Dare to be great!

Met Shane Harrison in Richfield.  He wanted to run Flat Canyon and link in past dairy fork to the CC trail.  He remembered mountian biking the trail 25 years ago.  It was actually a really nice trail, some mountain and dirt bikers were seen.  Explored a short slot canyon on the way up the finished the route.  Legs felt pretty good, I will probably hit the trail regularly as it has a lot of training options with climbs, flats, and smoother trails.

Ran up to elk hill this morning until I hit three miles then back down.  Didn't dissapoint as there were 15ish elk again up there as I crested the hill.  Just took the climbing pretty relaxed and just tried to keep running the whole way going up.  It is easier in the snow as there are some pretty technical loose rocks on the trail.

Drove to Monrovian Park then started up the 2nd Lefthand Fork trail with Laci.  Steep trail mostly power hiking on the way up.  I was hoping to go up for 45 minutes then head back down as I guess I needed to work today.  After a mile and a half or so it was post holing on trail pretty bad and didn't look like it was getting better for quite a while.  I had already climed 1,500' feet and the dog was struggling so I turned around.  Had a slight ankle turn as I was deciding to leap or climb over a downed tree over the trail but didn't seem like it did any damage.  Also my right foot was bruised after a kid stomped on my foot with cleats while I was coaching soccer last night.  I am hoping it is just bruised and no damage.  Pretty run up there, I will have to plan for a lot longer time if I want to get past the snow.

Drove to the Sawmill Trail up Monroe Mtn.  Ran up the mountain for 45 minutes then had to head back down to get to work on time.  Able to go 2.71 miles up around 2,000 of climbing.  Just tried to not walk or power hike on the way up.  Pretty run, elk and deer were out.

Ran up the canyon above the hot springs.  Explored around off trail for a while.  Good climb, was on all fours pulling myself up the hills at times.  Climbed up for an hour then headed back down...

Did some exploring North of the mouth of the canyon.  I have been wanting to explore that area for a while now.  I always see deer heading up the mountain from there in the mornings and wanted to find out where the went.  Checked out the area on google maps prior as there are some cliffs in the area.  Didn't go exactly where I wanted but got a good adventure in and me and the dog made it out okay.  Next time I will have a better idea where to go and where to avoid.  Still almost climbed 2000' in less than two miles and got into a group of elk some of which were still packing around their antlers.  Pretty cool area and always nice to get away from footprints and beer cans.

I was out late working Friday night and came down with a cold so no run on Saturday.  Did work in the yard most of the day shoveling gravel and wheelbarrowing it around the yard.  Woke up this morning and still had a cold.  Decided to get some sleep rather that run.  Did a run for lunch went up red rock and up a side canyon criss crossing the swollen creek.  Could feel my lung congestion so I tried to run it out.  Always nice to get out...

Didn't get an offical run in yesterday.  Did play ultimate frisbee for an our with my scouts.  Went to the dairy dirt road today and did an quick out and back.  AP 7:58

Went to Bishops and headed out on the dirt roads,  headed up a new one around three miles (rifle range road) I will have to explore more when I have more time.  Run was nice, solitude with a beautiful sunrise.  AP 8:58 with terrain 

Opened the garage door to head out and saw it was raining.  Turned around and was on the steps heading back inside the house when my dog was so excited to go running I couldn't let her down so we loaded up in the pathfinder and headed to the mouth of the canyon.  Went exploring again north of the canyon.  I have a better idea this time from my scamper around last week so I knew where to avoid the cliffs.  It was snowing about a half mile up and it was actually enjoyable to be out in it.  Followed two young bull elk up the mountain, they were both still packing antlers.  Good climb up and around just had to take it slow as there are no trails but game trails and you couldn't see the cactus very well with the inch or two of snow covering the ground.  Took some washes back down and made it out safetly.  I was glad I have a great running partner who didn't let a little rain and snow get in the way of having a good morning.

Good one with the dog up into Poverty Flats, ran up 7 miles the went back down.  I have never been that far in and I could see Marysville from the turnaround.  I will have to run all the way there one day and have someone pick me up.  Probably the longest run for the dog as she was chasing rabbits and prancing through the sage during the run.

I have been trying to find some petroglyphs that I have been told were above town for a while now. Finally found them this morning.  Explored up another canyon for a while then figured they had to be lower and came across them under the hollowed out portion of some big boulders.  I was short on time at that point so I couldn't explore the area like I wanted.  I will have to head back up and explore more fully.  I am suprised I didn't find them earlier as I have been in the same side canyon previously.

Drove up Monroe Canyon and parked at the start of First Left Hand Fork dirt trail, ran up the trail until I hit the turn where I usually start up 1st.  I then went off trail to the North heading up a ridge line, kept getting higher and was enjoying myself so kept on chugging through the trees.  Lots of animal sign but only say a few elk on top and grouse on the way up that the dog had fun sniffing out.  Over 3,000' of climbing, got a bit mixed up on the way down and stuck in some oak brush and almost cliffed out, but backtracked and found the way I came in on.  Having fun exploring my mountain...

Went back up the canyon where I found the petroglyphs last week and explored around the area a bit more.  Found a few more under some boulders and was just exploring the little side canyon a bit more.  Decent amount of climbing and scampering through the rocks and cedars as there are no trails up there, I will have to try to get some turnover for the legs tomorrow...

Ran Flat Canyon between Elsinore and Richfield.  I really like this trail, now I just want to take a nap at work...

Took the dog and went on a shed hunt up the mountain.  Started north of the mouth of the canyon and went straight up the hill from there.  Went for few miles following game trails and saw some new country.  Only found one old elk antler and still saw a bull elk packing around horns.  Nice way to spend the morning.

Went up 1st left hand fork and then up the ridge line north of the road.  No trail just good climbing.  The dog jumped about 20 grouse and that kept her busy.  Linked in at the top with the trail which starts at the towers and heads into Thompson Basin.  Storm clouds came in about halfway up the ridge.  As I was alone and in new territory I did not want to get stuck in a nasty storm and lost so I turned around after a few miles.  Had fun zigging and zagging through the trees and glissading down the mountain.  Not a lot of miles this week but about 11,000 feet of climbing and my legs are getting stronger on the hills.

Ran on the dirt road past the dairy up into poverty flats until I hit 5 miles then back the same way.  Decent run, going to try to get more mileage this week.  AP :8:30

Brought my car into the shop yesterday afternoon  so I ran commuted into work this morning.  Moderate effort the last few miles, got to get my road legs back under me...   AP:7:53

Started at the house and did part of the Richard Loop, did a mile on the track to get eight in before I went home...AP 8:22

Was raining pretty heavy yesterday and much of the night.  I knew the trails would most likely be a muddy mess.  Decided to run with the dog from the house up the canyon.  Nice temps this morning some light fog/clouds up the canyon made for a pretty cool run.  Stayed on the paved road up the canyon until I hit Monrovian Park then took the trail along the creek until I hit five miles then turned around.  Legs were feeling pretty good on the way up and back down.  I just tried to run comfortable and ended up with the last few miles in the low 7's.  AP 8:42 with about 1,200' of climbing.  

Got the family out for an afternoon hike to the petroglyphs above town.  Afterwards we let the boys soak in the hot springs.  

Went to the hills on the other side of I-70 South/West of Joseph/Sevier.  First time exploring the hills over there.  No trails just cruising around.  Lots of climbing crossing short canyons and I headed along.  Took me almost three hours to only cover sixish miles.  So good amount of time in the legs.  Found a couple old deer antlers.

Did a bit extra in the afternoon just to get my 50 miles for the week.