Slowly Getting Faster

I wanted to hit a trail again, it was so much fun on Saturday. I had to be in Salt Lake today so I went up the BST on the east side of City Creek.  I have never been up that trail before, aside from the very short adventure last week. It was very muddy all the way to the top, which slowed me down a bit.  I couldn't have run up all that fast, but I'm sure I could have moved faster than I did had it not been for the mud. I like the trail though.  

When I got to the top (by moms reservoir) I lost the BST.  I thought it turned south but from the map it looks like it keeps going up the mountain.  I'll know for next time. I was hoping to break 1,000' but I just missed it. 

Legs still stiff from Saturday but they are getting better. After I started moving I hardly noticed the stiffness. Not sure if I'm going to hit a trail tomorrow or the road, or both. I kind of want to go up either flag rock or centerville peak early and then hit the road in the afternoon.  I guess I'll play it by ear.

AP: 11:15; Vert 902'  

I'm calling this the Ensign Peak steeplechase. I started just outside of memory grove park and went up through City Creek Canyon to the canyon road, around the canyon to East Capital Drive and up East Capital to the peak. 

The trail from the base of the peak to the summit was a mess.  Completely muddy and required a lot of careful traversing just to stay on my feet.  At one point I broke off the main trail and took a side trail that I assume was created to avoid the mud.  It was good for avoiding mud but very steep, so I had to walk to the top of that.  I tried to move as fast as I could but it was still very slow.

My foot started getting tight on the way back down which worried me, so I slowed down quite a bit. My quads are still a bit tight, and have been all week.  I think they may stay that way until Saturday when they will get a rest. Foot is doing well now after I stretched it out. Rest it tonight and hit it again in the morning.

Time: 1:15:44; AP: 10:22; Vert: 1,406'

Not much time today and my legs needed a rest so I just did the City Creek loop at lunch. I went faster than a recovery run should have been I'm thinking so I need to slow down tomorrow for sure.  I don't want to push it and end up injured again. 

AP: 8:28; Vert: 397' 

Up to Flag Rock again last night with MattVH.  I stopped my watch at the peak and forgot to turn it back on so my milage time and elevation are estimates based on my total time out running and the elevation gain my watch reported for this same run last saturday. We actually went another couple hundred feet up the side of the mountain after we got to the peak so I think the elevation is probably higher than what I have listed. 

After last saturday my legs hurt.  I have been running lots of hills this week hoping that I will be in better shape for flag rock runs and I think it payed off. Last saturday I was about as slow as I was last night but I was completely exhausted.  Last night I felt great and could have kept going if there was anywhere to go and if it wasn't already pushing 11pm. I think I will hit another hill or two today.  

Flag Rock solo.  I followed the trail that continues up the mountain for a little bit and I am convinced that it cuts across the top over to the Steed Creek trail. One day I will follow it all the way and find out.  Today it was too cold. 

I made it to the top and back in 1:30:41, which is the fastest time for me so far. Plus this run got me to 30 miles again this week, which makes 2 weeks in a row of 30 miles. Next week wont break that mark, but hopefully I will be back to 40 or more miles a week soon.

AP: 12:34; Vert: 2,051'