Driven

(16 mi.) Went up Little Black Mountain with Matt R. (Twinkies), J-Lyn,  and Jacob. I started later and caught up with them at the Ave Twins. The plan was to go up and over Little Black, which we did, and then descend into City Creek canyon from Smuggler's Gap. However, because there is a lot of snow there, and no discernible trail, we went back over Black and down.

PM:

Kaysville to Fernwood out-and-back (7.25 mi.) with MGW. Ryan L. caught up with us at Fernwood.

Met up with Wesemann and Craig for a run-around on Draper trails.

Up Parish Creek trail in Centerville to Skyline Dr and back. Bunch of vertical smile (3900), all runnable.

ran on the firebreak road in Farmington, from Davis Creek trailhead to Centerville.

Wake up at 3:40 AM, in Millcreek Canyon at 4:30 AM for a run on the pipeline. There were nine of us out there, running in the dark. We did two out-and-backs to the SL viewpoint. I will probably go out again today for an additional 6. I am trying for a 100 mile week.

Up Farmington Canyon a couple miles past the shed, and back. With Steve Newman.

From Kaysville to 2 miles up past the wood post, and back. Did not take water, got very thirsty on the climb. Then drank from the first creek on the way back. Water not on at Fernwood. Dang it.

 Poised for my first 100 mile training week.

Woo hoo!

First 100 mile week. All on trails, and with 18,000 feet of vertical climbing. 

How do I feel? Tired.

I went out last night and ran 14 miles on Kaysville to Layton trail, with some substantial climb,and got home at 8:30PM. Sleep was spotty, not good. Up this morning at 5 and running up Farmington canyon by 5:45 AM. Steve Newman, Derek, and Steve Lindsay were my companions on a run to the top of Francis peak, a climb of 4500 feet for me, and over 5,000 for them because they started lower.

I will go for another big week after a day of rest Sunday.

Mueller Park trail with Matt R. (Twinkies) and Leslie.

My shoes are falling apart. A new pair arrived at my door today. 

Mt Wire ClusterCuss. I was going to go up fast. Then, about 100 feet up the trail my quads and calves burned. Still tired and worked from the previous week. Slow to the top, and even more slow down.

Up early to meet Scott W. in Farmington; we ran up the canyon to Francis Peak. Had a good ol' time. Slow but steady.

Finally joined the Grandeur Peak Fun Run. I awoke early, like I always do now whether I like it or not, and ambled around, looked outside a few times. Wasn't sure if I should go back to bed or get suited up and drive to SLC. I knew there would be regrets if I didn't go and saw my friends commenting on how fun it was. So I went. The entire crew was there. The mountain was covered in cloud. At go I ran up the hill like I have been trained to do, then hiked steeply up Grandeur's West ridge. Maintained a steady and aggressive pace which got me to the summit in my best time ever - 50 minutes 30 seconds. A personal record by 6 minutes. I had banked enough time to try for the under-two-hour finish. Since I didn't take water or gels, I worried if I would be wobbly on the downhill but I held up well and felt strong. Two days of rest was beneficial. I did stop at Church Fork/Pipeline intersection for two drinks, then ran strongly 2 miles to Bambi Hill turnoff. Slick mud was a challenge up the steep trail, but got up quickly, then made the last descent to the finish. Crossed the line at 1 hour 57 minutes and some change. Very happy to have met my goal of sub 2. It was fun running in the rain.

So my training for Bryce is in the can. What do I do with myself now while I wait?Eat ice cream? Go for a hike? I am less concerned with getting miles than just staying active and loose. I've decided to go after some small FKTs (Fastest Known Times) around here. Tonight I went to Adams Canyon in Kaysville. I ran up to the falls and got the 'course record' by one minute - 24 minutes 15 seconds. I was on course for the car to car record of under 39 minutes but I got way off course and even found myself on the wrong side of the creek. Dammit. I got back on trail and managed to get the 2nd fastest time of 43 minutes. Ryan L still hold the fastest by 3 minutes. I was pretty well spent after that effort and just wanted to go home. But I went over to climb some trails near Farmington canyon. I went up the Spinetrail, and checked out the Old aquaduct trail on the South side of the canyon. The trail needs lots of love, but if developed it would be quite a nice one. I climbed up the Spine trail to 6300 feet. Ryan L. did some nice work on that one.

