Running on Twinkies

Evening run on the Legacy Parkway Trail. I wasn't planning on running fast tonight, but there was a guy who started just behind me, and my competitive nature took over. I decided not to let him pass me. He stayed about the same distance behind for 3 miles. On the last mile he dropped back a bit. I shouldn't have run that fast, but I enjoyed it.

I ran the Kenney Creek Trail this morning. It's just as rough and overgrown as it always is. 

In Mammoth Creek in southern Utah for a family reunion. Ran 8.5 miles on some jeep trails through the woods. I feel fully recovered from the marathon last weekend. Time to start some serious training. 

I ran up the Wild Rose Trail this morning. The pipeline work is still going on, but the trench is covered, so it is easy go get across. It was a good early morning run. 

I just picked up pacing duties for the Wasatch 100. I will be pacing from Big Mountain to Brighton.  

At the last minute, I became a pacer for the Wasatch 100. Jeff Gleason, from Pennsylvania needed a pacer from Big Mountain to Brighton. I volunteered to help him out.

I got to Big Mountain plenty early. I was there just a few minutes before the top guys came through. It was fun to see them come through running strong. I hung out, visited with some friends and cheered people on for four hours. Then Jeff came in. Jeff was running the Grand Slam of Ultras, which ment that this was his fourth 100 miler in twelve weeks. He was looking strong.

We headed out, with Jeff leading and me pushing from behind. Jeff didn't need me to keep him on pace, he just liked having company along the way. We maintained a pace of about 3.5 miles per hour. walking all the uphills and running everything else. Just before the Lambs Canyon aid station we had to put on our headlamps. The rest of the run was in the dark.

The aid stations were great. Cookies, chips, and soda were what I usually grabbed. At Mill Creek I had some spaghetti that was great. 

About thirty miles in, my legs were feeling stiff. But I couldn't complain because Jeff was at 70 miles. We stayed strong all the way to Brighton. We got there a little before 4 a.m. At Brighton he changed to a different pacer who took him to the finish. He finished in 33:13. It was a fun evening. 

I told my wife I was heading out for a run and she said "Wasn't 35 miles enough?" No way. Ha ha. She thinks I'm crazy. I ran on the Bonneville Shoreline Trail and everything felt great. No recovery issues. I saw four deer while out tonight. They probably think I am crazy too. 

Legacy Parkway Trail. Just a couple of easy miles before the sun came up.

There was a 10k going on today in Bountiful, but unfortunately I had other commitments and could not make it to the race. So instead, I ran the unofficial 5 a.m. version of the race. I was the only participant in the race and therefore took first place. The course is an easy out and back course. It goes 1.25 on a straight flat road, then get on the Legacy Parkway Trail. On the trail, the was one puddle just after two miles. I average 8:10 splits and maintained a steady pace through the whole thing. I finished in 50:57. Not a great 10k time, but I'll take it.

Mueller Park Trail. I got a new pair of shoes. They are Hi-Tec Berkley's. They felt great out on the trail this morning. The weather is getting colder, but the temps are perfect right now. 

Some thoughts on running shoes. Running shoes are and I am cheap. I saw lot's of runner's at the Wasatch 100 wearing Hokas. They are supposed to be a great trail shoe, but come with a price tag of $175. The shoes I just bought cost $28. I think I would be better off with 7 pairs of Hi-Tec's than one pair of Hokas. 

Bonneville Shoreline Trail. I was having a hard time getting going this morning. Just couldn't find any motivation. Then a biker passed me on the trail. It's kind of strange but that got me going. I chased him over the next two hills. I didn't ever catch but had motivation again. Turned out to be a decent run.