C Mantz Run

Storrs asked me what we should run today. I was down to switch it up, and chose golf course backwards. We've done it before, but the first 4 miles are uphill. Arianna stuck with me the whole time which was wonderful. Our first mile was a 7:23. Going up birch, she would speed up which pushed me. Coming off of the trail, she was struggling, so we just went nice and easy. When we got to the mile of downhill, we sped up quite a bit. Ethan caught us (they had extended) and we talked going down the hill. It ended up being a 6:33, so plenty faster than expected. It was just under an 8 minute mile average pace, and was way fun. Right when I got home, I brought Ruby 3 miles up birch. My body was tired, so we went 8:52 pace. I then actually got in a decently good core workout in after.

I went up Smithfield Canyon hoping to do tempo, but I was tired. I went up to the 8 mile turn around. I kept a decent pace going up until the last mile which brought it up to 8 minute pace. I was still feeling tired, so started down slowly. When I was almost a mile down, a white truck came swerving around the corner. It came closer to the edge. I was already in the weeds and tilted my head. If I hadn't tilted my head, the mirror would have hit me. The car wasn't too far from hitting me either. It scared me. Usually, I make eye contact with the driver, but they were flying. I wasn't super angry, just in shock. I slowed way down and felt sick to my stomach, so I cut up birch. My pace slowed way down to an 8:26. Hopefully, that doesn't happen again. I was wearing a gray shirt, so it may have been harder for them to see me, idk. Next time I run up there, I will wear a bright colored shirt, lol.

For practice, we did a nice speed workout. We jogged out to the west side of smithfield (consisting of fields, cows, and an occasional house). We got to a road and based our distance between the telephone poles. The first was a brisk pace, the second was faster, and the third was a sprint. Then, we would recover between one set. We started as a pack, so it was slower and harder to get through. The second and third sets were plenty harder. Arianna came with me, and kicked my butt majority of the sprints. The road went out for a mile. first half was asphalt; the second was dirt/gravel. Coming back, we struggled. It got plenty easier on the asphalt. Arianna struggled towards the end, but we just made our recoveries slower. There were too many sets to count, but it was way fun. We cooled down back to sv nice and easy which rounded to 4.5 miles. I was in charge of core, and made it harder than any of our previous core workouts, but it was fun!

It was almost 90 degrees, butnit was my only chance to run. I brought Ruby without much thought, she's always down to run. We went a mile at 8 minute pace, and she was panting a ton. We ran half a mile back, and I was more worried that she was okay than running more miles. The heat didn't affect me too much, it was nice.

I didn't run until after 12, but it was humid with some light sprinkling. I just wanted to go for an adventure run, so I did. I started up birch. My thighs were a bit sore, so I took it nice and easy. The dirt was perfect. Turned onto the trail that went back on the side of the canyon. I pushed the pace a bit, but didn't get any faster. I then tried to find a trail that went over to the next canyon. While I was looking, I heard a rustle in the tree. At first, I thought it was a hawk, but it was too big to be a hawk as it flew away. It was an owl. I looked up in the tree where it came from, and there was another owl! They were huge! It quickly took off, so I continued searching for the trail. Found it, but the trail was a road less traveled on. Continued up to cedar canyon. I'd only xc skied it, and there were some cool trails going straight up the mountain. Explored some more, then followed the trail back. When I got back to birch, I went up some more past the third gate. Coming back down, I sped up. Super fun run. My pace was around 9 minute miles. It got warmer towards the end, but never too hot.

We were in Monticello and had been driving all afternoon. Got going around 5. I felt the elevation the first, uphill mile, but after that it wasn't too bad. I went to the lake and hopped onto that trail the first possible entrance. Saw plenty of animals. Took the first trail off and went up a road that was covered in snow over the winter. Turned a corner, and it was all uphill. After crossing the 5th cattle guard, I took a break, then finished to 4 miles out. Turned around and flew down the hill. Followed back around the lake where I had come. Dropped my pace way down the last mile  (all downhill). Saw my uncle riding his bike. Almost took a wrong turn to my grandpa's. 8:05 average pace.

Still in Monticello. 9 in the morning. It was 10:00, but not too hot. Went up to the lake. Entered onto the trail the last possible entrance. Went around counterclockwise, which had me at 4.5, so I turned around. It was easier running around clockwise. Followed the road back. My pace wavered right around 8:40 the entire time, but dropped down to 8:29 the final, downhill mile. Way nice getting that many miles in the mmorning. 

3.5 in the evening with Ruby. We went up to the lake (1.5ish out) and over the dam and back. On our way back, Ruby had gone off the trail, stepping in cactus. A small piece stuck to her back paw. I picked her up to pull it out getting a few pricks in my finger and a nice yelp from her. She was able to run home after, so Ruby is a trooper. 8:30 average pace, I think.