This is the Place to Memory Grove

Today was a new adventure.  There is no better way to get excited about running than to go some place new.  I scoped Google maps the day before and decided that if I ran on the Bonneville Shoreline Trail from This is the Place Heritage Park to Memory Grove Park that it would be about ten miles.  Perfect for an out and back for a total of 20 miles!  Lindsay was looking to do about ten miles, so she agreed to meet me at Memory Grove and run the second half with me.  

I arrived just before 6am and headed up onto BST where Katherine and I had run in the freezing cold in January.  I didn't know all of the trail, because I have only run a couple sections of BST on this end of the valley, but I did my best to navigate the trails and only made a wrong turn once.  The morning was pretty warm, 75 degrees to start and I knew it was going to be a scorcher later on.  There isn't a lot of cover on most of the trail.  There are also some strange bits of the trail up by Red Butte Gardens and the University where you cross roads and parking lots.  However, I would be more than happy about a certain section of this trail later on.

I was thrilled to make it to the section Lindsay, Katherine and I ran in April for the BOSHO marathon.  That is a really beautiful section of trail.  Then heading, once again, into unfamiliar territory I was a little confused, but luckily ran into a few other runners and hikers who knew the way.  Once, I ended up in a cul-de-sac and was quite befuddled before figuring out that the trail began again on the other side of the road.  After finally making it to City Creek Canyon I had no idea where Memory Grove was and/or where to meet Lindsay.  After a couple of phone calls and a conversation with a lovely woman who pointed me in the right direction Lindsay and I found one another.  Only bum thing, I was at mile 10.88.  I was going to be in for a long run.

We headed up on a different section of trail (I had run on an asphalt trail in Memory Grove, not knowing where I was) right next the creek.  It was small single track with some more than precarious footing.  At one point I'm pretty sure Lindsay told me I was, in fact, going to fall in the creek.  I managed not to, but it was uncertain there for a moment.  We also had some of those "hold on to that tree" and "crawl on hands and feet" moments that are only experienced in the most fun trail runs.  

The climb back up out of City Creek Canyon seemed to take forever, and the uphill didn't quite end there.  It was like an oven out by now, and often the breeze felt like a hair drier to the face.  By mile 16 I was completely out of water, but had a bit of EFS sports drink left.  Lindsay was my life saver and shared some of her ice water with me.  Water had never tasted so good.  It more than tasted good, it powered me on.  At this point it hurt a lot more to walk than run, so I really tried to power through.  Plus, I knew that if we could make it to the University I could find a place to fill my water.  

However, we did make it to the University and every damn door we tried was locked.  We decided to keep on keeping on and make it to the Natural History Museum, which we knew to be open on Sundays. That was a pretty hard bit of the run.  I was hot, tired, my legs were killing me and I was so thirsty!  As we came up to Red Butte Gardens at about mile 18 I spotted it.  That thing on the asphalt path I was happy about.  "Is that a drinking fountain!?"  I yelled and picked up my pace to a sprint.  It was!  The big question was, would it work?  It did, and I tell you I literally jumped for joy.  I drank and laid my head in the fountain and then drank some more.  We both filled our packs and I took off my shirt and soaked it and put it back on.  I was a new woman!

I then decided it was time to listen to my newly purchased mp3, Ways to Go by Grouplove.  I was so happy.  I ran faster.  I was renewed!  I had been running for over four and a half hours and I felt good. I played the song again.  I ran uphill.  We were nearly done.  I finished strong and feeling fantastic!  What an awesome adventure with an awesome friend.  

Lights of the city.

Hey there, Salt Lake City!

The creek I nearly took a swim in.

On our water quest.

21.2 miles

5:15

14:51 pace

External motivation

After watching Speedgoat on Saturday, I was very motivated to run on Sunday. I felt great and was pushing myself a bit. I decided in order to get all my miles in I'd do a road run this week.  I ran about seven miles, and then met up with Meghan for about six. We ran to the gully and saw a huge stag who ran right in front of us! That was pretty awesome. Then I left Meghan and continued on my way. I felt very strong and finished feeling fantastic! I'm thrilled that a run of that distance is now becoming easier for me.  I have a good feeling about my upcoming races.

18 miles
3:35
11:57 pace

Coming up short: a Roller Coaster run

This morning started with a headache and a stomach that was half a bubble off.  Not a great way to start your long run day.  Especially when you're supposed to run 18 miles.  I popped a couple of aspirin and a caffeine pill and headed to Corner Canyon.  Until I arrived at the trailhead this morning, I didn't have a set route in mind.  I created a bit of an aide station for myself in my van.  I brought a cooler with ice water, sports drink, cantaloupe and plantain chips.  I figured I could go out on a couple loops and break up the long day.  

Once I hit the trail I decided to find out about those mountains you can see beyond the top of Clark's trail. See them in the distance, there? I headed that way.  This brilliant idea was brought on by watching this series of videos last night about Anton Krupicka climbing what's known as Nolan's 14.  

Upon the arrival at the top of Clark's I spied these beautiful blue flowers.  I was feeling better by now and was running along at a good pace for an uphill.  

The climb continued and I was getting closer to said mountains.  I was still feeling good and excited about my adventure.

