22 and a quarter in 2:42 (7:18) - surely one of the most miserable runs of my life and one that may defy my narrative powers to describe. But I will try after I take an hour long (or however long it takes to drain the hot water heater) shower.
After thirty plus years in this sport, you'd think I'd know how to dress for it. I didn't get on my way until after 1 PM. With long runs I usually like to get them out of the way early, but Ann worked a 13 hour shift last night and had to sleep. So I had to wait until she woke up. It was snowing hard all day, but let up some just before I started. I was wearing tights plus 3 layers including my wind jacket with hat and gloves. After about 2 miles I was too hot so I ditched a shirt behind the Blue Plate Diner.
The plan was to go out and back up Emmigration Canyon. Usually I struggle to maintain a pace just under 8 minutes going up, but today I was cranking out 7:20 miles going up. I was mentally patting myself on the back for my supreme fitness when I turned around to head back down at 10.5 miles. Then the 20 (maybe 30?) mph headwind hit me. I struggled to maintain the same pace going downhill! Also, I was quite sweaty under my jacket and was freezing cold with what must have been a 10 degree wind chill. Even better was the stinging pellet-snow in my face. I really wished I was wearing my ski goggles. Then my gloves, which are not water proof, got soaking wet along with my socks and I began to fear frost bite. Many of you will know that Emmigration Canyon was the route the Donner Party took into the Salt Lake Valley in 1846. I began to fear that I might become stranded up there and have to resort to cannibalism. But, since I was running alone, I would have no one to eat! My mood was quite low as I contemplated an hour plus of running into this hellish headwind.
I finally made it into Ruth's Diner about 15 miles into the run. I went into their bathroom and dried my gloves in the hand dryers and warmed my hands at least. By then the snow was coming down so hard that I could barely see the road out in front of the diner. The hostess asked me if I wanted some hot chocolate or a cup of coffee which really sounded good. But I didn't want to get too comfortable so I politely declined. Once back on the road (this is the high traffic portion of the canyon), I began to be splashed by every passing car. There was a lot of standing water in the road and I really enjoyed the slushy shower from every car going by. Such a treat! I was really regretting casting aside that shirt early into the run and was shivering while I ran - something that doesn't happen too often.
Made it into Salt Lake and circled the block a couple times to add some mileage.
Spring in Utah!
This run had the highest suck factor of any run ever. I was really wishing Steve Anderson was with me as we have done this run together a couple times and it would have been nice to have someone to share the misery with. | 