Driven

Getting ready for one-day Gannett Peak attempt

Last evening my internal dialogue went something like this:

Me: I need to go running, especially if I am going to attempt a 40 mile round trip summit of Gannett Peak. Plus, I could shed some of that fat hanging around the waist.

Other Me: Yes, but it's getting late, and you should probably get to bed early so you can get up early and go running. Plus, you just mowed the lawn and you are tired. Sit back with a cold lemonade and watch a movie.

Me: Hmmm. That's a good idea. It is getting late--it's already 9:30. I'll just relax and sip on some----Pshh! Wait a minute! I'm going to go running, even if it is getting dark, and it has been raining, and I'd rather be in bed or sitting in front of the Panny plasma. Where are my shoes?

Other Me: Serious? You can go running tomorrow morning!

Me: You know when I say that I never do.

Other me: Yeah, that's true. But this time you will really do it.

Me: But if I wait until morning to run, then I will have missed a day, and you know I planned on running every day leading up to the Gannett Peak trip. It's going to be a very long, difficult--but rewarding!--day. You can't just show up to the Wind Rivers expecting a walk in the park.

Other Me: Alright, go running then! But it is already past 10:00 PM. Where are you gonna go? It's dark. You don't have any reflector clothing. Wouldn't you rather be in bed?

Me: Shut up! My iPod is ready. I'm doing this.

Other Me: Damn. I thought I had him.

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So I ran on country roads near my home, 6.5 miles, feeling great the entire way.

Can't wait to see Gannett!

Quick evening run

I ran down to the giant soccer ball and back, four miles. If you have ever driven I-15 through Farmington, Utah, you may have notices two giant white spheres constructed on top of Francis Peak. I drove up there the other day and had a walk around the facility. The signs there indicate the equipment is used for air traffic control, so don't mess! Or people will die!

So down in the flat lands of Farmington there is a similar giant sphere on a tower out near the bird nesting refuge. It would be entirely appropriate to describe the sphere as a giant white soccer ball, because that is precisely what it resembles. Goooooooaaaaaaal!

I like to run where there are very few vehicles and traffic. When I see people running down a busy street, I just don't get it. I don't know why anyone would want to be there, breathing in all the exhaust, risking getting plowed over by some texting teen. The area around my neighborhood suits me. Lots of open space. Horses. Birds. Even some bison and skunks.

'Smornin' on the pipeline trail, Millcreek Canyon

This guy Scott keeps calling me, wants to go running all the time. I usually say yes. This morning we drove up Millcreek Canyon and ran the Pipeline trail from Birch Hollow. The trail is nice, and we got there early enough that we did not see any other runners or byciclists until we had turned around at mile 4.5. On the way back up we passed some lady runners, a few mountain bikers, and an old dude on a unicycle. Yes, a unicycle on a mountain trail. Pretty sweet.