Trail Running...does it get any better?

I love to run...it is one of my most favorite things to do! Before finding triathlons I could be found running half marathons. The funny thing is I didn't run my first 5K until I was around 25 and then didn't run my first half marathon until I was 28.  Funny how it takes into adulthood to find some things we really love to do!  But, as much as I love running I get tired of the pavement.  There is nothing better then getting out onto the trails to see the beautiful place we live in!  It is amazing to me every time I get out on the trail how incredibly beautiful the mountains are around us.
I called Coach last week and asked him if he wanted to hit the trail...his suggestion was run to the top of Timpanogas.  That sounded like an incredible trail run...I was in!  We made plans to meet up at the trailhead ready to run at 6.  I spent the next 3 days so excited about running this trail.  I knew it would be hard, but I love trails! 
I met Heath and Hailey at the trailhead and we were off.  The weather was perfect for running and I was ready to put in some serious trail mileage.  I had only been to the top of Timpanogas once and that was hiking it about 6 years ago.  I remember last time I hiked it seeing a couple runners running up it and thinking they were crazy.  Why would anyone in their right mind run to the top...and here I was today running it and loving every second of it.  Funny how perspective changes over time!
The trail was incredibly beautiful with some small waterfalls, beautiful wildflowers, some glaciers, and some wildlife!  One of my favorite animals are moose.  I think they are such beautiful creatures and I was really hoping to see one.  Well...about 3 miles into the trail we heard a loud rustling sound and literally 30 yards in front of us walks a moose right across the trail!  On the way back down we were lucky enough to see another moose!  Not sure if it was the same one...but we were running along and right off the side of the trail maybe 20-30 yards was a baby moose.  First thought, "where is its' mama...she isn't going to be happy."  As I was thinking it I see the mama coming down towards the baby.  Lets just say I didn't take time to snap a picture...I was thinking...please don't charge us!
The view from the top of Timpanogas is awesome and it makes the trek up worth it!  The last couple miles to the top I could really feel the effect of elevation....you end up around 12,000 feet and the lungs definitely feel it.
Statistics...13.2 miles, 5900 feet of climbing!  I think I will be planning another trail run very soon!  I feel so lucky to live in such a beautiful place and have the opportunity to explore our mountains.
I made a video of the trek and put it on you tube- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W8c_Fmu-8dY

Two miles from the top!  This meadow was awesome to run through.

At the top..you can see the trail below...sweet!

View of the valley from the top.

RIver Rampage....bloody hot!

On the run

I am not sure what I think of running on grass for almost 6 miles!

Laura and I after the race....the Cool-Aide towels are heaven sent!

Second place female overall

This past weekend I competed in TriUtah's River Rampage Triathlon. I was excited to participate in a TriUtah event as it would be my first! I had heard great things about the race organization so I was looking forward to a great weekend, great racing, AND a down river swim!

We arrived in Green River Friday evening and went to the race site to look at the river. I was surprised at how low it was and how slow it was moving. And...the water was surprisingly warm! I was wishing I had brought my sleeveless wetsuit especially with the 104 degree temperature outside...this race was going to be hot! Laura and I went on a quick 4 mile bike ride to make sure the bikes were working and to do some last minute tune ups and then it was off to Subway. The downside of Green River is there is one good place to eat...Ray's...which involves a hamburger...which does not coincide with my traditional dinner before a race. Subway was the best choice! After dinner it was an adventure out to Crystal Geyser to let the kids run around. I love off the beaten path finds!

Then..off to find the swim start for the next morning. I whipped out my directions to the swim start which led us to a dirt path...but it had a sign that said personal property. My husband told me, “I don't think this is where the start is.” I told him, “the directions say so right here.” He said, “I don't think this is a good idea.” I told him, “I want to see the swim start!” So...off we went down the road. About half way down this man comes out and stands right in front of our truck and which my husband responds, “I told you I didn't think this was a good idea.” This farmer was not happy and wanted to know what we were doing. Obviously we were in the wrong place! I couldn't wait to see where the swim start was tomorrow! And hopefully...it wasn't on this road. As we turned around Jon tells me, “I think if he would have had a gun he would have shot us.”

