Monday, February 13, 2012

My Funny Whitney Houston Story (And Some Running)

Monday, February 6th 2012: 10 miles @ 11:13 minutes per mile. My alarm went off at 4:50am. To run. 10 miles. Before work. I am possessed by a demon. The real me would never, ever do this.

Tuesday, February 7th 2012: Rest.

Wednesday, February 8th 2012: 24 miles @ 12:15 minutes per mile. I started the run with the Hurricane Rim Trail. Although the scenery is incredible, I think this is a fairly challenging trail. There are spots that are pretty technical, at least for my clumsy feet.


I stopped back at my car after about 15 miles to refuel. If this won't cause a sugar crash, nothing will!


Two thumbs up for the phunkadelic clouds. I've learned that it's hard to take a good picture without some clouds.


Later I ran some side trails (I don't believe they have a name). I think the hardest part of the run wasn't the 24 miles, it was the 3,285 foot elevation gain on tricky trails. I was feeling pretty tired by the end, but gave a little kick at the end and my last mile was the fastest - 8:50.


Thursday, February 9th 2012: 6 miles @ 11:17 minutes per mile. I was surprised how good I felt after running 24 miles the day before. I spent my time dodging cars. There were some positively crazy drivers on the road that night.

Friday, February 10th 2012: Rest.

Saturday, February 11th 2012: 20 miles @ 11:43 minutes per mile. I had my first experience running on Little Creek Mesa. I met up with Matt Gunn, the race director for the Zion 100, and Justin Nelson, the only other person from Utah who ran the Javelina Jundred. (FYI: They are fast.) (FYI: I'm not fast.)


I really enjoyed hearing about the planning for the Zion 100 from Matt. I think it's going to be such an awesome race. The trail up to the top of the mesa includes some cool views of the Kokopelli Golf Course down below. To get an idea of how high you climb in the first mile, here is what my car looks like from above:


I stuck with the speed demons for 4 miles before sending them on their way and I did another 16 at a slower pace. There were lots of birds flying around for some reason. Fortunately I don't think they were vultures.


I finished my last two miles around the golf course and liked the scenery with these amber waves of grain weeds.


The 60 miles I did this week felt pretty hard, with a total of 7,198 feet climbing. I seem to be recovering from the runs pretty quickly which I am thankful for.

In completely unrelated news......apparently Whitney Houston died this week.

Want to hear a funny story? The jukebox at the local bowling alley used to have Whitney's song "I Will Always Love You" on the song list. (Before the bowling alley closed a year or two ago.) So my brother-in-law and I would go bowling and take a pocket full of quarters. We would pop tons of quarters in and play "I Will Always Love You" over and over again. (FYI: that song is like 9 minutes long!) It was hilarious to watch bowlers get so angry when they had to listen to repeats of Whitney Houston.

25 comments:

  1. Nice training week! That totally looks like grain to me too. Shows what I know.

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  2. you be killin' them miles! wish i was possessed by the 4:50 am running demons to get my tushie out of bed to work out!

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  3. Man. My yearly goal of 50,000 feet in elevation gain is a joke for you! As always, great pictures and great training. I feel for you on the early morning- why do we torture ourselves?

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    1. Seriously. Getting up at 4:50am.....Just another example to prove that we need therapy.

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  4. Nice week of running! I continue to be in awe of your dedication. Keep it UP!

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  5. I'm sneezing just looking at that picture of amber waves of weeds! What a great week you had, though - nice job! You are getting so much stronger and it's a blast watching you train for this next 100!

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    1. That means a lot coming from one of my running heroes. Thanks for your encouragement Jill!

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  6. You are killing the training for this 100! You are going to be jumping over that finish line and it won't even be because you think a unicorn Care Bear is behind you. :)

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    1. I certainly hope you're right! Although I'd rather come across a Care Bear during the ultra instead of a rattle snake.

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  7. Best Whitney Story EVER! Also, I gave you a shoutout yesterday. Take a look http://chix20chix.blogspot.com/2012/02/one-part-sherry-arnold-two-parts.html

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    1. Thanks for the shoutout - and I'm so happy to see you found your way to the trail!

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  8. Wow awesome training Cory. And seriously that elevation gain is insane!! I cannot even imagine. You are going to be so prepared for the race.

    I laughed out loud at the Whitney Houston story. so funny!

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    1. Thanks! Next time you're at a bowling alley, see if they've got that one on the jukebox.

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  9. Wow, that's a huge first mile! Every time I start to think I'm running a lot I'm going to look back here. :)

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    1. My lungs were starting to fill with lava by the time we got to the top but the views were definitely worth it.

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  10. Good GRIEF that is a lot of miles! So great to meet you on saturday after your crazy long run. You are even cooler in real life. :)

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    1. It was great to meet you too! I'm glad you said hello. Tell your friend she did a great job during the presentation and keep me updated on your Utah Valley Marathon training!

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  11. I swear you run just for an excuse to go out and take amazing photos. Once again - beautiful!

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    1. Char - I think you're totally right. Sometimes I stop way too often to take pictures.....which may contribute to my not-so-fast running.

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  12. ummmm. it has been far too long since i have had soda. i wanted to grab that one out of the pic. your elevation gain is HARD CORE.

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    1. I admire those of you with strong wills who can avoid soda. It is my one ugly habit.

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  13. I often think I'm possessed when I get up before 4 am to run. You logged some great miles, and as usual, take some excellent pictures. And your blog is still hilarious. I used to be on a bowling league and I would lose my mind if I heard Whitney on repeat.

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  14. That last photo is SO gorgeous. Great work!

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  15. First of all, you're a stud with that crazy mileage this week. That's insane! Plus, it wasn't just easy flat miles...you did a LOT of climbing! Way to go, buddy!

    Second, that is hysterical about Whitney Houston! I would totally have been dumping in the quarters with ya!

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