Just updated my blogspot with a few musings- some of you may be able to relate. Noonish- trail run with Cody- we intended to run as much of the Bear 100 course as we could. I scouted this run 2 weeks ago and thought it would be generally passable, but that was before some big snowstorms this week. We drove up to Leatham Hollow (mile 19.5 of the Bear course). We ran up the very muddy road to Richards Hollow and turned up the trail, hoping to reach Cowley Canyon 7 miles away, but fearing the snow would stop us. Sure enough, the trail became unrunnable 1.5 miles up due to excessive snow, so we turned around and continued up LHF road. Oh, did I mention it was windy? And alternating rain/sleet/snow? It was. We ran up LHF, then a little ways up Herd Canyon- 9.5 miles into the run. I never felt great this run and knew at mile 9.5 that it was going to be a slow return trip. We turned around into torture. The next 3 miles were miserable as we were pelted with a hard, wet snow and a very strong head wind. We could hardly see and were freezing. Fortunately, the wind and snow abated after 20 minutes and we didn't die, which was in doubt for a few minutes. About this point my shoelace broke- annoying on a $120 pair of shoes with kevlar laces. Shortly thereafter, my body completely bonked and I jogged it in, adding a little loop up Leatham. I ended up with 16 miles, Cody ran ahead at the end for 16.5. Other than the fact it was on trail, it was a very "blah" run- I felt bad, bonked, the weather was bad, and Cody even accused me of not talking enough. That's a first. Just one of those days, but at least it's done. 2500 ft vertical. With this run, I've now done 71.97232% of the Bear 100 course. Approximately. See what you missed out on, Paul? Rest week is over. Interestingly, I felt more tired this rest week then last week with 86 miles. 90+ miles next week.
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