the Pipeline trail...leaves are just starting to change.  Very slow pace.

Delicious run today.  As Oreo might say...it was cherry.  Went up to White Pine lake in Little Cottonwood Canyon.  I read that this is one of Meltzer's favorite trails and wanted to check it out.  Beautiful stunning scenery.  The trailhead sign says it is 4 miles to the lake but my garmin had it at nearly 5. Was able to run more of the up than I was expecting and all of the down. 

 Maybe details later...suffice it to say that this is a wonderful trail with stunning views and even gets up above the major tree line with some pockets of snow still.   

White Pine Lake 

You can see where the trail cuts over to the lake in the picture below

Still some snow 

Jaunt around the neighborhood after some chocolate chip pancakes.  Good stuff.

First run in the autumn weather.  That dropped on us quickly.  Drizzle throughout the run...nice to be in cooler temps though.  Went to Cottonwood office area out and back...running by the cottonbottom and smelling their garlic burgers made me hungry.  avg 8:47

Millcreek canyon...cause I was going crazy with city life...funny that I have never seen more people in the canyon than today.  Easy miles in a beautiful setting.  Downed limbs everywhere secondary to the recent snow and heavy leaved trees.

Pipeline ...gorgeous day ...tired stomach

Mt Wire today...beautiful afternoon.  It has been 5 months since I went up this bad boy and I got off the trail right off the bat for a bit, but anyway  got back on and everytime I go up there remember that this is a buttkicker of a hike and relatively relentless for most of the way up.  Crossed over a snake about 12 inches is all but scared me none the less.  I always start getting spooked and wonder what I would do if it bit me...hobble down to the car I guess and hope I lived.  ANyway, cool views as usual and radio screens always kind of eeriely cool.  summit in about 47 min.  

Wanted to try a different way down so took off North side to try and find the "Living Room"... again got off trail too early and went along the ridge above that area and came straight down on it.  Was cool to see it... wish I had a ice cold beverage to sit in one of the sandstone loungers.  Bushwacked and slide down some other random trail and ran all that I thought possible back to BST and car.  Fun adventure. 

Road miles today...Old mill loop.  I can tell I dont do as many road miles anymore...the steady consistent pace is not so evident on mountain trails.  Today goal was slow and steady.  funny...miles 6 ,7, 8 were all in 8:31.  metronomish.  need to get some longer runs in sometime just to know I can still do it. avg 8:55

8 pm stroll in the dark for 4. Beautiful clear crisp cool autumn air. So much easier to run when it isnt so hot. Sometimes I like to high five the trees as I go by. Quaking aspen are my favorite.

Finally got out after a week of inactivity unless you can count line miles in Harry Potter World.  

Wanted to get out in the canyons on something new while the colors are still there...started Big Water trailhead at the lower parking lot at the top of Millcreek.  Ran up to Dog Lake.  This stretch is about 3 miles and is mostly gradual incline...vertical incline only about 900 feet or so.  Very runnable overall but I walked here and there to see some awesome scenery and stop to watch a moose cross the trail 30 feet in front of me.  3 moose in all standing there.  Was cool and I was scoping out which trees to run behind if they charged.

 Then from Dog lake went to Desolation lake which is another 3 miles or so.  Had to walk much of the last 2 miles of this stretch, just steeper and beautiful.  From Desolation lake to the car I looped back on the wasatch crest trail 6.5 miles to the parking lot.  Great trail, beautiful yellow leaves with much of the trail covered with golden quaking aspen leaves and about a quarter mile of hard packed snow in the shady spots.  Fun day. 

  Desolation Lake

Pipeline miles...easy pace, but very fatigued as my night in the hospital was relentless.  Nice to get some fresh air though.  The colors have passed their peak for sure in the forest, but still beautiful pines on the South of Millcreek.  Need to decide what next race is.

Road miles this morning.  Was nice actually.  Sometimes it feels good to not worry about watching the trail and taking a tumble with my spatial awareness disorder and just let it roll out.  Went up 39th South and then looped around Millcreek Rd to 27th and back home.  avg 8:34 with the last 7:33...hey thats fast for me.

Wanted to get out despite the early snows and happened to see Jun's Blog entry about running LCC trail.  Sounded good to me.  The weather cleared a bit this afternoon and I had not been on that trail for a year or so.  It was perfect.  I went up all the way to the abandoned mill at the 3.5 mile mark.  Didnt see a soul...just Jun's tracks.  About 2 inches of snow.  Actually was nice because the trail can get pretty rocky and this just cushioned things out a bit.  The river and snowy trees were a gorgeous peaceful refreshing sight.

Slow painful miles on the Pipeline from Burch Hollow to Elbow Fork and bit further up toward Mt Aire.  Feeling tired and heavy today.  Canyon pretty. The road has now been closed off for the winter past Burch Hollow.  Was warmer than I thought it was going to be and started with a heavier long sleeve shirt...had to run shirtless for 2 middle sun solitary miles to cool down.  Scared some of the wildlife with the Pale Dread but no humans had to suffer.  Nice to be free for a moment in the sun and yellow dappled walls of aspen.

Was determined to go back up the LCC trail.  8-10 inches of newly fallen snow.  Mostly first tracks except for 3 deer I was following much of the way.  Ended up being a snowshoeing adventure.  Just went to the 3rd bridge and back.  Totally beautiful.

I hadnt been on the LCC Quarry trail all year and now 3 times in 10 days or so. It is so dang beautiful and peaceful when I a have been (odd times so virtually no one there).  Today did 6 miles on that trail with 3 up and 3 down.  The trail is mostly packed snow now so it must get a lot of traffic on the weekends.  Wore shorts..was perfect.  Wanted a bit longer run so due to time drove to the trailhead of Bells canyon reservoir just a mile away and got out for more trail time. 

