This was a doozie. Got up at 4:30 AM, got ready and headed off to meet Jon and Cody at the start of the Green Canyon singletrack. About halfway there I got a call from Jon about how Cody had slept in so I waited in the parking lot for them until they showed up about 5:25. I get the on-time award for today, for once. Drove up in Cody's Cherokee to the start of the Bierdneau trail and turned on our headlamps (thanks Jon, for letting me borrow yours and almost not return it) and started our trek. The first section was nice. Trail was steep, but runnable. Once we ridgelined, the trail wasn't as good, but it was still runnable and we seemed to be making progress. The views of the sunrise over Logan Canyon and of Green Canyon were spectacular, with the lights of Logan twinkling in the distance. Rounding Beirdneau, the trail steadily deteriorated, becoming pretty rough and at times quite faint. We continued northward along the top of the ridge headed for Mount Elmer. Somewhere along this portion I started getting pretty tired, and by the time we could see Elmer I was starting to feel pretty worn out. My lack of eating yesterday, the elevation, and the early morning were beginning to take their toll on me. The final ascent to the peak was brutal on me, but the promise of the spectacular views and my pride kept me going. At the top we took a much needed (at least for me) breather and took some great photos. I ate my two granola bars as well, hoping to ward off the bonk. Coming down the scree slopes and the very steep, rough trail proved to be more of a chore for me than coming up. My knees, hips, and feet were aching and I had little energy or drive. Returning to the ridge, we turned off trail to try to find and summit Mt. Jardine. I kept up with Jon and Cody for the ascent, but coming down I was reduced to a plod, picking my way down the super steep weed-slope we chose for our exit to Green Canyon. At this point I was pretty much miserable, and fell behind although I did manage to keep Jon and Cody in sight. Finally, we hit the GC trail and the going was much easier, although it was rocky and still slower and more painful than I would have liked for it to have been at that point. But it was a genuine trail, so I wasn't complaining too much. Finally got down to the smoother section I had run before and began to open up the pace a little bit and started having fun again. Jon and Cody were out of sight by now, but I knew the way. They waited for me at the Yurt, and after that I guess the granola bars had finally kicked in and I was able to feel more fresh and keep up. Trail was busy with bikers, but we finally made it to the car and I was never happier to see it. What an epic run. I haven't decided if I like the route or not (I'll withhold judgment until I feel better), but there is no doubting that the views were incredible and that it was a great adventure. I think it was worth it. It was also my last run with Jon until I pace him in the Bear 100 next month. He's been a great training partner in dragging me out and showing me all the amazing trails and things there are to see around Cache Valley. A great motivator and role model--everything a training partner should be. I wish him the best of luck and happy trail running in South Carolina. In his honor, I hereby dub this run the Jon Allen Memorial Trail Run. It just might be epic, crazy, and tough enough to bear that title. 4:17:01 (13:31/mi.) 5500 ft. vertical
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