For the first time in a long time, I ran a race two weeks in a row. This time it was the Jupiter Peak Steeplechase, which starts in Park City (7000' elevation) and goes up to Jupiter Peak (10000' plus elevation) and comes back down. The race was bigger than I expected. Probably 400-500 runners. I'm not a fan of putting caps on races, but it was too many for this single track trail. The trail got pretty crowded on the way up. I was determined to run the whole way. Not sure if that was a good goal, but it was. I made it till the incredibly steep section as you come to the peak. Then I was barely able to hike up. I was getting delirious, and the footing was very challenging. I made it up averaging about 12 minutes per mile. On the way down I probably averaged 7:20 per mile. I got passed by a lot of people on the way up, and I passed a lot on the way down. The area and trail were beautiful. But I probably won't do this race again. I'd rather just get some people and run the trail together. I only have 40 miles for the week, so I might run tonight again if I can squeeze it in. St. George is approaching quickly. | 