Dude Peak Derby (Wahsatch Steeplechase) Several weeks back I signed up and paid money for the Wahsatch Steeplechase. My second run - with people! I was excited to go up to Little Black Mountain from Memory Grove (across the skreet from the Utah State capitol building) and run back down City Creek Canyon for a total of 16.5 miles. However, heavy and late snow this year made it necessary for the run organizers to change to an alternate course. They moved the route to the next ridge over to the NE and it became the Dude Peak Derby. The mileage was shorter, but it was still a tough run with 3800 feet of vertical gain. I finished probably in the back 1/3 of the group. I am not so fast on the flatter trail running toward the end of the route and I finished rather weak. Perhaps I shouldn't have hiked Olympus the evening before. My legs were tired from the start. Halfway through I developed a persistent cramp in one of my calf-group muscles - something I have never before experienced. The cramp caused pain that had the potential to sideline me for the rest of the race. Fortunately I somehow managed the problem and maintained running speed the majority of the way. So I know I have to work on my flat running and build strength. Got a t-shirt!
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