Utah Mountains

I live in such a beautiful place.  I love the mountains that surround me and I really love running in them.  We do lots of runs on the paved trails and roads in the canyons but last weekend I got out and did 2 great mountain runs.

On Saturday we did an "adventure run" to prepare for Ragnar.  3 of my awesome Housewives of the UC teammates and I drove up Southfork canyon and did a 4 mile trail run.  It was so quiet and peaceful.  After our trail loop we met 3 more teammates and did another 8 miles down the canyon to finish off.  I did 13.5 miles total and absolutely loved it!

Traci, Tracy, Gretchen and I

Traci cruising down the trail in a gorgeous field

Traci, Me and Gretchen

Then yesterday since it was Memorial day and there was no school or work we decided to get some serious hill work in.  We ran from the bottom of Squaw Peak up to the top then back down again.  It was just over 4.3 miles to the top and we climbed 1755 feet.  The hill is relentless and there are no rollers.  I drove up the mountain on Sunday with my man and 2 of the kiddos so I dropped off some waters and gatorades.  I really didn't want to carry hydration.  We stopped at mile 2.1 to drink but other than that ran every step of the way - no walking.  I did this run a few times 4 years ago and walked about half of the time.  I am so very excited that I was able to run the whole time!!  My poor legs are total jello from the steep incline and decline.  Going down was just as hard as going up because of the pounding.

Me, Gretchen, Kami and Traci

  

And just to make sure you don't think I always look like I just rolled out of bed here is a picture I took at the top when we drove it.  It was VERY windy.

My girls with Todd & I

Today I taught spin and rode my bike for an extra 45 minutes after.

Gorgeous Morning Run

 

Seriously it was so pretty on our run today.  I ran to the trail to meet one of the running gals then we ran the trail along the river to the lake then she took me on a new trail along the lake.  It was so pretty.  I had to keep telling myself to look up and the beauty instead of looking down at the pavement.  The lake with the mountains in the background were just what I needed today.  It made my 10 miles feel like 5 and we just chatted and enjoyed the run.  Some days running is just more fun than others and today was one of those days.  

p.s. please ignore my concentration face - why can't I smile and do a self portrait????

The crazy lady on our run today

This morning on our run we had just climbed quite a hill (going around the Temple) and were heading back down.  As we passed the parking lot a car did a "friendly" honk at us then we heard some lady yelling for us to come back.  So we turned around and went back.  It was very dark and about 6:30 am - what she was doing is beyond me.  Anyway, she asked if she could take our picture since we were all dressed in white and blue to help her kids want to move to Provo.  We told her we were all in white and black (typical morning uniform in the winter) and she said it was close enough.  So she pulled out her iPhone and proceeded to tell us what a great phone it was and how great it took pictures.  All the while we were getting colder and colder and anxious to get the run finished.  Finally she got her photo and we were on our way.  It was one of the crazier things I've had happen on a run but it did make for some fun conversation the last 3 miles of the run.

Today's run:  7 miles

The Lunar Eclipse

This morning when my alarm went off at 6:40 I looked at the temperature and it said 16 degrees.  I sent a text asking if we really wanted to run in that temp and got a text back that said: 

"it's 19 up here.  the sun is coming up plus there is a lunar eclipse.  We've never run during a lunar eclipse.  should be a little cool."  

It was enough to get me there for the run. We looked at the lunar eclipse for a minute before starting our run then the run took us the exact opposite direction so we couldn't see it all after that since it was at our backs.  But hey we were up and out of bed and saw it and so you can mark off "run during a lunar eclipse" from my bucket list cause I've totally done that now!!


I couldn't get a good picture of it on my phone - but here is one that looks pretty similar to what I saw.

P.S.  Today's workout was a long run.  We did 12 miles.  It was tough and very cold.  My joints were tight the entire run but it's over and I love it when I'm done!

The Running Community

This morning when I was driving to drop off the girls at the babysitters I saw a girl running so of course I craned my neck to check if I knew her.  Then right after that I had to pick up the hubby from dropping off one of our cars at the shop and on the way home there was another girl running and he said "do you know her?"  After I told him no he said "in weather this crappy only people like you run so I figured you probably knew her."

So classic that because I run I think I just might know everyone else running close to my house.  Sadly, I didn't know either of the awesome gals I saw out running this morning.  I bet I'd like them though.  I do recognize people around all the time from the gym or the trail.  I don't really "know" them but I see them often enough I feel like I can say hello.  And last weekend I was shopping and the girl behind me had on a Ragnar Vegas sweatshirt so I thought it was completely normal to just strike up a conversation with her about the race and how she liked it and has she done the Wasatch Back one, how does it compare, etc. Hopefully she didn't think I was some crazy lady.  I love the running community!

Today's workout:  5 mile easy run (although it is never easy to get up on Monday morning and go outside and run on a cold dark morning)

A goat on a leash?

Fun things about today's run:

• We saw a woman walking a dog and her hubby walking a goat on the trail.  Hilarious.
• A crazy kid rode his skateboard down "suicide hill" and stopped by jumping into the grass and his skateboard flew across the street under the tires of the car that had to stop quickly.  A little scary.
• I ran with Todd.  This never happens.  Never I tell you.  We both plugged in both earphones and didn't talk at all but it was great to have him running with me.  Don't tell him or he  might not run with me again - but I loved it!
• Todd was a stud on the run.  He ran in the morning instead of the night and high altitude instead of sea level where he normally runs and has already put in 23 miles this week.  I'm so in love!
• Perfect scenery on the run.  The fall leaves are amazing right now and Todd ran with his shirt off.  Two of my favorite sights!!
• I made up the route as we went and because I have put so many miles on the road here we ended our 10 miles within a block of our house.  Perfect.
• I burned 1000 calories (Todd burned 1400 - no fair) so I can enjoy date night tonight guilt free.

 I am now blogging while enjoying a chocolate/peanut butter shake made in the Blendtec I won at the Pink Series half-marathon.  Life is good!

The bad things about today's run:

• I forgot to glide and am a bit chaffed from my sports bra.
• My hip was bothering me for most of the run (hopefully the roller, stretching and advil will take care of it).
• I didn't drink enough water and now I have major tummy cramps.  I know better!
  
• And I'm too exhausted to do any of my to-do list!