Yep, I ran a marathon this Saturday just like everyone who ran Salt Lake. I just didn't have to pay $75 and run on the roads.
We started at 7am on one of the trailheads above the avenues, ran a loop thru City Creek and over to the west side of that canyon, back down City Creek, then back to the start. That got the first 10 miles or so out of the way. Then we went up the trail past a water tower, and along the BST, down Dry Creek Canyon and over to the aid station behind Huntsman Cancer Center. then a loop thru the Red Butte area brought us back to the aid station, back up Dry Creek, continuing past where the trail switchbacks and up the actual creek bed, on up Black Mountain ridge, then along the ridgeline back to the start. We finished in Dan's driveway. I've been told that there's over 6000' of vertical on this course and I believe it. We had at least two 1000'+ climbs (very steep as well).
This is the fourth year I've run this race and with the exception of two years ago, I always have a good time. I felt really good and tried to push the running a little. I started out a little slow, just chatting with everyone I know (which is most of the 95 runers there), then I picked it up some after about 5 miles. During the next 20+ miles, I managed to catch around 20-25 people while only a couple people passed me. Even the climbs weren't too bad and I'm not a climber at all. I managed to run up most of Dry Creek canyon and that's after 21 miles. I think the speed work is helping with that.
Weather conditions were ok. The wind was terrible all day long. The temperature finally warmed up to the 70's but along some of the upper ridges that wind had to be blowing at over 40 mph. Some of the smaller women were really getting tossed around. You know it's bad when it takes effort to run downhill.
Very little snow on the course this year, maybe 200 yards total, and the trails were dry. Great running conditions.
Anyway, a good time was had by all, expecially after we were done. I'm surprised at how sore my legs are today. |