Thursday, December 29, 2011

An Amazing Run

Out of all the miles I've ran on dirt, many of them were on the Warner Valley dirt road. I've come to know every twist and turn and it is one of my favorite spots in the world to run. I hadn't been there in a few months since the Javelina Jundred and was anxious to go back.

So yesterday I made the trip ("trip" = 10 minutes away). During the drive I stopped to take a picture of an incredible sunrise above Molly's Nipple. I caught myself saying out loud "Wow, that is amazing!"


I arrived at the dirt road and started running. I wasn't dressed warm enough and the cold was stinging. My fingers were so cold that I think if I had tapped them on the ground they would have cracked off. I was pleading with the sun to come up.


After a few miles I reached a cattle guard. It was surrounded by an Insane Cow Posse, including one with horns that looked mean. He acted like he was daring me to cross the cattle guard so him and his bovine friends could trample me. I apologized for all his friends I had eaten between the buns of Big Macs.


I was relieved when the cows ran away after I crossed the cattle guard. I was feeling ambitious and decided I'd try a jumping picture. This is as close as I can get to doing the splits without causing permanent damage:


The total ascent during my run was 1062 feet but it is gradual and not technical at all. At one point the sun popped out from behind the clouds and completely lit up the red rock mountains surrounding me. Pictures don't do justice to how beautiful it was.


I ended up running 10 miles averaging a 12:13 minute mile. It's no Usain Bolt, but considering that I haven't done much running since the 100 miler, the 12:13 minute miles felt like a speed workout. For much of the run I did a 2/1 run/walk schedule. It's what my knees would allow, and I was so happy with how I felt afterward. I feel like I'm finally finishing up my recovery from the ultra and I'm so excited to start building my fitness and endurance again. It was an amazing run.

When I got home, I got a warm welcome from Ace. Just in case I needed another excuse to shower, here it is:

16 comments:

  1. Congrats on a great run! The pics are beautiful!

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  2. As always I love your pics! And the last one...well it made me both sad and happy. We lost our Duke at Thanksgiving and his tongue was every bit as big and enthusiastic as your Ace's. Thanks for sharing.

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  3. Just beautiful! Awesome job on the great run!

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  4. Love it! Have you ever run in the Kanab area? You should! Killer trail run yesterday through Hog Canyon. Saw a bald eagle and a coyote. My FAVORITE running trail EVER!

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  5. I just love your pictures!!! (You must have an awesome camera) So does somebody run with you to take these, or do you set it on timer? GREAT RUN!!!!!!

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  6. Gorgeous pictures. I think as runners we have more opportunity to take in the beauty around us than our sedentary counterparts.

    The runners high from a good run is priceless. It's good for the soul. Thanks for sharing yours!

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  7. That's an amazing sunrise!! I went out for a run last night and my fingers were so cold that I literally couldn't unball them, it was like a had a perma claw! Ruh Roh!

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  8. I love your Usain Bolt photo! Simply the best.

    I had a pretty bizzare crazy dream last night that me and my husband were your support team while you were running a 100 mile race and then when we took you home you ended up living right by my cousin and we could see her house from your back yard. We went out to the back yard and there was a huge wedding party going on and you were trying to be nice and talk to people but all you really wanted to do was just go relax after your 100 mile run. So random huh?

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  9. Beautiful, Cory! These kinds of runs are the reason we do it.

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  10. Gorgeous pictures! I am so glad to hear you are feeling good and getting back to running.

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  11. too beautiful for words. my gosh those photos have left me speachless. i've seem to have forgotten what the sunrise looks like these days as i have been dragging my bum out of bed after 8.

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  12. Where you run is so beautiful! MD just doesn't offer those same views. :)

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  13. You really shouldn't run fast when you're running in an area that's so pretty. Gorgeous photos!

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  14. Amazing, beautiful and incredible sunrise. What a great place for a run!

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