Standing On Molly's Nipple

"I wasn’t a truly genuine trail ultrarunner until March 7, 1992 at the Wild Oak 50 near Harrisonburg, Virginia. It was a rainy day and simultaneously, while I was piddling on the run, chewing on an energy bar and washing it down with Mountain Dew, my nose was dripping and I farted. That was the ultimate defining moment in my trail running career, if not my entire life." - Bob Boeder

A few days ago I mentioned that I had an adventurous 20 miler. So here's the story. Anyone who has driven through our city on their way to Zion National Park has seen Molly's Nipple. I don't know who Molly is, but it's not hard to understand how this mountain got it's name:


I had never run to the top of Molly's Nipple before so I figured that would be a good destination for my 20 miler. (It's not nearly as daunting coming from the back side. I followed these directions.) The dirt road is easy to navigate until the last few miles where it gets more rocky and technical.

But the view from the top is breathtaking. This is Hurricane, Utah where I call home:


The Nipple overlooks the Hurricane airport and it was cool to see airplanes flying below me:


I spent a few minutes eating a Snickers bar and enjoying the scenery before heading back.


I had been running for a few miles back toward my car when I ran directly over THIS!


I instantly had the involuntary response of screaming like a girl. I wasn't as scared when I turned around to see it wasn't a rattlesnake. It was about three and a half feet long and stretched across the trail. He stayed there patiently while I took a bunch of pictures.

After my close encounter with a rattlesnake a few weeks ago and now this, I'm starting to feel like The Snake Whisperer.


I finished the 20 miles averaging 11:35 minutes per mile and was amazed how good I felt during the whole run. It was 85 degrees outside and I kept thinking "How in the world am I feeling this good?" Going slower pays dividends. Every mile I run on dirt makes me dislike running on the road even more. This was such a fun run.

After running 20 miles in the heat there are a series of requirements you must foll0w:
1) Get in your car.
2) Drive to the nearest gas station. Do not pass go. Just get there.
3) Walk inside and buy an ice cold Coke.
4) Disregard the people who can't seem to take their eyes off your dirty, sweat-crusted face. They will think to themselves "Gosh, that guy looks like he just got back from 'Nam!"