Ran the switchbacks to the reservoir and then around the water and up Little Bells canyon trail so I would make the roundtrip with 9 miles total for the day.  On the drive took a drink of nice flat coke and it hit the spot...much better on the stomach for me than a gu.  Funny though, I had a handheld water bottle in my Nathan backpack with the Coke in it and didnt open it until mile 6 and opened it with my teeth and the built up pressure in there sprayed a mist of coke air out my nostrils, ears, eyes and forebrain with pretty good force...had to chuckle...would be a misfortunate way to die...trail runner found dead with head blown off from Coke explosion.  

Felt great with slow and steady pace.  Mule style today. 

Pendulous Big T Loop...avg 8:48  Listened to NPR podcasts...haha...must be getting old.  Nice day

pipeline extravaganza with npr science friday podcast listening to interview with author on Steve Jobs biography, time went by.  Beautiful day...no one out and blue sky with snow frosted mountains...muddy trail.  avg ended up about 9:30

Loop around Millcreek road to home.  Tried out the new shoe...Brooks PureCadence.  I love it so far.  Has a bit more stability than the Kinvara, which I liked but didnt love.  Will see how it holds up.  Feels good though.  

Left car at Park and Ride at base of Little Cottonwood and was going to go up Quarry trail but on whim ran 1.3 miles to Bells Canyon park area and run up and around Bells Reservoir and back for a 5 loop.  Was debating on more trail but ipod died and got hungry so PB an J on Great Harvest Wheat won out.

Slow muddy jog on BST near Red Butte.  Heart Palpitations. Beautiful day. Slow

Went to this local 5k with my daughter...I asked her if we should run together and she said "sure, but don't expect me to talk to you...running is my alone time"  haha true enough...so we ran our own races and had a blast.   This course starts at Wasatch Dans and goes up the first mile into Millcreek canyon around the guard station and then back down to Wasatch then North to 33rd and back to the start.  Tough 5k course because there is a lot of ups including the last half mile...so I was happy with splits of 8:05, 7:13, 7:43....felt it was good effort and was still going pretty strong for the last mile up.  Ran home after race at a casual pace.  Beautiful day...Happy Thanksgiving all.

Great day on North BST in O-Town with Oreo.  Glad I came up as the day was pristine and pretty dang cold at the start.  Once sun broke and the wind died it was a great time.  Beautiful views over the valley.  I was hungry for a hamburger from about mile 6 on so...Dylan's Mount Ogden Burger with a shake followed the run for a perfect outing. Oreo in strong, springy shape.  Nice to see Bryce as we were finishing...O town is happening place.

Loop up 45th and down through old neighborhood by Skyline High.  Then back on 27th.  First two miles up then 3 to cruise home.  Felt a bit squatty. 

Grandeur Peak Big Boy Run today.  Wanted to get Oreo out on this but life intervened.  This is a great run every time I've done this loop, but I am always impressed with how unrelenting steep this climb is up.  I am usually throwing out a few expletives about 3/4ths the way up.  Only regret is that I did not have my spikes on for the top and the first half mile over the top.  There is a lot of icy snow up there and I was slipping all over the place.  Beautiful views of the valley and nice jaunt home.  Always kicks my butt.

Just a spin around the neighborhood in the new Brooks...I still like them a lot.  Ran in shorts and it was fine but I was thinking about mile 3.5 ...hey when am I going to start to feel warm... answer...never.  Cold one today.

Nippy but clear day on the Pipeline trail.  Went up Church fork then toward overlook about 3 and then back.  Swwwweeeeeettttt stuff.

Amazing how warm 37 degrees is once it has been in the teens.  Weather a little pollutiony but fun to get out.  Just a neighborhood jaunt to Cottonwood Office Center and back.

Afternoon run up the Little Cottonwood Trail.  Wore the spikes as the trail is total snow now.  Colder than I was thinking it was going to be as it was in the shade in later afternoon.  Still...beautiful ice flow steam while in relative isolation as only saw one other coming down the mountain.  Slow ups with a couple of fast miles back down.  Went past the bridge to the road and back...garmin had it at 6 on the dot.

Ran out to the Cottonwood Office Park again.  Beautiful day...even though it was overcast, snowy and air quality soupy...good to be running and alive!  My "haul buns" mile was a disappointing 7:49 on mile 6...but on the bright side my hip is feeling as good as it has in 2 years.

Beautiful jaunt up Malan's Peak in O-town with Oreo.  He a strong dude and had some sweet times.  His site has some pics of the great views of there.  You dont realize exactly how hazy it is until you get above the pollution stew.  Seemed 15 degrees warmer up there.

Ski day with daughter at Alta.  Beautiful Day!

Went on a very steady pace run to Porcupine Grill, past the Old Mill and back. avg 8:50, with all miles being pretty steady.  My wrist is still tweaked from my icy fall on Grandeur Peak nearly a month ago.  I'm starting to get worried and may need to bite the bullet and get it looked at.  

Pipeline from Birch Hollow to Overlook and back.   Beautiful clear day and nice trail.  Tired run though...slogging along merrily enough

Full of Christmas cheer and full of Christmas goodies...Will slowly work the goodies out of the system.  Ran to Cottonwood offices and back.  avg slow..like 9 plus.  Happy Holidays

After reading the fun adventures on the Blog in City Creek, I decided to see the area.  I am not familiar with any of the trails around the area.  I started on 9th ave and dropped down into memory grove and went up to the canyon and found a west side trail and took it.  Pretty much just stayed near the canyon.  Will have to explore more at another time, it is a really pretty area.  Dogs on the loose in packs though near the mouth of the canyon.