See that little trail with a building on it?  I ended up in that parking lot after a couple of miles.

That peak was still very far off, but now I was staring at it from near it's height.

Utah lake is out there in the distance.

Once at the top I was thrilled that I had made it so high, but knew that it was really going to slow me down. 

I wasn't entirely sure this was the best plan of action for starting a successful 18 mile training run.  But, what the hell?  It was fun!

See the white building down there?  That's where I started!

When I came to this, I wasn't exactly what you'd call thrilled.  It was pretty rough going the entire way down.  There was a section of running right on a ridge, some steep downhills and lots of loose rocks and gravel.  Lots of fun, right?

Remember that parking lot I told you I'd get to?  I made it!  I was at about mile 4.5.  Now the easy part begins, down Canyon Hollow back to my "aide station."

Look Ma!  New trail!  That was exciting.  This trail was a lot less downhill than the other way down, but it was fun and led me directly to the Coyote Hollow trailhead.

By the time I made it to the van I was at about 7.5 miles.  I wasn't as near the halfway point as I'd hoped when I returned to the van to refill, but I took advantage of it anyway.  I sat for a moment and ate my cantaloupe and refilled my water and electrolyte drink.

After heading out again, I decided to try another new section of trail.  Instead of heading to Potato Hill, I continued on the Bonneville Shoreline trail.  I passed what Katherine and I like to call Hogwarts.  Hot damn!  This house is HUGE!

Decisions, decisions...

I ended up at this piece of land that was going to be, I assume, turned into a house.  I had to make my own way through to the trail on the other side, which soon ended at a major road.  Seeing Ann's trail just across the road with no way to reach it was rather frustrating.  But there was nothing else I could do, so I headed back the way I came.  

The other side of Potato Hill.  The sun was really pounding down on me now and I was getting very hot.  As I poured lots of water on my head and down my shirt I was thankful I had refilled my hydration bladder.

I was feeling pretty grumpy at this point, but for whatever reason seeing this flower made me very happy.

I decided my next best course of action would be to head out Potato Hill to Ann's and just go out and back the few miles I had left.  However, I was beat!  It was getting very hot and my legs and spirit were starting to get very worn.  By mile 12 I couldn't fathom how I was going to make it six more miles.  

At about 12.3 miles I decided to just take a break.  I contemplated continuing on, but decided to head back to the car.  That would give me about 14.5 miles.  Not anywhere near my goal, but I didn't care.  I was beat!

Then the silliest thing happened that helped me continue.  My friend Meghan texted me to say that she had just had a miserable three mile run.  Don't ask me why, but her telling me that renewed me.  I wasn't the only one having a crappy run.  I could make it a bit farther.  Itexted her back and told her where I was and how I was dying.  It felt good to get it out and tell someone that I felt like crap.  I decided that I would make it to at least 16 miles.  I ran back toward the van and headed up Clark's, once again.  It was slow going, but I pushed on up.  I finished at a mile and a half short of my goal and the entire run was one huge roller coaster.  I felt good, I felt bad, I felt horrible.  Mentally I was in and out of the run.  One moment enjoying the adventure, the next completely down in the dumps.  I will say one thing though, I smiled the entire drive home.  

16.5 miles

4:01

14:36 average pace

The beautiful, treacherous details.

Yay for pepper spray!

I headed out from my Dad's house early on Sunday morning and out one of the few main streets with a sidewalk.  It was fairly pleasant out, but a lot more humid than I'm used to.  It was a quite nice run aside from the collar-less dog who kept jumping on me and wouldn't leave me alone, who I finally had to spray with pepper spray.  I felt quite bad about it, but he was a little more aggressive than I would have preferred and wouldn't respond to any of my multiple attempts to kick and holler at him to get away. The spray did the trick though, and he left me to lick himself in a patch of grass.  Luckily he was no where to be seen on my return trip.  I was soaked when I got back, as it was pretty hot by 8am.  I will be happy to run at home now, where, despite the heat it's not humid!  However, there is something to be said for running at sea level!

10 miles 

1:44

10:24 pace 

Daily Mile

Saturday I flew to Georgia with my two girls. However, it seemed like a good idea to get my long run in before we left. Since time was tight, I opted for a road run. It was a lovely morning. I ran through the back roads towards Katherine's, met up with her and she ran me home. After a day of flying and another day of driving, I'm quite glad I got my run in! After I get home it's time to get my training on! But for now, I'm going to enjoy a bit of vacation.

There are lots of reasons I love running early in the morning. The view of the sun coming over the mountains is one.

Now there is something you don't see in Sandy, Utah every day.

Remind me to never go running without my visor again! Luckily, Katherine had an extra one laying around for me!

10.82 miles
2:04
11:30 pace

let the tapering begin!

Ten miles hardly seems like a long run any more! I started off in the dark, which is always fun in a spooky kind of way. I ran a few miles and then meet up with Meghan, which was good times, then headed back up the hill towards home. I was just starting to feel really good when I got home. I'm pretty sure that is a good sign!

Ready to go!  

Oh Dark Thirty

Ten miles by 8am.  Not too shabby.

10 miles

2 hrs

12:00 pace