El Burro Blanco

Met up with Cody Draper at King Park which is at the mouth of Green Canyon. I ran from my in-law's house up to the park to get a little extra mileage. Cody ran Logan Peak last Saturday so this was his first day back running. We went straight up the canyon and stopped at a natural spring for some water. Very good stuff. This trail is mostly single track and absolutely incredible (outside of the fact that we saw way too many mountain bikers on the trail). Good to see Cody again and nice to on a sweet trail with great company. I caught the Bonneville Shoreline Trail back to my in-laws and got 15.3 miles total for the morning.

I guess Jon Allen was in town and is retired from running so I didn't get a chance to see him. He had Cody tell me "Hi."

Until next time Jon.

I am in Logan until today and wanted to go see Ephraim's Grave. I have never been to it but decided it might be fun to do plus get some sweet trailing in as well. Old Ephraim was the last know Grizzly Bear killed in Utah in the mid 1920s. He was 9 feet tall and over 1000 pounds. His skull went back to the Smithsonian once they killed him. He was known for eating lots of sheep, cattle, and lots of other creatures. I talked with my father-in-law and he gave me some suggestions on where to run. I figured it would be a memorable run. Memorable it was!

I started up Right Hand Fork Canyon and started up RIcks Canyon and caught the Steel Hollow trail. This was some sweet single track running climbing up the mountain for just over four miles. I turned left on Long Hollow Road and dropped quite a bit until I came to Ephraim's Grave. It was pretty impressive to see the rock statue out in the middle of the mountains. I was praying I didn't come across the second Grizzly Bear ever in Utah on the rest of my run! I was going to climb back up and come around Cowley Canyon but I just kept going on Long Hollow Road. It was a dirt fire road that came back to Logan Canyon and the main highway. I didn't think it was that far but it ended up being 9 miles when I thought it was going to be 3-4. I got to Logan Canyon and just came down the highway on the shoulder. It helped because I stopped in the Logan River a couple times to cool off. It was much needed. I finally got back to my car and noticed I ran 23.3 total miles. It was quite the Adventure Run but I survived and saw some amazing country. If I went back around Cowley Canyon the run would have probably been 15 miles. Oh well! Saw lots of animals but was not smart because I left my GU gel in the car and forgot my water bottle.

Sweet run but will do a few things different if I ever go back up that direction. Now heading up to Huntsville for the rest of the weekend.

Met up with Cody and Mike McKnight at the North Ogden Divide to run Ben Lomond Peak (9710') and Willard Peak. I was excited to do this run because it has been a while since I have done. They were nice enough to drive down from Logan and meet up for this run.

Lots of people on the trail but it was fun trying to catch some on the way up and also on the way down. Got to the top and I forgot how awesome the view is. It was incredible. Cody and Mike convinced me to go over to Willard Peak. I have never done it before so it was worth doing. In one of the valleys we saw about 40 head of mountain goats. It was amazing! A little bit of bushwhacking up to the top of Willard Peak and then we came back down. I had some family things so I wanted to get down the mountain really quick. I kind of pushed the pace but it made for a really fun run back to the cars. The cool breeze and mountain air were just what I needed.

The last three days have been all on the trails and my legs are pretty trashed. I was nervous for today and how they would hold up but they felt pretty darn good. Great run today and even better company.

I will probably just do an few easy miles in the morning and then go watch my sister run the local 5k. I think I would need a wheelchair if I ran a hard 5k tomorrow. Have a great 4th of July everyone!

The last three days have kicked my behind so I slept in and watched the kiddos while Katey could get some much needed rest. The pregnancy is starting to get really uncomfortable for her.

Sick.

6 miles into Santa Clara and back while Norah rode her bike. A little warm but felt good to go slower since I am not feeling well.

27 miles on the Virgin River Rim Trail up on Cedar Mtn. Dave and Steve planned a long run late last night. We occasionally like to do crazy things. I still wasn't feeling great but thought it would still be worth it. It was great weather and some incredible views. I should have stayed home though. I started to feel yucky 10 miles in to the run. I dragged myself for the next little bit and then my hamstring tightened up. I finally just bushwhacked it up to the highway and did the walk of shame until the guys came and picked me up. 

You can read Dave Holt's blog for more information. I almost hung up the running shoes after this one.

