I Ran Through Two States

Monday, September 5th 2011: 15 miles @ 11:06 minutes per mile pace. I ran part of the Sand Hollow Loop which has quite a few challenging hills. Bonus points to me for not dying. I ran the first 4 miles with Mel and Braydon then did the rest by myself and really enjoyed running alone in the dark. I was right by Sand Hollow Reservoir when the first hint of sun started to show up.


There was a really pretty sunrise coming over the hill but thankfully it didn't distract me too much since a skunk ran right in front of me.


Tuesday, September 6th 2011: Got a highly aerodynamic haircut that I'll tell you more about later.

Wednesday, September 7th 2011: 16 miles @ 11:11 minutes per mile pace. I was excited to try my new trail shoes for the first time: Saucony TR 4. I have run many miles on dirt and trails but never had actual trail shoes until now. I am in love with them. Is it just me, or is the smell of a new pair of shoes not one of the greatest smells in the world? New shoes smell like adventure and potential.


I ran on the Arizona Strip dirt road. The night before I ran I looked on mapmyrun.com to see exactly how far it was from the parking lot to the Arizona state line and found out it is 6.5 miles away. I looked forward to running through two states. The area is so isolated that there is no sign saying that you have crossed into Arizona. So I grabbed a stick and made my own state line.


I also figured that this would be a prime spot for a jumping picture. Just for good measure I did a jumping picture in Utah:


Then I stepped across the line, turned around, and did a jumping picture in Arizona. I noticed that my pose is almost identical. I promise I have never been a cheerleader.


I ran a few more miles in Arizona before coming back to my home state. I only took my two handheld bottles and toward the end I was running out of water. (I'm getting pretty good at that if I do say so myself.) It was a toasty 95 degrees outside. I'm sure my blood resembled hot fudge. Up ahead I saw a can on the side of the road that looked unopened. I prayed that it was a Pepsi. But alas, it was a can of Bud Light. And I don't drink. Grrrr.


Aside from the heat, it was a great run. I drank myself a fat Coca Cola afterward which was amazing. Those know-it-all brainiac scientists who say soda is dehydrating are full of it. My Coke was exactly what the doctor ordered.

Thursday, September 8th 2011: Rest

Friday, September 9th 2011: 5 miles @ 9:16 minutes per mile.

Saturday, September 10th 2011: 4 miles @ 8:58 minutes per mile.

Less than one week until the Top of Utah Marathon. I'm nervous and excited and scared and excited.

Do you have any big races coming up?

Is the heat frying your last few remaining brain cells?

Have you ever worn anything besides road shoes?