Kendall

Worked late. Went to the gym very unmotivated. Jumped on treadmill for 30 seconds and just couldn't do it--it's rare I 'quit' a workout but just couldn't do it. 1 hour weights instead. Agh.

BATTLE CREEK -> GROVE CREEK LOOP

Parked at Grove Creek. Frontage road/trail to Battle. Up Battle and down Grove Creek. Able to maintain a run up battle creek today (much steeper than Grove Creek)--although I probably could have walked sections at an even or faster pace. Grove Creek is so much more runable that I prefer to hike the rockier-steeper Battle Creek and cruise down Grove Creek. Been a couple of weeks since I've been up there. Crazy how fast the grasses/plants grow. A month ago they were just coming up, now they're 4-5 ft tall. Stinging Nettle in full-bloom, sections lining the trail 4 ft tall on both side and unavoidable--not a big deal but keeps me alert!

WASATCH TRAIL RUN SERIES  (Race: 5.81, 2.5 mile warm-up.)

3rd Race (for me--4th of the series) up in Corner Canyon. I measured a bit short (5.81) from the posted 6.1 course, 1,001 ft elevation gain. Not as many runners today putting me higher than I've previously finished. Course 2-Laps of the shorter 5K course. Some good elevation followed by some fast downhill running. 

At the start, let the fast guys go as well as those just going out too fast. Trail heads up after .25 miles and a gradual climb for the next two miles. Nice fast downhill for just over a mile then right back up and doing it again.

Passed a few runners at about the .5 then 1 mile mark then settled in and held my spot for the remainder of the race. As in week's past, there's few couple of guys way out front, a few to several minute gap, then me. Got in the middle of a high school mountain bike club cruising down the single track on the last lap. I was weaving in and out of them, they'd pass me, I'd pass one or two of them back. It was pretty amusing. Certainly any other day I'd just let them by but hey this was a race. I held my spot and battled for position.

 Pushed a hard downhill on the final lap and came in 4th--I think.

Splits/Avg Pace:

Mile 1: 8.47

Mile 2:  8.38

Mile 3: 6.19

Mile 4: 9.09

Mile 5: 7.10

Mile 6: 6.27 

Found a great heart rock mile 4.3 

LAKE BLANCHE--SUNDIAL PEAK (almost) 8.9 miles / 4,285 ft elevation gain

Going to get into Big Cottonwood for the next little bit. I finally wrapped my head around this whole Mill B, Mill D business, realizing that the "Mill's" aren't in Millcreek but Big Cottonwood. I didn't jump on to one of the "Mill" trails today but decided to do the iconic Lake Blanche trail. Somewhat of a late start going directly from work. Headed up canyon, a bit steep and rocky for running. Met a nice couple from Georgia heading down asking how far the lake was. I mentioned that if they were looking for the lake they were going the wrong way...realizing they had just turned around for fear that it would get dark before they could make it. I convinced them to turn back around, as they were already half way, and that they'd make it there and back before dark. (Saw them later at the lake and they were blown-away and thankful for the gentle persuasion.)

Decided to push-on to Sundial Peak scrambling up the scree slope heading south and west. Found a reasonable way up (not sure if it's the right way up--need to research) which required some rock climbing/scrambling. I promise myself as well as others that when I'm running alone that I won't do anything stupid (too stupid). The climb up to the peak was getting a bit dicey, it was after 8 pm and I thought better and with only perhaps 300 ft to go I turned around and headed down--another day with a bit more time I'll get it done.

 As close as I would get today

Beautiful lake, large moon coming over the ridge. BEWARE...the mosquitos are out!! Quick run down, getting dark. Saw a small bull moose half way down. Great run/hike.

8 on the JRPT. Nice change of pace. Bit of a head-wind, legs a bit heavy.

TIMPANOGOS (Timpooneke Trailhead)

Late start leaving the trailhead at 6:30. A good amount of snow has melted since last week. I wouldn't be surprised to have no snow under-foot by next week. Got a bit cool as the sun starting setting behind the mountain. Saw a few people coming down and nobody after the big meadow. Thought I might see some making the hike with the nearly full-moon but had the whole mountain to myself.

Up: 2:08 not a bad pace but sub 2 is very doable for me at some future point when I decide to push it. Beautiful (nearly?) full-moon coming up over the peak. Pictures just can't do it justice.

Got dark pretty quick. Threw on my headlamp and headed down. Saw a couple of small buck in the meadow before dropping down.

I was reminded that I don't like coming down Timp in the dark (or at least trying to run in the dark). The trail is a dusty grey color with little variation. The light seems to reflect off-of it making depth perception difficult. Tripped up several times coming down. Often easier to turn the light off and try to navigate down (at the lower elevation the moon wasn't quite up), Had to pull way back making it down in a slow 1:49. Just under 4 hours round-trip.