Thankfully, the back pain from last month did not return and I was able to fit in a number of runs and hikes (not listed here, but on Strava) during the remainder of August. I ran a bigger version of the squiggly wiggly. Lots of fun. Some HOT BST action: An awesome morning run up Grove Creek to Chris Flats. Bagged my first Mountain Goat sighting. I even ran some pavement. Possibly the first time this year! Actually, it was…
With muscle relaxants doing their work, I was advised to try some easy slow runs. The Dr. didn’t have to ask me twice! Thursday I hit the some Orem/Lindon BST. It was great to get out and move, but I did it in the heat of the day and the temps really got to me! Feeling good, I tried a new place on Friday – up Provo Canyon and to Big Springs, on the backside of the Cascade Ridge. I…
My running “career,” now about 2-3 years old, has been a long series of overuse injuries. I feel strong, get excited, and run more miles that my body can handle. IT Band issues, stress fractures or tendonitis in my ankles, overly strained feet, the list goes on. Now, it is my back. I have had back issues for 20 years or so, the most painful of which is when I get myofacial trigger points and muscle spasms. These happen a…
I was lucky to visit my hometown in NW Washington with the family and squeezed in a few fun activities. With the back injury, I was limited in what I could do, but here’s a few run/hikes and pics.
This morning I embarked on an “easy” route. Starting at the Timpooneke Campground (after being driven up there by Chris, THANKS!) I took the Great Western all the way around the West side of the Mt. Timpanogos ridge-line, back and behind Big and Little Baldy and down to Orem. It was fantastic. First, you climb a fairly rocky trail for a mile, placing you at the affectionately named “Julie Andrews Meadow.” Then, the trail parallels the Timpooneke Rd., crossing it…
Twice now, I have run a 7 mile loop from the Orem Gun Range > Dry Canyon > The Altar/Rockpile > Orem Gun Range. I think it will be my regular treadmill run. It has it all. Runnable flat-ish rolling trails, a good steep climb, and some fun technical descents. The mile drop from the altar down to the fire break road is such a fun single-track. The grass is about chest high or higher so your immediate peripheral vision…
Mt. Timpanogos is one of the more famous hikes/summits here in the Wasatch, especially in Utah County. Somehow, I never did it back in the early-2000s when an undergrad. This morning I resolved to correct this grievous oversight with an early morning summit before work. I hit the Timpooneke trail at about 5:45 solo. Some trails a “ok,” but worth it because they get you to a beautiful destination. This trail was gorgeous every step of the way. I jogged…
With the family out of town until late tonight, I swapped some morning hours for running and shifted work hours to late evening. With sore feet (strained muscles or bruised on the bottom of my right foot and extensor tendonitis on the top of my left foot) I haven’t been putting in miles. It has been killing me. I put on my old Altra Olympuses and laced them different to minimize pressure on the top of my left foot and…
Exactly 1 year ago today (coincidence, not planned) I explored the Box Elder Trail with a friend and have been dying to get back. I put the peak on my list of summit goals for the year, and this morning I finally bagged it. I posted on some FB groups and an impressive roster of local runners joined. 15 in total (which is the group size limit) + 2 others who came a bit later and did the loop in…
Well, it’s done. I finally ran an ultramarathon. The Bryce 50k is in the bag! Distance: 30.7 miles Elevation gain: ~ 5,349 Time: 7:17:34 Place: 30 out of 86 (100+ started but not all finished) Other than a couple Ragnar Relays, I have run two 5ks and one 5 mile race. As adventure runs, I have gone 20+ miles a handful of times, and over 26.3 only once – none in the race context however. In other words, I not…