Badass Bosho

Last year I ran 12 miles of the Bosho Marathon course with Katherine and Lindsay.  On a bit of a whim Lindsay and I had mentioned to each other that we each wanted to run the whole thing this year.  Little did I know what I was getting myself into.  This course is H.A.R.D.  Brutally so.  I mean, look at this elevation chart from my Garmin.  Those climbs are no joke.

 We started at 6am and headed off into the darkness.  Laurie, Lindsay and I ran the six  or so miles together and despite the plan to all run together I found myself pulling ahead of the other ladies.  Half way up that first ascent I could no longer see them and just decided that I should do my own thing.  That first climb to 6,406' is appropriately named Uncle Fucker.  It was a beast.  I felt really good climbing it and sang along to some music and chatted with a few ladies on my way to the top.

The next climb wasn't as bad, and got to run along and chat with Aaron (trail and ultra friend, and husband of my friend Kristyan) for a bit before his fast self took off.  Then there was one more big huff up to Meridian Peak.  That was actually the hardest climb of all because I was already tired and lots of the 7am start (read fast runners that would start an hour after me and finish an hour before me) runners began passing me like I was standing still!  I had had some bad intestinal cramping a little earlier on, but by the time I got to Meridian Peak it was horrible and every (very steep) downhill step was like a knife stabbing my guts.

I finally pulled it together for my climb out of dry creek and managed to slog, tired and feeling pretty crappy.  I had been trying some new running fuel, Tailwind, and had not had enough water to go along with it, so on the climb out of dry creek I was parched and feeling a little funny in the head.  Once I finally made it back to the aid station the wonderful volunteers filled my pack with ice water, gave me ginger ale and ice to chew on and stick in my clothes (did I mention it was pretty warm and sunny?)  and I sat in a chair for just a couple minutes.  I was totally renewed and able to run most of the rest of the course.

I came in at 7:03 realizing that not only did this race take me a half an hour longer than my last 50k, Antelope Island 50k, but it was a lot harder than my last 50k!  Afterward I felt pretty great.  Tired, but really proud that even though I hardly trained for it, I ran this super tough marathon and finished!  Laurie came in about a half an hour after me, congratulations Laurie!  And Lindsay ended up dropping at around 20.5 miles due to some tummy trouble.  All in all, all of us worked damn hard out there!  I am so glad I did this race!  What an amazing confidence boost!

26.6 miles
7:03
15:54 average pace
To see all the photos take a look at this post:  Bosho Marathon Photos.

Bosho Marathon Photos

Bosho was an ass kicker!  Harder than my last 50k!  I'm so wiped out that I can't even give a proper race report.  For now, photos.  Later, race report!

Lindsay

Looks like a mountain lion had a nice breakfast on the trail.  Luckily it wasn't bloody!

This giant climb, we came from the very bottom and still aren't at the top, is appropriately named, "Uncle Fucker."

A cairn!  Too bad it's fuzzy.  I was trying not to stop moving!

14.2 miles in and still feeling great!

Oh boy!  Another climb!

See those tiny specs on the ridge?  That's where we're going.  To the top!

Curses! The climb to the top of Meridian was a bitch! #trailandultra

The top!  Again.  Finally.

Really?  Another climb.  Sounds like great fun!

Done and done!  Laurie finished maybe about fifteen minutes after me.  Way to go, Laurie!

26.6 miles

7:03

15:54 average pace 

Thank to Aaron Williams for snapping these fun pictures!

Aaron ran with me for like five minutes and then went on to finish about two hours ahead of me!  And put some clothes on for crying out loud!  I mean really?  Who runs nekkid?

 Just finished!

 Happy to be done!

 Reppin' the #trailandultra and #ultrachat hats!  TrailAndUltraRunning.com

Training Week 5

Last week was a bit of a taper week.  It was also a bit of a blur.  I know I ran six trail miles on Tuesday and Wednesday I did a full body lifting routine.  Everything else is lost to me!  I was getting ready for Zion!

Weekly total: 32
Training total: 132.35

Now for some more tapering before Bosho Marathon on Saturday!

Bosho Race Results

Check out Bosho Marathon race results and other race reports here.  Lindsay and I won the 12 miler! Oh, wait, we were the only ones who ran 12 miles.  That's okay.  I'll take it!

Bosho Marathon

Today Katherine and I met Lindsay on the Bonneville Shoreline Trail above Salt Lake City to run the Bosho Marathon.  Bosho Marathon is, as I just learned last night, a bit of a underground marathon.  It's more like a group run and you won't find it on any websites.  I was excited to be part of this trail running experience.  We set out at 7am the wrong direction on the course in order to cut out one loop.  We were aiming for 10-13 miles.  It was a beautiful section of the Shoreline trail that I'd never been on before.  It was mostly uphill on the way out and then some perfect screaming downhills on the way back.  I nearly ate it cruising downhill at around mile nine.  Luckily I recovered, because that fall would have hurt.  Bad.  It was cloudy and cool and the perfect temperature for running.  Lindsay, Katherine and I had a blast together.  As we ran, I was really appreciating the fact the the three of us all run at the same pace.  It's so nice to run with these awesome ladies!

Heading into the mountains.

We decided we wouldn't be eaten by any mountain lions, as clearly they'd already eaten already.

The views on the ridge were stunning.  I love these mountains! 

Down town below me.

Blurry, but fantastic Katherine.

Lindsay leading the pack.

New running buddies.  Fun, fun times!

Yes, we are grown women.  Yes, we play with toys.

Thanks for the fantastic run ladies!  This was my fastest marathon ever!  Oh, wait, it was only 12 miles.  Whatever!  We rocked!

12 miles 

2 hrs 57 min

14:45 pace