If you can't run, then walk.
If you can't walk, then crawl.
But whatever you do, keep moving."
~Martin Luther King, Jr.
I think Martin Luther King, Jr. could have run an ultramarathon.
Monday, January 9th 2012: 3 miles @ 11:29 pace. I don't remember anything about this run. I may have still been asleep.
Tuesday, January 10th 2012: 3.6 miles @ 10:00 pace. Right as I walked out my front door, my friends Mandie and Jess were running by. Generally I'd rather run by myself but I couldn't pass up going with these guys. I knew I'd be laughing the whole time. I particularly enjoyed Mandie's story about her child dropping a 4-letter swear word at church.
Wednesday, January 11th 2012: 14 miles @ 13:27 pace. This was the first time I've ever run on Gooseberry Mesa. (HERE is a good map and directions.) Let me tell you something amigo: those were a challenging 14 miles. In case you think I'm trying to blow smoke up your skirt, notice the "EXTREME DIFFICULTY" sign here:
I did most of my run on the south rim. The first few miles were alright, but the scenery really improved when the trail came to the edge of the mesa.
Many of the miles are on slick rock with no sign of a trail. Fortunately a path is very well-marked with dots of white spray paint. They are fairly close together and are easy to follow. Here is a picture of one of the markings:
It was a bit windy up there. (And by "a bit windy" I mean "I think I just saw a low-flying locomotive.") Finally I arrived at The Point and the view was spectacular.
My apologies to any co-workers who may be reading, and now have a mental image of what I look like wearing tights. Sorry about that.
If you're considering jumping off a cliff (which I certainly considered last week after hearing about the Hostess bankruptcy), this would be the place to go.
Thursday, January 12th 2012: 6 miles @ 11:14 pace. I felt like I could have gone longer but it was way past my bedtime and I had to get up early the next morning for work.
Friday, January 13th 2012: Rest.
Saturday, January 14th 2012: 17.5 miles @ 12:17 pace. I felt really good for the first half but started to drag on the way back. My legs felt like they were out of juice. Maybe it's because I far exceeded the Surgeon General's Warning about how much Chex Muddy Buddies a human should consume in one week.
I ran on the Warner Valley dirt road and caught the sunrise lighting up the red mountains in the background.
On my way home I stopped at Burger King and bought two chicken sandwiches. They were completely unhealthy and utterly delicious. This was an amazing post-run meal.
Do the rest of you guys crave junk food after a run?
Chex Muddy Buddies: great food, or the greatest food ever?
It depends the length of the run as to how much and what kind of junk food I will consume. Remember that time we went to Kneaders after that awesome 20 miler? I would run that far again just to eat there. thanks for breaking your routine and running with us!
ReplyDeleteYou run on some of the most gorgeous trails I've ever seen. Sorry about the Hostess news. Very sad indeed. Looks like you had a great week!
ReplyDeleteNot necessarily junk food...but I definitely feel justified in eating whatever I want.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous pictures, as always. :)
I am a junk food junkie after I run. My go-to is McDonalds fries and I don't feel guilty about eating them either. I know I should be going to a protein shake but ....fries are better.
ReplyDeleteYou crack me up. :)
Chex muddy buddies are delicious. For sure. Yummmm.
ReplyDeleteWhat was your elevation gain/loss on the Gooseberry Mesa? My husband mountain bikes that trail sometimes--I can't imagine running it!
Muddie Buddies will slow you down for sure. Nice work on all the running! You sure have a beautiful place to run!
ReplyDeleteGood week, I love Muddy Buddies too but probably wouldn't have lasted long with that as my fuel either. I tend to crave greasy junk food, the longer the run, the worse the food I crave!
ReplyDeleteChex muddy buddies: Greatest food every. Hands. down. Nice training for the week Cory!
ReplyDeleteGreatest food ever. No question. So good.
ReplyDeleteI think the problem is that you didn't bring the muddy buddies WITH you on the run. Then you probably would have hit 20 miles :)
ReplyDeleteI'm not much of a junk food eater so no I don't crave that "crappy" stuff. I do love me some greek yogurt and peaches after a run or some hot oatmeal with pears cooked into it. Sooooo delish!!
ReplyDeleteAny chance you and your wife running the St. George half this Saturday? Me and my daughter are running. I'm pretty happy about getting down to a little warmer climate, that's for sure, although your photos don't show it as looking very toasty warm.
I often wonder why I don't get McDonald's after every long run. It's the fat or something. We must burn off enough of it that our body is screaming- GET IN MY BELLY GREAZZY BURGER!!!
ReplyDeleteOnce again - gorgeous views. No wonder you;re smiling.
ReplyDeleteLove the pictures!!
ReplyDeleteGreat pics and good job on putting the miles in! For me I get cravings before I workout; when it's 20 degrees out and I'm heading to the gym, I crave ice cream :) Teresa Bailey
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