I don't know if I should post this as a race or not? It is hush hush. I have wanted to run this "race" for years but it never worked out so I was so excited to give it a try this year. I grew up in these mnts. and haven't run here in yrs. so I was so excited to go back home! This is the best time of year to run the foothills too, it was so green and beautiful! It is a special place up there and brings backs tons of childhood memories of exploring the hills with my brothers and sisters. The race started at 7 just above the place where the SLC marathon started at the same time which made for a logistical problem. I made it though with 5 min. to spare. It did make me really happy to drive by the crowds of people walking to the start of the marathon knowing I would be far up in the hills with no crowds and no pavement! There were probably 100 people in the race, not sure yet? I ran into a good friend at the start who I ran with most of the race. I wanted to take it really easy and just finish the run and not be sore, but it never really happens that way. I was running and talking with Taylor who is faster then me and we pushed too hard the first very hilly 4 mile loop. The the course flattens for a bit before the monster climb up dry creek to the ridge near black mnt. uggh!!! The hill was huge and steep and seemed to go on forever! From the ridge we ran down hill past my old house near the "bobsled" and down into city creek. I was feeling really good but it was getting hot! I did eat about every hr. Some snickers bites, some gu, some ginger chews, a banana and chips and the one aid station, and a coke at mile 20. I drank tons, I am thinking about 30 oz. the first 9 miles then 70 oz. the next 11 miles (the big city creek loop had no water and I drank all mine, all 70 oz.!) I drank about another 20 the last 6 miles. Hence..I had to stop and pee 4 times! The city creek loop was long and very hilly and hot! It felt good to hike the huge hills though, my legs felt pretty strong. I did have some leg pain though, all in my right leg, right knee, right ankle, right hammy. It came and went and moved around?? Nothing serious. I ran down city creek trail again feeling good, I caught back up to and passed Taylor at mile 20. He had bonked and I was feeling great, which kinda made me happy. My long races and training are really paying off, finally! I hit the last and only aid station at mile 20 refilled my pack, had some heed, and coke, grabbed a cold wet towel and headed off for the final 6. It was again really hilly but I felt pretty good, didnt push to hard, ran the flats and downs fast as felt good. I finished in 5:18, was hoping for 5 but had NO idea it would be so hilly, Taylor guesses it had 7500 vertical, ouch! Overall a great run, great people, great course, beautiful mountains, I felt great, and it was FREE! I had an ice bath after and stretched and am hardly sore, yea! I am sick of feeling beat up every Mon. a.m.! I am going to take the next 2 weeks easy and get ready for the "canyon"!
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