The next morning we walked outside to ride our bikes down to the start. It felt great without the sun beating down! As we arrived we set everything up. The athletes at this race were so friendly! I had such a great time visiting with people. Triathletes are the best! As we went to the race meeting we were told the river was moving .5 MPH...so much for my super fast swim I was planning on...but I was still looking forward to a nice little current pushing me along. Julie, a nice lady we met, gave us a ride up to the start line so we didn't have to wait for the shuttle. We were told that when we got to the dirt path a farmer could give us a ride in his truck to the start which was a .3 mile walk. I cracked up to find this really nice farmer with a trailor ready to take triathletes to the start that was full of hay and other great things! (Use your imagination) Thanks...but I will walk.

The swim start was actually a great location with a small beach and a great place to get out in the river for a warm up. I am sure that if the river was moving its' actual speed a warm up wouldn't have been so easy. But, it was warming up very quickly outside and getting into the river felt nice. I found where the current was the strongest and put myself just to the right until the race start. No need to have to work before the race to stay in one place in the current.

The race started and I was off. It was one start for olympic which was great! I quickly moved through some kicking and punching and found my own place in the river. There were a couple shallow areas of the swim where I just let the river carry me over until I could swim again. I loved swimming with the current...I thought it was great! I had decided I was going to swim hard as it would be a shorter swim in time for a typical olympic. I came out 5^th woman out of the water with a time of 18:48. I was SO excited!

It was a quick run up the ramp into transition and off on the bike. I didn't feel the heat too much on the bike which was nice as I knew it was going to be hot! The bike course was great. About 15 miles of it was out on a road with some nice rollers. There were two different out and backs on this course which I loved because I could gauge how far behind the leaders I was. I passed 3 girls on the bike coming in 2^nd female off the bike with the fastest split of the day, 1:05.

I quickly grabbed my run gear and was out of transition. The run course was on the golf course and about 80% of the run was on grass. They had just watered the golf course that morning which made the run HOT and HUMID! You could feel the heat coming off the grass. The temperature was high 80's to low 90's during the run with no shade. (I am not exagerrating this!) I felt great the first 2 miles and was taking advantage of the water stations. By the end of mile 3 I was hot and not feeling great. I knew the number 1 female was just over a minute in front of me and I knew I wasn't going to be pulling any fast paces due to how I felt running in the heat. I just gave what I had those last 3 miles which was a slower pace then I am used to. I had the 2^nd fastest run of the day with a 45:51.

I was so happy to cross the finish line! I quickly grabbed my Cool-Aide towel, drenched it in water, and found a place to lay in the shade. I wasn't happy with my run time at all, but as I heard other athletes talking I realized that most everyone had a tough run. Maybe I need to do more running in the heat.

I ended up placed 2^nd overall female with a time of 2:14. The woman who took first was 56 years old and amazing! I want to be like her when I am 56! It was awesome racing with my teammate and friend, Laura, as well!

A special thanks to my awesome sponsors who help make my races successful: TriEdge, HEAD swimming, FlexR sports, Bearpaw, T3, Skull Candy, Kswiss, Darn Tough, GU, and RawRev.

Drama, Drama...

One of the most challenging things about living the lifestyle of an athlete is that every few years or so, my body seems to stage a full-on rebellion! It started with a little thing like a rib popping out, and has escalated to a pulled shoulder, prompting my chiropractor to suggest that surgery could be in the near future. -sigh- All of this led, of course, to me laying off the shoulder and overdoing it in bootcamp with the plyo's leading to the shin splints, which led to... drama, drama, drama. I really could go on, but I'm already tired of hearing myself whine; I won't submit you to the same torture.
As usual, I fell right into negative self-talk, "I have sponsors, expectations, goals etc..."

In the midst of all this frustration, I was blessed with a voice of reason. One of my friends pointed out that triathlon is not about any particular race, but rather a lifestyle. I love cycling. I love swimming. I love running. I love all things physical. It's more than that, though. It's about facing the reality of your authentic self again and again. It's about accepting where you are physically and being willing to put in the hard work to get your body to perform how you would like it to.  I want to be able to live like this for a long time; for a lifetime.  I read that one of the most difficult things for an injured athlete is to be patient. And so, I will be patient. I just wish patience didn't take so long to acquire.