Exploring Davis Creek Canyon. Trails on a Map don’t Mean Actual Trails on the Ground

Exploring Davis Creek Canyon. Trails on a Map don’t Mean Actual Trails on the Ground

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Despite my declaration that I would use Flag Rock to train my legs, I looked up at the hills and couldn’t help but go explore something new.  The trails up to Flag Rock or Steed Creek are more heavily traveled than the smaller trails going up the much smaller Davis Creek Canyon.  I started up the Mtn. face north of the creek – trying to find the “Triumph Trail” I found on the Farmington Trails Map.  I did the first…

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KIDS!!!

KIDS!!!

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I quickly decided that I needed to convert the wife and kids to the trails as well.  My girl is 5.5 and son was almost 3.  We went up the north side of the Davis Creek drainage on the “triumph trail” up to the overlook of the lower waterfalls.  They did alright for being so little.  We did see one rattlesnake, which the Mrs. was not thrilled about.

Flag Rock “Ascent Training”

Flag Rock “Ascent Training”

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One thing I was quickly realizing is that if I could strengthen my lungs and legs, I could go farther and enjoy more trails.  I decided that I would try to regularly run the trial up to Flag Rock.  It is steep and short, about 1,400 ft. in 1.5 miles up.  So – great for training my climbing legs.  It was a great run, much better than the first time I tried with sans water.  4.9 miles, 16:13 mile/min pace,…

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Back on the Trails, Francis Peak to Thurston Peak, New Shoes

Back on the Trails, Francis Peak to Thurston Peak, New Shoes

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In early September 2013, my next door neighbor and I went shoe shopping for me.  I tried on a few different pairs of trail shoes, but couldn’t commit.  A couple days later he came over with a pair of Brooks Cascadia 8s.  He had only used them a few times and they were only a size bigger than what I usually wear, and it turns out that lots of trail runners and ultramarathoners buy a size or 1/2 bigger because…

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Doubting this Running Thing

Doubting this Running Thing

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I was seriously beat up and sore after Baer Canyon.  Extreme DOMS – delayed onset muscle soreness.  So much in fact that I I didn’t run again for 2 weeks.  And, after that, I only did bike rides for the next 3 weeks, here, here, and here. I think part of the problem was that I was using OLD trail shoes from years before.  In any case – I did see some pretty sites out in the Farmington Bay Waterfowl…

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Baer Canyon, Biting Off More Than I Can Chew

Baer Canyon, Biting Off More Than I Can Chew

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Enthused by that first trail run, I planned my next attack.  Now living in Utah, I get July 24th off – Pioneer Day.  I convinced a coworker to join me and we made an attack of Baer Canyon.  Unbeknownst to me, this is a notoriously steep and difficult trail.  They hold a killer race there every year called the Bair Gutsman.  Indeed, it was a steep hike.  Over 4,000 ft. in elevation over a 5 mile climb.  The last face…

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First Trail Run, Flag Rock, Rattlesnakes, and Dehydration

First Trail Run, Flag Rock, Rattlesnakes, and Dehydration

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On the evening of 8 July 2013 I went up for my first trail run.  It was in the 90s, and the evening sun was beating on the exposed face of the Wasatch Range that I decided to ascend.  I took the trail closest to home – a set straight up from Farmington to Flag Rock – an outcropping about 1,500 ft up from the valley floor with a large American Flag.  I started “running” and quickly realized that my…

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Professor, Meet Trails. Trails, Meet the Professor

Professor, Meet Trails. Trails, Meet the Professor

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Here’s where the rubber really hits the road…or should I say, dirt. Over 2012 and into mid-2013 I had begun to run on occasion.  I enjoyed the feeling of satisfaction, and general pleasure in attempting to be healthy, etc… But I did not enjoy running.  I almost started to enjoy it in October 2012, but the IT band pain quickly put a stop to my enthusiasm. Then my family and I moved to Utah. Our next door neighbor just happened…

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May 2013: So Long, Nebraska

May 2013: So Long, Nebraska

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Unbeknownst to me at the time, but my days in Nebraska were numbered.  I started the month with the plan to run at least once a week, but by months end was in the throws of flying to Utah for job interviews, accepting a new job, frantically planning the move, etc…  I did clock 3 runs over the course of the month.  3milers.  No complaints at the time. In all, Nebraska was good to me.  Despite its reputation for being…

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