j-lyn's corner

You know it's a good run when a couple miles in (as you hear avalanche after avalanche crashing) that all the runners debate on who we would eat first-- the tallest/biggest member of the group or the Asian guy who others argued we could stir-fry.  

Did 6.6 with the track club crew. We were crazy enough to run in corner canyon... through quad deep drifts. I was angry and bitter that I was trudging (and face planting) through quad-deep snow that on Wednesday was DRY DIRT. I was also cranky from a skimpy breakfast, forgetting to pack food, and having my water hose freeze before the run even started. After a particularly memorable face plant I threw a full fledged temper tantrum, throwing snow and screaming, that would rival any toddlers. I am told it would have gone viral it if had been filmed. Fortunately only one member of the group was around to see it. After the tantrum, I was able to actually enjoy the "run." I even said the "f" word- fun. I feel a bit embarassed.

 Went out for 6 more after on the paved trail. The first snowy 6.6 took 2 hours 20min. The last 6 on the road took less than an hour. ...Yeah. At least I stayed warm in Terramar's Pointelle silk layer and Hottotties mid-weight. 

On a side note, one of my running heroes throws temper tantrums too. See Anna Frost's here. 

Ran 5 with my hubby on the JRP. I tried to talk him into 9, 8, 7, 6... but he is more stubborn than I am. That said, it's been AGES (like since Nov 2011...) since we ran together. It was fun. Even though he sprinted up the hills. 

I'm putting this as fast miles becuase I was cold and thirsty and hungry and and and I complained a LOT. So that makes it fast. Even if it was slow running up a road covered in miserable snow in negative temps. (Who's dumb idea was that anyways? Oh, yeah.)

Got to meet JG the new guy spotlighted above. The boys did 17. Not to be outdone, the girls went out for 3 more. Which started as a bad idea and ended with sunshine and a new sensation called "sweating." It's a miracle, really.

It sucked and it was fun--the bitter paradox. Laughter, crying, thirst (water all frozen by mile 2) cramps from lack of salt, and hunger. Still there was laughter, smiles, and farts. Girls may fart, but boys fart more. 

Went out for a slow recovery run and ended up running fast. I got excited about new music. Or I was just having fun. Or I was angry that the stupid trail was still icy. I dunno. But 9 min miles on an icy trail is pretty good for me.

"You need an iphone to drive down three exits and park on the east side of the freeway?" Yes, yes I do. 

Just when I thought trail running was the equivalent of self-inflicted misery; just when the lyrics of "Stubborn Love" became my running motto: "It's better to feel pain, than nothing at all/ The opposite of love's indifference;" just when I was convinced I would vomit the next time someone tried to tell me that the perdy pink clouds made the 3 hour slog worth it... I actually have FUN running. Real fun, not the "putting sprinkles on and I think I kind of like it" fun but the guttoral laughing running 5 min miles downhill fun.

 I love this pic. Neasts and jun are all classic "I'm cool when I jump" and JimmSG and I look brilliantly awkward.

...although, I did almost puke up some bacon trying to race JimmySG and jun to the top of the mountain. Of course I lost. I knew I would lose. But if I can make someone else push harder to the top and suffer just a little bit more, of course I will! (Replace suffer with some well-played words on helping those faster than me train harder or something else that makes me seem Mother Theresa-ish).

It was fun to run with Neasts after she schooled me at Pony. She's fast! Met new people, laughed with old people (by old I mean old) (ok, no I don't. I'm just the baby and we're all impressed I can tie my own shoes.) I got to meet JimmySG, who is a super speedy climber. I asked him to go push jun once, and he replied that that would just make jun go faster. I didn't mean pace push. I meant literally push. I couldn't keep up to do it. That's what happens when you're the shortest, fattest, youngest, most obnoxious member of the team. But I do bring food to share so I get nice points. I also got to see ScottW's face for the first time. I reintroduced myself.

We ran up Lake Mountain. I tried to hide the fact that I was thoroughly confused about which way was north, east, west, and south and what range was what. I had never looked at the valley from that angle and I had expected it to look different. I am excited to upload the run and go over the location in eagle-view so no one scowls at me the next time I ask if we are north or south of herriman. (hey, at least I knew we were east of herriman, which we were, right?)

All in all it was fun, I guess. I didn't whine.