What an incredible run today with Jun and Dorsimus on Antelope Island, in the Great Salt Lake. Antelope is the largest island on the lake and it is absolutely amazing out there. The views are so different from anything else along the Wasatch front, and yet there are very few people out there enjoying them.
We ran the 25K loop for the Buffalo run as a warm up for the race next month. The trails are very nice for the most part and the views never disappointed. The first few miles were slow as we climbed the mountain side. After about two miles Jun started pulling away and Dorsimus wasn't far behind, so I stopped to put on my iPod and they both put some distance on me. the next 3 miles were kind of a grind, as I wasn't feeling it, but I slowly started feeling better.
There is a steep climb up to the Elephant Rock turn off and the guys were there waiting for me. (mile 5) I took a gel and then we bombed it down to the valley below. It has been a very long time since my Garmin was in the 5's and even though I was running a 5:50 pace down the hill those guys were still opening up a lead. It must be their long legs. I got a tad frustrated that I couldn't keep up, so I yelled an expletive at Jun. Dorsimus thought I said "Oh geeez guys." and Jun only heard Charlie Brown's teacher (wah wah wah wah). I ran the next mile between a 6:00-7:00 pace and about the next half mile at 7:15 before the next hill climb. The next few miles we climbed some steep switchbacks, but they were all runnable. Awesome views!
The trail heads back to the Elephant Rock turn off (mile 10) where the guys were again waiting for me. Once again they pushed the pace fast down the other side and I did my best to keep up, but eventually they opened up another lead on me. On the next big hill I caught and passed two guys that started earlier than we did and from there it was a nice two mile downhill to the finish. I felt really good the whole way, with only some minor soreness in my hammies. What a great day. For some pics, see Jun's blog.
2051 vert. | 