Dare to be great!

Exploring above the Rainbow Hills above Richfield with Shane Harrison.  We met at a trail run a year ago or so and his mother lives in Richfield so he set up a run together.  Started in Willow Creek and followed the stream bed up, got off track and unded up rock climbing up some chutes and finially turned around to follow the water the right way.  Followed cow/off trail along the creek then headed up the hill and down and eventually looped back down the CC road.  Fun adventure, really pretty country, from red rock to the crystal pools of water on the way down.  Slow going as we were off trail most the time and finding our way.  Took five hours to complete the route and I was getting low on water on the way back and it was starting to get hot.  Glad to have another along to explore as it would have been sketchy to try solo...

Started at the mouth of the canyon, crossed the creek and headed up the mountain from there.  Looped back down and ran along the canal trail back to my vehicle.  About an hour hike/run.

Drove south of town to the trail I have been wanting to hit, don't know the name of it yet, 4 wheeler trail up the mountain.  Liked it and it seemed to get better the further up I went.  Went up 3 miles then ran back to the truck.

Slept in yesterday and planted trees in the afternoon so no run for me.  Decided to hit the road this morning.  Ran from the house along the Sierra Vista Road.  Felt pretty good but decided to turn around after 3.5 miles.  Semi-tempo on the way back home.  AP 7:42

I need to incorportate some more road runs into my training to get some turnover back.  Ideally I would like to hit a 10 mile tempo every week once I reach that point.  I may have to start with a couple miles and increase from there until I can reach that point again.  

Ran the "88" trail up to Hunts' Lake.  First time up the trail, 4 wheeler trail, was fun, nice trail for the most part.  There was some sheep at the top and I was almost eaten by the sheepherders dogs.  About 3200' of climbing.  

Made the mistake of watching American Ninja Warrior last night, attempted to cross the stream in the dark and had dreams of hopping light footed ninja like across the stream.  So started the run pretty wet, but make me laugh at myself.  Only had an hour and wanted to get some climbing in so I went to the mouth of the canyon and started climbing.  Made it about a mile up the mountain and turned around.  Got about 1,000' of climbing in a mile and then headed back down.  

Been wanting to link this loop together for a while.  Started up Shingle Creek trail until I hit Washburn Lake.  I was familiar with this area so I linked over to 1st left hand fork and went back down then back to my car.  Fun loop pretty steep going up 2350' of climbing the first couple miles.  Saw four bull elk at the top, all six points with two being true giants.  It was fun to see... 

Run along the canal/powerline trail south of the canyon.  Only two deer this morning where a month or two ago there were 500.  They are either in the corn or all went back up high.  Slow pace, even slower on the way back as I went off trail and up higher in the foothills, no trail, rocks and cactus.  I was planning on a road run tomorrow morning but I am very tempted to get a long mountain run in as my family is all gone visiting and might as well take advantage of the extra time.

Went up from Miller's Flat to Big Lake then on to the end of the road at Kathy's property.  I love living here in this area, so pretty.  Amazing run, about .86 miles into the run I saw something brown moving up the hill about 20 yards off to my left.  Stopped and sure enough it was a big bear.  It was so cool to see, my first wild bear sighting in Utah.  I got my phone out and tried to get some video but only caught glimpses of it as it made it's way through the trees.  Didn't scare me at all at the time and I am glad my wife brought my dog with her to visit her mom as I am not sure what she would have done if she was with me.  Saw about 13 bull elk, bucks and other critters.  Still on a high from seeing the bear though, with all the wonders out there I can not fathom running on a treadmill unless absolutely necessary.

Recovery run from my house to the hot springs, had a relaxing soak by my lonesome, then ran back home.  I was planning on going up the mountain but I am going scouting this evening  up there with a friend and did not want to kill my legs before doing that.

Lunch run up the CC road to the sign then down a new trail Shane pointed out then looped back to the car.  Good effort during the run.  Short but good climbing and work for the run.  Might have to do it more often during lunch.  On a side note my shoes are beyond worn out but too cheap right now to get some more.  I need to find a good deal soon...

On a side note took the family to the high school track/football field last night for some football and ended with sprints with the whole family on the track.  Didn't have the mileage so didn't log it...

Sent up Shingle creek to the lake then looped back down 1st left hand fork.  Shingle creek is a steep rocky bugger.  Mostly power climbing and running where possible, bout a 1000 ft. of climbing each mile on the way up.  1st left hand is more gradual and nice to run in the pines until the last mile or so where it is also a rocky mess and hard to get any speed without killing yourself.  Saw some nice bull elk during the run, must of rained last night because between the stream flowing down the trail on the way up and the water on the overgrown bushes I was drenched on my bottom half for most of the run.  Add to that the stinging nettle and I was wet and itchy when I was done but with a smile on my face as it really is a great loop.  I may try to continue up 1st as I believe I found the trail that links it to Thompson Basin on my way down... excited to try that one...Legs are feeling good and strong, just need to cut a few pounds and lean up a bit.

Finally made it to the towers from 1st left hand fork.  I saw what I thought was the trail that linked them all together yesterday and sure enough it was.  Took 3:16 to finish the run this morning so a good amount of time on my legs, with almost 3,200' of climbing.  I could afford to be in to work later this morning so I finished the run.  Only saw 5 bull elk and one deer.  But it was fairly thick with trees in there, but as usual not another soul around for miles.  My wife called to make sure I was ok as I was finishing up and I convinced her to make some bacon and eggs for when I got home as I was starving....mmmm bacon

Went to the track with the family and did  a workout with them.  Stadium stairs, tire flip, sprints, ect... Probably around a mile