I've been looking ahead to this run for months. It's been rattling in my head for quite a while, and today I finally undertook the challenge. I started at the B, and ran up Skyline Drive for 9.3 miles, turned around and came back to my car. If I had to pick a single word to describe this route, it's RELENTLESS. Most runs present varied terrain with ups and downs of varying grades for recovery. Until mile 9 there wasn't a discernible break in the climb. For most of it, I only held out for a couple songs before walking and drinking. The road is dirt, and despite it being quite early, rednecks were in a hurry to get to some convention up at the top of the mountain. The run was very reminicent of Avon Pass, with billowing clouds of dust. I hoped it would be 10 degrees cooler, but for the first time this week, temps didn't drop much overnight. I needed all 2.5 liters of water I carried, plus one Gu and some caffeine gum. By the time I reached my turnaround mile, I had climbed to 8400'. Between the heat, grade, altitude and views, I was feeling pretty heady. Coming back down was a pleasure for the first 5 miles. Then the run began to catch up to me. I hit 18 in a switchback with the "headwaters" of Stone Creek passing under the road. I went right in and soaked for 10-15 minutes. Ice baths aren't that bad when they don't involve ice. This run was beyond anything I could write about it. There's something about the high places. I can't wait to run this in the fall after a bit of rain has knocked down the dirt. Also, I want to drive up, and enjoy the traverse miles over to Francis peak and Farmington Canyon without all the climbing. I could really break myself against this mountain. :) 3000+' of climb http://connect.garmin.com/activity/108114357
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