Speed only kills if you don't have it!

No run.  I have tomorrow off so hopefully I can get a good one in.

Just a warning that this is a super log entry!!!! I had today off because I had to take care of some teacher license stuff that I never have time to do. I decided to have a little adventure and do something that I have never done before and that might not be so fun, and run around Willard Bay. I started at about 11:00 am at the main park entrance. I had no clue how far it would be, how long it would take, and if I would make it or not? I made sure I told my wife where I was going and if I wasn't back in 4 hours to send out the search party. I packed up my water bottle, some GU, a granola bar, and some extra warm gear and headed out around the bay.

There is a causeway that goes around the entire bay and it is flat and dirt. The first part of the run seemed the same because I was on a road in the middle of water, bay on my left and wetlands on my right, and running into the sun the whole way. The sun is always in the south this time of year and so if you run west, south, or east it is in your face, and those were the three directions that I went first. The weather was nice and I tried to just relax and not think about how much further I might have to go. There were a lot of big birds of prey around, infact, there were a lot of birds period. The causeway seemed everlasting and I would look back at where I came from at times and it would appear to be as far away as antelope island that I could see in the distance; although it was only 7 miles or so at the time. Once in a while I would see a river boat in the wetlands or a biologist out checking the area, but I was pretty much on my own for the first half.

About 10 miles into my run I hit a park, that is about 8 miles west of Smith & Edwards. This park had a big campground and was probably the south entrance to the Bay. The causeway that I had been on split where a huge canal, that was about 70 feet across in places, ran into the bay. I couldn't find a place to cross and get back on the main causeway so I ran up the road out of the park. I quickly decided not to keep heading east because I would end up running an extra 10 miles, because the causeway was headed north/east, so I turned on the first road I found and headed north. I could see a point where it looked like the road I was on and the causeway met up, so plugged down the road in that direction. I ran by some huge farm house, all of which had a pack of dogs that weren't used to having visitors. One house had three big sheepdogs that came out after me, but after the one got a baseball sized rock in the side of the head they let me pass though in peace.

By now I was approaching the causeway and was anxious to get back on it so I would be in peace and could find my way home. I had a couple more obstacles ahead still, about two thousand cows, five big dogs, and a dead-end road that lead straight into the canal, that I had hoped I had went around after 3 miles. I threw a few rocks and made it through the dogs and then started down through the middle of the two biggest corrals I have ever seen. I thought for sure some farmer was going to shoot me for stampeding his two thousand cattle, but I never got a bullet. The worst part was when the road ended at the canal and I could see that crossing the corner of the cattle corral was the only way to get on the road again, so I could try to find a way to cross the canal and get back on the causeway that I missed so much by now. There were a few big bulls that had followed me, and were challenging me, and I might say intimidating the crap out of me, as I stampeded their herd. A big white bull had been following me and wanting to trample me for a 1/4 mile but was held back by a frighteningly low electric fence. I decided that the 20 meters across the bull field sounded better than running back into Ogden and calling my wife, who by then would have probably called the cops because I was gone too long. I picked up the two biggest rocks (softball sized) I could find and charged the gate screaming blood murder! I hit the white bull in the butt with one rock and let the other one fly at the other few bulls. They scattered long enough and far away enough for me to make my move. Like lightning I was over the gate and sprinting across the corner of the field toward the other gate, the name isn't monaflash for nothing!. The whole time I was thinking how this was not the way I wanted to die, being trampled by ten angry cows, 10 miles in the middle of no-man's land. I knew that those bulls would be in pursuit as soon as they realized my bluff and I was hoping that I didn't trip. I flew over the next gate and kept going at a spirit for a good 100 yards before stopping to see that those bulls were waiting at the gate that I had crossed, hoping I would come back so they could trample me.

