Patience; the new endurance sport.

I remember how easy 6.4 used to be on the river trail.  All the way along the river, down to the lake, and back.  Those days on the trail were so soul-nourishing and blissful for me--there was no season or weather that did not thrill me to my core.  This time of year I know the lake is melting and now the consistency of light green slush.  There may be steam that rises of the water in the eddies. I know the silent winter tundra is suddenly alive with the sound of waves washing on shore again.  I miss the tiny clouds of birds that fly like crazy loosed confetti in those first days of false spring.  I miss my hawks and owls flying low overhead to remind me that they watch over me.  I miss the ocassional egret and pelican.  I miss seeing the frozen lake and tundra come back to life in the tender early spring.  I miss the dozens of gosslings that gather at the inlet in the cow pastures and seeing how the geese protect them from the cows and dogs.  I miss the countless new calves and foals that teeter on new legs in the clumped up grass, standing close to their mothers.  I miss the sound of those sudden microburst winds hitting the treetops--the wind so deafening and powerful it would take my breath away.  Every single day, it was secret power and  source of inner strength.  I have become Sampson without his hair.

Jos reported the knife wielding man on the trail. It just makes me sad how many violent and scary things are happening with the homeless and mentally ill on the trails around here lately. I blame all the new and improved homeless services, and food coalition grants that have come our way in the last year. Utah is far too friendly to criminals and derelicts because they want the federal money that comes with caring for this group. Since last fall there have been 4 serious incidents that I am aware of on the trails. I don't have the means on this end of the trail to head up safety campaigns like I did where I lived before. If there were weird things going on (homeless people starting to camp out or drug addicts sleeping the nights on the sides of the trail) I'd start telling the neighbors to get out there with their dogs, kids, strollers, friends in droves--to call the cops when they saw druggies, or drug deals, wandering homeless, or cars parked overnight. I am without a doubt socially liberal and have mercy for the less fortunate...but when it comes to protecting the sanctity and safety of public outdoor space I am a heat packing, vigilante, and minuteman. I don't feel equipped to do anything on this side of the trail. Too many people come for different reasons and from different places (to long board, bike, run or walk). Maybe I'll start N. Rivertrail vigilante community that --save our trail, take our trail back group through Orem and Provo City. I'd totally volunteer to ride my bike up and down the trail twice a week during peak crazy hours looking for trouble. We used to have cops on bikes trolling the trail. I haven't seen those guys in over 3 years.

I was really tired after this run. I was planning to run 8, but just gave up.  Talked to Cath about National Marathon.  I really do hope I can hack it. They only give you 5:15 to finish.  I was seriously considering what it would be like to use up 6 full hours.  I took an alieve when I finished my and was glad.  My knees and piriformis are achy.

Ran easy, I feel achy in my hips and knees.  The old  kind of achy.  I've set up running on the wrong side sunrise with smoothie and co.  I hope to get 15 tucked under my belt by 9.  If I'm still alive, I'll kick in another 5 to make it 20.  We'll see.

I hitched my carcus to the Susanna and Rachael wagon.  I let them  haul me around and listen to my crap for 15 miles.  I kept up with the sub 10's for about 10 miles, but I called an end to that around mile 10 as I slowly dragged the whole group into the low 11's.  I could see the shock and sadness in their eyes as at what I have become since we last ran.  Even the multitude of new calves stading meekly next to their mothers in the fields and lovely green hue of the swollen Jordan river didn't do it for me. Could it be iron they asked?  sleep? exhaustion? No my sweet ladies.  I'm just slovenly, unmotivated and have trained and eaten badly since January.  I thought I could pull it out of the bag for a running party, but sadly I do believe I might be back to the low iron.  It was great to have company, but now I feel guilty because I couldn't keep up and they felt obligated to run back a few times to make sure the mountain lions and carion hadn't taken me out.  It was wonderful to partake of their energy and company.  It lifted my spirits to be reminded of their beautiful faces and graceful strength.