Weekly Mileage

Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday 6
Thursday 8.7
Friday
Saturday 13
Sunday 8.67
Total: 36.37

The funny thing is, that's the most training I've had in a week since week 15 of my 50k training! I've just been running for fun, and look at what happened.  Nice.  Very nice.

Back to Back

I hadn't really intended to to a back to back this weekend, but that's just how it worked out.  Meghan and I did Ann's Trail out and back.  It was a gorgeous morning.  I was feeling the race yesterday, but not too bad. It's always great to get out on the trail, sore or not!

Meghan took this cool panoramic shot.

8.67 miles

1:53

13:02 pace

My 2nd ever trail race

Race day!  The Xterra race didn't start until 9am this morning, which seemed so late.  I woke with in a panic about three minutes before my alarm was set to go off.  This may be the first time I've ever slept all night the night before a race!  Packet pick up started at 7am and I planned to get there around 7:30am, but the drive was a lot quicker than I anticipated, so I ended up sitting in my van waiting for a long time before I got out and walked around.  I walked around for a while before it was start time and took some pictures.  

It was a small race and all three distances, 5k, 10k & 21k were on the same course, out and back, with the 5k turning around first, then 10k and finally the 21k.  There were only 40 runners in the 21k, and I counted only 13 other women.  The first mile or so consisted of some tight single track and then dilapidated asphalt.  Then it was on to double track the whole rest of the way.  It was a beautiful course with lots of loose rocks and dirt, with some areas of smooth loose sand.  It was a much more difficult course than I had anticipated with lots of steep, short climbs followed by steep, short downhills.  It was only 35 degrees at the start, but quickly heated up and was 65 degrees by the finish.  I was hot and poured lots of water on my head and back.  It was fun and challenging and I finished right on target!  I told Jeff last night that I thought I could finish in approximately two and a half hours.  And, what do ya know?

I also must mention the race director and all the volunteers.  They were just great.  Very nice people.  Plus, I won some Paul Mitchell hair care in the raffle and got a free sports massage after.  All in all, a great day!  

The drive through Parley's Canyon.

Near the starting area.

About half an hour before the start of the race.  

I couldn't help but snap a few photos on the run.  Mostly while hiking up sections of steep uphill.

The downhill section on the other side of this hill was worth the hike!  

My medal!

13 miles

2 hrs 39 min

12:13 pace

**UPDATE**

The official race results are out!  My finish time is 2:36:38.8 which makes my pace 12:03!!!  AWESOME!  I was 11th out of 14 women.  There we no age division break ups, but if there had been I would have been the first (and only) woman in the 35-39.

Oooh! A Race!

All of a sudden this morning I realized I'm running a race tomorrow!  I'm feeling very excited about it.  21K will be fairly easy for me, but a decent run.  Plus, it's a new adventure!  After my last few runs and feeling so stellar I'm thinking tomorrow should be cake.  I realize it's possible to have an off day tomorrow, but I'm just going to think positive.  

Yesterday's Corner Canyon run started with a 600'+  climb followed by a second 400' climb.  Not too difficult in the world of ultrarunning, but I'm extremely happy with my finishing time of 1 hour and 39 minutes for an 8.7 mile trail run.

The Xterra 21K that I'm running tomorrow barely has any elevation gain.  I'm hoping I can really hammer down and run this quick.  It's a half marathon distance, so longer than yesterday's run, but not as difficult.  I have no idea what the trail condition is like as I've never been to Jordanelle, but I can't imagine a trail next to a lake would be extremely rugged.  I guess I'll find out in the morning!  Packet pick up is tomorrow morning before the race.  Squeee!

fast

Today was AWESOME!  I'm pretty much in love with Corner Canyon, so of course that's where I went.  I decided I'd go out Ann's Trail again, like we did on Sunday to see if I could duplicate my speed.  I not only ran faster than I did on Sunday, I ran faster than I ever have on any trail!  I pushed it and it felt great!  When I got to the half way point and realized that my pace was just over a twelve minute mile, I knew I could bring it down in the the elevens.  And I did!!!

That's where I'm headed.  The hills!

Multi-use trail

Half way!  I was so excited to make it in such good time.  I stopped for a minute or two to eat and take a couple pictures.

I had to stop and take a few of the wild flowers, but of course, I paused my Garmin.

I am so thrilled that I could push this hard and not bonk!  I'm hoping that I can rock this speed for my 21K this weekend!  Wish me luck.

8.7 miles

1 hr 39 min

11:23 pace

Daily Mile

Best day ever!  Anyone want to take a guess where I ran?  Yep.  Corner Canyon!  I started at Andy Ballard Equestrian Park, which is where the start of the Corner Canyon 25K/50K is.  This took me on some nice single track up to the Carolina Hills trailhead.  Then I headed up Canyon Hollow and down Clark's.  It was gorgeous out and the perfect temperature.  It was a bit muddy because it rained all night, but not too bad.  I learned there is an advantage to having a dog that pulls on his leash.  Having a bit of tension on the leash helped up run uphill in the mud more easily!  Nice. Every time I run in Corner Canyon I feel like it's the best day of my life.  I love it there.  Just in case I haven't mentioned it before, I love Corner Canyon!  I felt fantastic and killed the trail in record time!

Although this slug had seen better days, it was still cool.

Mmm, mud.

6 miles
1:17
12:50 pace!  Hell yeah!

Ab-tastic!

Running.  It does a body good.