Later this week I am going for the FKT (as far as Strava is concerned) of the Mueller PArk trail to Elephant rock. Maybe during lunch.

Myoolah Park to Elephant Rock. During my lunch hour I drove up to Myoolah Park, stripped nekkid in my car and suited up for a run to the rock. I wanted to get there in less than 27 minutes. Easier said than done. Legs were tired from GO (from yesterdays fast run up Adams canyon) but I tried to stay on it. Got to the bench above the rock in 29.5 minutes. Gonna need some work. I was so busted from the uphill effort that my return run was longer than up.

 PM: Fast run/hike up Mt wire - 34:45 to summit my fastest time to date.

Big ol' morning of vertical climbing. With Scott and Craig I climbed Tanner's Gulch to Sunrise Peak. The peak is on the Cottonwood ridge and is one of the bigger mountains in the Wasatch.

I want to get in some last-minute running at altitude to give me a slight edge at Bryce. The 100 mile course will be reaching alt of 9,500 feet. This morning I drove up Farmington Canyon to the upper gate, which is still closed for some reason, and ran up to Francis Peak., elevation 9,500 feet. It is 5 miles to the peak, ran it nonstop from the shed. Bombed the downhill.

Easy run down the road.

Bryce 100 start

I was down in Bryce Canyon over the weekend to run the inaugural Bryce 100 with many other locals. I can say honestly I went into this 100 mile race better prepared than at any other time of my short running career. I felt good and was ready to go. At go I happened to be one of the runners near the start of the trail (it was an awkward start by the R.D.) and began at a quick but comfortable pace. For the first 10 miles I ran at the front with Joe from Florida. We chatted a little as the miles went by quickly. When we arrived at the first aid station at 10 miles, about 5 guys, including me, showed up at once. I continued up the trail without stopping, then ran at the front entirely by myself for the next ten miles. I was the first to arrive at the 2nd aid at 20 miles. Then Joe came in a few minutes later. It was a long aid stop. I had no crew so I filled my bottles, searched for my drop bag, re-supplied, left my two shirts, got some sunscreen spray down from a volunteer, and then Joe and I left at the same time. We got back into a quick run and the trail descended. I got about 30 seconds behind the leader after doing some adjusting and a urine break. Then I took a critical wrong turn and ran down a mile off-course. When I realized my mistake I began hiking back up, determined to regain my place no matter the cost. I had lost nearly 25 minutes from my lead. Several other runners had come down the same wrong turn, and I directed them back up. Back on the trail again it seemed to be mostly climbing until the next aid at 26 miles. Same story with that stop - searching for my bag, getting re-filled. I asked for TUMS and that seemed to help. It was getting warm. My plan was to pick off as many runners as I could before 50 miles, and I had already passed a handful. As I got to the 33 mile aid my left ankle began to feel pain. I left there feeling well and ready to continue the chase. Then the ankle stopped working. There was a sharp pain on the outside of the ankle. I began to limp. There was a rocky ATV trail that began to descend and at that point even hiking downhill began to seriously hurt. There is no way I could have grinded out a 100 mile finish in that condition. No way. I was going to have a very tough time going the next 5 miles. I was hoping to see runners behind me so I could tell them to find my wife at the next aid at mile 39. I was hoping to see my friends run up from Kanab aid where I had come from. Nobody came. I continued limping slowly, then met a couple on ATVs. I asked for a ride and that was it. They took me to Straight Canyon aid where I left the race.

I had a very good start, got to see what it was like to lead the first 20 miles. Even with the wrong turn I was still in it, and even had plans to catch up as best I could to the front. I wanted very much to begin racing at mile 70. But with a very painful ankle I had to stop. I am looking forward to what is ahead and a chance to race again.