Sick.

Sick still.

Needed to get out of the house so we got up early and went hiking in Zion for a little bit. I still wasn't feeling great but it was better than nothing. Glad this week is over. It has been a long one.

7 miles this morning. Did a little bit of the workout with the team. Felt okay.

Needed to find my mojo again so I went and looked for it on Barrel Roll. Ended up running 8 miles in the heat of the afternoon but it seemed to clean the system out. Just enjoyed the trails and ended up finding some albino lizard that scared the heck out of me.

10 total miles this morning. Ran a little before practice and then ran 7 miles with the boys looping from Little Valley Park. Actually kind of a fun little route. I was super dehydrated this morning though. Just plugging away.

Running with the team and watched the workout on the track. Very happy after today. Went and remeasured the possible new spot for our mile repeats. 9 miles total.

11 total miles around Navajo Lake this morning with the team. Always nice to get out of the heat and run some single track at higher elevation.

6 total miles this morning. Tried the new route for the mile repeats. It was okay but I think Mark and I found a better one. Ran 7:33, 7:32 with some of the new girls. Positive stuff from everyone again.

4.5 miles this afternoon enjoying the heat.

Ran from Toquerville back to the store this morning. Actually felt pretty good despite all of the lovely rollers. I felt llike I was running in the Midwest even though I have never ran in the Midwest. I heard they have lots of rolling hills. Ran with Bill, Dave, and James. Pretty warm morning and of course I was a sweaty mess. Good conversation and good running. Cannot ask for a better way to end the week. Lots of memories were made. 7:00/mile.

5.5 miles this morning. Hopped in to do some of the dirt hill repeats with the team. Didn't have time to do more running due to meetings at the school and helping out some new teachers.

7.5 miles with the boys out to the Boneyard. Cloud cover felt nice.

10.5 miles this afternoon on Snow Canyon Parkway. It was breezy and overcast for perfect afternoon running weather in St. George. I made it to the turn around point and the clouds went away and it got muggy. I had to stop at the softball diamonds and soak the shirt and hat. Glad that was available.

6.5 miles this morning out in Warner Valley. We did a tempo run. I ran with the girls and mainly ran with Laynee. Good stuff from the group.

6 miles this afternoon in the heat. Ran 3 to The Spectrum and then 3 more with some of the boys to the Farm. It needs some work.

8.5 total miles this morning. 6.5 miles with the boys around my parent's house and then hopped in the pool afterwards.

3.5 miles this evening with my sister. Lots of fun seeing her run.

12 total miles this morning. I did a mile before practice and then did mile repeats with the team on our new dirt mile. I like this location much better. Ran with Laynee with the first two and then the last one with some of the younger boys. Solid effort from everyone. Happy with the turnout despite the holiday. 4 more miles after and then hopped in my parent's pool to stretch. Felt great.

10.25 miles with the boys around Little Black Mtn. Perfect weather and nice pace for the loop. 7:19/mile. Talked the whole time.

Nice to have a 70+ mile week.

5 total miles this morning helping run around for the workout.

9.5 total miles this morning.

3 before practice and then 6.5 miles out towards the Boneyard. Last day of kids camp. The future looks very bright for cross country and track.

8 more miles this afternoon. Ran from the high school over to Little Valley to run with the team and then back to the high school. Nice and toasty!

8 miles this morning. Did a touch before practice and then ran the progression/tempo run with the girls. They did well and it is nice to see Laynee really coming on.

4 more miles around the Monarch Loop at Eagle Point for the first run at camp. 10,000 ft. never felt so good!

4 miles this morning looping around Puffer Lake putting out cones so the team doesn't get lost. 

8.25 more miles with the boys around Puffer Lake. Super impressed with how fast we did it this year with many more guys. The girls had a large group as well. Always nice to swim in the cold lake after wards.

4.35 miles this afternoon on the Monarh Loop. I cut back to run with the younger group and it was fun talking with them.

6 miles this morning going to the top of Delano Peak for our annual goal session. It blows my mind how beautiful it is up there. Very happy that my Dad hiked up the backside this time. Lots of fun being up there.

3 more miles this afternoon. Ran a little with Oliver and Norah and then did the 3 man relay. I am happy to report that the coaches won this year! It is going to be a great season.