A Day in the Life

Ever have one of those days when it seems all is perfect in the universe? That everything is aligned just to make you happy and content? Yesterday was like that. I can not think of a better way to spend a day than hiking with friends and just hanging out for 7 hours - not a care in the world, being totally in the moment and relishing every second. My friend Amy organized this hike for us, providing a shuttle car at then end and a ride to the start. She gathered us together, after finding a date that was good for all a month ago, and off we went. There were five of us - two had to bail - and it was a perfect mix of folks. Myself, my two good friends, Amy and Kris, Amy's neighbor, Mike, and a good friend of hers from Washington, Barb.

The weather was perfect. A blue bird day with a perfect breeze to keep us cool as we hiked the open spaces and basked in the sun at our chill spots. We started off in the woods, hiking up out of Mill Creek Canyon. Soon we were up high and on the side of the mountain ridge, heading toward the Canyons Resort. The smell of the pines, the golden aspen leaves scattered across the trail were pure heaven. Then, we got to the views. The colors were so vivid, with the sun shining on them, I couldnt believe my eyes. The yellows and greens bright as could be with splashes of red popping out here and there to surprise you. Walking, talking, taking it all in.

We eventually got to the Suncrest Lodge in the Canyons resort. This is their mid mountain lodge high up for the skiers to take a break at. Of course, it was closed but we set out a table and some chairs and made ourselves at home. Here we kicked off our boots, had lunch, lounged in the sun and just chilled for about an hour. It was perfection.

On we went then, for the final stretch down the mountain, to the Canyons resort, about 2 more miles from there, I think. We found the resort virtually empty, with most businesses closed, so it felt like we owned the place. We grabbed a couple of six packs, made ourselves at home on one of the patios of a bar that was closed, kicked off our shoes once again, and lounged for a good hour and a half. Finally, we peeled ourselves off our chairs and headed into Park City for an awesome Mexican dinner and an end to our perfect day.

Mid Mountain Marathon

"You cant muscle through a five hour run; you have to relax into it, like easing your body into a hot bath, until it no longer resists the shock and begins to enjoy it."

"Dont fight the trail, take what it gives you. If you have a choice between one step or two between rocks, take three."

"When you run on the earth and run with the earth, you can run forever."

"Instead of cringing from fatigue, you embrace it. You refuse to let it go. You get to know it so well, you're not afraid of it anymore. Look forward to the Beast showing up and show it who's boss."

(~ Sage advice from ultrarunners in Born to Run by Christopher McDougall.)

No, 26.2 is not ultra-running by industry standards, but for me it is. I had been reading this book prior to the Mid Mountain Marathon and connected deeply to these statements, and I ran with them, making all the difference.

The day was perfect. A cool 45 - 50 degrees at the race start, promising to shape up to mid 70's. My stomach was churning with nerves and blueberry waffles with peanut butter and maple syrup as I looked around at the nearly 200 racers - most looking relaxed and seasoned - I wondered if any of them felt the same level of anxiety I did. I was antsy, ready to go so my nerves would calm, I knew once I started running I would settle in and chill.

The race finally started with a loop around the Deer Valley buildings to spread people out and then headed out onto the trail. The trail was absolutely beautiful. I have ridden parts of it but never in it's entirety - this was a treat. The trail was mostly rolling, gentle ups and downs, through gorgeous aspen and pine forests, alternating along the way. The rich, fragrant smell of the pine was intoxicating. The trail itself was generally rugged, especially through Iron Mountain with sections of smooth flat dirt - all singletrack. Many a runner finished with bloodstained arms, legs and faces. I, myself, had one crash, but it was gentle - and no blood! The first 15 miles of the trail went by in a snap - I couldnt believe when I saw a sign at an aide station telling me 14.8 miles done - could that be possible? I felt so good and the time just flew by. I was running like the Tarahumara Indians - with joy in my heart and a smile on my face... and the running felt so easy.

At mile 16 I ran into Rich. He had hiked in a couple of miles to see me and take some pictures. From there he ran with me to the cut off point at mile 18 - Red Pine Lodge. I was hoping to make the cut off, and did so easily - an hour and a quarter ahead of deadline. I arrived there in 3:43. From Red Pine Lodge, the trail got more difficult. It was about a two mile "climb" from there and then, I was told, a six mile descent into the Canyons. And indeed it was, downhill, until about mile 23 where it began to climb back up for about a mile, somewhere around where Ambush connected with Holly's, this was tough and I walk/ran most of that section (with probably more walking!). The downhill was a blessing and a curse. My hips and feet were just killing me but the gentle gravitational pull down toward the finish was awesome, even provoking giggles and "airplane arms" around the switchbacks. Finally, I hear the noise from the finish and am routed around the village to the finishing line. Perfect!

My goals for the day were to finish in under six hours, finish unbloodied, and to have fun. I accomplished all three, finishing in 5:32 (unofficial time, by my watch) with a smile on my face.

PCP2P

What a day, literally. 75mles, 14,000' of climbing, 90% singletrack, lots of back aching, triceps aching, grip all but gone and it is done. The 1st annual Park City point to point race was a success. For a first time race, everything was very well organized. A tremedously well marked course. Lots of luck from some awesome rainbows and the day was bound to be a success. I finished in 8 hours and 57 minutes. Good enough for 3rd placed old man. Karen was busy the entire day volunteering at the race. Interestingly she got all the same swag and goodies the racers did, but didn't have to torture herself? For the day it was a nice cool day, some sun, some rain, lots of clouds, some wind, great day for that kind of race. For my race stats, I burned 8852 calories, average HR 152. I estimate I only took in 2000-2500 calories, so I figure I lost a pound or two!! Hmm, maybe I should go eat some fun stuff!!!