Sunday, September 11, 2011

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?

18 comments:

  1. eeeeeeekkk!!! cant wait to hear all about TOU! wish I was there to join in the fun! you are rocking your runs lately! love it! and your state line = epic. soda is the first thing i crave after a tough run!

    ummmm i want some trail shoes soooo badly. you may have just convinced me ;)

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  2. Beautiful sunrise pictures! I have worn trail shoes but I have never really liked how much stiffer they were so I usually stick to road shoes. Bummer on finding a beer. One of the best drinks I ever had after a long hot hot run was a cold cold Sprite. Tasted so good!

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  3. I like the first two sunrise photos even more than the jumping photos!

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  4. You did some serious miles! Can't wait to meet you at TOU!

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  5. Love all of the pictures as usual. I too completely concur that the scientist are idiots and nothing tastes better after a run than a soda. :) I didn't know you were doing TOU. Good luck!!!

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  6. What a beautiful but hot run! I don't drink either, so coming across a beer would just suck. Great jumps in both states. Good luck on the upcoming marathon.

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  7. Erin and I gave up soda until after St. George. Yesterday we ran 22 miles and all I could think about was how good an ice cold Coke would taste. Alas, all I got was lukewarm Gatorade. We are volunteering at the finish line at TOU so we will be there to cheer for you when you PR!! And oh yeah, you trail shoes are very sexy, but not as sexy as my Hokas!

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  8. How exciting to run top of utah!! Good luck and have a blast!

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  9. I love your mini state line--too fun! You really have that jumping pose DOWN, don't you?!
    :)

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  10. That is pretty cool....here in Canada we have the Niagara marathon and it actually ends in the USA on the other side of the rainbow bridge....I believe it's the only marathon in the world that starts in one COUNTRY and ends in another!

    PS: I am once again, in awe of your amazing jumps!

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  11. You're getting some really good air my friend. Keep on jumpin!

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  12. Fast Cory waxes poetic, "New shoes smell like adventure and potential." Love your prose. What a stellar running week! Rest up and I can't wait to see you on Saturday. We won't be to Logan until about 8PM on Friday night- that's when we'll head to packet pick up. Shoot me an e-mail as to when you'll be around. I'd love to meet up again if we can swing it. If not, I'll see you at the start and the finish!

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  13. I always love your photos! And your enthusiasm!!

    Bud light. Yuck...
    Flat coca cola was the distance running drink of choice before there was Gatorade!

    The state line is great too :)

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  14. I wear trail shoes (Pearl Izumi Peak II) when I run the trails, but I think I like your Saucony's...I love the Kinvaras for the road!

    Very cool about running through two states. I ran a relay a few weeks back and ran from Colorado into Wyoming...I was so excited about it :).

    Just a few more days...woohoo!

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  15. Ewwww, a hot Bud Light! Grossss. Now, a nice Coke, that's what the dr. ordered indeed!

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  16. Gorgeous sunset photos.

    And those shoes aren't bad looking either!

    Good luck with your race!

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  17. Your blog has me convinced to travel to Utah for a race next year. I went from running shod this year to using minimalist shoes. Not for the faint of heart.

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