Maybe I'll Blog, Maybe I Won't

Easy run.  Providence loop.

1:05:33 (6:54/mi.)

Long run.  Ran a new route today including the infamous Landfill Loop with an out and back almost to Mendon.  Long flat run--perfect for a BW, but the legs were just dead for some reason.  I ran into Cody and it ended up being good because I'm going to be running a gnarly mountain run on Saturday and need to have legs.  Plus (I'm actually writing this in retrospect on Wednesday afternoon), Jon and I are going to assault Ben Lomond Peak tomorrow.

1:53:29 (7:05/mi.) 262 ft. vertical

Another 16 mile run.  Jon and I drove down to North Ogden and conquered Ben Lomond Peak.  3700 feet climbing.  Views at the top were amazing.  The trail was also surprisingly runnable, although rocky in places.  Even the steep 1000 foot final ascent to the peak in 1.5 miles wasn't too bad.  This was a really great trail and if it wasn't so far to get there I would do it often.  As it is I will probably do it again sometime.  Totally worth an hour drive on occasion.  It would be fantastic in the fall.  Stopped at Sonic in Brigham afterwards for a well earned greasy cheeseburger, and discussed the health benefits of cheeseburgers for runners.  This is one of the last runs I'll do with Jon, and that's unfortunate, but it was a good one!

2:40 (10:00/mi.) 3700 ft. vertical

Was going to run Stump Hollow with Jon this morning, but we got there and it was storming with lightning and lots of rain.  Neither of us was much relishing the idea of 10 miles in mud, rain, cold, and potentially getting fried by lightning.   We drove back hoping that Jardine Juniper or even the River Trail would be less stormy but with no luck.  Nice early morning drive up the canyon I guess, though.  Went home and went back to bed for four more hours of glorious sleep.  Haven't been getting a lot of that lately, but maybe that's a good thing to get ready for school.  haha.  Went running about noon and was only going to go 10 miles really easy, but my legs really felt surprisingly good today considering the high mileage so I went 10 at a moderate effort and then threw on a couple more at the end because I felt like it.  Still felt like a rest, but I will take it more easy tomorrow.

1:26:18 (7:11/mi.)

Easy day today. 

1:02:55 (7:24/mi.)

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