AM - 11.5 Bloomington Hills. Ran from the South Course Park down the trail and then up the stinkin' meat grinder with 2x30sec and 4x1min, and finished with a few laps around the park. (Barefoot '12 69)(Free 671.45) evening - 14 Pine Valley. Wasn't sure if I would run this afternoon as I am way busy getting XC camp ready and working on the basement, but Steven wanted to do some trail stuff and dragged me along (and Tyson, too). We had to start about 3 miles past Silver Reef because the mountain is closed because of fire danger. I did a run like this in 2009, but this one was just a bit shorter. The run up the road was tough as I was tired. The run up the mountain was junk, of course mostly just a hike when you gain 3000 feet in 3 miles. I kept telling myself it was worth it to just get to the top and enjoy the view. But the climb was tough, it was hot and humid, I was tired, and out of water, and hungry. But it was definitely worth it at the top. The view up there may the most beautiful in the whole world - no exaggeration. You can see for 150-200 miles in nealy every direction and the drop off is intense. Add to that to last night's sunset with the clouds and the rocks of Zion and Cedar Breaks... absolutely incredible. But tired thrashed run; the end seemed to never come. (NB 110 262.75) | 