Running on Twinkies

I got a new pair of trail running shoes today. This is the first time that I have actually bought trail running shoes. Running shoes are expensive. I ran easy today to break them in. I along the Bonneville Shoreline Trail from Cheese Park. It was cold this morning, but I don't mind running in the cold.

Mueller Park Trail. I didn't have to worry about mud today because the ground was frozen. The trail was great today with a few frozen puddles and patches of snow on the sides. It is taking longer to get light in the morning. I had to use my head lamp for the entire run today.

Time up 42:00 avg pace 12:21
Time down 32:29 avg pace 9:33

After I put the kids in bed tonight I got on the treadmill and turned on the TV. I was flipping through the channels when I came across the 2007 Ironman in Hawaii. It was very inspiring and motivational. There was one guy who completed the race with no feet. He only had stubs below his knees. I definitely have no excuses. Another competitor had finished the race in fourth the year before got injured and ended up walking most of the marathon portion and came in 892nd place. When he was asked why he didn't just drop out, he said "It is disrespectful to your other competitors to drop out just because you are having a bad day." I admire people who finish the race no matter what.

Ran with Dirt Tours tonight. We started at Red Butte canyon. We headed North along the Bonneville Shoreline trail. The first mile had an elevation gain of about 100 ft and a split time of 9:37. Just before Dry Creek Canyon we turn up a steep hill toward Mt Vancott. This hill is one that should be considered a walker, but I was determined to run it and focus on my hill running technique. There were a few short patches that I did have to walk. Mile 2 gained over 1000ft in elevation and my split time was 18:51. If you are doing the math I ran the second my twice as slow, but the elevation gain was ten times greater. We made it to the top of Mt Vancott at 2.1 miles. From there we dropped into Red Butte Canyon. Almost literally. The first 15 ft was cliff that we scaled down. After that it was a steep technical downhill into the canyon. I think that downhill was steeper than the uphill, but I won't know for sure unless I run the route in reverse. 

Mueller Park Trail. The snow from the earlier storms had all melted. The trail was nice a soft today.

Time up 42:11 (avg pace 12:24)
Time down 31:15 (avg pace 9:11)

This was a race for diamonds. Real diamonds. The grand prize being a $2000 diamond from S. E. Needham Jewelers. To win you not only had to run fast, but you also had to dress in a wedding related costume. The scoring was based on the judging of the outfits and finish position.

I decided to go all out with my costume. I wore a black tux with long tails, a silver vest, and a silver bow tie. To top it off I added a top hat, white gloves, and a cane.

This race started at the USU quad in Logan. Most of the course was downhill and ended in front of the jewelery store.  There were several people dressed up in a lot of crazy outfits. A guy dressed up like flowers? A girl dressed as the wedding cake. Maryann was there in a full wedding dress with a long train. 

When the race started I thought I was starting awful fast, but it was a much shorter race than I am used to and I usual don't run that fast. The outfit didn't seem to slow me down much, I occasionally had to pull my hat down a little so that it wouldn't blow off. The course went right past the Logan Temple and there was a couple just outside of it getting their wedding pictures. What a sight we must have been running by.

Here is a shot of me flying through the course. It is blurry because I was going sooo fast.

Here comes the bride

Maryann and I after the race.

Some other runners after the race. From right to left Allie, myself, Maryann, I don't know the names of the other runners.

Well for my efforts and speed I won second place. A $1000 Diamond. The first place winner carried a wooden/cardboard car through the whole race. It had tin cans tied to the back of it. Third place was a photographer with the cake knife in his head.

This is the biggest prize I have ever won from a race. It is a good thing that I won a diamond because my anniversary is coming up.