Trail Run Tuesday

It was pouring rain when I got up this morning.  So, I put on my rain coat and went for a trail run!  Lucky for me, the rain had stopped by the time I hit the trail. Bonneville Shoreline Trail in Sandy never disappoints me.  I love this section of trail.  I also decided to check out a bit of trail that kind of looks like it goes nowhere.  Well, turns out that is does actually go somewhere!  Finding a new spot is always fun!  It was windy again today, but since this was my third run in a row with high winds I was much more immune to it. I left the trails covered in sweat, mud and a grin.  Perfection!

Attempting to master the art of the trail selfie, as seen on How To Be An Ultra Runner.  How'd I do?

My new TAUR Headsweats hat!  I might give up the visor for this hat.  That's how much I like it.  Seriously.

I feel so happy in these mountains.  They're my number two.  My family is my number one.

An unexplored bit of trail?  Why, yes please!

Spring!

#trailrunnerproblems

Does it get any better?

6 miles

1:14

12:38 average pace

Rest Day

Naw.  Just kidding.  Sunday I had the chance to run with Meghan and Rob, so I couldn't pass it up!  We did a bit of the trail system near their house in Sandy and a bit of the neighborhood.  It was super fun to run with this crew again!  It had been too long!

Thanks for taking all these photos, Rob!

I told you I was always serious when I run.  No fun.  Just work, work, work!

Thanks to this girl, I am the runner I am today.  One day, long ago, she said to me, "Hey, do you want to run a marathon with me?"  The rest is history!

Something about running long distances with someone makes your friendship special.

8.65 miles

1:42

11:48 average pace

Party Running

I joined in the annual birthday run for Ryan, my friend Lindsay's husband.  We met up at the Wild Rose trailhead in North Salt Lake and headed up into the mountains.  It was a gorgeous day, but very windy. There was a pretty good group of us, but three of us ladies ended up trailing behind and enjoyed a leisurely run and chat.  I enjoyed getting to know some folks that I have only known peripherally.  Despite the beauty of the mountains and the wonderful company, I went home with a headache from the crazy wind blowing in my ears, nose and eyes.  

Perfection.

I love this girl!

Good morning Wasatch!

At the end of our run we ended up in the neighborhood.  The guest house in the back of this mansion is the size of my house!  Must be a hard life.

Because we're rad like that.  Twins.

The birthday king with his noble steed.  Happy Birthday, Ryan!

5.67 miles

1:26

15:11 average pace

Daily Mile & Lift

Friday morning I met up with Jennilyn Eaton, a super nice local trail runner who I recently met through other trail friends.  Jennilyn and I learned that we live very near one another and decided to go out for a hike.  It would've been a run (and we did actually end up doing some running) but Jennilyn just won and set a course record for the Buffalo Run 100 miler.  Yeah, she's pretty badass, however she is so humble that I doubt you'd here her brag it.  So, I'll brag for her.  Jennilyn, you are a badass!  We headed up Bells Canyon after getting kids in school and hiked for about and hour and a half or so.  There was a lot of new snow and I was reminded of how much I love dirt.  I really do love dirt.

Merry Christmas!  In March.  I wonder how long that has been up?

I don't know what our mileage was, but it was a very nice mellow hike/run and I really enjoyed getting to know this lady!  I'm looking forward to more trail adventures with her in the future.

After getting home I headed to the gym with Jeff for some chest work.  We really pushed hard and had a great time.  We did an incline bench press drop set that had me shaking like a leaf!  Plus, I always love it when the guy next to me is lifting lights weights than me.  Makes me feel extra badass!

Training Week 3

Monday HIIT
Tuesday HIIT
Wednesday 4 road miles
Thursday 3.75 road miles
Friday Yoga
Saturday 16.5 miles Buffalo Run 25k
Sunday REST

Weekly Total 24.25 miles
Training Total 73.93

Trails! Trails! Trails!

I headed back to Corner Canyon this morning and out the Bonneville Shoreline Trail.  I took the trail I had found on Thursday, Oak Hollow and continued out it.  Oak Hollow ended up running along between a golf course and houses.  As lovely as white as white resin fence and million dollar homes can be, I headed back toward Corner Canyon.  My plan was to head out Ann's but it was the only part of the Canyon that was closed, so I went up Clark's instead.  I felt great from the start of my run.  The temps are up a bit, but the breeze kept it pretty chilly.  It was a beautiful morning and I was thrilled to see loads of deer and moose tracks!

This picture was an accident, but I kind of like it.

This tunnel does, in fact, lead to the very south end of Ann's Trail!

Ann's here I come!

So cool!  I've been out and back on Ann's a million times, but never bothered to head out on BST from there.

Moose!

I didn't go quite as far as I had originally intended (I was aiming for at least 13) but it was a great run none the less!

12.7 miles

2:44

12:54 average pace

Trail Run Thursday

Yesterday was so glorious that I ran trails in my dreams last night a woke up thinking of going back to the same spot tomorrow!  I headed down to Corner Canyon (a last minute decision) and decided to just go on out Ann's for a bit.  But, I got to a fork in the road and decided to continue on BST, which I had only done one other time.  And that time I was in a world of hurt.  That run sucked, therefore, in my mind that section of trail sucked.  It didn't.  Plus, I went the correct way and found even more of the Bonneville Shoreline Trail that I had only seen on a map!  New trail!  Outstanding.  I made the decision to let my five mile run be a "run until you have to turn around because you have kids to pick up from school."  I found yet another trail I'd never been on, and was really enjoying the day.  I wasn't super speedy, but I was enjoying poking along seeing new sights and stopping for lots of photos.  Like I said, a glorious day!

Bonneville Shoreline Trail heading south from Coyote Hollow Trailhead. 

Time to switch things up! BST here I come!

Deer or Moose?

Heading up to South Mountain Overlook (also a new to me, very short, section of trail)

The view from South Mountain Overlook

After crossing a road, I ended up here.  New (to me) section of BST!  WOO HOO!

Weeee!  This is grand!

And what is this!?  I think that will take me back up to Ann's trail!

But, I decided on Oak Hollow...

Still loving the new vest!

Look what I found!  TRAILS!

Can you guess where I'm heading to run tomorrow?

6.31 miles

1:19

12:31 average pace