Déjà vu

What was I just saying? Oh yeah, I can't get enough early morning trail runs!  If I could start every day with a trail run, I would.  Katherine and I headed out just before 6am this morning on Bonneville Shoreline Trail at the Coyote Hollow trailhead.  We headed up the Potato Hill trail to Ann's trail, southbound.  We had never been out so far on Ann's.  What an amazing trail!  We loved it!  It was raining/sprinkling/misting on us the whole time, but it was warm enough that we weren't cold.  The fog and mist that was rolling around the hills was amazing!  The trail was rolling, mostly uphill on the way out and speedy downhill on the way back.  There were patches of mud that made us slip and slide, but not too much.  Overall is was fantastic!  Plus, we saw a deer and heard lots of birdsong which made it even more awesome!

Headlamps to start.

One misty, moisty morning, when cloudy was the weather...

My best trail running buddy!

Can you see me?

Fog!

The giant mansions throw me off, but only a little.

On top of the world!

We made it back to the car, a bit wet and muddy, but oh so very happy!

6.78 miles

1hr 36 min

14:15 pace

lap 1) 55 min (uphill)

lap 2) 41 min (downhill)

Rain, Sun, Lots of Fun!

I can't get enough early morning mountain runs! Today I ran from Hidden Valley Park down to Corner Canyon on the Bonneville Shoreline Trail. I ran into a bit of rain about a mile in, but it only lasted about ten minutes and there was a lot of tree cover, so I didn't get too wet. Meghan texted me to make sure I still wanted to run since it was raining.  She makes me laugh!  C'mon Meghan!  I ran all dang winter, a little rain isn't going to stop me!  Meghan and I had planned on meeting up at the Coyote Hollow trailhead in Draper at 7:15a and I arrived just a few minutes before. By then, the sun was coming out and it was turning into a beautiful day. Meghan and I ran up Clark's and down Coyote Hollow which is one of my favorite runs right now.  I contemplated running the hour back to my car, but it was already 8:20a and I was ready to get home and hopefully shower before anyone woke up.  Luckily that worked out and everyone was sleeping at my house when I got home.  It was a fantastic run.  I felt great, and even better, it was one of those fantastic runs that puts in you a great mood for the rest of the day!

Hidden Valley Park

Waterfall

Just before I got caught in the rain.

Mountain Lion bridge.

Thanks, Lindsay, for this brilliant idea.  I have taken the wrong way back more than once.

Scattered showers.

Waiting for Meghan at the Coyote Hollow trailhead.

My new green visor!  Visor LOVE.

We hadn't run a mile and Meghan had to stop for a photo op.  This canyon is so beautiful it's hard to run without stopping for photos!

A little trailside ab work.  Hey, is there any more beautiful place to stop for some morning crunches?

Meghan's dog, Lola was so excited to be out on the trail with us today!

Thanks for the wonderful run, Mae!  And for the lift to my van!

8.7 miles
1hr 58 min
13:34 pace

Daily mile

Yesterday Meghan met me at my house just before 6am and we did Viscounti out and back.  We were both feeling a bit blah.  Meghan hadn't run since our race and was having a bit of trouble with her calf and I was up half the night before taking my oldest to the emergency room for a severe earache (he's just fine now, but has a bit of an infected ear canal and had compacted ear wax in both his ears.)  We took it easy with lots of walk breaks, which was just fine with me.

Don't faint. I didn't wear a visor on my run yesterday. Don't worry, it was before the sun came up.

5.01 miles
57:34
11:29 pace

Yoga, Lifting & a Run

This week has been nice.  Monday I switched it up a bit and headed, with Katherine, to a free yoga class at Salt Lake Running Co.  It was the perfect post race work out.  Today Jeff and I headed to the gym for back and arm day.  Then I snuck out for a super quick run before it was time to pick up Clarissa from preschool.  I'm feeling very energized about running in general right now.  I think all the cross training is starting to pay off, and I'm feeling strong when I run.  Plus, the time spent lifting and doing yoga is a nice break and I enjoy running even more when I head out.

Today's run
1.5 miles (I haven't run that little at once in a long time!  It was over SO fast!)
14:47
9:51 pace

Post Race

Let's just say I'm a bit sore today.  My inner thighs, glutes and back are the worst.  Don't get me wrong, I can still walk up and down the stairs, and go about things as usual, I can just tell I pushed myself yesterday.  It hurts, and it feels good.  I know I tried hard and ran hard.  I'm really proud of myself, and of Meghan too.  We did it!  

I was 19th out of 36 in my age division. 160th Overall out of 308.  Not too shabby!

Finish line love

 Having fun all the way to the finish line!

Vigor Half Marathon

Today was the Vigor Utah Big Cottonwood Half Marathon.  It was an early early morning.  Buses were leaving at 4am, so I picked up Meghan just before 3:30am and we headed to the finish.  The buses hadn't arrived yet, so we were a little curious about that, but they finally showed up just a minute or two past 4am.  We loaded into the school bus and headed on our way only to pull over after only a mile or so up the canyon.  The bus had broken down.  Jokes and laughter began to fill the bus as runners made funny comments.  Meghan and I chatted and goofed on our phones, and before we knew it the first bus was back down to rescue us.  We watched the bus driver make a nearly impossible three point turn in the canyon and then pull up along side our broken bus.  Luckily, we arrived with time to spare.  The drop off was actually not the start, and at 5:30am we were lead quite a ways down to the starting line.  It was about a mile walk down the canyon to the starting line, which was strange, but a good warm up.  The race started on time and we were able to start at a pretty good pace.  As we warmed up we sped up considerably and were both feeling really great.  It's a beautiful canyon and the perfect grade for running down.  It was hard work, but was totally worth it.  The last two miles were pretty hard, but not nearly as hard as the end of a marathon!  There were moments that we even ran in the sixes!  I was really very happy with our finish time.  PR, baby!  

At the finish area, waiting for the bus.

On the first bus.

Broken down.  So, what do we do?  Entertain ourselves, of course.

We made it to Solitude!  It seems all of my friends and I carry toys with us when we run.  Hmm...

Meghan, trying to look like her baby daughter who is more often than not, scowling.  

The mile walk.

At the starting line.

Meghan snapped this one not long after the start.

Cruising!

Yay!  

Now, what you've been waiting for!  Our finish time!  Meghan and I crossed the finish line together and both got a PR.  The crazy thing is my second half marathon was 12 minutes faster than my first, and now, my third half marathon was 12 minutes faster than my second!  Yeehaw!  Thanks to my wonderful running buddy, Meghan, for running this race with me and helping me speed along!

13.1 miles

1:55:39

8:50 pace!!!!!

Daily Mile

Meghan and I ran today with this motley crew.

Hey!  Matching shirts!

I was feeling good again today and it was another beautiful day to run with my beautiful friend!

3.31 miles

37:37

11:21 pace