For the next mile I headed north/east through a farmers field, along side the canal, toward I15. At the end of this field I found a pipe bridge that went across the canal and back over to the causeway. I never thought I would be so grateful to see that stupid causeway again, but it was a joyous occasion! I then followed the causeway back toward I15, and then north to the main entrance for the next 4 miles. I only had to add a block onto my run to make it an even 18 miles. I was so glad to see my truck again and to make it home after my big adventure! In talking with my father in-law later in the day, who has been on bike rides around the bay, I missed a canal crossing around the first farm with big dogs, which would have made my life a lot less stressful. Oh well, it is a story to tell and a run that I will likely never forget nor do again. However, I was glad that I accomplished the run, and I was happy to see that I can still run an 18 miler in hostile conditions, especially since I usually only run 5 milers lately.

2:13:04 for the run (7:24 ave), not bad since it seemed like 6 hours of running!

(Adrenaline-459 miles)

 Slow, easy run today.  I had to recover from my crazy run yesterday.  I went on the canal road above Willard passed the shotgun pits and back.  I was as sluggish as I knew I would be and it took the poor achilles and muscles a few miles to get going.  It was definitely a forced run and pace, but at least I got some more miles in.  No watch

(Hardrock- 224 miles)

Last day of student teaching!!!  Yes, I am dancing right now.  It really wasn't bad, and I got an excellent opportunity to coach XC, plus an offer to coach track in the spring.  Now all I have to do is get a job and make some money, not that you make much money as a teacher.  However, the beauty of this day is that it marks the last time that I will ever teach in school for free.

I had a pretty darn good run today, all things considered.  My achilles was very sore starting out and I was lucky to run a 8:15 first mile.  But as usual once I finally get going it wasn't bad.  I had the Garmin on today but never looked at anything but the distance untl the end.  I had some pretty respectable mile splits considering the course, and that I wasn't pushing  myself.  Even the long uphill sections of my east Brigham/golf course loop were under 7 minute pace.  I finished the run with a nice 5:38 (flat) mile.  I really didn't think I was under 6:00 pace by the way I felt, so it, and the rest of the run was a nice surprise.  And for all of you who wonder how I got exactly 9 miles on my run, I did have to add on a block once I hit my truck, not too hard.  This course is a good one and always kicks my butt, but I like the feeling, that is, when I get out of wet sweaty clothes and the cold air and into a warm shower.   The course is similar to Logan's North Ogden loop, but a bit steeper, lots of rollers and long uphills.   1:02:14 (6:55 ave.)

(Omni- 261 miles)

No run.  spent most of the daylight in Logan at USU, and my achilles needs a break today.

There was a good amount of snow on the ground this morning.  I would have run a race this mornig if my achilles wasn't so sore.  Brigham City has a 5k called the snowman shuffle and Mitch Zundell always wins it.  I have been interested to see how close I could come to Mitch right now since I know he isn't in as good of shape.  But since my achilles put me on the shelf yesterday I decided againsg any 5K attemps. 

Instead I went on a trail run above Perry.  The snow was pretty deep, (between 5-7 inches on most of the trail) so I was careful.  It was a fun run and the snow was very soft to run in and felt quite good.  I ended up working pretty hard, for going so slow, and got a good workout.  It is hard to run a 7:30 pace through snow that is halfway up your calf.  The snow was very wet though and would just pack and cushion, powder would have done me in.  I did slip once and banged my knee a little but nothing bad.    I stopped for a few minutes about halfway into my run to sled with a couple of kids above Perry.  They had a sweet sledding hill and jump going on, and they let go down a couple of times.  It was a blast, but I got pretty wet too!  44:55

It really isn't bad running in the snow and weather, some people use treadmills as an alternate, which is great.  I personally hate treadmills and in the past have just not run rather than torture myself with a run on a treadmill.  I am finally getting to the point now where I can make myself go out in any kind of weather, and once I get out it isn't too bad.  I am glad I went today, it was fun, laid back, and very pretty.  I would have went at least 11 miles but I had a two Christmas parties to go to, one of which I did not know about until this morning.  Oh well, 40 miles for me in 4 days is good right now.  I wish I could run a few more miles and have a stonger base, but I am grateful I am able to run as much as I do with my never ending injury.

(Hardrock- 230 miles)