Southern Utah's Bearclaw Poppy Trail

This week I ran the Bearclaw Poppy trail in southern Utah for the first time. I got to enjoy one of the things I love most - being out in the middle of nowhere without another soul in sight.

Mucho hot + trails that aren't too insane = perfect training for the Javelina Jundred next week.

Another first: I had entertainment from a stunt plane off in the distance.

In the weeks before a summer race I try to really step up my heat training. "Step up my heat training" is code word for making myself really, really miserable to prepare for the late stages of a 100 miler when I feel, well, really, really miserable. I go in the heat of the day wearing a long, dark shirt so that it feels like I am running through an Easy Bake Oven. That heat training pays off on race day.

Bearclaw Poppy is rated as a "Must Ride Classic" by Utah Mountain Biking. There were countless rolling hills and the trail isn't technical so I can see why mountain bikers love it. I saw a few while I was out there.

I liked the Bearclaw Poppy and the scenery was good. There were lots of trails that branched off with many more miles to explore so I'm sure I'll be back soon. I think it's so cool that for as many trails I've explored and thousands of miles I've run out here I still feel like I've only scratched the surface of what this area has to offer. I never feel bored. Every run feels like an adventure.