City Creek Canyon Training Run 12.13.14

 A few of us went decided to run up City Creek Canyon today.  There were supposed to be more, but with Christmas party obligations and the forecast calling for rain, we had a few people opt out.  Heather and I had planned on running this together, but invited our running family for those who wanted in.  We planned on going 14 miles today.

So we met at the NE parking lots next to the Capitol building before heading up.  We had Robert, Karrie, Julie, Robin, Heather, and I.

 It started off overcast as we headed to the mouth of the canyon, but started drizzling as soon as we got on Bonnieville Drive.  We didn't let the rain stop us though!  We battled rain and then sleet!

 And then the sleet turned into snow! 

 But up we went!  We weren't letting the elements keep us from getting our 14 miles in!  The wind didn't help and made things even colder!  Our gloves were soaked and freezing our hands!  But we kept trudging forward!  The gradual uphill was brutal for Heather and I!  Our legs felt so heavy because of our run up to the Living Room on Thursday!

We got to the loop of the trail where the road ended, and kept going on the trail!  It was so beautiful!  And the snow was really thick on the trail.

We had so much fun exploring!  We went a little further than this bridge to make 7 miles, and then turned back around to head back to our cars.  The wind whipped our faces on the way back down.  It felt like a blizzard!  My lips felt like they were going to fall off!

Our legs felt so heavy on the way back.  My feet were hurting from the cold.  Down the canyon definitely felt better than up!   The hurt was a different kind of pain though.  We were so glad to get down to the mouth of the canyon and only have that final mile to run.  The cars were a pleasant sight to see!  Robert was right in saying "Strange how something can be so miserable and yet so fun! :)"  It's so true!  I would have never made it that 14 miles through the elements on my own! And for some reason, the cold didn't feel so cold while I was running with my Run Aways family!  I love this group!  

The Living Room Training Run 12.11.14

Thursdays are my middle of the day trainings with Heather on the Bonnieville Shoreline Trail (BST) near the University of Utah.  I always see people running on this trail while I'm working, as the windows to our lab face the side of the mountain with the trail.  I used to get jealous watching all of those people running while I was stuck at work, but like I've said I started taking my lunch to the trails on Thursdays.

Heather and I have been running up the Dry Creek Trail and increasing in distance each time, but today I thought we could change it up a little bit and run up to The Living Room.  It's not very long of a trail, but it's pretty steep!  I've only hiked it a couple of times, but never run it.  I always saw people running up and down that trail, so I figured we'd give it a go.

We started from the Jewish Community Center (JCC) and then headed towards the Natural History Museum.  I thought the trail we were on connected to the trail to the Living Room, but I was wrong.  So we detoured...and struck a yoga pose while we were at it!

We had to make our way down the trail, back down and around Red Butte Gardens, then over to the Living Room trail head.  But of course with it being all brown and dead, I missed the turn.  So we ran over to This Is The Place, and turned around.  Then the craziness began!  Up to the Living Room we went!  And boy was it intense!

This picture of Heather pretty much summed up how our legs felt up the trail!  Whew!  Our hammies and quads were burning!  But we kept smiles on our faces and pushed through the burn!

 

We finally got to the Living Room, where they have "rock furniture."  We took a break and enjoyed the view before heading back down.

We headed back down and over to the JCC.  It felt nice to stretch out and sit after that steep climb!  Here's what our elevation gain/loss looked like!  6.01 miles

Bluffdale Pre-Christmas Running Clinic and Yellow Fork Canyon Training Run 12.06.14

Have I mentioned that I LOVE MY RUNNING GROUP?!?!?!?  Because I DO!  This running family of mine has pushed me beyond my mental walls and has challenged me to be a better runner and triathlete!  They've even gotten me out on the craziest element days to do runs, when I would normally wuss out and sit at home on the couch!

Today we met at Bluffdale City Park for the Pre-Christmas Running Clinic, hosted by Robert.  It was a cold, windy morning.  There was a 1 mile loop for us to run and choose our distance.  And then eat and socialize with one another!  I got to meet more of our Run Aways family.  Heather, Alberto, and I ran about 2 -3 miles and then chatted with everyone. And took our jumping pictures of course!  :)

Our jumping pictures are a signature for our group, and this particular series we took made us all laugh so hard we almost peed our pants (especially with Susette accidentally kicking Cory in the leg)!

Janet, Heather, Me, Alberto: some of the crazies doing the Polar Plunge in January

Janet and me.

Robert, Heather, Me, Alberto

After mingling, eating, and laughing, Heather, Alberto, and I headed up to Yellow Fork Canyon for a little bit of a tougher run.  We encountered mud, snow, and ice along the way to the top.

 

We made it to the top!  Yay!  

More snow, ice, and mud on the way back down!

 

Heather and I kind of ran near the brush because of all the ice, and we kept getting burrs and stickers all over our pants!  She attracted what seemed like a tumbleweed after a particular patch of brush.  Then she slipped and we started our laughing and giggles all over again!  Her leg ended up looking like a cow pie!  

Although the ice made it a little more difficult, it was a fun trip around that trail!  Can't wait til next time!  

Capitol Building to Ensign Peak Park 12.03.14

Heather decided to humor me and come out on a run with me by the Capitol building here in Salt Lake.  We were going to do a short run, but it was nothing short of easy!  We started by the parking lot bordering the North East side of the building, overlooking Memory Grove.  We ran around the south and then west side of the Capitol before heading back east and north on State Street up to Ensign Peak.  All I can say is WHOAAAAAAA NELLY!

I rode that hill before, and it was intense then!  But running?  Whew!  I've recently started to (dare I say it?) LOVE it!  Even the burn of running uphill! 

As you can see from the pictures, it was pretty steep!  We made it all the way up to the Ensign Peak Park entrance and then headed back down for 4.1 miles!  And of course we had to stop and do our yoga challenge pics before we headed home! 

Our legs were screaming, but it was such a great run!